MGAHINGA NATIONAL PARK

 Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, 33.7sqkm is located in the southwestern corner of Uganda and comprises of 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 Republic of Rwanda and to the west by the Democratic Republic of Congo thus comprising of the Virunga conservation area. (434sq km).Each of these countries protects its own portion of the Virungas.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park consists of partly forested slopes of three extinct volcanoes. From far away, the huge cones of the Virunga volcanoes dominate the landscape. The Virungas are home to a large variety of wildlife, including about half the world's critically endangered mountain gorillas.

Tourist Activities:
Gorilla Tracking
This is the most important tourist activity in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The habituated gorilla group named Nyakagezi consists of 9 members, 2 silverbacks, 3 adult females, 2 juveniles and 2 infants.

Gorilla tracking is an intensive experience that involves walking through the forest with a guide explaining aspects of their ecology and behavior along the way while in search of the gorillas.
The guides will take you to the area where they left the gorillas the day before.

Hiking:
Mt. Gahinga (3474m)
A hike to Mount Gahinga, takes about six hours round trip, it goes through a good example of a pure Bamboo forest. Gahinga once had a Crater Lake on top but time has changed it into a Lush swamp. Distance to the swamp is 8km.
Mt. Sabyinyo (366m)

Volcano climbing:
This volcano offers 3 challenging peaks to climb. A climb up the mountain takes one up a ridge along the eastern side of the climb to the peak. The hike up to the peak is steep with several ladders. Once you reach the top, you will be on the boundary of Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. The journey takes about eight hours round trip to cover the 14km stretch.
Mt. Muhavura (4127m)
The typical cone-shaped Mountain provides some of the best views in the country. The climb passes a rocky surface covered by grasses and small shrubs. Once at the top, hikers are rewarded with the view of the Virunga volcanoes, Lake Edward in queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi and the peaks of Rwenzori Mountain. The hike takes approximately 8 hours round trip covering 12km. It is advisable to camp at the Muhavura base camp the night before and go with your own tent, water, food and sleeping gear.

Garama cave visit:
The 342m in length and 14m deep cave is one of the caves where the Batwa (who were warriors) lived and fought their neighbors, the Bantu. The guide will show you how the Batwa lived and fought out of the cave. The cave is now inhabited only by bats.

Scenery viewing
There is a viewing platform 800 meters from the park gate. Once on top, you will have a good view of the Park and the surrounding areas.

Birding
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park boasts of a recorded 115 species of birds including several species endemic to the East Congo Montane region. Most of the bird species can be found on the excellent George trail which goes through the Ntebeko camp where you are likely to see Dusky turtule dove, Cape Robin-chat, Brown crowned chagara, Bronze sunbird and black headed waxbill. As one enters the tall montane forest, likely birds to see are brown woodland warbler, regal sunbird, Strange Weaver and dusky crimson wing.
A stroll a long the buffalo wall toward the Congo takes you through a wetland area where Ibis, Whydah, Speckled Mouse bird, and Fire Finch are found. Stonechat, Grey Capped Warbler, Waxbills, and Yellow-Vented Bulbul are often seen around the campground.

Mgahinga Accommodation