Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of Uganda’s smallest but unbelievably mot scenic National Parks located in the south western Part of Uganda in the Kisoro district. It is well known for protecting the renowned mountain Gorillas and the rare Golden monkeys. It is home to one habituated Gorilla family called Nyakagezi and is available for tracking. Here are some of the Major things to do while at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park;
Gorilla Trekking
This is the major tourist activity in this Mgahinga attracting a big number of travelers coming to see the gorillas as they go about their lives in the forest. One Gorilla family lives in this park after a long period migrating to Rwanda and back to Uganda but is now settled in Mgahinga and is available for habituation. Gorilla Permits for this activity in Mgahinga National Park can be acquired from UWA through a trusted travel agency at 600USD (soon to be increased to 700USD effective 1st July 2020).
Golden Monkey tracking.
Apart from harboring the Gorillas, Mgahinga is also home to the rare Golden Monkeys which are only found in the Virunga Mountains. Some people have referred to this park as a place where the Gold meets the Silver due to the presence of Golden monkeys and Gorillas in the same forest. Golden monkeys have been habituated ad are available for tracking by the visitors. The permits can be booked with UWA at the head office or at the Park on arrival. Visitors are allowed to explore the beauty of these creatures as they live their lives feeding and playing in their natural state.
Volcano Hiking
There are three volcanoes in Mgahinga that you can hike and have a great experience, the mountains are; Sabyinyo, Mgahinga, or Muhavura. You can choose to do a day’s hike or more days to get to the peak of any of these mountains for greater views. For hike lovers, you just need to contact us at Gorilla Land Safari Holidays to organize the trip for you in time. You can do this activity of hiking to complement your Gorilla and Golden Monkey tracking trip.
Cultural Encounter
Mgahinga forest is said to have been occupied by a local tribe of people known as the Batwa (Pygmies) before it was gazzetted as a national park. They now occupy the neighboring areas of the park. Visitors are given an opportunity to visit these people to learn about their history and culture and how they lived their lives. The most interesting is a visit to the traditional healers and see how they use local herbs from the forest to cure some of their diseases. You will also learn about how they used to hunt in the forest for food and how they live their lives at the moment. Cultural performances from these people is also another highlight of a cultural tour to their community.
Birding in Mgahinga
Mgahinga is another special area for birds, many species endemic to the albertine rift are seen in this park especially on the gorge trail. Some of the unique bird species to lookout for include; The Black-headed Waxbill, Streaky Seedeater, White-starred Robin, Handsome Francolin, Dusky Turtle Dove, Bronze Sunbird, Kivu Ground Thrush and Cinnamon Bracken Warbler, Cape Robin-chat, White Starred Robin, Greater Double collard Sunbird, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Rwenzori Turaco, Striped breasted Tit Archer’s Robin Chat, Olive Pigeon, and Black headed waxbill, Rwenzori Batis, Shelly’s Dusky Crimsonwing, Malachite Sunbird, Western Green Tinker bird, Cape Robin, Brown Woodland Warbler and the Malachite among others.
