Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the most scenic park located in the southwestern corner of Uganda. It lies along the boundaries of three countries: Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is situated within the Virunga Mountains (Virunga Conservation Area) and encompasses three inactive volcanoes: Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Muhabura, and Mount Gahinga.
Mgahinga National Park was declared a game sanctuary by the British administration in 1930, and in 1991, it was upgraded to a national park. The name “Gahinga” means piles of volcanic stones from farmland found at the foot of the volcanoes, as described locally. The park covers an area of 33.7 square kilometers, making it the smallest national park in Uganda.
The park’s most striking features include the mountain gorillas, the three conical extinct volcanoes that form a picturesque backdrop, and the golden monkeys. These features have attracted travelers from across the world due to their unique beauty. Mgahinga National Park is home to the Nyakagezi gorilla group, the only habituated family in the park.
The Nyakagezi family is led by a silverback named Mark, who took leadership from his father Bugingo, the oldest silverback believed to be more than 54 years old. Interestingly, Bugingo still lives in the Nyakagezi family despite being overthrown by his son. This is unusual, as in other families, the ousted leader is typically banished or seeks refuge with other gorilla families.
The Nyakagezi family consists of 2 adult females (Nshuti and Nyiramwiza), 2 juveniles (Nkanda and Furaha), Mafia and Mathew (silverbacks), and infants (Rukondo and Mutagamba), bringing the total group members to 10.
What to Do in Mgahinga
Below are the top things to do in Mgahinga National Park.
- Gorilla Trekking: Gorilla trekking is a challenging but rewarding activity in the park. As you trek through beautiful bamboo forests, expect to encounter the Nyakagezi family feeding on tree branches and fruits, and witness Furaha and Nkanda playing. Your experience with the Nyakagezi family will be filled with fun and excitement. Trekking starts at 8:00 am from the Ntebeko entrance gate and lasts up to 8 hours with a trained guide. Only a group of eight members is allowed to trek the family per day.
- Volcano Climbing: With three inactive volcanoes on the fringes of Mgahinga National Park, volcano trekking is another popular activity. Mount Muhabura, the tallest, offers magnificent views of the Rwenzori Mountains. Climbing Mount Gahinga leads through afro-alpine moorland with giant groundsel and lobelias, home to unique plants. Mount Sabyinyo is the most hiked volcano, involving rigorous ascents with breathtaking hikes along its slopes. The summit experience at the tri-border point of Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo is unforgettable.
- Golden Monkey Trekking: Found only in Mgahinga National Park, golden monkeys belong to the old-world monkey species and can be trekked here. Tracking these primates starts at 8:30 am, allowing visitors to spend one hour with the playful golden monkeys. Golden monkeys live in large troops of up to 100 members and are generally shy, making observing them as they feed and cling to bamboo trees a magical experience.
- Batwa Cultural Experiences: Mgahinga Forest has preserved the indigenous Batwa people for generations, who have a rich history of depending on the forest for shelter, medicine, and food. The Batwa trail in Mgahinga offers insights into their cultural heritage through folk songs, hunting techniques, and a visit to the sacred Garama Cave, once a refuge for the Batwa.
- Birding in Mgahinga National Park: For bird lovers, Mgahinga National Park offers excellent birdwatching spots. The gorge trail between Mount Sabyinyo and Mount Gahinga provides sightings of the streaky seedeater, blue-headed sunbird, Rwenzori batis, and olive thrush, among others. At the bamboo belt, bird species such as the Rwenzori turaco and Chubbs cisticola can be spotted. In addition to birds, the park is home to isolated populations of mammals, including forest buffaloes, forest hogs, elephants, and bushbucks.
Where to Stay in Mgahinga
The park offers a variety of accommodation facilities, ranging from budget campsites to upmarket lodges:
- Luxurious lodges: Mount Gahinga Lodge near Ntebeko Gate
- Midrange lodges: Travelers Rest Hotel and Mucha Hotel in Kisoro town
- Budget lodges: Golden Monkey Guest House, Lake Chahafi Resort, and more
Getting There
You can reach Mgahinga National Park by road using the Masaka – Kabale – Kisoro route, approximately 510 kilometers from Kampala, an 8-hour drive. From Kigali city, it takes only 4 hours via the Cyanika border to reach the park. The park can also be accessed from Bwindi Impenetrable Forest via the southern tracking trails at Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors, a 4-hour drive from the Buhoma – Nkuringo trail.
Alternatively, you can reach Mgahinga National Park by air using a charter flight from Entebbe International Airport to Kisoro (Nyakabande) airstrip, followed by a 30-minute drive to the park.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has emerged as one of the best destinations to visit in Uganda due to its unique beauty, especially for gorilla and golden monkey trekking. Include Mgahinga National Park at the top of your bucket list as you plan your safari in Uganda.
