Things do and see in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park; Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a popular home for the endangered mountain Gorillas and active endangered Golden monkeys among other species to see. However, the park lies in southwestern region of Uganda in Kisoro district and the second national park that inhabits the mountain gorillas and the only place to encounter golden monkeys in Uganda.
Size of the park; Mgahinga Gorilla national park covers an area of about 33.7 square kilometers thus making it one of the smallest National Park in Uganda. More so, the park got its name from ‘’Gahinga’’ the local word which means the piles of volcanic stones cleared from farmland at the foot of the volcanoes.
Historically, the park first declared as the area of game sanctuary by the British administration in 1930 and later was gazette as a National Park in 1991 and also become a UNESCO world heritage site.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has two habituated gorilla group.
The area before was a home for Batwa tribe but later had to migrate way to nearby areas and the area turned into a national park ‘’Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. On visit here never leave the park without visiting these unique tribes of Batwa where you can be guided by the Batwa guide to learn the secret of the forest and getting excited about their amazing traditional dance and song.
Climate; The park is located at an altitude of between 2,227 and 4,127 meters. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park was created to protect the great mountain gorillas that inhabits its dense forest as well as the endangered golden monkey.
The park also offers a unique cultural significance in particular for the indigenous Batwa 8 pygmies, the Batwa tribes are known as hunter gatherers who were the first people to live in forest.
Mgahinga most attractions features are the three extinct volcanoes, which are part of the spectacular Virunga Range which lies along the border region of Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. More so, the volcanoes’ slopes contain various ecosystems and their peaks provide a striking backdrop to this gorgeous scenery.
The park houses over 76 mammals which include bush pigs, Buffaloes, leopards, elephants, giant forest, bushbuck among others. Mgahinga is also haven for birders with over 200 bird species of which 14 endemic Albertine rift like Kivu ground thrush and turaco.
Activities to do at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park;
This is the most done and incredible activity done in Uganda, it begins in the early in the morning with briefing at the park headquarter. After, you will be lead to the forest to search for these unique species of mountain gorillas, you will trek them as you have other chances of viewing other species of bird species, monkey species, beautiful vegetable, volcanoes among others. This activity can take 30 to 7 hours depending on their location. But once you locate them one hour will be given to you to spend with them watching them how they feed, behave as well as taking memorable photography. Then after depart back to the lodge.
This is the second done activity in the park where you can be guided with the guide along the slopes of the volcanoes and in the bamboo forest. They will track them on foot as you continue following them as they go swinging on the tree branch, where you will be given an hour to watch them. We recommend to go will your clear digital camera.
Batwa Community
Visiting Mgahinga Gorilla national park never leave the park without visiting the Batwa people ‘’the original dwellers of the forest’’ who used to live together with mountain gorillas in the forest .You visiting them and you won’t regret the time spent with them.
Take hike to one of these three volcanoes where you can be able to view the country side around and the hike done in the evening hours gives you rewardable sunset view.
Gorge walk
On visit to the park, you can take Sabyinyo gorge walk which can take about 5 to 6 hours’ adventure, the hike done along this trails leads you to stunning vegetation and moss lined stream on your way to its summit. It also leads you to the spectacular Mount Sabyinyo summit which comes with rewardable views of waterfalls and the surrounding areas.
Nature walk
Nature walk carried out in Mgahinga Gorilla national park leads you to interesting spotting trails of birding and some of birds to see include; Brown-crowned Tchagra ,Bronze sunbird ,Black-headed waxbill and streaky seedeater ,Handsome Francolin ,Greater Double collard sunbird ,Olive pigeon , Black headed waxbill ,Brown woodland warbler , Cape Robin ,White-starred Robin ,Brown woodland warbler ,striped breasted Tit, Malachite and Scarlet tufted sunbird among other to be spotted.
Platform view
There is a platform which measures about 800 meters from the park gate, where you can enjoy great view of the park and the surrounding areas.
