General
The Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is situated in the south-western region of Uganda. The Park covers the northern sides of the three most northern volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains: Mount Muhavura (4.127 m), Mount Gahinga (3.474 m) and Mount Sabyinyo (3.645 m).

Mount Mgahinga Gorilla National Park lays in a distance of about 10 km from Kisoro Town and boarders the republic of Rwanda in the south and the Democratic Republic of Congo in the west.

Every country protects their part of the Virunga Volcanoes: Uganda the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Rwanda the Parc National des Volcans and the Democratic Republic of Congo the Parc National des Virunga. Together, the three National Parks make up the “Virunga Conservation Area” or VCA that covers 434 km². Mgahinga only covers an area of 33, 7 km² which is 8% of the total. The whole National Park lies in the area of the Bafumbira, an ethnic group living in Kisoro district.

The Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is made up out of the slopes of three inactive extinct volcanoes covered in forests. Already from far the peaks of these volcanoes dominate the landscape. Once you have reached the National Park you can have a perfect viewing point to observe the area within a 15 min walk from the Ntebeko Gate.

Mgahinga has a huge biological value because the mountains offered protection to mountain-vegetation and –animals during the times of the climate changes in the Pleistocene. Plants and animals just moved the slopes up and down and “survived”. The Virunga Volcanoes are the habitat of numerous animals including the half of the world’s population of Mountain Gorillas which are threatened to become extinct.

Next to the gorillas, Mgahinga is of course habitat to other animals: elephants, bushbuck, duiker, jackal, porcupine, golden monkeys, buffaloes, civets, leopards, aardvarks and different kinds of colobus monkeys.

Apart from that, travellers who like birds and butterflies will spend hours discovering one new kind they have not seen after the other.

Program
Following, we offer you three short descriptions of hiking tours and the ascent to the three peaks of the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Mount Sabyinyo ("Teeth of the old Man") 3.645 m
Long time ago, the locals gave the peaks of Mount Sabyinyo this name since they resemble the teeth of an old man that became spoiled by too much usage and time. This volcano has three peaks that prove to be tricky for those trying to climb them. The ascent to the peak is possible via a ridge from the eastern side of the volcano. If possible, you should truly consider including this route into your tour since the view during climbing this ridge is amazing and you overlook the Ugandan and Rwandan valleys beneath. Further up towards the Peak 111 as the top is also called, you will climb some rope-ladders and muddy terrain. You will definitely reach the Peak 111 with dirty hands! Once you are up, you can either stand with one foot in Uganda, one in Rwanda or in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is one of the unique experiences of this tour! The trip takes about 8 hours and 14 km.

Mount Gahinga 3.474 m
Already on your way to the National Park you should keep an eye on small piles of stones along the road that the locals call "Gahinga".
Mount Gahinga is of course a bit bigger than these average "Gahinga" but being next to Mount Muhavura it still looks like one.
Hiking up Mount Gahinga takes about 6 hours and is a journey into the heart of a bamboo-forest. Gahinga used to have a small crater lake on top but time transformed it into a rich swamp. The distance up to the swamp is 8 km.

Mount Muhavura ("The Leader") 4.127 m
MUhavura, from Kisoro on this volcano functions as the leader, the guide. The peak in the typical form of a cone offers the best view into the countryside.
The biggest part of the ascent covers rocky land, grass and small bushes. Having reached the peak, every hiker will be rewarded with a picturesque view down on the other volcanoes, Lake Edward, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi and the peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains. The tour takes about 8 hours and 12 km have to be managed. You are welcome to spend one night at the Muhavura Basic Camp but there you will need a tent, water, food and a sleeping bag.

Walk on the Boarder Line – (no visa necessary)
This walk leads you in the direction of Mount Sabinyo. The path climbs up on the lower side of Mount Sabyinyo and passes through mountainous forests before it changes the direction towards Democratic Republic of Congo. Along the way, the view towards Sabyinyo’s peak and valleys is spectacular and once you have crossed into the DRC you walk back along the international boarder. Coming back to the Park Headquarters you will have a good opportunity for bird watching. During the walk there will be two chances, each with a small hut, for taking a break as well. Be aware of the golden monkeys and watch out for elephant’s footprints and other animals… maybe you are lucky…
The whole walk takes 5 hours, 10 km.

Best Visiting Time
The best time for a trip to the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is actually the whole year. In the main rainy season from March to May you just have to make sure that you travel with well-kept four-wheel-cars… which of course we from EWS operate with.

Please contact us for more information and further inquiries:
office@equatorialwildsafaris.com.

Yours- EWS Team