Mgahinga National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park – Where Gold Meets Silver
At just 33.7km2, Mgahinga National Park is Uganda’s smallest national park. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in the southwestern corner of Uganda.Mgahinga, Uganda’s smallest park is a preferred primate destination worth adding onto your Uganda safari. The park Mgahinga National Park offers refuge to 76 mammal species including the rare mountain gorillas that make up part of 1004 individuals that still thrive on earth today. Besides, there are also elephants, buffaloes, golden monkeys, spotted hyenas, black fronted duikers, giant fronted hogs, bushbuck and not to forget over 115 bird species.was gazetted in 1991 and has the land area coverage of 33.7sq.km, lying not far from Kisoro town. En-route to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, there are chances of enjoying exceptional views of Mt. Muhabura, Echuya Forest and Lake Bunyonyi, etc.
The Park covers the northern slopes of the three northernmost Virunga Volcanoes: Mt. Muhavura (4,127 m), Mt. Gahinga (3,474 m), and Mt. Sabinyo (3,645 m). The Park is about 10 km south of Kisoro and is bordered to the south by the volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and to the west by the Virunga National Park of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is 33.7 sq. km and consists of the partly forested slopes of three extinct volcanoes. From far away, the huge cones of the Virunga volcanoes dominate the landscape and beckon you as you approach. When you reach the park you can get a great overview of the area by walking up the viewpoint, just 15 minutes from Ntebeko Gate.
The park is part of the larger Virunga Conservation area that spreads over the three countries. Each of these countries protects its own portion of the Virungas, in the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in DR Congo respectively. The three parks together form the 434-sq. km. ‘Virunga Conservation Area’ or VCA. Mgahinga is 33.7 sq. km, just 8% of the VCA. The entire Park is in Bufumbira County of Kisoro District.
Mgahinga Park has great biological importance because throughout the climatic changes of the Pleistocene ice ages, mountains such as these provided a refuge for mountain plants and animals, which moved up or down the slopes as climate became warmer or cooler. The Virungas are home to a large variety of wildlife, including about half the world’s critically endangered mountain gorillas.
Things to Do in Mgahinga National Park
Gorilla Trekking
For those of you who are interested in less crowded gorilla treks, Mgahinga National Park is incredibly the best option. It is Uganda’s second gorilla destination where mountain gorilla tracking is conducted. A gorilla safari in this park begins at Ntebeko with a morning briefing on dos and don’ts to be followed while in the forest searching for a group of mountain gorillas For visitor experiences, Nyakagezi is the only group that has been habituated and readily set for tourism purposes. Like other destinations, only 8 visitors are allowed to track these creatures in Mgahinga National Park, and permits still cost US$700 per person. Treks to see mountain gorillas in this park may last you about 2 to 6 hours or even more depending on the location of these creatures, the nature of the habitat, and your hiking speed.
Volcano Hiking
The hike starts from the Mgahinga National Park visitor’s centre, located about a 10 minute drive from Kisoro. Recently renovated, the centre features rock paths that meaner through the vegetation to the building. Beautiful rain chains conserve rainwater for gardening around the centre and under a high beamed log ceiling interactive displays and maps line the walls.
There are several places in Uganda where hiking can be done. If you planning to take on a hiking safari in Uganda, Mgahinga is one of the places you should not miss! There are 3 volcanoes in Mgahinga that you can access from this park therefore the choice is always yours depending to the fitness and the amount of time you have. Hiking the Virunga Volcanies in Mgahinga can be fun and really rewarding because there are lots of attractions you will meet during your hike.
Bird Watching
One can enjoy free bird watching on the edges of the park but on request. The guides will take you out from 5-6 pm if you book early by 10 am on the day you want to watch birds. Freely choose your walk direction or simply relax in the camping ground. A gentle walk along the buffalo wall towards the Congo takes you through a wetland area where Ibis, Whydah, Speckled Mousebird, and Fire Finch are found. Stonechat, Grey Capped Warbler, Waxbills, and Yellow-Vented Bulbul are common at the campground.
Inquire from the guide about the best spots and take your time and move. Bird Species at Semuliki include the Broad-billed Roller, Green Wood-hoopoe, African Grey Hornbill, African Moustached Warbler, rapacious Red-necked Falcon, Black-winged Red-Bishop, White-winged Widowbird, and Fawn-breasted Waxbill, Double-toothed Barbet, Yellow-throated Leaflove, Green-backed Eremomela, Piapiac, Black-chinned Quail-Finch, Red-shouldered Cuckoo-shrike, and Western Violet-backed Sunbird, the listing is continual. Walk on your own rate as birding needs no rapidity.
Garama Cave Exploration
This is one of the caves were once upon a time the crafty Batwa warriors lived and fought their neighbors, the Bantu.It is set in the former farmland zone but in earlier times, the cave forest when it was occupied periodically by Batwa who used it as a council chamber and a retreat.
The distance to the cave front entrance from the park headquarters is just 3 km and takes about 4 hours. Your guide will acquaint you with the Batwa history and show you how they lived and fought out of the cave. The cave, 342m in length and 14m deep are at present occupied by bats.
Accommodation in Mgahinga National Park
The notable safari lodges for visitor overnight stay while on Uganda safari in Mgahinga National Park include
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge which is situated in the southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park just along the Nteko ridge;
Nkuringo safari lodge which is situated along the shores of Lake Mutanda just close to Mgahinga National Park.
