A brief Description of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Situated in southwestern Uganda, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of the four protected areas in the world where mountain gorilla trekking is conducted. It was gazetted in 1991 and it covers an area of only 34 square kilometers making it the smallest national park in Uganda. Sitting high in the clouds, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a world known national park that was created to protect the endangered mountain gorillas. Though this is Uganda’s smallest national park, it is one of the most scenic destinations in Uganda, the Pearl of Africa.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park forms part of the extensive Virunga Conservation Area (VACA), a shared region by 3 African countries; Uganda, Rwanda and D.R. Congo. The park is situated in Kisoro District, the far Southwestern side of Uganda. It was established in 1991 and primarily protects the endangered mountain gorillas.
Mgahinga is 33.7sq.km and derives its name from the Kinyarwanda word –Gahinga which also means the small lava stones. This park features unique landscape characterized by woodlands, savanna grasslands, bamboo forest, semi-alpine vegetation, montane forests, Afro-montane, tropical forest and other volcanoes like Muhabura and Sabyinyo.
At Mgahinga National Park, variety of wildlife species are available for exploration including the forest hogs, bushbucks, patas monkeys, golden monkeys, baboons, buffaloes, African porcupines, leopards, golden cats, black and white colobus monkeys, bush babies, geckos, snakes and many birds.
Location
Mgahinga National park is located in South Western Uganda. The park lies on the northern slopes of the mountains Muhabura, Mgahinga and Sabyinyo. These three volcanoes give the park an unforgettable view. The park can be accessed from both Kampala (uganda) and Kigali (Rwanda).
Great Scenery
Mgahinga is one of the most beautiful places on earth. The parks is located in the “skies” with its fascinating peaks rising high. The park is formed of three of the six Virunga volcanoes that define the southern boundary of the Albertine Rift Valley. These volcanoes spread across Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo.
The Virunga Mountains are home to more than half the last remnant population of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas. On the slopes of the volcanoes, there are about 480 individuals wondering through the hilly forested jungles, while the remaining 420 live in the nearby Uganda’s Bwindi National Park Impenetrabele. The mountain gorillas of Mgahinga roam freely within the two adjacent gorilla parks in Rwanda (Volcanoes NP) and DRC (Virunga NP).
Things to See
Mgahinga National Park boasts of roughly 39 mammal and 79 bird species. Animals including the elephants, leopards, buffalos and warthogs/bush pig are once in a while seen at the park. However, the mainly notable and prevalent inhabitants of the park are the Mountain Gorillas.
Besides mountain gorillas, the park also comes with other attractions. There over 76 mammal species which include big forest hogs, leopards, forest elephants, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, the golden monkeys and many more as well as over 115 distinct bird species for instance the whydah, ibis, fire finch stonechat, the yellow vented bulbul, speckled mouse bird, Red throated alethe, Archer’s robin chat, Barred long tailed cuckoo, dusky long tailed cuckoo, the Rwenzori Turaco, Equatorial Akalat, grey capped warbler, Kivu ground Thrush, Banded Prinia, and waxbills and many more.
Garama Caves
The park also features the Garama cave which is frequently visited while on Batwa encounters. These caves are a few remarkable historical sites where the Batwa pygmies once lived and fought against their neighbors. This means that Mgahinga National Park isn’t only for mountain gorilla trekking but also for birding, hiking and cultural safaris and many more exciting adventures. The cave stretches up to 342 meters long and 14 meters deep. The site has been occupied by bats but a visit to it rewards with amazing cultural traditions, norms and lifestyles of the Batwa who lived in the forest for over 500000 years and left it without any foot print.
Birds in Mgahinga
With about 115 bird species, Mgahinga National Park is one of Uganda’s most significant birding sites. The birds to identify in this park include among others the black kit, white necked raven, paradise flycatcher, double collared sunbird, ibis, whydah, Ruwenzori nightjar, Ruwenzori turaco, dusky crimson wing, Kivu ground thrush, yellow vented bulbul, waxbills among others.
Things to Do in Mgahinga
Gorilla trekking
Aside from exploring Lake Kagezi, gorilla trekking is a must-do activity on a Uganda safari tour in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. This park holds a population of about 80 mountain gorillas, some of these can be spotted on a gorilla trek in Nyakagezi family group. A valid Mgahinga gorilla permit is required for you to be allowed to visit Nyakagezi group and each permit is obtainable at US$800 per person.
Gorilla trekking is the main highlight of visiting Mgahinga National Park. There is one habituated gorilla family that tourists visit on a gorilla trek within the park. The habituated group is called the Nyakagyezi group and consists of 11 members including 2 silver back gorillas. You can book a gorilla tour to this park with a local tour operator in Uganda or Rwanda and the booking of a gorilla permit is done by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Although mountain gorillas, are the biggest attraction forms of the park, there is other wildlife that live in the park. The park has no fewer than 76 species of mammals, including the golden monkey (local and rare breed from blue monkey), black and white colobus monkey, leopard, forest elephants and the large forest hogs. Golden monkey tracking is another interesting adventure one can take in Mgahinga National Park. For birders the park has a good number of bird species including rarities and endemics.
Volcano climbing
With all the 3 magical volcanoes that are confined within this park, hikers are never left out. The 3 Virunga Mountain ranges that straddle within this park include Mount Muhabura which literally denotes the guide and stretches up to 4127 meters. Hiking through this scenic volcano can take you about 8 hours. On a hike, come across small shrubs, grasses and rock ground in addition to magical views over the peaks of Mount Rwenzori, Virunga Mountains, Bwindi forest and others. In case of long hikes, you are advised to spend a night at the base camp and you need water, tent, food and sleeping gear.
Mount Gahinga is where this volcano derived its name and denotes to a pile of lava stones heaps around which cultivation is carried out. Hiking this volcano may last you six hours through bamboo forest and rewards hikers with amazing views. The other is Sabyinyo volcano which denotes old man’s teeth and climbing it takes you about eight hours and for those who may wish to embark on a little more challenging hike this is the best place for you. On top of this volcano, you have opportunity to have clear view over Uganda, Rwanda and the DR Congo.
Community Experience
Around the park there are several different local communities where one can go for a local community tour. These include the Batwa Pygmy tribe, an ethnic group that lived in the forest. The Batwa were food gatherers that shared the forest with the mountain gorillas. To protect the mountain gorillas these people were relocated from the forest without compensation and were moved to outside the park. You can take a Batwa Local Community tour and get them earn a living from tourism.
Tips for Mgahinga Visitors
The habituated gorilla family within the park moves between the DRC, Rwanda and Uganda. Therefore booking your gorilla trekking tour you need to get a confirmation from a local tour operator about the presence of the group within the park. For the last 2 years the group has been in Uganda.
Gorilla trekking is a strenuous activity! You need to be physically fit in order to enjoy your gorilla trek in Mgahinga National Park. Remember to come with the right gear for your adventure into the wild.
Getting There
You can take a bus from Kampala to Kisoro. The park is located just a 30-minute drive from Kisoro and you can take an organized car service from Kisoro. It is possible to reach Kampala from Mgahinga in one day, but the distance is very far. There are many tour operators who offer an organized gorilla safari that you can join to explore the park in depth!
Where to Stay in Mgahinga National Park
If you want to stage a camp, there is more than enough space at the park gate and Mount Gahinga Rest Camp for ‘Do it Yourself Camping’, besides that, there is also superb traditional Bandas managed by the local community. Kisoro Town is just 14 kms to the gate of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and offers a variety of accommodation facilities like the basic Camp-site and luxurious full board hotels which include:
1. Traveler’s Rest
2. Mgahinga Safari Lodge,
3. Mt. Gahinga Rest Camp
4. Virunga Hotel,
5. Sky Blue
6. Rugigana Campsite
7. Mubano Hotel
8. Community Camp ground with ample space for ‘ Do it you Self-Camping
For more information visit the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park website.