Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park - a magical Piece of Uganda
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of most beautiful places to visit in Uganda. It is part of the Virunga Mountains a chain active and dormant volcanoes which Uganda shares with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. You cannot go any further south than this when touring in Uganda. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park boasts a magical and unique landscape: ancient volcanoes, crater lakes, and rising mist in the morning. And of course, there is wildlife. In the mountains, you will find golden monkeys, golden-winged sunbirds, and gorillas, among other animals.
5 things you need to know about Mgahinga National Park
Before we explore the park in detail, here are some interesting facts to know:
- Mgahinga is home to 3 of the 8 famous Virunga volcanoes.
- At only 33 km², Mgahinga is Uganda’s smallest park. But, it is part of a much larger ecosystem that also includes Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Congo’s Virunga National Park.
- This dramatic landscape also formed the backdrop for the film “Gorilla in the Mist“.
- The park lies close to Kisoro Town and is easily reached from the beautiful Lake Mutanda area.
- All three volcanoes within Uganda’s borders can be climbed.
- Because of its high altitude, the climate in Mgahinga is cool and often misty. It is wise to bring warm clothing, even during the day.
Volcanoes and misty jungles
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has some of the most beautiful scenery in Uganda. The park is covered with lush green forests and surrounded by volcanic mountains.
The landscape is especially magical during the rainy season. Mist often hangs over the forest, while the peaks of the volcanoes rise high above the clouds. When the sun appears, the mist slowly disappears. The result is a dramatic and unforgettable view. It is a landscape unlike anywhere else in Uganda. The volcanoes in this region are no longer active. Their last eruptions happened many years ago. Some of their craters have filled with water and formed beautiful lakes.
One of the most famous is Lake Mutanda. This peaceful lake is a wonderful place to stay when visiting Mgahinga. It is a short drive to the park, but the journey is part of the experience. Early morning drives through the misty hills are quiet, scenic, and truly special.
See Gorillas and Golden Monkeys
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of only two places in Uganda where you can go gorilla trekking. But the park offers more than just gorillas. Mgahinga is also famous for its golden monkeys. These rare monkeys live only in the Virunga Mountains and nowhere else on Earth.
The park is covered with mountain rainforest. Because of this, you will not see savanna animals like giraffes or big cats. Instead, the forest is home to many primates and other small animals. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is also a wonderful place for bird lovers.
The forest shelters many colorful and endemic bird species. For birdwatchers, it is a quiet and rewarding place to explore and spend time in nature.
Activities in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Uganda’s southwestern region including Mgahinga area is the ultimate destination for the more active traveler. You can climb volcanoes, hike to see gorillas, or delve deeper into the local culture. These are our favorite activities in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
1. Gorilla Trekking
In Uganda, you can see mountain gorillas in two places: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. One advantage of Mgahinga is that the trekking is often a bit easier. The mountain slopes are usually less steep than those in Bwindi.
Mgahinga is home to one habituated gorilla family called the Nyakagezi group. The group is led by the dominant silverback Mark, together with another silverback called Ndugutse. The Nyakagezi group is well known because it accepts several adult males in the family. At the moment, the group has nine members. These include four silverbacks, two adult females, one young male, and two playful infants. Meeting this peaceful gorilla family in the wild is a very special experience.
2. Golden Monkey Tracking
The golden monkey is a rare and beautiful primate that lives only in the Virunga Mountains. These monkeys are medium-sized and have a soft, golden-orange coat that gives them a lovely and playful look. They move quickly through the bamboo forest and are very active and curious. If possible, we recommend seeing both gorillas and golden monkeys during your visit. If gorilla trekking feels too expensive, golden monkey trekking is a great alternative. They are over $700 cheaper.
3. Climb a volcano
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has three volcanoes, all of which can be climbed. The most popular is Mount Sabyinyo. You can reach the summit and back in a day. It’s a challenging hike, but of course, a ranger and porters will accompany you to help you along the way.
The hikes are challenging because you gain a lot of elevation in a short time. But it’s all worth it. The reward is immense: when you reach the top of the volcano, you’ll stand at the tri-border point of Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. Here you can enjoy views of the misty valleys and volcanoes that stretch endlessly into the horizon. In clear weather, you’ll also see the enchanting Lake Mutanda.
4. Bird watching
In the early morning, you will head into Mgahinga Gorilla National Park with a specialized guide, when birds are most active. You will walk through bamboo forests, montane rainforest, and open heathlands, listening for song and subtle movements in the canopy. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is known for its unique Albertine Rift species. You might see the colorful Rwenzori turaco, as well as the golden-winged sunbird, regal sunbird, and the rare Kivu ground thrush. With a bit of luck, you will see birds up close, against a backdrop of misty volcanoes and densely vegetated slopes.
5. Visiting the Batwa
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park was originally the territory of the Batwa – a hunter-gatherer tribe. They are no longer allowed to live in the park, so they live around it. If you would like, you can visit them. There is a Batwa trail. You will walk with people from the community.
They will show you how they lived traditionally in the forest, how they hunted, how they prepared food. They will show you how they shoot with a bow and arrow. The story of the Batwa is a sad one: they were forced to give up their habitat when Mgahinga was declared a national park in 1991. That is why visiting them feels a bit strange. Yet, it is a special experience that is worth it.
