Size
38 km²
Location
In the very south-west of Uganda, 10 km from Kisoro Town
Description
The Mgahinga Gorilla National Park lies in the south-western region of Uganda and covers the northern slopes 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 14 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.
Mgahinga has a huge biological value as the mountains offered protection to mountain-vegetation and –animals during the times of the climate changes in the Pleistocene. Plants and animals just moved up and down the slopes and “survived”.
The Virunga Volcanoes are the habitat of numerous animals including a half of the world’s population of Mountain Gorillas (Gorilla gorilla beringei beringei) which are threatened to become extinct.
Next to the gorillas, Mgahinga is of course habitat to other animals: elephants, bushbuck, duiker, jackal, porcupine, buffaloes, badger, civets, leopards, bush pigs and different kinds of colobus monkeys.
Apart from the animals, those who like birds and butterflies will spend hours discovering one new kind they have not seen after the other.
Activities
- Gorilla tracking
The most exciting tourist activity in Mgahinga is its main attraction, the Gorilla tracking.
One group of gorillas that’s especially well used to human visitors is the one called "Nyakagezi". It has 9 members: 2 silver backs, 3 grown up females, 2 adolescents and 2 young ones.
Gorilla tracking is one of the most intensive experiences that animal lovers can have. Under certain circumstances it can however also be very tiring since tracking those “gentle giants” can sometimes take the whole day. Your guides introduce you to the world of the gorillas and you will get to know the original habitat and aspects of the eco-system and their behavior.
It has to be mentioned that although there is a good chance that you will meet the group, success can not be guaranteed. Since the gorillas are wildlife without regular rituals and camps it needs a lot of experience and a good knowledge of their behavior which only the best guides have… and of course a bit of luck.
Those guides leading the tracking were amongst those habituating the gorillas to get them used to the presence of human beings. They are very familiar with the behavior of those very animals and first take you to the place where the gorillas spent the day before. From there, they will follow their traces and hopefully lead you to their new grounds. Sometimes the guides do have a high tempo and in case you do not manage or need a break or you just want to observe a bird or a flower they are very willing to adjust to your speed. The guides always make sure that no one is left behind.
Tracking the gorillas can be a tiresome hike through the forest, so please be prepared.
Gain more information
Gorilla tracking
Hiking and Climbing the Volcanoes
More information to the individual tours and the ascent can be found
Mountaining Climbing
Expedition to Garama Cave
Garama is one of the caves in which the Batwa used to live and hide themselves while they fought against their neighbors, the Bantu.
The distance from the Park Headquarters to the cave is 3 km and the walk takes about 4 hours. Your guide will show you how the Batwa lived and fought. The cave is 342 m long and 14 m wide. Today, only bats live inside the cave.
Viewing Platform
You will find a wonderful viewing platform only about 800 m from the entrance gate of the National Park. From there, you have a good overview of the area and its surroundings.
At this observation deck you will find signposts to give you information about what you see and which directions you look at.
Guided Bird Watching
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is blessed with a unique birdlife.
In the whole Virunga Conservation Area up to the Albertine Rift Afro-Mountainous Region live more than 295 species of birds, some of them endemic. Do not forget to ask for a guide at the Park Headquarters. Your guide will show you the best places for bird watching and can give you more details according to names and habitat/ behavior.
Bird Watching
It is again possible to do some bird watching without a guide towards the boarder of Congo which was not possible due to security for some time. You can choose one of different possible routes for your private walk. You can for example walk along the Buffalo Wall towards DRC and pass a swamp with Ibis, African paradise flycatcher, mousebird, and fire finch. Very common are also stonechats, grey caped warbler, wax bill and Bulbul.
Visiting Time
All year round is a good visit. However, it is necessary to travel with a Four Wheel Drive especially during the rainy season.
Please contact us for more information and further inquiries:
office@equatorialwildsafaris.com.
Yours- EWS Team
