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Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park – a magical piece of Uganda
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of the most beautiful places in Uganda.
It is part of the Virunga Volcanoes, which Uganda shares with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. You can’t go any further south than this while on safari in Uganda.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park boasts a magical and unique landscape: ancient volcanoes, crater lakes, and rising mist in the morning.
And of course, there is wildlife. In the mountains, you will find mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, among other animals.
5 things you need to know about Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Before we dive into the details, here are five facts for you:
- Mgahinga is one of Uganda’s smaller national parks, covering just over 30 km².
- The park has three volcanoes: Mount Muhabura (4,127 m), Mount Gahinga (3,474 m) and Mount Sabyinyo (3,669 m).
- Mount Sabyinyo is located at the intersection of three countries: Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo.
- The volcanoes are home to mountain gorillas and golden monkeys – two rare species of monkeys.
- The climate in Mgahinga is cool and humid, due to its high altitude. So bring a warm sweater.
Volcanoes and misty jungles
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park boasts breathtaking scenery.
Green forest jungles, volcanoes, and mountain peaks. It is especially special during the rainy season. Mist hangs over the green jungle, the peaks of the mountains rising to prominence.
As the sun breaks through, the mist slowly dissipates. These are truly dramatic landscapes unlike anything you’ll see anywhere else in Uganda.
The volcanoes in the area are inactive; their last eruptions have been decades.
Their craters have filled with water, creating beautiful lakes. Lake Mutanda is one of those lakes. It is also the perfect place to stay during your visit to Mgahinga National Park.
You will have some travel time to your activities. But that is a good thing: driving through the misty landscape early in the morning is an experience in itself.
Spot gorillas and golden monkeys
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of two places in Uganda where you can go mountain gorilla trekking. But of course, there is more wildlife than just gorillas.
There are also golden monkeys – perhaps just as special. They live only in the Virunga Volcanoes. They are found nowhere else in the world. The mountains consist of rainforest.
So, you will see many primate species, but no savanna animals like giraffes and lions.
Besides the primates, there are many smaller animals. For example, there are a great many endemic birds. So, for birdwatchers on Uganda birding tours, Mgahinga is a place to spend some time.
Active travelers are in their element in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
The southwestern region of Uganda is the ultimate destination for the more active traveler.
You can climb the volcanic mountains, trek to see gorillas, or delve deeper into the local culture.
These are our favorite activities in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park:
Climb a volcano
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is home to three volcanoes.
All of them can be climbed.
The most popular is Mount Sabyinyo. You can reach the summit and return in one day. The hike is tough but rewarding. You gain a lot of height in a short time. This makes the climb challenging.
A ranger will guide you, and porters are there to help. You are never alone on the trail. Every step is worth the effort. When you reach the top, the views are breathtaking. On a clear day, the clouds open up. You can see Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo all at once.
It is a powerful moment and a memory you will never forget.
Gorilla trekking
In Uganda, you can trek wild gorillas in two places: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
The advantage of Mgahinga National Park is that the trekking is often slightly easier, as the mountain range is less steep than in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Golden monkey trekking
The golden monkey is a unique species of primate that lives only in the Virunga Mountains in the Albertine Rift. It is a beautiful monkey to see.
They are medium-sized and have a cuddly appearance.
We recommend seeing both the gorillas and the golden monkeys during your safari in Mgahinga.
If you find the gorillas too expensive, the golden monkeys are a good alternative.
They are over $700 cheaper.
Visiting the Batwa
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park was once the home of the Batwa people.
They are a traditional hunter-gatherer community. For many years, they lived inside the forest. Today, the Batwa are no longer allowed to live in the park.
They now live in villages around it. Visitors can choose to meet them through the Batwa Trail. You will walk with members of the community. They explain how they lived in the forest.
You learn how they hunted and prepared food. They also show how they used bows and arrows.
The Batwa story is a sad one. They were forced to leave their ancestral land. This makes the visit emotional. Still, it is a meaningful and memorable experience.
