Getting to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Getting to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park; Mgahinga national park is the smallest protected area located in southwestern Uganda in Kisoro district bordering with Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The national park is famously known for harboring the endangered mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and the three Virunga Volcanoes is mount Muhavura which is 4127 meters above sea level, mount Gahinga which is 3474 meters and mount Sabinyo which rises at an altitude of 3,645 meters above the sea level.

Getting to Mgahinga gorilla national park

Mgahinga national park is one of the most visited national parks in Uganda and it can be accessed by both road and air transport means depending on the visitors preference.

Road transport means to Mgahinga gorilla national park

Road transport is the common means of transport to Mgahinga national park because it’s cheaper and more rewarding in that you will be able to enjoy spectacular views of the countryside, terraced farmlands, Kigezi hills, banana plantations among others. When using road transport means you will drive from Entebbe or Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale, Kisoro and then to the park headquarters which takes about 9 to 10 hours drive in a 4 WD safari vehicle.

Mgahinga national park can also be accessed from Kigali Rwanda where by visitors will fly to Kigali international airport and then connect to the park headquarters through Cyanika border which takes about 3 to 4 hours drive.

Air transport means to Mgahinga gorilla national park

Visitors can also use air transport means to Mgahinga national park by booking scheduled or charter flights with Aerolink Uganda from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro airstrip and then connect to Ntebeko park headquarters. Flights from Entebbe depart at around 7:00am and arrive at Kisoro airstrip at around 8:10 am. Air transport is the fastest way and the best option to access Mgahinga gorilla national park for visitors who do not like travelling long distance journeys and flights can be booked by your tour operator.

Top things to do and see in Mgahinga gorilla national park

Mgahinga national park offers interesting activities which visitors on a safari can engage in including,

Gorilla trekking, Mgahinga national park is a home of one habituated gorilla family called Nyakagezi and gorilla trekking is one of the major activity carried out. Gorilla trekking in the park starts in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations at the park headquarters. After the briefing you will start trekking in the forest with an experienced park guide who is knowledgeable about the mountain gorillas. During trekking you will be able to view other primate species such as l’hoest monkeys, blue monkeys, red tailed monkeys, chimpanzees, variety of bird species, different plant and tree species among others. Visitors who want to engage in the adventurous gorilla trekking activity need to first purchase a gorilla trekking permit which costs 700 USD per person for foreign non residents, 600 USD per person for foreign residents and 250,000 UGX per person for East African citizens.

Golden monkey trekking, this is the second major activity done in Mgahinga gorilla national park after gorilla trekking. Trekking of the golden monkeys starts early in the morning with a briefing at the park headquarters where after you will start trekking in the jungle with a park guide in search of the habituated golden monkey family. Once the golden monkeys are found you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their environment which gives you a chance to observe their behaviors, watch them play, feed, jump up in tree branches, take photos and record the incredible moments.

Other activities in Mgahinga national park include mountain climbing/ hiking where you get a chance to climb Mount Gahinga, Mount Muhavura or Mount Sabinyo, Batwa trail experience which gives you an opportunity to interact with the Batwa/pygmies and bird watching where you will be able to view different bird species such as Blue-headed sunbird, Rwenzori turaco, Red-faced woodland warbler, Brown crowned Tchagra, Black kite, African paradise flycatcher, Kivu ground thrush, Alpine swift, Olive Woodpecker, Dusky Crimsonwing among others.

Mgahinga gorilla national park can either be accessed by road or air transport means depending on the travelers choice and for more information or safari booking you can contact Achieve Global Safaris.