Mgahinga National Park

Mgahinga National Park is a stunning and diverse protected area located in southwestern Uganda. It is part of the larger Virunga Mountains range, which extends across Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Established in 1991, Mgahinga is one of Uganda’s smallest national parks but holds immense ecological and cultural significance. Covering an area of approximately 33.7 square kilometers, it is a crucial part of the larger Virunga Conservation Area, which also includes nearby national parks in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Mgahinga national park derives its name from Gahinga a local word that means piles of volcanic stones cleared from farmlands at the foot of volcanoes; A range of volcanoes that rises down near the Rwandan border is home to mountain gorillas and golden monkeys on its forested slopes; Few people come to see the view, but those who do be rewarded with a window into the very soul of a nation.

Three prominent forest covered extinct volcanic mountains stand out prominently and synonymous with the protected area; Gahinga, Sabinyo and Muhabura.

Mgahinga National Park Overview

The steep and rugged sides of mountains are covered in woodland rising to thick bamboo and afromontane zones at the tip of the mountains.; A combination of high altitude and thick forest vegetation cover leads to high rainfall amounts and very low temperatures that greatly support continuous plant growth through the year; These conditions are favourable for lots of mammals, birds and other species survival most notable the primates; Mountain gorillas which are highly endangered and a very rare Golden monkey species that is found nowhere else in East Africa apart from Virunga range.

Safaris to Mgahinga rotate about taking hikes into the mountains to trek Mountain gorillas, Golden monkeys, bird watching and a highly rewarding scenic viewing; Atop the Gahinga (3,474m) is a 180m diameter crater swamp with very beautiful vegetation while there is a 36m diameter crater lake on the summit of Muhabura (4,127m).

Another highly rewarding activity is the cultural walk into the indigenous peoples’ homesteads; the Batwa who are a short people former forest dwellers who were fruit and root tuber gatherers, hunters and fishing people. Their entire livelihood depended on the forests and had not business with life outside forests. Take a keen look into their livelihoods and discover the hidden secrets how they have lived sustainably with the wildlife their entire lifetime.

Key features of Mgahinga National Park.

Mgahinga is a fantastic general trekking location in addition to gorilla treks and golden monkey excursions, both for standard visits and the extended habituation adventures. All three of the mountains reachable from Uganda: Gahinga, Sabinyo, and Muhabura, provide strenuous guided day treks to their summits.

Biodiversity:

Despite its small size, Mgahinga is rich in biodiversity. The park’s varying elevations, ranging from around 2,227 meters to 4,127 meters above sea level, create distinct habitats for a wide variety of plant and animal species. The park is home to several endangered species, including the mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and the rare Rwenzori duiker.

Mountain Gorillas:

One of the park’s main attractions is the endangered mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei). Several habituated Gorilla groups reside within the park, allowing visitors to partake in guided gorilla trekking experiences. This unique encounter with these gentle giants is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and contributes to both conservation efforts and local community development.

Golden Monkeys:

Besides mountain gorillas, Mgahinga National Park is also famous for its populations of golden monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis kandti). These colorful primates are endemic to the Albertine Rift and are a delight to observe in their natural habitat.

Volcanoes:

The park’s landscape is characterized by three extinct volcanoes—Mount Muhabura, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Sabinyo—which contribute to the region’s awe-inspiring scenery; Visitors can embark on challenging yet rewarding hikes to the summits of these volcanoes, offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

Birdlife:

With over 115 bird species, Mgahinga National Park is a haven for birdwatchers. Some notable avian species found here include the Rwenzori turaco, crowned hornbill, and the white-starred robin.

Cultural Heritage:

The Batwa people, a marginalized indigenous community, have historical ties to the forested areas within the park. Visiting the park provides an opportunity to learn about their traditional ways of life, including their hunting and gathering techniques.

Conservation Efforts:

Mgahinga National Park is part of the greater Virunga Conservation Area, which aims to protect critical ecosystems and safeguard the unique flora and fauna of the region, including the mountain gorillas; Conservation initiatives in the park are closely linked to community development programs, promoting sustainable livelihoods and fostering a positive relationship between conservation and local communities.

Accessibility:

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is accessible from the nearby towns of Kisoro and Kabale. The park can be reached by road from major Ugandan cities, such as Kampala, and is also accessible from Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo for those traveling from neighboring countries.

Activities to do in Mgahinga National Park.

Gorilla Trekking.

The gorilla trekking process in Mgahinga is similar to that in Bwindi. Around nine in the morning, treks start. The distance you must travel to reach the gorilla family will determine how long the expedition will take. The hour-long encounter takes place at a distance of roughly 7 meters from the gorillas. You return to Park HQ through the forest when the hour has passed, typically arriving there by early afternoon.

There is only one family that has been accustomed to making contact in Mgahinga, despite the fact that gorilla families frequently cross the border from Rwanda to Uganda. The group, known as the Nyakagazi group, consists of three baby gorillas, two adult females, and five silverbacks.

After being attacked by a lone silverback in 2004, the family spent the majority of their time on the Rwandan side of the border during that time; The Ugandan Wildlife Authority has promised to transfer the treks to Bwindi or refund the money if they move again after permits have been purchased. The treks to see the gorillas in Mgahinga can be difficult and demanding, just like in Bwindi. You must be emotionally and physically prepared, as well as appropriately dressed. If you get that right, you’ll have one of the most unforgettable animal encounters ever.

Batwa Trail Experience.

Before the area on which Mgahinga gorilla national park was set aside for the purpose of being a gorilla national park, the Batwa or African pygmies lived and thrived in these forests and mountains as hunter gatherers; They were later displaced but some of them still live around the park to participate in the tourism industry as porters and guides; They are also entitled to a portion of the tourism proceeds and a tip for their guide services will be welcome.

A Batwa trail experience is an activity that takes you through their history and transition over time. The Garama Cave, a very sacred piece of Batwa history is a good place to start. It is in this cave that they were able to hide from Bantu invasion many years back. The ease with which they bustle through the forest and glide uphill is awe striking and a reminder that east or west, home is best to the Batwa.

The Batwa Trail Day Walk Through: The walk is conducted by Batwa guides who provide insights into their traditional forest life and culture. The Batwa demonstrate their past hunting techniques; ways of gathering honey. The guides will point out the medicinal plants that were used and demonstrate how to make bamboo cups. Guests are finally invited to the sacred Ngarama Cave, once home to the Batwa King. The women of the community perform a cultural dance and you can participate in their dance.

Guided Hike.

There are excellent guided walking trails that take you quite far up the mountains that are accessible for people staying in Mgahinga for longer than a few nights; Every day at around 7:30, the treks start, and depending on the participants’ fitness and interest, they can last anywhere from 7 to 9 hours. The 1,100-meter ascent from the park gate to Gahinga’s peak is the quickest path. It takes eight hours to complete the round trip 1,300-meter climb to reach Sabinyo’s peak. Climbers should be aware that the final ascent to the peak involves climbing a ladder up three successive rock faces. The Muhabura Peak’s 4,127m summit is the highest climb. After ascending 1,793m from the trailhead, hikers should watch out for signs of high altitude sickness; The journey requires grit and perseverance as you trudge across Afro-montane moorland, even though there are no rock cliffs to negotiate.

Golden Monkey Tracking and Habituation.

Large, curious, and cheeky old world monkeys known as “golden monkeys” can be seen in the bamboo zone of the Virunga Volcanoes. Their black limbs, crown, and tail-end contrast sharply with their bright orange-gold body, cheeks, and tail.

In search of food, the monkeys roam the bamboo forest. They don’t stop their foraging or fun activities because they are accustomed to seeing humans. The hike, which is strenuous but typically not as difficult as tracking gorillas, is found above 2,500 meters. Both the basic walk with an hour of interaction and the habituation trek, where you spend significantly more time on the mountain with the research team, are options

 

Getting to Mgahinga National Park

The village of Kisoro, which serves as the gateway to southern Bwindi, is located 14 kilometers from Mgahinga.

By Road

You can reach Mgahinga National Park by road from various locations in Uganda. Most travelers choose to drive from the capital, Kampala. The journey from Kampala to Kisoro takes about 8 to 10 hours, depending on road conditions and traffic. It’s essential to hire a reliable 4×4 vehicle as some roads might be rough and challenging

By Air:

The nearest international airport is Entebbe International Airport (EBB) in Uganda. From Entebbe, you can take a domestic flight to Kisoro Airstrip, which is the closest airport to Mgahinga National Park. Several domestic airlines operate flights between Entebbe and Kisoro, and the flight takes around 1 to 1.5 hours

Accommodation at Mgahinga National Park.

The opulent Mount Gahinga Lodge is the sole tourist lodge now operating in Mgahinga. The lodge, which is a stylish and cozy alternative close to the park gate, is a sister property of Volcanoes, Bwindi National parks and Kyambura Gorge.

Beautiful gardens attract wildlife to your door. When the park was gazetted, the indigenous Batwa people was forced out of the jungles, and the lodge has done amazing work helping them.

To help the Batwa integrate with the surrounding populations, they have erected a village, started a vocational training center, started a dancing troupe, and developed a cultural center; Further out, hotels like Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Chameleon Hill on Lake Mutanda, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge and Bird’s Nest on Lake Bunyonyi provide access to Mgahinga.