What to expect on a gorilla trek in Mgahinga National Park.

Expectations for a Mgahinga National Park gorilla trip. Uganda’s smallest park, Mgahinga National Park, has a border with Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Virunga National Park. According to the guidelines for gorilla treks, it is possible to trek there every day and is home to a single gorilla family. However, in addition to gorillas, the tropical rainforest that makes up Mgahinga is home to more than 100 recognized bird species, golden monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and other primates.

Only the Nyakagezi gorilla family is trekked in Mgahinga, and similar to Bwindi, you must obtain a gorilla permit at least six months prior to your intended travel date in order to go on a gorilla trek in Mgahinga. The optimum time to go gorilla trekking is during the busiest season, when eight permits are produced every day in Mgahinga and are in great demand. A gorilla trek costs 300,000 UGX for Ugandans and other East Africans, $800 for foreign non-residents, and $700 for foreign residents, depending on the type of traveler you are.

There is just one gorilla trekking session at Mgahinga National Park each day, and it begins early in the morning with a briefing from the park’s guides. The following are some of the highlights or things to anticipate when gorilla trekking in Mgahinga:

The unpredictable nature of gorilla trekking means that, depending on where the gorilla family is on the day of the journey, you may spend more than five hours trekking with them or less than an hour.
Because there will be a lot of insects and butterflies in the park, long sleeves and insect repellant are essential.
Being a tropical jungle, expect rainstorms even during the dry season. Even in dry weather, have your raincoat on hand.

During the walk, you should anticipate deviating from the typical route in pursuit of the gorillas by utilizing unexplored routes.
The hiking routes will be muddy and hazardous during the rainy season.
All visitors should at least be physically fit because of the varying terrain in Mgahinga National Park and the unexpected duration of gorilla trekking.

What to anticipate on the day of the trek

On the actual journey day, tourists typically have high expectations, but since this is a jungle, anything might happen. You only need to know that the day will be enjoyable and unforgettable. Once allocation has been made, the hike can begin as early as 7:00 or 8:00 a.m. following breakfast and a briefing at the park headquarters.

To ensure the safety of both tourists and gorillas, tour guides constantly remind trekkers of the rules governing gorilla trekking. Throughout the journey, rangers and guides stay in close communication to make it easy to find the gorilla family. After arriving at the gorilla family, you spend an hour with them, documenting their behavior and getting as many pictures and movies as you can. Don’t forget to give tips to the porters and guides who have accompanied you on the journey.

Guidelines for gorilla trekking in Mgahinga

The Uganda Wildlife Authority has established guidelines for gorilla trekking in an effort to protect the nearly endangered gorillas from ongoing poaching by the communities who once called the national park home. The following regulations also aid in park conservation, ensuring that the gorillas live in a clean and healthy environment:

The tourists are seven to ten meters away from the gorillas. Although they are uncommon, this is to avoid simple human-to-gorilla illnesses and attacks.
Gorilla trekking requires participants to be at least 15 years old.
It is best to switch off the flashlight when taking pictures because it tends to frighten the gorillas away.

It is not allowed to eat or drink near the gorillas.
Although gorillas rarely attack, if one approaches you, avoid looking it in the eye. Instead, adopt a submissive stance by lowering your head slightly and squatting down, then gently backing away. Don’t try to run.

Smoking is prohibited for visitors near gorillas.
Although there are no restrooms in Mgahinga, if you choose to use one while trekking, dig a hole and thoroughly cover it after using the restroom to avoid infecting the gorillas.
Every day, only eight people are permitted to trek with a gorilla family. This aims to minimize human-gorilla diseases and to avoid big crowds that could disrupt the gorillas’ regular behavioral habits.

To save the gorillas, it is best to offer to leave the journey if you become ill before it begins.
Because gorillas are adept at interpreting body language, it is important to speak softly and avoid making sudden movements when on a gorilla walk. You should also avoid looking the gorilla in the eye and stay in groups.

Keep your back to the primates if you have a cough or sneeze.
Mgahinga National Park should not be littered.
List of packing items
As the first step to enjoying your safari, preparing properly is one of the first things you should think about before going on a gorilla hike in Mgahinga. The best strategy is to pack little and appropriately. Some of the things you should bring on the gorilla expedition are as follows:

Clothes: To minimize luggage, just the most necessary items should be packed. Avoid wearing camouflage clothing since it is linked to the army; blue is linked to tsetse flies, and black is linked to heat. Instead, bring neutral clothing in shades of brown or green. To guard against insect bites and scratches from trees and branches, pack comfortable clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts and pants. Steer clear of jeans because they get heavy when wet.

Shoes: Ankle-length, sturdy hiking boots are advised for the trek. Although they don’t have to be brand-new, they should fit well to prevent toe blisters, be strong enough to survive the slick hiking paths, and, if at all possible, be waterproof. Due to the muddy and slick trip pathways, this gorilla trek is not something you would want to do while wearing sneakers or sandals.

Socks and gaiters: Since pants are typically tucked down to keep insects from climbing up them, bring along plenty of roomy, comfy socks. They also protect you from nettles and keep you warm on chilly mornings. We suggest that you purchase adjustable gaiters, which are often worn during the rainy season.

Devices: Without devices like phones, cameras, and binoculars, a safari cannot be considered complete. Binoculars, spare lenses, batteries, and cleaning supplies are included with a camera. Although it is possible to snap pictures, it is preferable to bring a camera; if this is your first visit, a knowledgeable guide will be there to assist you.

Sunscreen and a sunhat for protection. You should always carry sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat because the sun can be very scorching.

Biodegradable toilet paper and wet wipes

During the rainy season and at night when the temperature drops, a warm sweater and raincoat are also necessary.

During the gorilla trek, wear sturdy gardening gloves to protect your hands. Garden gloves are useful for gripping tree branches and vines throughout the hike.

A day backpack: This helps you avoid lugging all of your stuff by holding the many items you could require for the hike. A reusable water bottle, wet wipes, cameras, binoculars, toilet paper, sunscreen, insect repellant, toiletries, and any additional personal belongings are some of the supplies you will need for the hike.

As long as it works for you, you can keep any kind of insect repellent on hand. In case you need to reapply, keep it with you along the hike.

In the event of an emergency, tour guides typically have a first aid kit on hand, but if at all feasible, pack your own personal medical box with all the supplies you’ll need, including painkillers, bandages, plasters, spirit, iodine, and any other medications your doctor has prescribed.

Additional events held in Mgahinga

Gorilla trekking is the primary activity in Mgahinga, but visitors can also partake in the following activities to make their safari there more enjoyable:

Golden monkey trekking: After gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking is the second most popular tourist activity in Mgahinga. Trekking with the golden monkeys, who are always looking for food and water, is an interesting and enjoyable exercise. Because golden monkeys live on lower ground than mountain gorillas, who are typically found in higher locations, trekking for golden monkeys is a little easier than trekking for gorillas.

Habituation of golden monkeys, which may be done all year round, was also introduced in the park. Depending on where the golden monkeys are located, trekking can take anywhere from three to six hours. The golden coats on their faces and body parts make golden monkeys easy to see and identify. They are playful.

When hiking golden monkeys, there are certain guidelines that must be adhered to. A Golden Monkey trekking permit is required. After trekking, each visitor is required to spend an hour with the monkeys, stay seven meters away from the primates, and refrain from using flash photography.

Savor the experience of the Batwa trail: One thrilling activity that every visitor should partake in while on a gorilla safari walk in Mgahinga is the Batwa route. Visitors can get to know the Batwa people, also called pygmies, who used to reside in the national park until being forced out to make room for the gorillas.

Many questions are answered by the Batwa trail, such as if you have had the opportunity to stroll through the forest and interact with the locals. The trail is like to touring a museum, revealing the Batwa people’s way of life in the forest, their hunting adventures, and how the warriors protected their people while foraging for food, water, and medicine.

The Batwa guides, who are well knowledgeable about their history and culture, lead the treks on the Batwa path, which was created to educate visitors about the Batwa way of life. Important facts about the Batwa path include the fact that it was opened on June 11th, 2011, that it is guided by Batwa people, and that it was established in order to help preserve the nearly extinct Batwa culture. Although it is possible to hike the trail year-round, the drier months of June through September and December through February are the ideal times to do so.

Birdwatching: Mgahinga National Park is home to over 184 kinds of birds that are visible all year round. The cape robin chat, western green tinker bird, white star robin, and attractive francolin are a few of the bird species that may be found in Mgahinga. The rainy months of March through June and October through November are the ideal times of year to go bird watching.

One of the most fascinating things to do in Mgahinga is go on a nature walk. Visitors have the opportunity to tour the national park and observe many tree types, bird species, and primates such as monkeys. It’s a great way to get in touch with nature.

Lodging at the National Park of Mgahinga

Basic/budget, mid-range, and luxury are the three categories into which Mgahinga’s lodging options fall. Reservations are required for these, particularly during the busiest months of July through September. In the town, which is around an hour’s drive from Mgahinga, you can also reserve lodging at places like Mount Gahinga Lodge, Community camping, Mount Gahinga Rest Camp, Virunga Hotel, Kisoro Tourist Hotel, Mucha Hotel, and Montana Guest House.

During a gorilla safari at Mgahinga National Park, visitors may expect to have a great time, learn a lot, and undertake research. For assistance with the gorilla trekking safari to Mgahinga and other gorilla trekking locations all year long, get in touch with us.