Mgahinga National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park albeit the smallest in the nation, with around 33.7 kilometers, is so important for it is one of the only two parks in Uganda which give home to the endangered mountain gorilla (Gorilla safaris in Uganda Destination).
It is found in Kisoro in Southwestern Uganda approximately 540 kilometers from Uganda?s capital city, Kampala.
An 8 hours drive through Kabale. For those who do not have personal transport, there are bus transport services everyday, which set of at 0700hours. When you reach Kisoro town, you hike, that is if you are flexible or get a special hire up to the park gate. It is also possible to go by air to Kisoro. Flights can be organized with Eagle Air, which has flights on Mondays and Fridays from Entebbe to Kisoro.
Mgahinga National Park was protected in the year 1991 and is a part of the great Virunga Conservation Area, which is 434 kilometers. It joins Rwanda?s Gorilla Tour volcano and the Democratic Republic of Congo?s Virunga National Parks.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park experiences two rainy seasons; February to May and Septemmber to December of each year. The highest amount of rainfall in a year is 250mm in October and lowest is 10mm in July.
THE PEOPLE:
Kisoro district is densely populated, with the Bafumbira who live a simple life-style mainly as cultivators. These are the major tribe. The Batwa or pygmies who once lived in caves and fed on wildlife is the minority group.
The park has Afro-montane vegetation and a cool climate. The largest type of vegetation is the bamboo with 60 percent, which is a highly regarded food to the mountain gorilla, other types of flora include the Labelia, Haggenia spp and others.
Animals found in the park include; the mountain gorilla, buffalo, elephants, bushbucks, the threatened golden monkeys and many more.
Safari attractions and Activities
. Gorilla tracking
This is the most exciting and notable activity, which might take one through a thick jungle. Tourist group (The Nyakagezi group) includes 9 members, 2 silverbacks, 3 adult females, 2 juveniles and infants.
Tracking can consume three to eight hours.
BIRD WATCHING:
Examples of bird species include; Rwenzori turaco, Fiscal shrike, crowned hornbill, Black kite, Augur Buzzards, and crowned crane. Birding on the edge of the park is now present. If requested, the guides are glad to take you out from 5 to 6 in the evening if you book by 10am that morning. A stroll on the buffalo wall towards Congo takes you through a wetland where there are Ibis, Whydah, Specked mouse bird, and Fore Finch. Also Stone chart, Grey-capped warbler, Waxbills and Yellow vented Bulbul are usually near the campground. Ask your guide you show you the best spots. Do not be afraid to take your time and go at your own pace. Do not forget your Binoculars!
VOLCANO CLIMBING:
Mgahinga National Park provides there extinct volcanoes for flexible hikers albeit they do not require special mountaineering gears.
MOUNTAIN MGAHINGA with 3474 meters:
Mountain Mgahinga is a bit bigger compared to the average ?Gahinga? but sitting near Muhavura mountain does not make it appear small. As you go to the park, look out for small piles of stones in the garden fields. The local people refer to such a pile as ?Gahinga?: A hike which takes you a bout six hours round trip, goes through a good example of a pure Bamboo forest. At one time, Gahinga possessed a crater lake on top, but with time, it changed into a bush swamp. Distance up to the swamp is 8 kilometers.
MOUNTAIN SABINYO with 3669 meters:
Just like an old man, time has destroyed Mount Sabinyo?s crown. This volcano provides
3 challenging summits to climb. A climb up the mountain takes one up a ridge on the eastern section of the climb to summit one. If you are to proceed, the climb to the peak even includes walking a ridge with extraordinary into gorges of Rwanda and Uganda. Lastly, the hike up to the summit III is steep, with many ladders and much scrambling.
You are guaranteed to get your hands dirty on the way to summit II. When you reach the top, you will be in Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo as well as Uganda at the same time. The journey consumes around eight hours round trip to finish the 14 kilometer stretch.
MOUNTAIN MUHAVURA 4127 meters:
Viewed from all angles of Kisoro, this volcano acts as a guide. The typical cone-shaped mountain offers some of the excellent sights in the nation. Most part of the climb passes a rocky surface covered by grasses and small shrubs. When hikers reach the top, they are rewarded with the sight of the other Virunga volcanoes, Lake Edward in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi and the summits of Rwenzori Mountain or the mountains of the moon. The hike consumes about 8 hours round trip covering 12 kilometers. You are encouraged to camp at the Muhavura base camp the night before, the site has no facilities, therefore you need a tent, water, food plus a sleeping bag.
CAVE EXPLORATION:
The distance from the park Headquarters to the cave entrance is 3 kilometers long and it consumes roughly 4 hours.
This is one of the caves where at one time, the crafty Batwa, who were warriors, settled and battled with their neighbours. You guide will show you how the Batwa settled and fought out of the cave. The cave is 342 meters in length and 14 meters deep, and is currently occupied by bats only.
VIEWING PLATFORM:
This is a round 800 meters from the gate of the park. When you get to the top, you will have nice view of the park and the surrounding area. The activity is free and does not require a guide. Display panel at the hill point will give some information about what you can view.
Accommodation in Mgahinga
Kisoro provides a wide range of accommodation facilities ranging from the basic camp sites, to the luxurious full board hotels, which include; Traveller?s Rest Camp, Sky Blue, Mount Gahinga Rest Camp, Virunga Hotel, Mgahinga Safari lodge, Rigigana camp site, Mubano Hotel and many others.
At the park gate, there is a community camp ground with enough space for ?Do it yourself-camping? and Mount Gahinga Rest Camp.
The choice is yours!