2022 Activities in Mgahinga gorilla national park

2022 Activities in Mgahinga gorilla national park

2022 activities in Mgahinga gorilla national park; Mgahinga gorilla national park is one of the smallest protected areas located in southwestern part of Uganda in Kisoro bordering with Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga national park in Democratic Republic of Congo. Mgahinga gorilla national park is known for harboring different wildlife species including animals like forest buffaloes, elephants, bushbucks, bush pigs, giant forest hogs, duikers, jackals, primates like mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, chimpanzees, l’hoest monkeys and variety of bird species.

2022 Activities in Mgahinga gorilla national park

Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga gorilla national park

Gorilla trekking is the most famous activity in Mgahinga gorilla national park which involves tourists moving into the tropical rainforest in search of the mountain gorillas and once found spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. Mgahinga gorilla national park is a home of one habituated gorilla family Nyakagezi which is available for trekking on a daily basis. Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga gorilla national park starts with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow at Ntebeko park headquarters. After the briefing you will start trekking in the jungle with an experienced park guide who is well conversant with different gorilla trekking trails. Trekking of mountain gorillas in Mgahinga gorilla national park takes about 30 minutes to 6 hours and during trekking you will be able to view different wildlife species including primates like chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, different bird species, mammals, plant and tree species among others. Once the mountain gorillas are found you will be allowed to spend one hour with the gorillas in their natural habitat which gives you an opportunity to learn about their lifestyle, behaviors, watch them feed, breastfeed, groom young ones, play, take photos and record the breathtaking memories to show people back home after the safari.

Golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga gorilla national park

Golden monkey trekking is another interesting activity in Mgahinga gorilla national park and just like gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking starts with a briefing about the rules, regulations and expectations at the park headquarters. After the briefing you will start trekking in the forest with a park guide in search of the habituated golden monkey families. During Golden Monkey Trekking you will follow trails of bamboo shoots, leaves where you will be able to view other primate species, birds, plants among others. once the golden monkeys are located, you will be able to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives you an opportunity to take photos, watch them play, jump up in trees, learn about their behaviors, record videos among others.

Volcano climbing in Mgahinga gorilla national park

Mgahinga gorilla national park has 3 volcanic mountains namely Mount Gahinga which is 3,474 meters above the sea level and takes about 6 to 8 hours round trip and on once you reach on top you will enjoy great views of a crater lake, Mount Muhavura which is 4,127 meters above the sea level and takes about 8 to 10 hours to round trip and Mount Sabinyo which is 3,669 meters above the sea level and takes about 8 to 10 hours to round trip and once you reach on top you will be standing in three countries that is Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. During volcano hiking you will be able to view different wildlife species such as golden monkeys, chimpanzees, l’hoest monkeys, baboons, view variety of forest birds, different plants among others.

Batwa trail experience in Mgahinga gorilla national park

Batwa trails experience is another exciting activity in Mgahinga gorilla national park where you will be able to interact with the Batwa/ pygmies who used to live in the forest before it was gazetted into a national park. During the Batwa trail experience you will go through the forest where they used to live, demonstrate how the grass thatched huts were constructed, how water is fetched using bamboo cups, showcase traditional herbs that were used to cure different diseases, demonstrate their gathering skills, how to make fire by friction using sticks, visit Ngarama cave which was once a royal residence for the former Batwa king, listen to traditional ancient stories and Batwa women sing sorrowful songs and dance to their traditional songs among others.

Bird watching in Mgahinga gorilla national park

Mgahinga gorilla national park is a home of more than 180 recorded bird species including 12 Albertine rift endemic, migratory birds and forest birds. During bird watching which is done in the gorge between Mount Gahinga and Sabinyo you will be accompanied by an experienced park guide who will help you to spot different bird species like black headed waxbill, Rwenzori turaco, red faced woodland warbler, Rwenzori batis, brown crowned tchagra, streaky seedeater, dusky turtle dove, kivu ground thrush, bronze sunbird, cape robin chat, black kite, African paradise flycatcher, alpine swift, blue headed coucal, olive woodpecker, scarlet tufted malachite sunbird, dusky crimsonwing among others.

Best time to visit Mgahinga gorilla national park

Mgahinga gorilla national park can be visited all year round though the best period is during the dry season in the months of June to September and December to February. During the dry season gorilla trekking and hiking trails will be dry and passable, vegetation will be thin due to less rainfall which helps you to clearly view different wildlife species.

Mgahinga gorilla national park can also be visited in the wet season during the months of march to May and November because that’s the best time for bird watching where bird lovers will be able to view migratory bird species.

How to get to Mgahinga gorilla national park

Mgahinga gorilla national park is located in southwestern part of Uganda and can be accessed by road transport means whereby you will drive from Kampala/ Entebbe through Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale, Kisoro and then connect to the park headquarters which takes about 9 to 10 hours’ drive in a 4 WD safari vehicle.

You can also access Mgahinga gorilla national park from Kigali Rwanda whereby you will fly to Kigali international airport and then connect to the park headquarters via Cyanika border which takes about 4 to 5 hours’ drive.

Mgahinga gorilla national park can also be accessed by air transport means whereby you will book charter and scheduled flights with Aerolink Uganda limited from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro airstrip and then connect to the park headquarters by road. Flights to Mgahinga gorilla national park can booked by your tour operator.