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Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Location: South Western Uganda, bordering Rwanda and Congo, 14 km from Kisoro.
- Size: 33 square kilometers.
- Altitude Range: 2227 metres – 4127 metres.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in the southwestern corner of Uganda. The Park covers the northern slopes of the three northernmost Virunga Volcanoes: Mt. Muhavura (4,127 m), Mt. Gahinga (3,474 m), and Mt. Sabinyo (3,645 m). The Park is about 10 km south of Kisoro and is bordered to the south by the Republic of Rwanda and to the west by the Democratic Republic of Congo. Each of these countries protects its own portion of the Virungas, in the Parc National des Volcanos and Parc National des Virunga respectively. The three parks together form the 434-sq. km. ‘Virunga Conservation Area’ or VCA. Mgahinga is 33.7 sq. km, just 8% of the VCA. The entire Park is in Bufumbira County of Kisoro District.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is 33.7 sq. km and consists of the partly forested slopes of three extinct volcanoes. From far away, the huge cones of the virunga volcanoes dominate the landscape and beckon you as you approach. When you reach the park you can get a great overview of the area by walking up the viewpoint, just 15 minutes from Ntebeko Gate. Mgahinga Park has great biological importance because throughout the climatic changes of the Pleistocene ice ages, mountains such as these provided a refuge for mountain plants and animals, which moved up or down the slopes as climate became warmer or cooler. The Virungas are home to a large variety of wildlife, including about half the world’s critically endangered mountain gorillas.
Gorilla Safaris / Gorilla Tracking
This is the most thrilling tourist activity in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The habituated gorilla in this park is called the Nyakagezi, which consists of 9 members, 2 silverbacks, 3 adult females, 2 juveniles and 2 infants. However, due to their constant movement it is advisable to check the current location of the gorillas first.
Gorilla tracking can be strenuous and may take the whole day. The guide leads you through the gorilla’s world, explaining aspects of their ecology and behavior along the way.
We must stress that, while you have a very good chance of seeing gorillas, success is NOT guaranteed. They are wild creatures with no fixed routine, and finding them requires the skill and experience of your trackers and guides, as well as luck.
The trackers and guides have helped to habituate the gorilla groups and know them intimately. Before you set off on your trek, they may be able to suggest how long the hike might be. While walking, please feel free to ask guides to slow down if they are going too fast and if you need a rest. Take time to stop and enjoy the birds, trees and flowers. The guide will ensure that you don’t get left behind!
Gorilla Tracking can be physically demanding, so go prepared. The Gorilla Rules prepare you for Gorilla Trekking and give guidance on conservation of the Mountain Gorillas. Please read the Gorilla Rules before your trip.
Mt. Sabyinyo (366m) – ‘Old man’s teeth’
Like an old man, time has eroded Mt. Sabyinyo’s crown. This volcano offers 3 challenging peaks to climb. A climb up the mountain takes one up a ridge along the eastern side of the climb to peak. If you are to continue, the climb to the peak 11 involves walking a ridge with breath-taking drops into gorges of Rwanda and Uganda, a dual experience you will achieve here. Finally, the hike up to the peak 111 is steep with several ladders and mush scrambling. You are guaranteed to get your hands dirty en-route to peak111! Once on top, you will be in Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, what a triple experience this is!!! The journey takes about eight hours round trip to cover the 14km stretch.
Mt. Gahinga (3474m)
On your way to the park, look out for small piles of stones in the garden fields. The local people call such a pile a ‘Gahinga’. Mount Gahinga is quite bigger than the average ‘gahinga’ but sitting next to Mount Muhavura does make it look small. A hike, which takes you about, six hours round trip, goes through a good example of a pure Bamboo forest. Gahinga once had a Crater Lake on top but time has changed it into a Lush swamp. Distance to the swamp is 8km.
Mt. Muhavura (4127m) – ‘The Guide’
Seen from all over Kisoro, this volcano acts as a guide. The typical cone-shaped Mountain provides some of the best views in the country. Much of the climb passes a rocky surface covered by grasses and small shrubs. Once at the top, hikers are rewarded with the view of the Virunga volcanoes, Lake Edward in queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi and the peaks of Rwenzori Mountain. The hike takes approximately 8 hours round trip covering 12km.You are advised to camp at the Muhavura base camp the night before the site has no facilities so you need a tent, water, food and sleeping gear.
Birding
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is blessed with a unique bird fauna; 79 bird species have thus far been recorded within the park, including several species endemic to the East Congo Montane region. For the Virunga Conservation Area as a whole, over 295 species in the Virungas are endemic to the Albertine Rift Afromontane region representing 59% of the total of known endemic species.
Accommodation
If you wish to go camping there is ample space at the park gate and Mt. Gahinga Rest Camp. Besides that, there is also excellent traditional bandas managed by the local community.
Kisiro
Kisoro town offers a wide range of accommodation facilities ranging from basic campsites to luxurious full board hotels, including:
- Virunga Hotel
- Traveler’s Rest
- Mt. Gahinga Rest Camp
- Nkuringo Safari Lodge
- Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
ACCESS
Kisoro is about 540 km (8-9 hours) from Kampala. A 4WD vehicle is recommended.
6 Days Bwindi, Mgahinga & Volcanoes (3 Treks)
Day 1: Airport pick-up and transfer to Hotel
Our representative will welcome you given your arrival at Entebbe international airport and transfer to your booked hotel in Kampala. This is an hour’s drive. Dinner and overnight stay at Sheraton Hotel (luxury), Fairway Hotel (midrange), Forest cottages (budget)
Day 2: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable national park
Early morning after you have had breakfast, meet the driver for your transfer to Kisoro, approximately 7 hours drive with lunch and equator stopovers. Arrive at the lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight stay at Clouds Mountain Gorilla lodge (luxury), Ichumbi gorilla lodge (mid range), Gorilla safari lodge (budget)
Day 3: Gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Have breakfast and transfer you to park offices for briefing about Mountain Gorilla trekking by the park warden then connect to the forest to search for the gorillas. The time taken is usually between 2-8 hours depending on the movement of the gorillas. Meeting the gorillas unexpectedly is one of the most captivating lifetime experiences. You will have a chance to observe and take pictures at very close range.
You will observe adults feeding and groaning among themselves. After an hour with the long-awaited gorillas, your ranger guide will lead you back to the starting point where your driver will readily be waiting to transfer you back to the lodge for a restful evening. Have dinner overnight stay at lodge as above. Clouds Mountain Gorilla lodge (luxury), Ichumbi gorilla lodge (mid range), Gorilla safari lodge (budget)
Day 4: Gorilla trekking experience in Mgahinga gorilla national park and transfer to Volcanoes national park (Rwanda)
Have breakfast and transfer you to park offices for briefing about Mountain Gorilla trekking by the park warden then connect to the forest to search for the gorillas. The time taken is usually between 2-8 hours depending on the movement of the gorillas. Meeting the gorillas unexpectedly is one of the most captivating lifetime experiences. You will have a chance to observe and take pictures at very close range. You will observe adults feeding and groaning among themselves. After an hour with the long-awaited gorillas, your ranger guide will lead you back to the starting point where your driver will readily be waiting to transfer you for lunch in Kisoro town.
Connect to cross to Rwanda via Cyanika boarder to your lodge in the Virunga Mountains for a restful evening. Have dinner and overnight stay at Sabyinyo silverback lodge (luxury), Le Bambou Gorilla lodge (Midrange), Hotel Muhabura (budget)
Day 5: Gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes national park
After early morning breakfast, you will be transferred to the park headquarters-kinigi for a briefing about the endangered mountain gorillas from the park warden. Along with your trekking gear, drinking water and packed lunch, the driver will drop you off at the starting point to trek the gorillas together with the ranger guides. This activity may take between 1-8 hours searching for the gorillas depending on their movement. However meeting them is so rewarding and you will spend maximally 1 hour with them as you take time studying them and taking pictures and videos. After spending your time with the fascinating mountain gorillas, return to the base and meet your driver to connect to your lodge for lunch and refresh.
After lunch and time is available, take a cultural walk to Iby’iwachu Cultural Village-a Non-Profit umbrella organization that aims at improving the lives of reformed poachers and communities around Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park through provision of conservation incentives, supporting community enterprise development and livelihood based projects. It’s a rewarding place where you will be guided around the place as you enjoy the Kinyarwanda traditions including the Intore dance, traditional ceremonies and a guided community walk. Retreat and return to your lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay as above. Sabyinyo silverback lodge (Luxury), Le Bambou Lodge (Midrange), Muhabura Hotel (Budget)
Day 6: Transfer to Kigali
After having your breakfast, meet the driver to transfer to Kigali city through the beautiful scenic hills of Rwanda. If time is still available before your departure visit the Kigali genocide site and craft shops. Then have lunch and later drive to the airport to find your scheduled flight back home