Uganda Safari In Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Safari in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in the Kisoro District of southern Uganda. With a 33.7 square kilometer radius, it is the smallest national park in Uganda and was declared a national park in 1991. It is famous for being a sanctuary for golden monkeys and mountain gorillas.
184 of the more than 390 bird species that call the park home have been sighted. These include Rwenzori batis, chickadees, waxbills, black-faced ibis, and crested ibis. Furthermore, 76 mammals can be found in the park, including buffaloes, elephants, huge forest hogs, bush pigs, duikers, leopards, civets, golden cats, jackals, and porcupines. However, because of the challenging terrain and the fact that the majority of them are nocturnal, they are rarely sighted.
Trekking with gorillas
The primary attraction of a Uganda safari in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is gorilla trekking. Half of the world’s surviving mountain gorillas reside in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Two gorilla families, the Nyakagezi and the Hirwa, are also found in the park.
This activity, which is led by an armed ranger, entails going through the forest’s jungles in search of families that have been acclimated to gorillas. At 8:00 am, the gorilla trekking safari in this amazing national park begins with a briefing on the rules and regulations and what to expect while in the bush. Following the briefing, an armed guide will meet you and take you into the forest to look for gorillas in their natural environment.
You will also get the opportunity to see other park inhabitants, like golden monkeys, buffaloes, elephants, gigantic forest hogs, bush pigs, duikers, leopards, civets, and golden cats, while on your gorilla trip. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to interact with the Batwa people and see several bird species.
After you’ve located these amazing primates, you’ll have the opportunity to spend an hour with them and observe how they go about their everyday lives, including eating, nursing, playing, and socializing with one another.
A gorilla trekking permit must be obtained in order to participate in this exhilarating activity on a Uganda safari in Mgahinga. You can observe these gorillas in their natural environment with this permit. Similar to Bwindi, the gorilla permit for trekking in Mgahinga costs $800 per person for foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign residents, and 300,000 Ugandan shillings for East African citizens.
Tracking Golden Monkeys
Following gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Golden Monkey tracking is an exhilarating experience. This particular activity is exclusive to this national park. Similar to gorilla tracking, this starts with an early morning briefing regarding the expectations as well as the rules and regulations.
An armed Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger will then be assigned to you and take you into the jungle to look for these entertaining endangered monkeys. Permits are readily available for purchase at park headquarters if you would like to participate. The Golden Monkey tracking permit costs 40,000 Ugandan shillings for East African citizens, $50 for foreign residents, and $60 per person for foreign non-residents.
Observing birds
Another safari attraction in the park is birdwatching. One of Uganda’s top locations for bird watching is Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which is home to more than 360 different bird species, including several Albertine endemics.
African olive pigeon, alpine swift, black kite, cape robin chat, pin-tailed whydah, Albertine owlet, double-collared sunbird, yellow-billed kite, African paradise flycatcher, grey crowned hornbill, hadada ibis, malachite sunbird, speckled mousebird, grey capped warbler, and more are among the various bird species you may see on your bird watching tour.
Experience on the Batwa Trail
Another safari attraction in this national park is the Batwa Trail Experience. The Batwa, commonly referred to as Pygmies, have long resided in the park’s woodlands and are renowned for their prowess in hunting and gathering as well as their fierce fighting.
You will be delighted by their traditional dance, music, and storytelling while you are there. Along with learning about medicinal plants and their benefits to the human body, you will also have the chance to see and take part in traditional culinary techniques while exploring the forest.
Hiking a volcano
One of the unusual experiences available in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is climbing a volcano. Three striking peaks—Mount Sabinyo, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Muhabura—can be found in the park. An entire day can be filled with adventure and breathtaking views on any of these walks.
The journey up and down Mount Gahinga, which is 3,474 meters high, usually takes about 6 hours. You’ll come across vibrant bamboo forests, fascinating calderas, amusing golden monkeys, and eye-catching enormous lobelias while hiking. In addition to being an opportunity to work out, the experience allows you to spend time in nature.
You can also take on the 4,127-meter-tall Mount Muhabura if you’re feeling particularly daring. The average round-trip time for this 12-mile hike is roughly eight hours. Admirable vistas of Lake Edward, the historic Bwindi Forest, the magnificent Virunga Mountain range, and even Mount Rwenzori in the distance await you at the summit.
Those who are thinking about climbing Mount Sabinyo should be mentally and physically ready for the strenuous eight-hour hike. This peak is 3,669 meters high and requires a 14-kilometer round-trip journey.
The ideal time of year to visit Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for a safari in Uganda
Uganda’s Mgahinga National Park is open all year round. The best seasons for tourists are the winter (mid-December to February) and the dry season (June to October). Because there is less high-grown foliage this month, it is easier to visit the park and provides a clear view of mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.
Places to stay in the park during a safari in Uganda
Although Mgahinga Gorilla National Park offers a variety of lodging choices, the park’s lodging options range from luxurious to mid-range to reasonably priced. Majambere Iwak Camp, Volcano Mount Gahinga Safari Lodge, Bird’s Nest Bunyoni Resort, Bunyoni Overland Resort, Kisoro Travelers’ Rest Hotel, Countryside Guest House, and Mountain Gorilla Safari Hotel are a some of the lodging options available here.
How to get to the park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is accessible by plane or road. The park is located approximately 55 kilometers west of Kabale District and 15 kilometers south of Kisoro. It is approximately 494 kilometers away from Kampala, and the travel there via the Kabale-Mbarara road typically takes 8.5 hours.
As an alternative, you can schedule a local trip with Aero Link Aviation from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield directly to Kisoro Airfield if you’d like a faster route. This flight is a practical choice for passengers because it typically lasts around fifteen minutes.
