What is Mgahinga Gorilla National park famous for? : Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of the smallest national parks in the country. It covers a total surface area of 34 square kilometers. This park is found in the southwestern part of Uganda in Kisoro district where is it neighbouring with Virunga National park, which is located in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
Mgahinga Gorilla Mountain was established as a national park in 1991, it is currently under the management of the Uganda Wildlife Authority, and it was introduced to the ministry of tourism with an aim of protecting park and its endangered mountain gorilla species that live within the dense forests in the park.
Mgahinga Gorilla National park has three colonical volcanoes, which are considered part of the main attractions with in the park, and these include; Mount Sabinyu, which is 3645 meters high, Mount Gahinga which is 3474 meters high and mount Muhabura which is 4127 meters high.
Mgahinga Gorila National Park is famous because of its endangered mountain gorillas and the golden monkeys and it set high between an altitude of 2,227 meters and 4,127 meters high.
Tourists planning to travel to Mgahinga National Park should do so between the months of January to February- June to August and December when they are less rains that do not lead to any interruptions while on your tour and visitors also get a chance to see all the wildlife animals due to fact that they always tend to hide from the rains.
Attractions in Murchison Falls National Park.
There are number of attractions in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park that always pull the attention of many people to move from their countries to visit Uganda the Pearl of Africa in order to get a chance to see these attractions which include;
The Virunga Volcanoes.
Mgahinga National Park has eight volcanoes, which lie within the Virunga Massif, and it shares borders with the following countries; Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This National Park is located within the Virunga Mountains which involve three volcanic mountains which include; Mount Sabinyo which 3,669 meters above the sea level, Mount Muhavura which has an altitude of 4,127 meters and Mount Gahinga which stands at an elevation of 3,474 meters high. In addition, due to these mountains, the park offers hiking and climbing experiences to its visitors where they get to capture beautiful views on the mountains.
Ntebeko visitors centre.
Ntebeko visitors centre is where most tourism activities done in Mgahinga Gorilla National park begin. Most activities like; Guided nature walks, hiking, gorilla trekking and tracking golden monkeys, all tourists stage at Ntebeko centre to begin any kind of activity these choose to do, What is Mgahinga Gorilla National park famous for?.
Caves.
Tourists visiting in Mgahinga National Park can get a chance to explore in the numerous bat caves, which are located along the steep slopes of the mountains. The Garama Caves are the most visited caves, which are found near the parks headquarters. The ethnic group that lives within the National park are the Batwa people whom old many cultural significances that attract a number of many visitors to check them out.
Wildlife.
Mgahinga National Park is a home to over 76 mammal species like; forest elephants, Golden Monkeys, Olive pigeon, bushbucks, buffaloes, Giant forest hogs, I’hoest monkeys and 180 bird species such as; blue headed coucal, Rwenzori batis, Rwenzori turaco, cape robin chat, speckled mouse bird, African Paradise flycatcher, Rwenzori turaco and 14 endemic Albertine rift notably the kivu ground thrush and turaco. Though the unique part about this park is that approximately 300 mountain gorillas reside in Mgahinga National park and these gorillas are free to move across between the three countries like Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Activities you can do while visiting Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Birding in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Mgahinga National Park is an ideal place for bird lovers to check out because it harbours over 180 bird species and tourists can engage in the bird watching activities to see these bird species. Birding in Mgahinga gives tourists a great opportunity to sight see bird species like; Regal sunbird, Rwenzori Batis, Brown- crowned Tchagra, the olive thrush, the Blue headed sunbird, Bronze sunbird. More so, Bird lovers in Mgahinga National park are encouraged to pay USD 30 dollars per person.
Hiking and Guided Nature Walks.
Hiking and guided nature walks in Mgahinga Gorilla national commence at the parks headquarters in Ntebeko and tourists interested in this activity pay USD 30 dollars per person. During the hiking, tourists get a chance to spot the amazing attractions in the park such as; the Rugezi swamp, bamboo forests, forest birds, and the beautiful surrounding lakes like Lake Mutanda. While taking nature walks around the park where the park guide accompanies the visitors, they always walk through the foothills of the Virunga volcanoes, What is Mgahinga Gorilla National park famous for?.
Mountain Gorilla Trekking.
Mgahinga gorilla National park has only two habituated mountain gorilla groups such as Nyakagezi and Hirwa gorilla groups. The Hirwa gorilla group migrated from the volcanoes National park in Rwanda and these gorilla groups are equally shared between three countries; Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Gorilla trekking at this park begins from the visitor centre at Ntebeko the parks headquarters which begins at 8am everyday but the tourists are advised to be at the park by 7am for the registration and a short briefing from the head Ranger of the Park whereby the tourists are put in groups which don’t exceed 8 members depending on which gorilla group they are going to track.
In Mgahinga Gorilla national park, trekking gorillas cost USD 700 dollars per person and the tracking lasts for about 2-5 hours but once they allocate a gorilla group, tourists are always given one hour to interact with the gorilla though they are advised to keep a distance of 7 meters between themselves and the gorillas. More so, they are allowed to take pictures and record videos to show their people back at home thou the use of flashlights in the phones and cameras while in the presence of the gorillas.
Cultural Encounters/ community visits.
Tourists who are interested in the cultural encounters and the community visits always get to embark on the Batwa trail where visitors get a chance to meet the Batwa people who are as well -known as the Pygmies, hunters, fierce warriors and good hunters, What is Mgahinga Gorilla National park famous for?.
Tourists during these cultural encounters, they are offered an opportunity to interact with the local people as they get to learn a lot about the history of their culture, and the daily lifestyle of these people. The local people entertain their visitors with the cultural dance performances, and tell stories of their folks.
Volcano Climbing.
Tourists in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can opt do volcano climbing activity where there are 3 volcano mountains which tourists can climb and these mountains include; Mount Muhavura, Mount Gahinga, Mount Sabinyo. In addition, climbing these mountains needs climbers who are fit and string because it may take climbers the whole day to reach at the top of the mountains. While climbing, tourists may get a chance to look at the wonderful attractions within the park such as, bamboo forests; golden monkeys the caldera and giant lobelia.
Volcano climbing in the park costs USD 80dollars per person and the advantage of these fees is that they cover up the entry fees too.
Where to stay in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park offers comfortable and affordable accommodation facilities like; Volcanoes Mount Gahinga safari lodge, Amajambere Lwacu camp, Bird nest Bunyonyi Resort, Bunyonyo overland Resort, Kisoro traveler’s Rest Hotel, Countryside Guesthouse and Mountain Gorilla Safari Hotel.
Hot to get to Mgahinga National Park.
Tourists travelling to Mgahinga National park, which is located in the southwestern region of Uganda, can access it through using Air or Road transport; travelers can take a drive of about 8 hours and 494 kilometers from Kampala via Kabale – mbarara road.
Book with our trusted tour operators your Gorilla Trekking safari tour in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and get to have a best experience as you explore through the beautiful nature and wildlife of Uganda.
