MGAHINGA GORILLA NATIONAL PARK

In south western Uganda, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park seats on a land of 33.7 square kilometers and is on the Uganda’s smallest national parks. It was established in 1991 a place characterized by ancient volcanoes (Mount Sabinyo, Mount Gahinga, Mount Muhabura) that are very dominant here.
It is also known for being a home and a sister accommodation to Bwindi Impenetrable national park for mountain gorillas in Uganda, accompanied by a variety of bird life and golden monkeys and other animals.

Wildlife in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

The greatest tourist attraction of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are the mountain gorillas. Being a rare mammal species in the whole world, Uganda desired to have many of them habituated in Bwindi and some in Mgahinga where they were put in one gorilla family, Nyakagezi. For one to sight these animals, you must undertake a gorilla trekking exercise, which requires one to acquire a permit that costs only $800.

Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga gorilla national park was initiated so as to reduce human impact on these animals which has help in conservation for generations. It involves taking a long hike through the thick forest usually led by a tour guide and trackers so that you can locate a gorilla family.
There is also a possibility of sighting other animals such as buffaloes, elephants, giant forest hogs and other small mammals. As you trek for gorillas, the guides will always inform you of not only the animals and also different tree species, length of trails and other helpful information.

The park also has other primates such as such as endangered golden monkeys. They are characterized by golden orange fur, which makes them more outstanding than the regular monkeys. They are usually seen swinging, feeding and socializing amidst the bamboo trees of the Virunga Mountains.
To sight them, you also undertake a golden monkey tracking activity that gives you an exhausting but satisfactory experience, especially since it is a complementary activity to gorilla trekking.

As for birds, there are over 180  bird species recorded here and some include Scarlet-tufted malachite
sunbird, Rwenzori turaco, Kivu ground thrush and the Handsome Francolin. With the help of a binoculars, the bird watching experience will add to the treasure you will expect and find in Mgahinga gorilla national park.

The volcanic mountains

These are three that offer one of the greatest hiking opportunities in the world. They include:

Mount Gahinga

It is known for its dense bamboo forests that provides a home for the chimps and is also not as steep compared to the other two. This makes hiking more feasible and sighting wildlife easier.

Mount Muhabura

This is the steepest of all and more challenge g to climb though it provides the best scenic views of them all. It gives sight for many lakes, neighboring countries and mountain ranges. For those thrilled by adventure, this proves to be challenge you can undertake that will give you the most satisfactory results.

Mount Sabinyo

This majestic old and stratovolcano stands at 12,037 feet and a jagged summit that intersects the borders of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It has wooden ladders and ropes that help trekkers move the near vertical and ridge filled slopes. It also has bamboo forests which is a home for the mountain gorillas, golden monkeys and rare bird species such as the Rwenzori turaco.

The Batwa people (Pygmies)

When you visit Mgahinga gorilla national park, you will realize it also has cultural heritage of the Pygmies also known as the Batwa people. They are locally defined as the keepers of the forest and have lived there for generations. Their life style is that of hunters and gatherers and have expertise in medicinal plants, survival skills in the forest and wildlife behavior.
You can have a Batwa cultural experience that allows you learn more about them, usually guided
and taught by the elders of the community. One can learn about hunting methods, their traditional music, storytelling and more bout medicinal plants. Visiting the Batwa also generates income for the for community developments such as constructions of water projects, schools and other infrastructure.

Tourism activities Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mountain Gorilla Trekking:

This is the most profitable and commonest activity done in Mgahinga gorilla national park. It is one rewarding activity that makes populations travel many miles to come to Uganda and see these semi humans in their natural habitat.

Golden Monkey Tracking:

Using trackers and with the help of experienced tour guides, you have the opportunity to sight these primates that are usually seen in the bamboo forest.

Bird Watching:

With over 180 recorded bird species, you can have a bird watching experience.

Hiking:

This is usually volcano hiking of the three Virunga Mountains such as Sabinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura.

Batwa Cultural Experience:

This gives you a deeper insight of the true indigenous beings of the forest.

Nature Walks:

With the assistance of a guide, you can walk down long trails of the forests to learn but the diversity of the co system in Mgahinga gorilla national park, have pure nature photography and have a close touch with the wild.

Excellent times to visit Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga is worth visiting all year round-in all seasons

The dry season

June to September: This is the driest season of all time and the peak season for tourism generally in Uganda. Here roads are very passable, wildlife can easily be sighted.

December to February: The sun during this period does not last long. There is less mud and everything can be done but, everything that you intended to do this season that needs a permit, must be acquired in advance.

The wet season

March to May: Everywhere in the country is as wet as possible and as for national parks, they have the muddiest and most slippery roads this time. Navigating them needs any of our 4×4 vehicles with good ground clearance.

October to November: This time is characterized by minimal rains and everywhere is green, lush and beautiful which makes it a good season for birders and nature photographers.

In conclusion, Mgahinga gorilla national park still proves to stand out as a tourist attraction not only in western Uganda and the whole world. It provides the most satisfactory hiking experience of the
Virunga Mountains, not only testing your adventure skills, but also helping you derive resilience and patience with nature.