Mgahinga gorilla national park is located in the south western part of Uganda in Kisoro district it being the least of the 3 national parks in the Virunga conservation area out of the other two parks which are Virunga National park in DRC and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and they all make 434-sq.km of this conservation area.
The park was established in 1991 and it is governed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority with a size of 33.7-sq. km and sits between altitudes of 2,227m and 4,127m.it covering 3 of the Virunga volcanoes which are Mt. Muhavura (4,127), Mt. Gahinga (3,474), and Mt. Sabinyo (3,645).
Mgahinga National Park is has about 39 mammals in it of these including the Mountain gorillas, buffaloes and elephants, also endangered golden monkeys, giant forest hogs, bushbucks, leopards, spotted hyenas, black fronted duikers among others.
In other wards to the mammal’s Mgahinga National park has different bird species around 79 species and birding can be carried out through the bamboo forest, in the gorge between Mts. Sabinyo and Gahinga, and in the montane forest where you can easily see the Rwenzori Turaco.
When it comes to the beauty of the area mgahinga is a stunning place with the three volcanoes as earlier mentioned where by trekking to the top of them gives a remarkable experience and more fascinating is the swamp that is found at the top of gahinga, include the crater lake that is at muhavura plus sabinyo giving and exciting and superb experience when climbing to its summit you have the chance to be in three countries once.
One is in position to access the park by air or road whereby you can make earlier bookings on flights that move from Entebbe International airport to Kisoro air field, using flights saves more time and it is less tiresome but the park is also accessed by road which is approximately a 9-10hours drive from Kampala to Mgahinga, that is around 8 hours to Kabale town covering 434km and there are more 76km to Kisoro town, this route is tarmacked and a bit mountainous and steep or one can go through the route from kabale town passing near lake Bunyonyi to Ntebeko park.
But even far more best one can choose to go through a Uganda safari company for a more fun and less stress journey because this will arrange each and every thing for you and all you to do is to sit back and enjoy the venture.
When it comes to accommodation facilities Mgahinga gorilla national park has got various accommodation facilities ranging from Campsites, Budget, and Midrange to Luxurious lodges and hotels and these include;
Mount Mgahinga Lodge is located on the edges of the virunga volcanoes, and it delivers a great ambiance together with great spectacular views. Rooms are just nice and the meals served at this lodge are a story to tell, they are delicious.
Traveler’s Nest Hotel is found just outside Kisoro in south western Uganda, it is among the oldest hotels in Uganda, it is a quiet place also offering spectacular views of the Virunga volcanoes; it has a fire place and nice comfortable rooms.
These and so very many others are found at the national park to deliver you with the best experience ever possible and the best time of rest while in the mgahinga national park.
Mgahinga gorilla national park as well has got a lot of safari activity to involve in and get to experience the best that can be offered by the national park to start with Mgahinga with it thickets has been a home to the indigenous group of the Batwa, whereby they stay, hunt, feed, and do all their other activities in the forests and hence sightsees have the opportunity to experience the cultural encounters at the area.
Combining the cultural encounters with the golden monkey tracking is simply an exclusive venture, these are amazing to watch with in the trees, and sightsee should not miss out on this activity while on a Uganda Gorilla safari in Mgahinga.
then after the golden monkey tracking get to join in with the birding as earlier mentioned the area has over 79kinds of birds and they are all stunning to watch and view on the tops of the mountains at mgahinga this is a paradise to all bird lovers,
Now come in the hiking addict’s mgahinga has you covered with the thrilling and adventurous as climbing the 3 volcanoes. You can climb each to the summit in one day.
All these can be arranged for you by Uganda safaris and gives you the great chance to enjoy yourself while on you adventure to mgahinga have the joy getting to view the mountain in its fullness join in with gorilla trekking and all the other Uganda safari activities
The national park is as well important for gorilla trekking due to the physical fact that it is home to the endangered mountain gorilla which is safely habituated in the areas of the thick dense forests and this is one of the major reasons as to why it is highly conserved by the wildlife authorities.
But inside the national park there is only one group that is tracked and that is the Nyakagezi gorilla group, years before this group of Gorillas could move from country to country until it has to make Mgahinga its home.
Permits for tracking gorillas in this park are available in Uganda and you are advised to book in advance in case one plans to go for a gorilla trek in the forest due the fact that the activity is restricted and the availability of the permits is under regulation.
