Explore Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, a compact yet thrilling wildlife sanctuary promising year-round gorilla and golden monkey trekking experiences. Often overlooked, it is one of the best places to encounter endangered primates on the forest-clad slopes of the dramatic Virunga Volcanoes.
With views of the spectacular chain of extinct volcanoes, the park is a top choice for quiet, luxurious exploration. Whether you are looking to track gorillas and golden monkeys or hike the Virunga Volcanoes, this guide will help you plan an exciting experience in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park at a Glance
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in southwestern Uganda, 14 km south of Kisoro town. Covering an area of 33.7 km² on the northern slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes, the park is renowned for its stunning volcanic landscapes, featuring three dormant volcanoes: Mount Muhavura (4,127 m), Mount Gahinga (3,474 m), and Mount Sabyinyo (3,645 m).
Seated high in the clouds, at an altitude of between 2,227m and 4,127m, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is contiguous with Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park to the south and Congo’s Virunga National Park to the west, forming the much larger Virunga Conservation Area within the Virunga Mountain Range.
The volcanoes’ forest-covered slopes are biologically diverse with various ecosystems comprised of Albertine Rift montane forest, bamboo forest, Ruwenzori-Virunga montane moorlands with tree heath, and an alpine zone at higher altitudes. The dramatic peaks provide a spectacular backdrop to the lush, gorgeous scenery.
As the name suggests, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park was created in 1991 to protect the rare mountain gorillas living in its dense forests. Only one habituated trans-boundary gorilla family (the Nyakagezi group) is available for visitors. The endangered golden monkeys also inhabit this bamboo-covered forest park.
The park holds a huge cultural significance, surrounded by indigenous communities such as the Bakiga, Bafumbira, and the Batwa pygmies. The latter, a hunter-gatherer tribe were the “first people” of the forest. Their age-old understanding of its mysteries is still unmatched. Visitors can learn about this heritage during a fascinating tour with a Batwa guide.
Wildlife in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is home to two prominent primates: the iconic mountain gorilla and the charismatic golden monkey as well as over 76 other mammal species, including elephants, buffaloes, giant forest hogs, bush pigs, bushbucks, leopards, black-fronted duikers, and several varieties of rodents.
There are over 180 species of birds, including 14 Albertine rift endemics, notably the Kivu ground thrush, handsome spurfowl, dusky crimson-wing, red throated alethe, Rwenzori turaco, Rwenzori double-collared sunbird, Rwenzori batis, mountain masked apalis, and collared apalis, among others.
Best time to visit Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
The best time to visit Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is in the dry months from June to August and December to February. During these times, there is little or no rainfall meaning the trails are relatively drier, thus making it easier for travelers to hike through the dense forest jungles and steep slopes to search for the primates.
The months of March to May and September to November are characterized by heavy rainfall, which makes trails muddy, slippery, and challenging to hike while tracking the apes. However, this wet season is the perfect time for birdwatching, offering opportunities to see both endemic and migratory species.
Getting to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
To get to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, you’ll most likely land at Entebbe International Airport, the country’s main entry point for international travel.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is roughly 510 km from Kampala, a 9-hour drive via Kabale to reach the park in Kisoro. The route circles one of Uganda’s most picturesque areas, a journey that appeals to all senses. Local tour operators normally use 4WD vehicles, which are highly recommended.
The park is connected by daily domestic flights from Entebbe International Airport and Kajjansi Airstrip to Kisoro Airstrip. Travelers arriving from Rwanda can fly from Kigali International Airport to Kisoro. Flights typically last about one hour and ten minutes, followed by a scenic road transfer on a dirt road to reach the park.
Where to stay in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Accommodations in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park range from budget, mid-range to luxury options. This great diversity caters for all travelers within the park irrespective of their safari budget. Here are our top picks.
1. Mount Gahinga Lodge
Mount Gahinga Lodge is an exclusive Uganda adventure lodge nestled in the foothills of the Virunga Volcanoes. It offers an excellent base for primate tracking against an impressive backdrop of three extinct volcanoes.
2. Mutanda Lake Resort
Mutanda Lake Resort‘s thirteen cottages are perched on a peninsula in the shadow of the Virunga Mountains. The property offers comfortable accommodation combined with the most beautiful views.
3. Travelers’ Rest Hotel
Established in the 1950s, Travelers’ Rest Hotel is one of the oldest lodgings in Uganda. The mid-range facility is situated in Kisoro town, just a few kilometers away from Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Sample Trips
