Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the smallest National park in Uganda. Sitting high in the clouds, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of the most beautiful national parks in Uganda, the pearl of Africa. It is located in the South Western part of the country in the Kisoro district. Park was established purposely to protect the mountain gorillas but also currently, some endangered golden monkeys have made it their habitat. In Uganda, Mountain Gorillas are found only in two parks that is, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga National Park.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park derived its name from Mount Gahinga, an extinct volcano found in the Virunga Mountains on the border between Rwanda and Uganda. “Gahinga” is a local word in Runyarwanda meaning ‘piles of volcanic stones cleared from farmland at the foot of the volcanoes’. It includes three of the eight Virunga Mountains volcanoes. The park experiences two wet rainy seasons that is; February to May and September to December. The Gahinga has a beautiful swamp at the top, Muhavura has a crater lake and the Sabinyo give you the best and amazing experience ever whereby climbing to its top you see a foot in 3 countries (Uganda DRC, and Rwanda). There are also great scenic views of vegetation and for that reason it is really a stunning place with the tree volcanoes as earlier mentioned where by hiking to the top of them gives an unforgettable experience one can ever get.
The Park is 600km away from Kampala and you can get there by road or air. On road, it is approximately 10-12 hours’ drive from Kampala to Mgahinga, passed via Kabale to Kisoro. The route is tarmacked, Mountainous and a bit steep. The park can be accessed by air where by you can make earlier bookings on flights that move from Entebbe International Airport to Kisoro Airfield.
Attractions
The park has about 39 mammals that is The Mountain Gorillas, Buffaloes, Elephants endangered golden monkeys, giant forest hogs, bushbucks, leopards, spotted hyenas, black fronted duikers to mention but a few. On top of this, the park has a variety of bird species of about 79, an activity of watching birds that can be carried out through the bamboo forest.
Nyakagezi Gorilla Family in Mgahinga National Park
Nyakagezi Gorilla Family is the only outstanding habituated gorilla group found in Mgahinga Gorilla National park that has been habituated for travelers to Visit. This is the only fully habituated gorilla family that offers to visitors a great chance to trek the endangered mountain gorillas in the wild.
Since each gorilla family is composed of its own members, the Nyakagezi is comprised of 9 members led by silverback there are four silver backs, 2 infants, 2 adult females, 1 Juvenile. The dominant silverback is called Mark who took over leadership from his father known as Bugingo. Other members include Mafia and Mathew known as silverbacks, Nyiramwiza and Nshuti are adult females, Nkanda ‘’Juvenile’ ’Mutagamba and Rukundo ‘’infant’’.
Interestingly, Bugingo which is the oldest silverback is now 54years old and more and it is amazing that Bugingo still lives within the family. Yet in most cases when the dormant silverback is overthrown he dies in isolation or looks for refuge from other gorilla families but Bugingo amazes a lot. For example, in the Mubare group in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, after Kanyonyi took over leadership from Ruhondeza then later left the group and lived in a solitary life until he passed away.
Activities
The most activity done in this park is gorilla tracking and there is only one group of Gorillas (Nyakagezi group) as compared to Bwindi. The tracking starts in the morning with well-informed professional guides and Park Rangers to provide information and need services to the trackers. Gorilla tracking starts from Ntebeko where by Permits for tracking in this Park are available at Uganda Wildlife Auothority and you are advised to make your booking in advance before the tracking day, each permit costs $600. The activity requires physical fitness since it is a bit tiresome when moving in the forest, steep slops and valleys. More so the length of tracking depends on the location of the Mountain Gorillas simply because they always move in search for food like any other living mammals.
Equipment needed for gorilla trekking include; light clothes, water proof cameras, packed lunch, enough drinking water, surgical masks for wearing while in the presence of gorillas. While participating in this activity in the forest, you will hear the sound of birds, monkeys and other mammals.
Hiking and Nature walks is practiced around the edges of the Mountains and it is a very interesting activity do enjoy. Hikers do it around the wild vegetation, Bamboo Forests, in the Rugezi swamp, which gives them a chance to have beautiful and wonderful scenic views of agricultural areas, surrounding lakes and Forest birds like Rwenzori Turaco.
Tracking Golden monkey is an activity cannot be forgotten because it is amazing to watch them within tree branches. For sure one can never miss out this activity as soon as he enters Mgahinga National park.
Mgahinga National Park is a home to the indigenous group of the Batwa pygmies being the first forest people to live in the forest. They do all their activities in the forest for example hunting and feeding to their families. Tourist can visit their homesteads (Batwa) to see their living habits and characters that is in terms of dressing, eating cultural norms and dances.
Getting to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Travelers interested in trekking in the Nyakagezi gorilla family in Mgahinga national park can be accessed either by road or by air. Starting your journey from Kampala city to reach the park estimates 8 to 9hours drives. Then to those are interested in air transport can take scheduled flights from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip and lands in Kisoro Airstrip where you can be picked by the park’s drive or the guide and drives you to your respective lodge.
Accommodations
Knowing where to rest after a tiresome activity of tracking is very important. There are various accommodation facilities ranging from Campsites, Budget, Mid-range to luxury lodges within and around the park. Some of the accommodation facilities that can make travel’s stay at Mgahinga gorilla national park truly awesome encounter include; Mount Gahinga Lodge and Mutanda Lake Resort.
Budget to mid range lodges include Kisoro Traveler’s Rest Hotel, Ikoro Hotel, and more. For basic accommodation,check out the Amajambere Iwacu community Camp provides various units that range from Bandas to Dormitories along with camping under Budget range.