Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: Uganda, also known as the ‘pearl of Africa,’ is gifted with a variety of ecosystems, wildlife and scenic views. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is yet another of the beautiful natural areas that every tourist would love to visit when in Uganda. This little but very rich park, in the extreme southwest of Uganda, presents an attractive combination of unspoiled scenery, wildlife, and challenging hiking. As one of Uganda’s most captivating parks, Mgahinga is home to the famous mountain gorillas and boasts of breathtaking volcanic landscapes that should not be missed by any traveler visiting East Africa.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park was gazetted in 1991 and is the smallest of Uganda’s national parks, with an area of 33.7 square kilometers. However, its size belies its importance, as it forms part of the larger Virunga Conservation Area, which spans three countries. The study area covers the countries of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This park is located in the Virunga Mountains, a range of eight superb volcanic cones in the three countries. The name is because it has three extinct volcanoes: Mount Muhavura, Mount Gahinga and Mount Sabinyo. It is home to some of the world’s critically endangered species.

Gorilla Tracking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Gorilla trekking remains the biggest attraction for any traveler visiting Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Gorilla trekking involves moving through the dense forests in search of a gorilla family, which, once found, you get to spend an hour in the presence of these endangered creatures as you watch how they live their day-to-day lives. Mgahinga has only one group of gorillas that lives within the park, while Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has four groups, which makes the program more private.

Mgahinga national park has one habituated gorilla family known as Nyakagezi. Groups of only eight people are allowed to go on the trek at a time to ensure that the area isn’t overvisited. Physical fitness should range from moderate to high intensity.

Visitors are supposed to start the trek early in the morning and the experienced guides give the clients information on the behavior of the gorilla family and the conduct of the trekking exercise. The actual trekking into the dense forest to track the gorillas starts after a briefing whereby the trekkers follow signs that show that the gorillas are nearby as they trek through bamboo forests, thickets and steep slopes. It can take from half an hour to several hours to track down the gorillas, depending on where the gorilla family is located. However, the moment that travelers get to the gorillas, they get that magical feeling of being able to watch these enormous, gentle creatures in their natural environment.

During the trek, tourists are able to see other primate species, animals, birds and the different species of plants. You can spend an hour with the gorillas, watching them feed, groom, and rest in their natural habitat.

Golden Monkey Tracking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Besides the gorillas, Mgahinga is one of the few places where tourists can track golden monkeys, a species of monkey that is endemic to the Virunga area. With their golden orange fur color and fast movement, golden monkeys are social animals that live in big groups. Observed golden monkeys are very active; they move and jump from tree to tree, especially through the bamboo forests. Similar to tracking gorillas, tracking golden monkeys involves following trails, signs, and sounds in the vegetation to locate a group.

Golden monkey tracking does not take as long as the gorilla tracking, although the experience is quite fascinating as these social animals engage in their activities.

Walking and Volcano Trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Those who love adventure and Burgers with a taste of high-altitude climbing, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a place to go and climb the volcanoes. Currently, the three highest Virunga volcanoes in the park, Mount Muhavura, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Sabinyo have unique and rather demanding hiking trails.

Mount Sabinyo (3669 meters). This rough and sunken cone is one of the most recognizable hills in the park; climbers flock to it. Also known as the ‘Old Man’s Teeth’ because of the sharp cliffs it has, Mount Sabinyo gives hikers the unique opportunity to stand in three different countries—Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC—all at once. It is not an easy trail, as it involves climbing and there are wooden ladders and rocky surfaces but the view from the top is worth all the climbing.

Mount Gahinga, derived from the local word for a heap of stones, is relatively easy to climb since it is 3474 meters above sea level and takes about 6 to 8 hours. This trail goes through bamboo groves and the shrine stands on the crater of the mountain, which is filled with swamp. The fairly flat and beautiful trail makes Mount Gahinga a good choice for anyone looking for a reasonable hike.

Mount Muhavura (4,127 meters) is the highest and the most challenging to climb. The trek up Mount Muhavura is quite challenging, with steep slopes and some scrambling. The hike takes about 8 to 10 hours. The rewards are panoramic views of the Virunga volcanoes, Lake Edward, and Rwenzori peaks, and on a clear day, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Birdwatching in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

The park is home to over 180 bird species, those endemic to the Albertine and the migratory ones, making it a perfect destination for birdwatchers. With the help of an experienced guide, tourists will spot different bird species such as the crowned hornbill, yellow-billed kite, Rwenzori batis, handsome francolin, and olive woodpecker, among others.

Batwa Cultural Experience

Mgahinga has more than just animals and it also presents an opportunity to learn about the Batwa tribe. The Batwa people, formerly the inhabitants of Virunga Forest and other forests of the Albertine Rift region were ancient hunters and gatherers. Currently, those visiting Mgahinga can go for the Batwa Trail, where they are taken through the process of Batwa ways of living, hunting, gathering food and using herbal medicines. Accompanied by Batwa guides, tourists have a taste of how the Batwa used to live in the forest.

Tourists also visit the Sacred Ngarama Cave, which was once inhabited by the Batwa kings. This cave is the focal point of the tour because people are told stories about Batwa religion and myths.

Best time to visit Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

The park can be visited all year round, though the best time is during the dry season, June to September and December and February.

Conclusion

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park offers travelers a special mix of excitement, animals and traditional experiences. The real and rewarding experiences you can have in Mgahinga are hiking with gorillas, exploring crater walls or witnessing Batwa traditions.