Why You Should Stay Longer in Mgahinga National Park

Mgahinga National Park is located in the western Uganda on the Border of Rwanda, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo. It’s one of the only 2 parks in Uganda where visitors can track the rare mountain gorillas. The park is made up of three volcanos, Muhabura, Sabyinyo and Gahinga. Only one gorilla family can be tracked in Mgahinga called Nyakagezi Family.

Tracking may be strenuous and energy demanding but when you finally come face to face with a silver back which can weigh more than 3 times than a human being, all the hardship went through when tracking will be forgotten.

The time spent while tracking Mountain Gorillas depends on the movement of the apes but after finding them, visitors are supposed to spend 1 hour enjoying them. Besides Mountain Gorillas, Mgahinga National Park is endowed with attractions and some of them are here below.

Volcanoes.

The park has 3 volcanoes, Muhabura, Sabyinyo and Gahinga where it derived its name. Daily hikes are conducted to summit these volcanoes. They are all day hikes and guides are available at the park headquarter for the activity to go smoothly. Visitors are free to choose which volcano to hike and each has attractions as you hike and on the top.

Golden Monkeys.

This is another endangered species in Mgahinga National Park. It’s also rarely seen elsewhere except in Virungas. Enjoy them jumping around the tree tops. They move in troops and they are led by the Alpha male. Golden monkeys are so beautiful and attractive,

Local community encounters

The park has local people around, spending some time with them interacting is sustainable. There are Batwa people who used to stay in the forest before it was turned into a national park. These give a clear picture of how they used to stay in the forest by carrying out demonstrations. They sing songs, the dance and many others. The money paid for this activity, benefit these people

Activities which can be done in Mgahinga National Park

Gorilla Tracking.

This is the main activity in the park. Nyakagezi gorilla family is found in this park and daily visits are conducted to visit the group. Mountain Gorillas are close relatives of Humans and the experience of coming into contact with them is a life time. The activity starts in the morning with briefing about the does and don’ts while in the forest and with mountain gorillas.

Golden Monkey Tracking;

This is another exciting activity in the park and one of the reasons why visitors should stay longer the park. In Uganda, golden monkeys can only be seen here. The primates are attractive with their Golden color, they live in troops and they are active.

Volcano Hiking,

The activity is energy demanding, but it is so rewarding, among the volcanoes Mount Sabyinyo is more popular. Its peak is between Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. So, standing there, you will be between the 3 countries with no Visa.

Batwa Experience

This is conducted by Batwa guides and they lead visitors in the forest to show few things which prove that they originally stayed in the forest before they were evicted to be turned into a national park. They will show Garama Cave where they used to hide in case of was. They will show some demonstrations, sing songs, Dance and many more.

Bird watching:

The park is rich in many bird species, birders shouldn’t leave out Mgahinga National Park. There are Nature walks which can be taken to look for birds, the birding guide will explain different species.

Nature walks:

This is another activity in Mgahinga, this is where visitors will feel the close attachment with nature. The park has many other attractions which can be seen on the nature walks, The walk is guided and relevant information will be given as you hike.

How to access the park

Mgahinga National Park can be accessed by road or air Transport.

Road Transport is where visitors are driven or drive themselves in the park to do activities whereas the air transport is where visitors transfer by Domestic flight to Kisoro where they are picked from the airstrip to their accommodation or to start to tour.

Accommodation around Mgahinga National Park

No need to worry about where to spend a night around Mgahinga National Park, there are many lodges ranging from budget to high end. Some of the examples include, Gorilla Valley, Kisoro Travelers rest hotel, Amajambere wacu, Gahinga lodge, Ikoro Hotel and many more.