Mountain Gorillas – Folowing The Great Apes In Virunga Massif Mgahinga National Park.

Mountain Gorillas call this smallest national park in Uganda home but is also paradise to many enthusiastic travelers. Mgahinga National Park is a game on its own with a natural and wide biodiversity. Located at the extreme south border of Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo. The 3 countries share the Virunga massif which is divided into 3 National parks, Mgahinga national Park shared by Uganda and Rwanda, Volcano National Park located in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in DR Congo. Since it’s the same forest, the Terrain of Mgahinga national park is the same as for volcano National Park, It’s not as thick as the Impenetrable Bwindi Forest national Park. Therefore, the endangered Mountain Gorillas can sometimes be seen clearly in open than in Bwindi Forest national park. Same sound reason why many of our photography guests make beautiful pictures in the virunga Gorilla home. The Mountain Gorillas in the 3 countries are the same and sometimes crossover to the other side of the boarders into the country. So questions like who do they belong to when they cross over boarders or what do Gorillas eat and more fascinating facts are answered by professional rangers on the Gorilla trek.

Mgahinga National Park comprises of 3 volcanoes standing with Muhabura taking the 1^st on the line then Gahinga and Sabinyo as the boundary of the three countries before the rest follow in the Virunga massif lineage. The mountain Gorillas find refuge in Gahinga volcanoes observed as the middle one and seen from as far as Bwindi forest and the Congo. Mgahinga National Park is known for its famous, friendly and big in number Gorilla family called Nyakagezi with the Dominant silverback named Mark. Since the park is near the Rwandan border, it is so easier for mountain Gorilla guests combining the two countries as cross boarder safaris.  It is absolutely possible to trek mountain Gorillas in mgahinga National Park and crossover to Rwanda’s volcanoes national park for another day of Gorilla Trekking experience.  It is also absolutely possible for Some clients opting to start from Rwanda and crossover to the other side Uganda in combination with wildlife safaris in Uganda.

How to connect to Mgahinga National park?

Mgahinga national Park is located on the far south of the Uganda – Rwanda boarder. This presents many options of visiting and connecting Mgahinga national park from either countries. Surprisingly, It is closer accessing Mgahinga from Rwanda international airport than it is from Uganda’s International Airport.

By Flight: Aerolink Uganda runs daily domestic flights to Kisoro (-/+ 2hours flight) and later a 45 minute drive to either of the luxury lodges on the boundaries of the park, the airstrip is an hour’s drive a way from Mgahinga national park lodges. You can book this directly with Aerolink or Gorilla walking Safaris team can book that and have it included in combination with your booked trip.

By Road: Mgahinga can be accessed by road from Kampala (-/+ 9 hours drive) with a good asphalt road or from Rwanda on the south (-/+ 4hours drive) that involves boarder crossing.

Recommendation: It is very important to use or hire a 4×4 offroad vehicle when accessing the last bits of Mgahinga national Park. The slopes of the volcanoes are crowded with volcanic stones with mud which area can be well accessed with a sturby 4×4 safari vehicle coming in handy.

What else Can you do in Mgahinga National Park?

Another of the most rewarding primate encounter is the Golden monkey trekking that can be done in Mgahinga and rarely found elsewhere. In addition, over 76 mammal species which include elephants, giant forest hog, bush pigs, bush back. Buffalos, leopards, A bird checklist of over 180 species including the 14 endemic Albertine rift notably the Kivu ground thrush and turaco all make Mghahinga a paradise destination. Golden monkeys can be seen in this park and Volcano National Park Rwanda’s side. The park also has the unique Volcanos, Muhabura, Sabyinyo and Gahinga which offer extraordinary hiking experiences, Cultures, and the jaw dropping Landscapes.

The Batwa people commonly referred to as the God fathers of the forest used to stay in the Forest before it was gazetted into a national park and with their Batwa experience activity they will awesomely demonstrate of how they used to survive in the forest, their hunting techniques, gathering food, hiding in caves plus their different songs and dances with meaning. Something you would love to see and re-connect. This is primarily why Gorilla Trekking In Uganda is a bucket list Adventure

Read also about Top 10 sounding Reasons to Visit Uganda

How much and How do you secure a Gorilla Permit for Mghahinga

Same as all Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda including Bwindi, Mgahinga permits can be secured from Uganda Wildlife Authority office or through a Liscenced and registered tour operator considering they have the chances to secure a permit for you.

Once you book and confirm a safari in Uganda or Rwanda, how to secure Gorilla Permits in Uganda is always the first step to a Uganda safari while other activities follow including accommodations to stay. Mgahinga National Park is located in Kisoro and near the border of Uganda and Rwanda called Cyanika closer to the border of Uganda and DR Congo called Bunagana. The local people around the park are friendly and so welcoming. Most of the activities in the park start in the morning and you will assemble at the park headquarter for briefing about the dos and don’ts of mountain Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga.

Where to stay near Mghahinga National Park

There are quite some good range of accommodation facilities near the park. Our Most favorite lodge is Gahinga lodge, A luxury outfit that will give you the most value for your money and spice up that Gorilla Trekking Experience. I guess everyone’s needs that pampering after a day’s hike on the mountains and that’s what Gahinga Lodge offers. There are also quite some nice accommodations in Kisoro town, A nearby town with quite a good number of accommodation facilities from Budget to midrange. what makes Mgahinga paradise, There is a possibility of staying in Bwindi like 4 Gorillas Lodge in Rushaga sector, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, clouds mountain Gorilla Lodge, Mutanda Lake Resort with a wide range of Accommodations but trek the mountain Gorillas of Mgahinga national Park.

What do I need For Hiking and trekking Mountain Gorillas in Mgahinga?

Hiking and trekking the mountain Gorillas in Mgahinga National Park in the Volcanoes, you need to and be prepared with good Hiking shoes, warm clothing, gaiters or long socks and a little more. The Volcanoes can be hiked in one day and the park guides are always around to go with you on a hike for guiding. Other than the usage needs, You need enough drinking water which is always provided, Tips and gratitude’s for your hiking guides and ofcourse courage and patience by yourself for self-motivation – That is so important.

More to Bring for Gorilla Treks and Gorillas in Mgahinga National Park:

• Nice Gripped Walking/hiking shoes
• Warm Clothing for the Bwindi sector
• Light safari clothing for warm areas
• Insect repelants
• Sun Screen
• Hats/caps
• Rain Jacket and/or ponchos
• Long light pants
• Head lamp/touch
• Binoculars
• Backpack for carrying small luggage
• Gloves if you want (But Not necessary)

Any Combination Safari after Gorilla Trekking?

Tracking mountain gorillas in Mgahinga National Park can be Combined with other activities in other National parks like Murchison falls National Park north west of Uganda, the famous biodiverse Queen Elizabeth National Park in the west beneath the shadows of Mount Rwenzori national park, Lake Mburo National Park – small but unique national park, Kibale National Park for the chimpanzees and world primate destination while Lake Bunyonyi and lake Mutanda would provide the best resort lodge destinations to unwind off your trip memories. There are quite many activities to keep you busy like Game drives, walking Safaris, wildlife Boat cruises, Bird watching, Nature walks, Authentic cultural encounters, Chimpanzee Tracking and much more.

Upon doing all activities, you can relax at Lake Bunyonyi or fly back to Entebbe for a connecting flight back home. Some clients decide to rest for some days siting alongside the waters, while others tend to do some other activities at the lake like Boat cruise to the Batwa of Lake Bunyonyi or lake mutanda, Zip lining.

Most of our Guests at Gorilla Walking Safaris visit the farm to cup coffee experience as one of our conservation innitiatives in Kisoro mutanda area before returning back to Entebbe.

See some of our well-crafted example trips that include Gorilla Trekking

4 Days Double Gorilla Trekking

Charter a plane to & from a Gorilla safari while getting up close and personal with the gentle giants. 4 Days of Double Gorilla Safari Uganda and Gorilla habituation experience are very extraordinary rewarding while slumbering at uganda Top notch lodges. See More Details here …..

7 Days Bwindi Gorillas & Kidepo safari

Exclusive 7 Days of ultimate Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi forest, Community tours with the Batwa people who double as the God fathers of the forest. Rough up the Trip in kidepo Valley National Park, The undoubtedly hidden treasures of the wilderness. All Private & exclusive.  See More Details here …..

7 Days Chimpanzees, & Mountain Gorillas

Step back in time and exclusively enjoy secluded and intimate Semuliki Safari Lodge with a private safari off the beaten path. Double the experience tracking mountain Gorillas in Bwindi at the ridge of Nteko in Nkuringo and engage in a Batwa community tour for an authentic cultural immersion.  See More Details here …..

6 Days Ishasha & Bwindi Gorillas

Be rewarded to an exclusive wilderness experience in ishasha sector with awesome safari encounters including the tree climbing lions while slumbering at ishasha wilderness camp. Double the exclusive experience with the ultimate Gorilla trekking while slumbering in the clouds at the Nteko ridge.  See More Details here…..

10 Days Primates, Wildlife & the Nile

Fly in style to Uganda’s pristine destinations and embark on an inspirational journey. Be witness to Vibrant wildlife, Primates in Uganda and relax along the River Nile.  See More Details here …..