Mgahinga National Park is located in southwestern Uganda in Kisoro District and covers an area of 33.9 square kilometers.
The park was established in 1991 to protect the endangered mountain gorillas. It is governed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the body responsible for all national parks in Uganda.
Mgahinga National Park is home to over 76 mammal species, including elephants, bushbucks, buffaloes, black-fronted duikers, giant forest hogs, and primates like mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. The park also boasts over 200 bird species.
Additionally, Mgahinga National Park features three Virunga volcanoes that tourists can visit: Mount Muhabura, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Sabyinyo.
The park has various vegetation types, such as montane forests, which grow at an altitude of 3,200 meters, a bamboo zone that stretches from the western boundary of Mount Sabyinyo to the lower slopes of Mount Gahinga, and the Afro-alpine belt, which consists of giant senecio and lobelia species.
Climate of Mgahinga
Mgahinga National Park experiences a cold, mild, and wet climate due to its high altitude, which ranges from 2,227 to 4,127 meters above sea level.
Temperatures are about 20°C during the day and 9°C in the evening.
There is no complete dry season, as rain can occur at any time. However, the months of June to August and December to February generally have less rainfall.
The wettest months are April to May and September to November.
Tourist Activities in Mgahinga National Park
- Gorilla Trekking: Gorilla trekking involves walking through lush forests in search of mountain gorillas. Tourists spend only one hour with the gorillas. The park is home to one gorilla family, the Nyakagezi gorilla family. Gorilla trekking starts early in the morning at 7 a.m. with a briefing at the park headquarters, after which tourists are grouped into a party of eight and led by an armed park ranger to search for the gorillas.
- Golden Monkey Trekking: Golden monkey trekking begins in the morning with a briefing at the park headquarters, followed by the assignment of a well-trained park ranger. Golden monkey trekking takes about 3 to 4 hours.
- Volcano Hiking: Tourists can hike the Virunga volcanoes, including Mount Muhavura, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Sabyinyo. Hiking takes about 6 to 8 hours, during which tourists can enjoy beautiful views of the surroundings and spot birds, wild animals, and various tree species.
- Bird Watching: Mgahinga National Park is a haven for bird watchers, with over 184 bird species. Tourists can spot birds flying and singing in the trees. Bird species include the Rwenzori turaco, bronze sunbird, cape robin-chat, dusky turtle dove, Rwenzori batis, olive woodpecker, Kivu ground thrush, yellow-billed kite, handsome francolin, crowned hornbill, and red-faced woodland warbler.
Best Time to Visit Mgahinga
Mgahinga National Park can be visited throughout the year, but the best time is during the dry season, from June to August and December to February.
During the dry season, there is less rainfall, and the trails are not muddy or slippery.
How to Access Mgahinga National Park
- By Road: Mgahinga National Park can be accessed by road. Tourists will travel via the Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale-Kisoro Highway and then connect to the park headquarters. The journey takes about 10 hours.
- By Air: The park can also be accessed by air from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip, followed by a road transfer to the park.
Accommodation
- Mount Gahinga Lodge
- Mount Gahinga Rest Camp
- Mutanda Island Lodge
- Kisoro Travelers Lodge
- Mucha Hotel
- Muhabura Motel
- Kisoro Tourist Hotel
- Mgahinga Community Camp
- Mgahinga Gorilla Lodge
Cost of Gorilla Permits
- USD 800 for foreign non-residents
- USD 700 for foreign residents
- UGX 300,000 for East African nationals
By and large, Mgahinga National Park is a true gem of nature, offering opportunities for exploration and relaxation.