MT. MGAHINGA NATIONAL PARK

March 11, 2023
Uganda National Parks

Where Gold Meets Silver.

The Park is about 10 kilometers south of Kisoro, at just 33.7 square kilometers, and it occupies the smallest part of the Virunga conservation area, which together is 434 square kilometers and is considered Uganda’s smallest national park. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park a high altitude of between 2,000 to 4,000 meters is located in the southwestern corner of Uganda and is bordered to the south by the Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda and to the west by the Virunga National Park of the Democratic Republic of Congo. What is exciting is that the park is part of the larger Virunga Conservation Area that spreads over three countries: Uganda, Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park, and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where each of these countries protects its own portion.

Apart from this, like Bwindi’s impenetrable national park, Mgahinga national park is famous for the endangered mountain gorilla safaris. Special to this park we see the golden monkeys something you can’t find in other national parks of Uganda. While in this park you may possibly sight Vervet monkeys, Patas monkeys, Spotted hyenas, Serval cats, Red tailed monkeys, snakes, Mangabeys, Leopards, Golden cats, Elephants, Buffaloes,  Bushbucks, Bushbabies, Blue monkeys, Baboons, African porcupines, Forest hogs, Black and white Colobus monkeys among others.

Things to Do in Mgahinga National Park

Golden Monkey Tracking

Golden monkey tracking is one of the top activities that make this park an interesting place for travelers and should not miss on your Africa safari because this activity allows you to track the golden monkeys and once you find them you are allowed to stay with them for 1 hour before you can set back this costs $60. There is also a possibility of staying longer for a habituation experience which requires an extra charge of $100. The golden monkeys look incredibly beautiful with a golden coat each small in size about twenty pounds for adults and love to feed on bamboo shoots. These can only be experienced in the Virunga ranges that are in Uganda, Congo, and Rwanda.

Bird Watching

Mgahinga national park is a good destination for birding safaris for example, in the wetlands, Buffalo Wall, and forests. Some of the birds to see include speckled mous and ibis, White-starred Robin, White-necked raven, red-throated alethe, White Starred Robin, Western Green Tinkerbird, Wax Bills, Pin-tailed whydah,  Striped breasted Tit, Stray seedeater, Stone Chat, Speckled Mousebird, Southern Red Bishop, Shelly’s Dusky Crimsonwing, Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori Nightjar, Rwenzori double-collared sunbird, Rwenzori Batis, Rufous chested swallol, Regal Sunbird,  Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Red-necked spurfowl, Paradise Flycatcher, Olive woodpecker, Olive Thrush, Thrush and Cinnamon Bracken Warbler,  Olive Pigeon, masked apalis, Montane nightjar, Malachite Sunbird, Scarlet-tufted Sunbirds, Kivu-ground Thrush, Handsome Francolin, Grey Capped Warbler, Greater Double collard Sunbird, Grauer’s swamp warbler, Fly eagle, Fire Finch Stonechat, Dusky Turtle Dove, Streaky Seedeater.

Border Trail Hike – Visa Not Required

This hike takes 10 km toward Sabinyo and is about 5 hours. The trail climbs up the base of Sabinyo for a while through fine montane forest before turning toward the Congo. Along the way, you will get a great view of Sabinyo’s gorge and peaks. Upon reaching the Congo you cut back along the international border. The return leg to the Park Head Quarters is a great section for birding. The two rest huts along the way are good places for a break. Look closely for the golden monkeys and the elephants. Hiking time is 5 hours and distance.

Batwa Trail and Garama Cave

The Batwa Trail leads from the base of Muhuvura the Cave is by far one of the most interesting Batwa trails in Uganda. Garama Cave is 342m long and was occupied periodically by Batwa who used it as a council chamber and a retreat after raiding their neighbors today this is where they exhibit their culture which you can very well enjoy. The Batwa are hunter-gathers and unique people (little people) some of which are fully proportional but much shorter. Historically, the Batwa lived in the forested areas of Mgahinga but the government had to move them from the park to avoid interference with other animals and creatures of the park. These unique people had to move and adjust their ways from simple to what they considered complex especially since they now had to leave together with communities they were conflicting with for years. Today many people have come to aid the Batwa in order to improve their standards of living and projects like rearing animals, beekeeping, and most importantly show casing their local culture for the travelers which is one of the primary ways they earn a living.

Mountain climbing and Hiking

In Mgahinga National Park can take up to three days and costs $80 for each volcano and needs you to have good stamina, and in good shape with experience in hiking. These three volcanoes Sabyinyo, Gahinga 3474m and Muhavura 4127m are situated on the borders of Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda rewarding a stunning view of all crater lakes, the Virunga ranges of mountains, rare alpine vegetation, swamps, Lake Edward, the Rwenzori Mountains, and Bwindi impenetrable forest water, carry packed food, a sleeping bag, and a tent in case you end up spending a night at the top.

When to Go

Dry months of June-October and December to March which are most preferred by travelers require at least 4 to 5 months of booking in advance for gorilla permits hence preferring less of March-May and September-November while wet months of the year require at least 4 to 5 months of booking in advance for the gorilla.

How to get to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga National Park is located in South Western Uganda and can be reached by road from Kampala or Entebbe through the Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara highway takes about 9 hours with a distance of about 509 kilometers. Travelers may also travel by bus which leaves daily that is buses from Kampala to Kisoro town but it is not advised as it may take longer due to unnecessary stops made by the buses while loading or sometimes offloading or taking down passengers. Another way recommended is passing through Rwanda that is Katuna or Cyanika border between Rwanda with Uganda.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has one main entrance for visitors and it is accessible from all directions. The Ntebeko gate is accessible from Kisoro Town and there is proper signage to the park headquarters.

By air

This park is also easily accessible by chartered flight from Kajjansi airstrip near Kampala to Kisoro airstrip near the park. Flights from Eagle Air between Entebbe and Kisoro are arranged every Monday and Friday of the week. Tickets for the local flight need to be booked in advance and your operator can help you book the local flight and arrange ground transportation from the Kisoro airstrip to the park.

Where to stay on my Safari Vacation

There are several camping grounds, hotels, and lodges around Kisoro and Lake Mutanda Area. There are no developed lodging facilities inside the park. There are various lodging options near the Ntebeko’s entrances. Depending on the season, you will need to reserve hotels and camps.

Where to stay

Mgahinga national park has a variety of accommodations located just outside the park or near the park therefore, depending on your budget you may consider our various classifications that is budget, Midrange, and high-end/luxury. Feel free to work with your operator on which type of accommodation works best for you but also consider making payments in advance, especially for the peak season when availability may be questionable due to high guest turns up, this makes it easy to have a smooth customized safari as all are pre-arranged.

Luxury

Mount Gahinga Lodge: Has beautiful hand-built bandas that reflect the charm of the authentic traditions of the Bufimbira people. Each Banda has an ensuite luxury shower room, fireplace, and private porch. The unique property is inspired by traditional design and building techniques and has been reimagined in 2019 with the dining room, lounge, and gardens remodeled. The cost of accommodation starts from $1060pp per night on full board.

It is the perfect base to go gorilla tracking on the Ugandan side of the Virungas, climb a volcano,  track the rare golden monkey, local villages walk and most excitedly enjoy the cultural exhibition of the Batwa ’little people, the oldest inhabitants of the Central African rain forest.

Midrange

Lake Muhelele safari lodge: The lodge has 12 fully fledged cottages Each cottage sits among an untapped wilderness with stunning views of the sand on the lodge’s private beach, sunrise, and sunset each at its own time, and the cottages are named after Mgahinga national park

Each cottage is an airy and fairly large space in which to daydream, set apart for privacy. A comfortable, quiet hot water bottle to warm up your bed and a mosquito net is also provided. The cottages are surrounded by indigenous tree species that attract bird species with sweet songs, inclusive of migratory ones like the African Harrier hawk. At night, you will be given which will come at a start price of $220pp per night on a full board basis.

Budget

Travelers Rest Hotel: This lodge is decorated with a good selection of Congo art and consists of 12 en-suite rooms, tastefully. The spacious rooms overlook a well-groomed courtyard and have the magical Virunga volcanoes as a backdrop.

The lounge with the big fireplace is the perfect spot in the evening, to wind down from a day filled with experiences. From the oasis of the garden, you can enjoy the views of the magical Virunga volcanoes.

Dinners are served in restaurants and consist of a delicious four-course set menu with lots of produce from this fertile region.

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