Mgahinga Gorilla National Park | Gorilla Trekking
Experience Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Size: 33.7km2, making it Uganda’s smallest National Park.
The park takes its name from “Gahinga” – the local word for the piles of volcanic stones cleared from farmland at the foot of the volcanoes.
The British administration declared the area a game sanctuary in 1930; it was gazetted as a National Park in 1991.
Mgahinga has one habituated transboundary gorilla group.
The Batwa were self-sufficient – and visitors can see how during a fascinating tour with a Batwa guide to learn the secrets of the forest.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park sits high in the clouds, at an altitude of between 2,227m and 4,127m. As its name suggests, it was created to protect the rare mountain gorillas that inhabit its dense forests, and it is also an important habitat for the endangered golden monkey.
As well as being important for wildlife, the park also has a huge cultural significance, in particular for the indigenous Batwa pygmies. This tribe of hunter-gatherers was the forest’s “first people”, and their ancient knowledge of its secrets remains unrivaled.
About Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Geography
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in the Virunga Mountains and encompasses three inactive volcanoes, namely Mount Muhabura, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Sabyinyo. In altitude the national park ranges from 2,227 to 4,127 m (7,306 to 13,540 ft) and is part of the Nile River watershed area. It is contiguous with Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and the southern sector of Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The park is about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) by road south of the town of Kisoro and approximately 55 kilometres (34 mi) by road west of Kabale, the largest city in the sub-region.
Climate
The area experiences two wet rainy seasons: February to May; and September to December. The average monthly rainfall varies from 250 mm (9.8 in) in October to 10 mm (0.39 in) in July.
History
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park was established in 1991 in an area that used to be a game reserve between the 1930s and 1950, but was partly converted to crop fields in lower altitudes. Biological surveys were initiated in 1989, wire traps destroyed, rangers trained and trees planted. Settlers were relocated to areas outside the national park’s borders in the early 1990s.
In November 2013, the M23 Movement, a Congolese rebel group, surrendered in the park after being defeated by the Congolese Army in the M23 rebellion.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Things to do in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in the wonder-filled hamlet of Kisoro, amidst the magnificence of three of the Virunga Volcanoes. The Park is rightfully referred to be the location where Gold meets Silver because of its mixture of rain and bamboo forests, golden monkeys, and silverbacks. From Entebbe to the Kisoro airfield, you can go by car or fly to get to the park. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which is bordered to the south by Rwanda and to the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, issues a subdued invitation to venture beyond these boundaries. Its position is especially ideal for travelers coming from Rwanda or departing from the Park, as it is close by. At Mgahinga, amidst the picturesque scenery and exciting activities, Kabira Gorilla Safaris picks out the top 5 things to do in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Where to Stay in Mgahinga National Park
Where to stay in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park – Safari lodge or Accommodation in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park; Mount Gahinga Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge , Lake, Mutanda Resort, Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp.
Where to stay on your Gorilla trekking Safari to Mgahinga gorilla National Park – Accommodation in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Mgahinga Gorilla National park is a strictly protected safari destination and features a wide range of Safari Lodge options that range from Luxury –Mid –Range –Budget.
When to Visit Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
- June, July, and August are the dry months, the best time, and the peak season for Mgahinga. Note Although it is part of the wet, rainy season, September is the busiest month.
- Dry and Rainy Months, High Season For Mgahinga: December’s end, January, and the beginning of February.
- Good Times & Mid-Peak Season For Mgahinga During Wet Rainy Months: Both March and September are rainy months, but September is also a busy time for tourists in Mgahinga. The season of luxuriant greenery begins throughout these months.
- April, May, October, and November are the Wet Rainy Season, Least Favorable Time, and Low Season for Mgahinga.
Getting to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
It takes 45 minutes to travel the 14 km (9 mi) on a steep uphill road from the little hamlet of Kisoro to the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. A 4WD vehicle is always advised for this road and is required during the Wet seasons (February through May and September through November).
The park can be accessible by road from Lake Mburo National Park (5 to 7 hours* to travel 316km/196mi) or Queen Elizabeth National Park (around 6 hours* to drive 310km/193mi). It is 524km from Kampala (at least 9 hours’ trip*).
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Safaris
Safaris in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda’s smallest park, offer an intimate “place where silver meets gold” experience, featuring endangered mountain gorillas and rare golden monkeys. Located in the Virunga Mountains, top activities include tracking the Nyakagezi gorilla group ($800/permit), hiking three volcanoes, and visiting the Batwa Pygmy community.
3-Day Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking
A 3-day Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking safari in Uganda offers an intimate, off-the-beaten-path experience to see the Nyakagezi family in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, located in the Virunga volcanic mountains. The itinerary typically involves a 9-10 hour drive from Kampala/Entebbe (or 4 hours from Kigali), with trekking on Day 2, and options for Batwa cultural trails or golden monkey tracking.
Mgahinga Gorilla And Golden Monkey
A Complete Gorillas and Golden Monkeys Itinerary Guide is the best way of seeing both Mountain Gorillas as well as Golden monkeys. This is an exclusive tour that can be booked at any time of the year. The start and end points for this trip are mainly Kampala-Uganda’s capital or Entebbe International Airport. However, it can also be customized to suit your place of residence on request.
5-Day Mgahinga And Lake Bunyonyi
This 5-day Uganda safari combines mountain gorilla trekking and golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park with relaxation at Lake Bunyonyi. Key activities include trekking the Nyakagezi gorilla group, encountering rare golden monkeys, a Batwa cultural experience, and boat rides on Lake Bunyonyi. The trip, often described as “Gold meets Silver,” begins and ends in Kampala/Entebbe.
Sabyinyo Volcano Hiking
A one-day hike up Mount Sabyinyo (3,669m) is a challenging 7–10 hour round-trip starting from Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. The hike features steep terrain with bamboo forests, scenic ridges, and handmade wooden ladders to reach the summit, where you can stand in Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC simultaneously.
5-Day Muhabura, Sabinyo & Gahinga
Hiking the three dormant volcanoes in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park—Muhabura, Sabinyo, and Gahinga—offers full-day, guided, and physically demanding adventures in Southwestern Uganda. Hikes take 6–10 hours, featuring stunning views of the Virunga Range, and require early morning briefings, with June–September and December–February being ideal.
Bwindi And Mgahinga
Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks are Uganda’s premier destinations for gorilla trekking, both offering $800 permits (foreign non-residents) for an hour with endangered mountain gorillas. Bwindi features dense, steep rainforest with 23+ gorilla groups, while Mgahinga offers scenic, open volcanic bamboo forests with one, often larger, habituated group.