Activities in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park 2023
Activities in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park 2023; Mgahinga Gorilla National Park stuns with fantastic touristic attractions and activities which can be engaged in by the traveler on their visit here. Despite this, the park is famously known as a primate kingdom especially the great mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, and other species. More so, Mgahinga Gorilla national park is a cocktail of rain and bamboo forests and it’s described as the place where Gold meets silver. More to that, the park is a great location to go for the cultural encounter which is conducted in the Batwa community –Batwa people who are known as the original people of the rainforest and often named pygmies by locals who used to stay with mountain gorillas in the forest and could feed together on forest fruits but today the area is home for primates.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can be accessed by both roads or by air from Entebbe to the Kisoro Airstrip nearby airstrip to the park is just a few drives to access your booked lodge. More then, the park is located in the southwestern region of Uganda and was created in 1991 as a gazette national park. It also covers an area of about 33 square kilometers of its area home to mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and three beautiful inactive volcanoes namely; Mount Muhabura, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Sabyinyo as well as home to Albertine Rift’s endemic birds such as strange weaver, montane, nightjar, red-faced woodland warbler, Grauer’s swamp warbler, Rwenzori batis,red-throated alethe, Kivu ground thrush, dusky crimson –wing, Rwenzori turaco, Rwenzori double-collared sunbird, Collared Apalis, mountain masked Apalis, Archer’s ground robin,stripe-breasted tit among others. Here are amazing activities one can engage in on a visit to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park;
Volcano Hiking –Mountain Climbing
The park has a scenic landscape that stuns with several touristic attractions such as three volcanoes that form part of the Virunga Ranges found in Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda. Each of these volcanoes has its name; Sabyinyo which means old man’s teeth, Gahinga means Pile of stones and Muhavura means guide, Activities in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park 2023
Mount Muhavura ranks as the highest among them all with the advantage of seeing the other Virunga Mountains from its peak. While from its peak it gives a spectacular view from as far as Kisoro town and is justifiably called the guide gave how it leads one to the rest of the mountains in the ranges.
Mount Sabinyo is marked as a gateway to Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo while in Uganda, its top stuns as geographically while standing in Rwanda, Uganda as well as the Democratic Republic of Congo. The way to its summit is filled with mushy vegetation whose rest less impact can be reduced by dressing appropriately in waterproof hiking boots. You can take a visit to Mount Gahinga on the other hand which requires hikes through a bamboo forest.
Those who are hike lovers on their visit to Mgahinga Gorilla National park can take part in climbing all three mountains just in one day to access their summit as long as they are in good physical shape.
Gorilla Trekking
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of the homes to go for gorilla trekking since it harbors the world’s endangered mountain gorillas. However, gorilla trekking is the major key activity done inside the park as we see several tourists flocking in to meet up with these gentle giants, Activities in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park 2023
The gorilla trekking commences early in the mornings at 8 am after briefing and can last 30 to 7 hours depending on their movements in their natural environment. However, there are some guidelines to keep in mind before you go for gorilla trekking which you will be acquainted with at the briefing time. More so about, Gorillas shared about 98% DNA of human genes. After orienting you, you go meet your park ranger guide to group you to the assigned gorilla group. Then you will head out to search for gorillas in their natural environment accompanied by the park ranger guide but as you trek through a thick forest expect to encounter other species like beautiful bird species, small primates such as colobus monkeys, and thrilling vegetation among others.
Once you allocate them, one hour will be given to you to observe how gorillas feed, hunt, and nest their bed on the ground and also their behavior. As you’re watching you can as well enjoy taking unforgettable photography.
Gorilla rules to follow on Uganda gorilla safaris;
Flash photography is not allowed in gorilla inhabits.
Only 8 people are allowed per trekking group.
Travelers must be 15 years of age and above
All wastes must be buried 30cm deep
Wash your hands before you go out gorilla trekking
Do not eat or drink around the gorilla
Ill visitors are not allowed to go gorilla trekking
If you sneeze near gorillas try to hold on to your nose because gorillas can easily be affected by airborne diseases such as flu, cough, and diarrhea.
What to pack with on gorilla safari –Mgahinga Gorilla National park Uganda;
Here are useful essentials to pack with on safari to Uganda’s gorilla safaris which include; A pair of hiking gloves, energy-giving snacks, a waterproof backpack, enough mineral water bottle, insect repellent, a lightweight pair of waterproof hiking boots, a pair of hiking gloves, a long-sleeved shirt and trousers, light waterproof jacket and bag to keep your important documents travel safe, hand groves among others.
Golden Monkey Tracking –Trekking
This is the second done activity in the park where travelers can enjoy the exciting lifestyle of golden monkeys. The activity can take about 4 hours including a great opportunity of following this beautiful species, and taking of memorable photography before you head back to your booked lodge. Golden monkey tracking can be done in a group of 6 people in a fully habituated family and within the park golden monkeys can be searched through exciting routes to allocate them, Activities in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park 2023
On your visit to the park, remember to carry a camera to freeze your golden monkey adventure memories, a binocular for spontaneous bird watching, waterproof hiking boots, hand gloves, a long-sleeved shirt, and a rain poncho thus making it awesome activity.
Bird Watching : Mgahinga Gorilla National park is also home to birders hoven that attract with Albertine Rift Endemics, migratory birds which appear in November, and resident bird species which include;
They include; Strange weaver, African Olive pigeon, Ruwenzori nightjar, Handsome spurfowl, Blue-headed coucal, Mountain masked Apalis, Kivu ground – thrush, Yellow-Vented Bulbul, Alpine, Grey-capped warbler, Fire Finch Stonechat, Waxbills, Whydah, Pin-tailed whydah, white-necked raven, Black kite, Paradise flycatcher, Ibis, Double-collared sunbirds, Brown woodland warbler mentioned but few, Activities in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park 2023
Visit The Batwa Trails; Interestingly meet up with people who lived in harmony in the dense forest of these two national parks and survived on hunting and gathering fruits. Through engaging in a visit to the Batwa trail expect a lot to encounter with them such as listening to their amazing stories, learning how they prepare their traditional food, and built their traditional huts.
Get started planning a visit to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park where you will be able to engage in lots of different fabulous and unforgettable activities as mentioned above.
