Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

This is another exciting Park to go for adventure while in Uganda. It is among the two known Gorilla hosting destinations in Uganda with Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

These two amazing destinations have done a great role as far as boosting Uganda’s tourism. Through exposing it to the World as one of the best destinations to go. Since there are listed among the great of top five National Parks which provide habitat to the species of Gorillas in the World.

Wide variety of Gorilla species is the main reason why Uganda is receiving huge percentage of different tourists from different countries of the World. However it even mostly gained momentum when the nearby Rwanda increased its permits from $750 USD per person to &1500 USD per person.

Uganda is ranked to be habiting the biggest percentage of the World’s remaining Gorilla population. With almost half of it in its two already mentioned destinations.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park geographically located in the South western part of Uganda. Along Uganda’s border with Democratic Republic of Congo nearing Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda. And Virunga National Park of Democratic Republic of Congo inclusive of the Virunga massif.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is characterized by thick tropical rain forests, savannah, grasslands, bogs, marshes, thick bamboo forested areas, and swampy areas.

This Park is popularly known for habiting Mountain Gorillas recorded with only one Gorilla family habituated. For trekking popularly known as “Nyakagezi Gorilla family”. Other species of Gorillas are habited in the park but are wild and not used to human presence.

Besides Mountain Gorillas, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is known to be the only Park in Uganda. Providing habitat to species of the old World monkey family popularly known as Golden monkey primates.

How to get there?

Meanwhile, traveling from Kampala by road, the Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara highway is the best route of reaching this park in Western Uganda. Including a stopover at the equator for some briefing about it, photographs, and snacks after of which you will continue with the Journey.

Lunch is usually provided en-route in Mbarara town. And after continues up to the Park for check-in at the lodge.

Another option of accessing Mgahinga Gorilla National park is by landing in Rwanda at Kigali international airport.  Transfer from there, cross borders via Chanika or Katuna border and drive up to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for check-in at the lodge. This is considered to be a shorter route when compared to Kampala- Mgahinga route.

What to see in Mgahinga

The most exciting species to see while in Uganda. Include the shy endangered ground-dwelling herbivores Mountain Gorillas and Golden monkey primates.

Other species include Wild animals like elephants, buffaloes, kobs, bush babies, and more but are rarely seen. Primates  for instance Red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, black and white Colobus monkeys, vervet, Mangabey, patas monkeys, baboons, and more.

Reptiles within the park such as geckos, snakes, chameleon, and more plus different bird species. Which are recorded sightable within the Park including endemic and non-endemic species.

Activities are done in Mgahinga

The exciting activities done while in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park include Mountain Gorilla trekking which usually involves meeting with these apes in the Jungles for interaction after long-distance movements of searching, it’s usually done in a group of eight people plus the Park ranger guide and armed officers. gorilla trekking is so amazing, spending 1 hour with our gentle giants is one of the beautiful moments one should not love to miss.

Another exciting activity to do is Golden monkey tracking. like mountain gorilla trekking, golden monkey is also exciting activity, it involves meeting with the species of Golden monkeys in the Jungles, these Golden monkeys are mostly found in mountainous bamboo forested which requires physical fitness in order to participate in the activity.

Batwa trail experience is another activity to participate and for this, it involves visiting the Batwa people in their local communities and meet for interaction, the experience of their way of living, entertainment like cultural performances and more.

Where to stay

Mgahinga National Park in southwestern Uganda specifically  situated with different accommodation facilities ranging from camping to self-contained rooms which are reserved for tourists to stay at affordable prices for specific days of exploration. there are various lodges in Mgahinga where one can have an overnight from these include

Budget: Kisoro Tourist Hotel/Amajambere Iwacu Community Campground

Midrange: Mutanda Lake Resort/ Travellers’ Rest Hotel

Luxury: Mgahinga Safari Lodge.

Gorilla families in Mgahinga Forest National park

Mgahinga has got 1 gorilla family, with 8 permits available each day

Nyakagezi—has 10 members who are quite big in size.

The Gorilla trekking rules prepare you for Gorilla trekking and gives you guidance on conservation of the mountain Gorillas. Gorilla permits can be obtained at the UWA headquarters in Kampala-Uganda’s capital city.

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