Trekking Mgahinga Mountain Gorillas

Why trek Gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is another place where the Endangered Mountain Gorillas do reside as well apart from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is situated in the South-western part of Uganda on the border of both Congo and Rwanda, was announced as a national park in 1991 having a size able coverage of 33. 7 km.square.It lies in the altitude of 2,227 m & 4,127 m. This park covers mountains like Mt. muhavura (4,127), Mt. Gahinga (3,474) and Mt. Sabinyo (3,645) which belong to the Virunga Volcanoes. With the existence of these rare Primates, no doubt that this park is also a leading Tourism Site in Uganda. Mgahinga was derived from a Kinyarwanda word ‘Gahinga ’meaning Pile of Volcanic lava stone heaps where cultivation is carried out.

Why do a Gorilla Safari in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park?

This Gorilla National Park is characterized with a thick Rain forest, has got a wide variety of tree species since Mountain Gorillas are Herbivorous. Therefore, there is plenty food for them to eat in the Park and this is the cause of why some even move from one place to another (from Congo and Rwanda to this place). In this Park (Mgahinga) trekking is much easier since these gentle giants are easily seen /spotted in their Natural Habitats which is not the case in other Parks.

When should one trek Gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

During the 2 dry/peak seasons (Mid December-end of February & June-October) is the best time to tour in this park and do Gorilla Trekking and it’s still this time that the park can be entered/approached, during this period the thick forests are penetrate able, the trails are not as muddy as it is in the low periods. However, one can gorilla track year in and year out it is possible.

How to Access Mgahinga Gorilla National Park?

By road, one can reach the park using a car, transfer from Kampala to Kisoro via Kabale in a duration of about 8 hrs, this park is 510 km far away from the Kampala city to Mgahinga Gorilla National park (434 km -8 hrs from Kampala to Kabale, then 76 km to Kisoro) and the roads are in very good conditions. You can also have a flight made from Entebbe to Kisoro Airstrip which is near the park, quickest mode of access and it’s about 1 hr flight. There are daily scheduled flights which must be booked long in advance with your local Uganda safari operator.

Where to stay in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National park, has gotten several lodges/Hotels suitable for relaxation and overnight stay and most found in places of Ntebeko, Kisoro and Lake Mutanda, like Volcanoes mount Gahinga Safari lodge and Amajambere Iwacu camp. Mutanda lodges include; Lake Mutanda Chameleon Hill Lodge. In Kisoro-Kisoro Traveler’s Rest Hotel and River Mucha Hotel. Mount Gahinga Rest Camp is situated on the border of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park next to the park offices- on the border of the three countries (Uganda, Congo, and Rwanda). This is the best place to stay for trekkers on the move especially those who are coming from gorilla tracking and need a place to rest. The general services provided include swimming in the fresh waters of Lake Mutanda. This rest camp consists of 9 grass thatched bandas and 3 tents with private facilities, half of these cottages have their en-suite and private balconies which are facing towards Lake Mutanda.

Gorilla Family in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

This park has got one Gorilla Family Group called Nyakagezi Gorilla Group. Gorilla Trekking is the main activity in this park and starts in the morning from the place known as Ntebeko. However not only Gorilla trekking is done there but you can also get involved with other activities like Nature walks, Cultural encounters(Batwa Trail Experience), etc.