Guide to Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga gorilla national park; Gorilla trekking is an interesting and exceptional activity in Mgahinga gorilla national park that attracts tourists and it involves moving deep into the tropical rainforest in search of the habituated mountain gorillas and once found spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. Mgahinga gorilla national park is located in southwestern part of Uganda in Kisoro district bordering with Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga national park in Congo. Mgahinga gorilla national park was gazetted in 1991 and it covers a total area of 33 square kilometers which makes it the smallest protected area in Uganda. The park is famously known for harboring the endangered mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, chimpanzee, black and white colobus monkeys, animals like bush pigs, giant forest hogs, forest elephants, buffaloes and different bird species. Apart from Mgahinga gorilla national park, gorilla trekking is also done in Bwindi impenetrable national park in Uganda, Volcanoes national park in Rwanda, Virunga national park and Kahuzi Biega national park in Democratic Republic of Congo.
Gorilla trekking experience in Mgahinga gorilla national park
Mgahinga gorilla national park is a home of one habituated gorilla family called Nyakagezi and gorilla trekking in the park starts early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking. After the briefing, you will start trekking in the jungle with an experienced park guide who is well conversant with different trails in the forest. Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga gorilla national park takes about 2 hours to 6 hours depending on where the gorillas are found because they like to move from one place to another in search of food. During trekking you will be able to view other wildlife species and once the gorillas are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their habitat which gives you an opportunity to learn about their habits, behaviors, watch them feed, breastfeed, play, groom young ones, take photos and record videos to show people back home.
Best time to go for gorilla trekking in Mgahinga gorilla national park
Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga gorilla national park can be done anytime throughout the year though the best time is during the dry season also known as the peak season in the months of June to September and December to February because during this period there is less rainfall in the park therefore access roads and gorilla trekking trails will be dry and passable which makes trekking easy compared to the rainy season when the trekking trails are muddy and slippery which makes gorilla trekking difficult.
Cost of a gorilla trekking permit in Mgahinga gorilla national park
A gorilla trekking permit is a legal document that is issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority to any visitor above the age of 15 years allowing him or her to visit the habituated gorilla family and spend one hour with the gorillas. A gorilla trekking permit in Mgahinga gorilla national park costs 700 USD per person for foreign non residents, 600 USD per person for foreign residents and 250,000 UGX per person for East African citizens.
How to book a gorilla trekking permit in Mgahinga gorilla national park
A gorilla trekking permit in Mgahinga gorilla national park can be booked through a trusted tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris where you will contact us with the date, month and year when you wish to visit the mountain gorillas. After contacting us we will check for permit availability on your preferred dates and if there are permits available, you will be asked to make a deposit for the permit. Once the payment has been made, we will be able to purchase the permit on your behalf and send you a scanned copy of the receipt as confirmation.
Gorilla trekking permits in Mgahinga gorilla national park should however be booked 3 to 6 months on advance before the trekking date because there are only 8 permits available per day and they get sold out quickly especially during the peak season in the months of June to September and December to February therefore in order to avoid last minute disappointments, you are advised to book in advance.
What to pack or carry for gorilla trekking in Mgahinga gorilla national park
When going for gorilla trekking in Mgahinga gorilla national park, there are a number of essential items that you should pack including insect repellent, hiking shoes, long sleeved shirt and trouser, garden gloves, waterproof rain jacket, energy snacks and drinking water, face masks, camera and extra batteries, a pair of binoculars, back pack among others, Guide to Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga gorilla national park
Where to stay in Mgahinga gorilla national park
Mgahinga gorilla national park has a number of accommodation facilities ranging from luxury, midrange and budget where travelers can sleep during the gorilla trekking safari including Mount Gahinga Lodge, Bwindi Jungle Lodge, Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge, Mount Gahinga Rest Camp, Kisoro Travelers Rest Camp, Mucha Hotel, Montana Guest House, Kisoro Tourist Hotel, Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp, Ntebeko Homestay, Lake Chahafi Resort, Muhabura Motel, Mgahinga Gorilla Triangle Lodge among others.
How to get to Mgahinga gorilla national park
Mgahinga gorilla national park is located in southwestern part of Uganda and can be accessed by road transport means where you will drive from Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale, Kisoro and then to the park headquarters which takes about 9 to 10 hours’ drive.
Mgahinga gorilla national park can also be accessed by air transport means where you will book scheduled or charter flights from Entebbe international airport to Kisoro airstrip and then connect to the park headquarters by road.
Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga gorilla national park is an interesting activity that can be combined with game drive, boat cruise or horseback riding in Lake Mburo national park. For more information about gorilla trekking in Mgahinga gorilla national park, you can contact us at Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website for affordable gorilla trekking packages.