Top things to do in Mgahinga gorilla national park; Mgahinga gorilla national park is the smallest national park located in southwestern part of Uganda bordering with Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga national park in Democratic republic of Congo. Mgahinga gorilla national park covers a total area of 33.7 square kilometers and it’s known for harboring the endangered mountain gorillas, other primates like golden monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, animals, different bird species among others. Mgahinga gorilla national park is a home of three Virunga volcanoes that is mount Muhavura, mount Gahinga and mount Sabinyo.
Top things to do in Mgahinga gorilla national park
Gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking is the major activity in Mgahinga gorilla national park that attracts big numbers of tourists and it involves moving on foot into the tropical rainforest in search of the mountain gorillas and once found spend one hour with them in their natural habitat.
Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga gorilla national park starts early in the morning with a briefing at the park headquarters. Gorilla trekking in the park takes about 30 minutes to 6 hours depending on where the gorillas are located because they like to move from one place to another in search of food. During trekking, you will be able to view other primate species, animals, birds among others and once the gorillas are found, you will be able to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives you an opportunity to learn about their habits, behaviors, watch them carry out their daily activities, take photos and record the moments to show people back home.
Golden monkey trekking
Golden monkey trekking is another interesting activity in Mgahinga gorilla national park that attracts tourists. Golden monkey trekking involves moving into the forest in search of the golden monkeys and once found spend one hour with them in their habitat. Golden monkey trekking is an active activity takes about 30 minutes to 4 hours depending on their location because they like to move from one place to another in search of food. During trekking, you will be rewarded with views of other primate species, birds, plant and tree species among others and once the golden monkeys are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their environment where you will be able to learn about their behaviors, watch them feed, jump up in tree branches, take photos and record videos.
Bird watching
Mgahinga gorilla national park is a home of over 180 recorded bird species including Albertine rift endemics, forest birds and migratory birds. During bird watching which is commonly done between mount Sabinyo and mount Gahinga, you will be accompanied by an experienced bird guide who will help you to spot different bird species including handsome francolin, olive woodpecker, Rwenzori turaco, dusky turle dove, black headed waxbill, streaky seedeater, blue headed sunbird, black headed waxbill, cape robin chat, African hill babblers, kivu ground thrush, Rwenzori turaco, red faced woodland warbler, Rwenzori night jar, western green tinkerbird, bronze sunbird, pin tailed whydah, fire finch stonechat, paradise flycatcher, yellow billed kite, alpine chat, black kite, yellow vented bulbul, olive pigeon among others.
Volcano climbing
Mgahinga gorilla national park is a home of three Virunga volcano mountains that is mount Gahinga which is 3,474 meters above the sea level and the hike takes about 6 hours round trip, mount Sabinyo which is 3.669 meters above the sea level and the hike takes about 8 hours and mount Muhavura which is 4,127 meters above the sea level and takes about 8 hours round trip. During mountain climbing in Mgahinga gorilla national park, you will pass through different vegetation zones, view different wildlife species, crater filled swamp with giant lobelia, enjoy spectacular views of the Rwenzori peaks, Bwindi impenetrable national park, Virunga volcanoes among others.
Batwa trail experience
This is an exciting activity in Mgahinga gorilla national park where you will get an opportunity to interact with the Batwa/ pygmies who used to live in the forest before it was gazetted into a national park. During the Batwa trail experience, you will be able to learn how they used to live in the forest, enjoy demonstrations about their past hunting skills, gathering skills, how they used to make bamboo cups, point out medicinal plants that were used to cure different diseases, visit Ngarama cave which used to be the kings palace, enjoy entertainments from Batwa women among others.
Best time to visit Mgahinga gorilla national park
Mgahinga gorilla national park can be visited anytime throughout the year though the best time is during the dry season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February. During the dry season there is less rainfall in the national park therefore gorilla trekking and hiking trails will be dry and passable which makes trekking easy.
Mgahinga gorilla national park can also be accessed during the wet/ rainy season in the months of March to May and November because that’s the best period for bird watching in that it’s the breeding plumage therefore bird lovers will be able to view colorful and migratory bird species.
How to get to Mgahinga gorilla national park
Mgahinga gorilla national park is located in southwestern part of Uganda and can be accessed by both road transport means whereby you will drive from Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale, Kisoro and then to the park headquarters which takes about 9 to 10 hours’ drive.
The park can also be accessed from Kigali Rwanda whereby you will fly to Kigali international airport and then connect to Mgahinga gorilla national park by road through Katuna border in Kabale or Cyanika border in Kisoro.
Mgahinga gorilla national park can also be accessed by air transport means whereby you will book scheduled or charter flights with Aerolink Uganda or Bar Aviation from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro airstrip and then connect to the lodge by road.
For unforgettable and breathtaking memories, you can combine activities in Mgahinga gorilla national park with Lake Mburo national park where you will engage in activities like game drives, boat cruise, guided nature walks, horseback riding, sport fishing, night game drives among others.
