What Is Mgahinga National Park Famous For

Gorilla trekking is the highlight of Mgahinga National Park. Currently Nyakagezi gorilla family is the only existing fully habituated gorilla family in this park. You must have a gorilla permit to be part of the gorilla trekking group for the day but securing it is dependent on the availability of the gorillas. At times they migrate into Rwanda as they do not understand political boundaries. Restricting them to particular boundaries denies them the chance to live freely in the forest where they can search for their food.

You have to ask for the presence of the gorillas and then book the gorilla permit. Each gorilla permit costs $800 per person per trek. Only 8 gorilla permits for tourist booking are released each day.

Ensure you travel with the right gorilla trekking gear to feel comfortable while searching in the wilderness. Follow the instructions from the briefing team and the ranger guides walking with you. They have more knowledge of the behavior of the mountain gorillas.

Look around for other primates in the forest, take as many photos for memories and finally treat back to the lodge to relax.

Golden Monkey Trekking in Mgahinga National Park

The golden monkeys are a special species of monkeys that roam only Virunga forest in Africa. They are some of the endangered monkeys that enjoy the freebies of Mgahinga National Park. Golden monkeys have bodies larger than the commonly seen monkeys. Their far is uniquely covered with golden brown far especially in the lower back. They are an exciting species that makes you want to follow them. They are always busy and hopping from tree to tree so even when they have been habituated, their true nature doesn’t hide from viewers.

You need a golden monkeys permit to be part of this lifetime primates encounter. Look out for other primates like black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, L’Hoest’s and so many others. Mgahinga National Park is a primate meeting point

Batwa And Garama Caves Visit in Mgahinga National park

Walking into the life of former Mgahinga Forest occupants the Batwa pygmies is a historical holiday experience. This walk is community-based and conducted by A Mutwa guide with knowledge about their past life.

The Batwa trek begins from the foot of Muhavura Mountain up to Garama Cave which is 342 meters long and closer to the Northern edge of Mgahinga National Park. This cave lay in the deeper parts of the forest in the earlier days and it was a retreat point for Batwa after they raided the Bafumbira farmers. The Garama cave also acted as council chambers for the Batwa during their early days.

Currently, the cave provides an atmospheric setting for performing Batwa music after following the Batwa trail.

Hike the Mountains In Mgahinga National Park

Testing your fitness for the first time by hiking one of the Mgahinga volcanic peaks that is Sabyinyo Mountains, the Muhavura Mountains, and the Gahinga Mountains.

Sabyinyo Mountains also has three peaks and hiking it to its top gives you a chance to look into Rwanda, Congo, and Uganda.

Hiking Gahinga Mountain you go through a bamboo forest up to a lush swamp located at the crater summit. From Ntebeko the headquarters take about 6 hours.

Mountain Muhabura has a crater lake at the top you go through beautiful alpine vegetation and incredible panoramic views. Going through the Muhabura trail the quickest and shortest ascent route to experience these dramatic plants.

Birding In Mgahinga National Park

Mgahinga National Park has some of the most spectacular birds. A great number of birds can be traced in the Gorge trail which loops halfway up Mountain Sabyinyo. Several habitats form a comfortable home for many birds like Rwenzori Turaco, Alpine chat, Lagden’s Bush-Shrine, Kivu Ground Thrush and so many others.

Is Mgahinga National Park Safe

Mgahinga National Park is safe for trekking mountain gorillas and other park activities. The Uganda security operatives collaborate with the ranger guides to keep law and order in this area. The mountain gorillas may be huge but they are serene primates. They have never attacked any humans.

Which accommodation To Book in Mgahinga National Park

Accommodations of all budgets are available for your overnights in Mgahinga National Park. you may also spend the nights in Kisoro town. Some of the accommodations include Volcanoes Camp, Mgahinga Gorilla Triangle, Mutanda Lake Resort, Traveler’s Inn, Community Camp, Kisoro Tourist Hotel, Majambere Iwachu, Mountain Gahinga Lodge

How to Book a Gorilla Permit For Mgahinga National Park

The open gorilla trekking family in Mgahinga National Park is the Nyakagezi family but it menders into the neighboring Volcanoes National Park at times so permits are booked upon the availability of the gorillas. The gorilla permits cost $800 for Mgahinga National Park. The Uganda Wildlife Authority is responsible for selling all gorilla permits in Uganda.

How To Book Golden Monkey Permits For Mgahinga National Park

If you want to book a golden monkey permit, the Uganda Wildlife Authority is the selling body. At Safari Vacations & Travel Services, we book golden monkeys permits on behalf of our clients.

When Is the Best Time To do Gorilla Trekking In Mgahinga National Park

As long as the mountain gorillas of the Nyakagezi family are confirmed to be present in Mgahinga National Park, tourists are allowed to go mountain gorilla trekking at any time of the year. Although at times the gorillas hang out in Rwanda or D.R.Congo none of the countries prohibits them from enjoying the forest freebies of the Virunga area.

To satisfy their bellies with enough pounds of foliage that will last the entire day and night, the mountain gorillas search for new feeding grounds even beyond geographical boundaries.

June to September and January to February generally receive less rainfall so the trails leading to the gorillas are more visible and less humid. For the Uganda tourism calendar, these are high seasons for tourist visits.

March to May and November receive more rain showers and the ground is muddy and soggy. This time the mountain gorillas feed from the slopes so you need to hike some ridges to get to where they are feeding from during this season.

In case you have to go Golden Monkey trekking in Mgahinga National Park, the drier seasons are comfortable even for the monkeys. The trees where they spend their day are less slippery. Monkeys fear water so during severe rainfall they hide in the thicker tree leaves where no rain can fall on them making their visibility difficult for tourists.

How To Access Mgahinga National Park From Kampala

The commonest way to Mgahinga National Park is by road approximately about 540km from Kampala city. You drive through Kabale to Kisoro for close to 8 hours excluding route stops. The Murram road winds around mountains taking about 2 hours to arrive at Ntebeko gate.

An alternative route is from Rwanda Kigali airport then Cyanika border you can get into Mgahinga National Park via Kisoro.

Daily domestic flights from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi Air Strip fly to Kisoro Air Strip in the morning and afternoon.

What To Pack For A Safari In Mgahinga National Park

A flashless soundproof camera to keep your photos of the gorilla trekking, and birding experience in Mgahinga National Park
Long-sleeved shirts and trousers protect your body from stinging nettles, sharp surfaces, and all the rough conditions of the jungle.
First Aid kit in case you get any injury while on safari in Mgahinga National Park.
Tracking boots safe enough to maneuver slippery, boggy slopes and sharp surfaces in the wilderness.
A pair of Binoculars to use in case you spot something interesting in the forest but it may be out of reach for your eyes.
Foldable water bottle to carry drinking water and quench thirst.
Energy snacks to reenergize because you are not sure when to locate the mountain gorillas and other interesting features of Mgahinga National Park.
Insect repellants to protect your skin from stinging insects in the dense jungle.
Torch just in case lights go out and you need to walk in the dark within your room.
Safari Cap or large brim hat to protect your head from flying insects and dew that drips off the surfaces of leaves.
Carry some hard cash since credit cards are rarely used for exchange in Africa because of the lengthy procedures of acquiring funds from them.
Another fully charged battery to exchange with in case the one in the camera runs low on power.
A travel adapter just in case you want to recharge your electronic gadgets.