It is situated in Kisoro District South West of Uganda covering an area of 33.9 km2 (13.1 sq mi) and prominently known to offer amazing Gorilla Trekking Adventures to all kinds of travelers interested in watching the Mountain Gorillas in their natural forest vegetation habitat. The Park comprises of other safari attractions i.e three of the Virunga Mountain Volcanoes i.e Mount Muhabura, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Sabyinyo and these are hiked by all avid Climbers/ hikers that visit Uganda for Hiking Tours. The Park borders Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo in the South.
Flora
Mgahinga National Park has numerous plant species which include; bamboo forest, Albertine Rift montane forests, Ruwenzori-Virunga montane moorlands with tree heath.
Fauna
The Park is prominently inhabited by the Mountain Gorillas and Golden Monkeys that are tracked by all travelers from all over the globe. Other primates can also be seen in the forest as well as numerous species of birds i.e handsome francolin, dusky crimson-wing, red-throated alethe, Kivu ground thrush, Rwenzori turaco, Rwenzori batis, Rwenzori double-collared sunbird, collared apalis, mountain masked apalis, Archer’s ground robin, stripe-breasted tit, blue-headed sunbird, regal sunbird, strange weaver, montane nightjar, red-faced woodland warbler and Grauer’s swamp warbler.
How to Get to Mgahinga National Park
Mgahinga National Park can be accessed by Road and Air depending on the preferences of the travelers.
By Road:
Mgahinga National Park can be accessed by use of road from Entebbe International Airport/ Kampala via the Masaka-Mbarara Highway to the South West in Kisoro Town then later to Mgahinga National Park.
By Air:
Mgahinga National Park can also be accessed by use of Air by boarding a domestic flight from Entebbe International Airport/ Kajjansi Airstrip to Kisoro Airstrip where you leave from to the Park to enjoy your safari activity.
Safari Activities to do in the Park
Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla Trekking is the most prominent safari Adventure carried out in the Park and requires you to transfer to the Park headquarters for briefing on the Dos and Don’ts around the mountain Gorillas then later in groups for 8 with a skilled ranger guide, you penetrate the green forest vegetation to track the Gorillas for 3-5 hours and when you meet them, only an hour is allowed in their presence taking numerous photos to keep for memories. The Park has the Nyakagezi Gorilla Family group and the Gorilla Trekking Permit costs US $600 per person.
Bird Watching
Bird watching is another safari activity carried out in Mgahinga National Park due to the various species of birds that are watched here making it a very exciting birding destination. About 79 different Bird species have been recorded in the Park and these include; Ibis, Whydah, Speckled Mousebird, and Fire Finch are found. Stonechat, Grey Capped Warbler, Waxbills, and Yellow-Vented Bulbul, Rwenzori Turaco, Crowned Hornbill, Black Kite and Crowned Crane, Handsome Francolin, Dusky Turtle Dove, Alpine Chat, Kivu Ground Thrush, White-tailed Blue Flycatcher, Lagden’s Bush Shrike, Scarlet-tufted Malachite Sunbird, Montane Double-collared Sunbird.
Golden Monkey Tracking
Golden Monkey Tracking is another safari adventure that can be carried out in the Park and this requires you to transfer to the headquarters for briefing about tracking the Golden Monkeys in their habitat then later in groups with a skilled park ranger guide, penetrate the forest to track these for 2-4 hours following them as they jump from one tree branch to another communicating, playing, patrolling, breastfeeding etc. Cary your Golden Monkey Tracking which costs US $60 per person.
Volcano Climbing
Mgahinga National Park offers remarkable Volcano Climbing/ Hiking Adventures in Uganda and these are done along the three extinct Volcanoes i.e Mount Sabinyo Volcano, Mount Gahinga Volcano, Mount Muhabura Volcano. These can be climbed by both avid experienced hikers as well as less experienced hikers. Mount Sabinyo Volcano is the most challenging of all Volcanoes due to the fact it requires physically fit Hikers since you climb with the support of ladders, Mount Muhabura is also challenging some how but can be hiked by moderate hikers and Mount Gahinga Volcano can be hiked by inexperienced hikers. Book your Hiking Tour to enjoy Hiking Adventures in Uganda.
Cultural Encounters
Cultural Encounters is another exciting safari activity carried out in Mgahinga National Park and it involves transferring with a skilled park ranger guide to visit the neighboring local communities of the indigenous Batwa who tell you stories about their lives/ lifestyle today. The Batwa perform you their local art through Music, Dance and Drama and here you an get involved.