This is Uganda’s smallest national park but very picturesque and important. Covering just 38sq km, Mgahinga enjoys a magnificent setting on the northern slopes of the Virunga volcanoes. Two rare primates are the main attractions to the park; the mountain gorillas and golden monkeys that can be tracked easily. The park protects three Virunga Ranges and one can climb these dormant volcanoes to stand simultaneously on the border of Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. This park offers a unique Batwa forest experience, including discovery of a cave and traditional home of the Batwa king complemented cultural dances in the cave.
Besides being small, it’s most biologically diverse and scenic having been awarded the “Best Trip” in 2012 by National Geographic and we consent. The park is not only a wildlife hot spot but also features a cultural heritage importance. It’s a home to the Batwa pygmies the elders of civilization and the shortest people on planet earth.
Before their eviction from the forest in 1991, the Batwa were warrior hunters and fruit gathers and lived in the forest for centuries. Tourists are guaranteed an authentic cultural experience on an interesting cultural trail to Garama ancient caves with BaTwa guides unraveling their concealed secrets of life in the forest.
Mgahinga National Park is part of a larger ecosystem, the Virunga Conservation Area (434 km sq) which includes two adjacent national parks in Rwanda and Congo. It rises from 2227 m to 4127 m above sea level.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a naturally endowed protected area with more than 76 mammal species such as giant forest hogs, elephants, buffaloes, bush bucks, bush pigs, and others. The park also supports a check list of 180 bird species which include 14 endemic Albertine rift species. The bird checklist in Mgahinga include African paradise flycatchers, malachite sunbird, yellow billed kite, grey capped warblers,
Dusky turtle dove, cinnamon chested bee-eaters, speckled mouse bird, grey crowned hornbill, Alpine chat, hadada ibis, strange weaver, cape robin chat, cinnamon bracken warbler, brown crowned tchagra, Rwenzori turacos, Rwenzori batis, handsome francolins, black kite, double-collared sunbird, white necked raven, Kivu ground thrush, African green pigeon, Tambourine dove, and more.
The park which is also rich in cultural heritage featuring in the history, folklore and traditional healing practices for local people. The Batwa People who used to stay within the park live in the boundaries of the park and you can have a good cultural experience guided by a local.
Things to Do in Mgahinga
Gorilla trekking
Mgahinga is one of the 4 African parks where you can locate a family of the massive mountain gorillas in the wild. Nyakagezi group is the only fully habituated family of mountain gorillas that you should expect to explore. Visitors first get briefed about gorilla trekking regulations and this is done at Ntebeko, also an area where you can be allocated the park guide. Interested guests in Mgahinga gorilla safari require a valid gorilla permit; each permit is issued at USD 700 per person.
Birding
Birding or bird watching in Mgahinga NP is great chance to identify numerous birds including in Mgahinga include Dusky turtle dove, cinnamon chested bee-eaters, speckled mouse bird, grey crowned hornbill, Alpine chat, hadada ibis, strange weaver, African paradise flycatchers, malachite sunbird, yellow billed kite, grey capped warblers, cape robin chat, black kite, double-collared sunbird, white necked raven, Kivu ground thrush, African green pigeon, cinnamon bracken warbler, brown crowned tchagra, Rwenzori turacos, Rwenzori batis, handsome francolins, Tambourine dove and more.
Garama cave
The Garama cave is a must-visit site on Uganda safaris in Mgahinga NP. This is a 342m long cave and is 14m deep. The site has unique cultural history for both the King of Rwanda and the Batwa pygmies.
The Virunga Volcanoes
Mgahinga National Park covers the north slopes of the three northern Virunga volcanoes, Muhavura, Gahinga and Sabinyo. The park derives its name from a word “Gahinga” a local Kinyarwanda word for a pile of a volcanic lava stone heaps that was formed by the Gahinga mountain. On the other hand, Muhavura means “guide” and Sabinyo means “the old man’s teeth”. The park is bordred to the south by Rwanda and to the west by the Democratic Republic of Congo.
While Sabinyo is deeply eroded with jagged crown and deep gorges and ravines, Gahinga has a swamp filled crater about which is about 180m wide. Muhavura has a small crater lake about 36m wide at its summit. You can take a hike to all the three peaks of these mountains while on a tour in Mgahinga National park.
On some of the steep mountain slopes are caves formed by lava tubes, one of them being the famous Garama cave located near Ntebeko, the park headquarters that is explored by tourists on a guided walk conducted by park rangers.
The Virunga Volcanoes and Mountain Gorilla Trekking
The most magnificent features of the park are the 3 moderate altitude dormant volcanoes (between 2,227 to 4,127 meters above sea level). They include Mt. Gahinga (3,474 m) Mt. Muhabura (4,127 m) and Mt. Sabinyo 3,645m) where one can stand in 3 countries at the same time.
A visit to Mgahinga is worth it, the volcanoes offer great hiking opportunities as well as panoramic views of the virunga conservation area. The hiking trails will show you how the park is remote and pristine. All volcanoes can be climbed in one but long and tiresome day. Hiking starts from Ntebeko, main visitor center and hikers do not need to book in advance.
Mountain gorillas are the main tourist attractions in the park and tourists can plan with a trusted tour operator for their gorilla trekking safaris conducted all year round. However, the best time to trek gorillas is during a dry season in December to February and June to September
Gorilla trekking tours commence from Ntebeko visitor center and entry gate daily at 08:00am. The Uganda wildlife authority guides lead tourists through the forest, along the way explaining the gorilla’s social and ecological behavior.
Therefore, considering the strict time to begin gorilla trekking, it’s advisable for trekkers to stay in lodges or hotels not far away from Ntebeko entry gate to be on time for your trekking experience. If you are interested in knowing more information about gorillas and or other activities, visit the Uganda Wildlife Authority office in Kisoro town.
For instance the road trips from Kisoro town about 15 km to the park are dirt and bumpy due to volcanic rocks hence it’s wise to wake up early and also use 4WD safari vehicles. Though, Mgahinga Park may not be famous as Bwindi because there is only 1 habituated gorilla family (Nyakagezi) which is very nomadic but accessible on guided trek with Uganda Wildlife Authority guides.
It experiences two seasons, the dry season from December to February and June to September while the wet season runs from March to April and September to November. Temperatures range from 15° Celsius during day to less tha10 ° Celsius at night.
Besides the endangered mountain gorillas, the park’s ecosystem is also a home to a variety of wildlife. The notable being the IUCN red listed Golden Monkey which is endemic to Virungas massifs. Golden monkeys stay in the bamboo slopes and can be visited through golden monkey tracking with UWA guides.
Other wildlife includes 79 species of birds including Albertine rift and Eastern Congo forest endemics such as the regal sunbird and Rwenzori Turaco. Hence birding is one of the park’s tourist activities taking birder to Rugezi swamp and between the volcanoes.
About 39 species of mammals have been recorded, though speculations say the mammal species living in the park are twice the recorded figure. Some of the mammals in the park include forest elephants, golden cat, leopards, blue monkeys, buffalo, black fronted duikers and stripe sided jackals, bush backs among others.
Though the experience of trekking gorillas in bamboo is rewarding and memorable, but the most heartfelt moment on your safari to this park is undoubtedly the experience with BaTwa, oldest people on planet earth.
All tourism activities including gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, nature walks, hiking start from Ntebeko visitor center. There are several accommodations ranging from high end to budget in and outside the park.
Getting There
Mgahinga National Park can be accessed by road or air transport. Kisoro town at the foot of Mt Muhavura is about 540 km from Kampala and takes about 8 hours via Kabale on an excellent paved road surface. Publi transport by bus is available on daily basis. Mgahinga is located 13 km from Kisoro town and can be accessed by public transport. Kisoro town can also be accessed by air. The two towns boasts of a bitumen runway Airfield at Nyakabande.
For more information about the park visit the Mgahinga National Park website, a detailed planner to exploring the park.