SEE GORILLAS IN MGAHINGA GORILLA NATIONAL PARK

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park comes second after Bwindi Impenetrable National Park as the only 2 gorilla trekking safari parks in Uganda. This 33.7sq.kms protected area isn’t only the smallest of the 10 national parks in Uganda but also the only gorilla destination visitors can enjoy tracking mountain gorillas with no worries of crowds. Besides, it is one of the unique parks where mountain gorillas and golden monkeys share the same the habitat.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is set in the extreme southwestern Uganda and forms part of the larger Virunga Conservation Area (VCA) that also includes Volcanoes National Park in Northwestern Rwanda and Virunga National Park in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). A visit to see mountain gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park also presents trekkers on Uganda safaris opportunity to also engage in golden monkey tracking.

Many may be left wondering why go for a gorilla safari in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and not anywhere else. The magical thing about tracking to see mountain gorillas in Mgahinga is that the park features thick rain-forest with diverse species of trees and because mountain gorillas are largely vegetarians, it makes it easier to search for them since they have plenty to keep them around foraging. Unlike other gorilla safari parks, gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can easily be spotted in the wild although not in large numbers.

What is gorilla trekking like in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park?

Tracking to see mountain gorillas in this stunning safari park is undoubtedly a rewarding adventure. Imagine that moment you get visiting the park then welcomed by atmosphere filled by natural beauty. A day trek to see gorillas in the jungles of Mgahinga National Park involves a group of 8 trekkers hiking and they will be accompanied by an experienced park ranger guide. The whole idea isn’t only to see these large apes but also have an in-depth exploration about their daily behaviors, enjoy their interesting body gestures as the guide will interpret them to you and at the end of it all, you will be rewarded with a lifetime experience.

Treks by tourists on gorilla safari begin at Ntebeko entrance gate at 8:00am and may take you between 2 and 5 hours. Nyakagyezi gorilla family is the only habituated gorilla group family set for gorilla trekking safaris in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. You are expected to budget well for your period of stay with mountain gorilla group. A maximum of 1 (one) hour is allowed for you to have a face to face encounter with these apes, take photos and have in-depth learning about how they behave.

When to see gorillas in Mgahinga Gorillas National Park

The recommended time to visit Mgahinga Gorilla National Park to see mountain gorillas is usually during the 2 dry seasons. The first phase of the dry season you can consider starts in June, July, August, September and the second phase occur in December, January, and February.

Where to stay in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

On gorilla safari in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, some of the available accommodation choices to spend a night include Mount Gahinga Safari Lodge, Amajambere Iwacu Camp and these are located in Ntebeko. Around Mutanda, you can spend a night in Chameleon Hill Lodge, Lake Mutanda Lodge and in Kisoro; the accommodation options include River Mucha Hotel, Kisoro Traveler’s Rest Hotel.

How to reach Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

By road, it is possible to reach Mgahinga Gorilla National Park to see mountain gorillas starting from Kampala/Entebbe through Kabale to Kisoro which is approximately 8-9 hours. Alternatively, you can drive from Kigali capital city via Katuna or Cyanika border to Kisoro or Kabale then connect to Mgahinga.

However, the fastest way to get to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is by air. You can take a flight from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro airstrip which is close to this magnificent gorilla safari park.