Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Uganda
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (MGNP)
Mgahinga National Park is the smallest gorilla park covering just 33.7 Km2, located in the district of Kisoro and is bordered by Rwanda and Democratic republic of Congo and 540kms from Kampala. This park supports a variety of animals other than the mountain gorillas, like; buffalos, monkeys, elephants and several bird species.
It is a one day drive from Kampala via Kabale on surface road and another extra 80kms on rough road to Kisoro town.
Tourist Activities:
Gorilla Tracking.
This is the major tourist activity in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The gorilla tracking group is the Nyakagezi group. Tracking begins in the morning at 8.30am and an end by 6pm.There is usually a morning brief by the park rangers prior to departure. Visitors normally carry their packed breakfast.
NB: Sometimes the gorillas tend to cross over to D.R. Congo and Rwanda, so the gorilla tracking exercise depends on the fact that if they are on the Ugandan side.
Hiking:
Volcano Climbing is another interesting tourist activity in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Mgahinga National park offers three extinct volcanoes
for physically fit hikers although they do not requirespecial mountaineering gears..
Mt. Sabinyo (366m)
This volcano offers 3 challenging peaks to climb. A climb up the mountain takes one up a ridge along the eastern side of the climb to peak. The climb to the peak involves walking a ridge with breath-taking drops into gorges of Rwanda and Uganda.
The hike up to the peak is steep with several ladders and mush scrambling. The journey takes about eight hours round trip to cover the 14km stretch.
Mt. Gahinga (3474m).
Mount Gahinga is quite bigger than the average 'gahinga' but sitting next to Mount Muhavura does make it look small. A hike, which takes you about, six hours round trip, goes through a good example of a pure Bamboo forest. Gahinga once had a Crater Lake on top but time has changed it into a Lush swamp. Distance to the swamp is 8km.
Mt. Muhavura (4127m)
'The Guide'
This volcano acts as a guide. Much of the climb passes a rocky surface covered by grasses and small shrubs. Once at the top, hikers are rewarded with the view of the Virunga volcanoes, Lake Edward in queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi and the peaks of Rwenzori Mountain. The hike takes approximately 8 hours round trip covering 12km.You are advised to camp at the Muhavura base camp the night before the site has no facilities so you need a tent, water, food and sleeping gear.
Cave Exploration
Garama cave GARAMA CAVE
This is one of the caves where once the crafty Batwa(who were warriors) lived and fought their neighbors,the Bantu. The cave is 342m in length and 14 m deep and is now inhabited by bats.
Birding along the park is now available on request.
Most of the birds may be found on the excellent gorge trail, which loops half way on mount Sabinyo. The key species in Mgahinga include; Rwenzori Turaco, Kivu ground thrush, scarlet tufted Malachite sunbird, Montane double collared Sunbird, Dusky Turtle Dove,Lagden's Bush shrike, White-tailed blue fly catcher,Alpine Chat, Rwenzori Night Jar to mention but a few.
Your guide will show you how the Batwa lived and fought out of the cave.
This is one of the caves where once the crafty Batwa (who were warriors) lived and fought their neighbors, the Bantu. The distance to the cave entrance from the park headquarters is 3 kms long and it takes about 4 hours. Viewing Platform:
Birding
115 bird species have so far been recorded within the park, including several species endemic to the East Congo Montane region. Key species include Handsome Francoline,Rwenzori turaco, Alpine chat, Malachite sunbird among others.
