Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park is a lifetime opportunity to get up close and personal with the massive silverback gorilla and its members while in their natural habitat. This is a dream-come-true wildlife adventure, and in Africa, you can meet mountain gorillas in only 4 parks. Other than Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, the other 3 parks to visit for mountain gorilla trekking include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Virunga National Park in the DRC, and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
Mgahinga National Park is the smallest of the ten National parks that make Uganda a complete travel destination. The Park occupies a compact land area measuring up to only 33sq.kms and lying at an elevation of 4127m.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park lies at the extreme border with Congo & Rwanda, Kisoro district, Southwestern Uganda. Accessing the park is possible using two options: the road and air. The road travel includes a journey from Kampala to the Kisoro side, about a 9-10-hour drive; if planning to travel from Rwanda to Mgahinga, then a drive from Kigali through Chanika takes between 4-5 hours. By air from Uganda, it takes only 2 hours from Entebbe Airport, and you will land at Kisoro airstrip, located near Mgahinga National Park, where your actual gorilla trek adventure will be enjoyed.
More About Mgahinga National Park
Unlike Bwindi National Park and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, Mgahinga National Park is a habitat to only 1 habituated family, “Nyakagezi.” Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Kisoro district hosts over 80 of the world’s 1063 endangered mountain gorillas within its tropical forest.
Trekking Mgahinga gorillas usually begins at Ntebeko reception center, where visitors meet the officials from Uganda Wildlife Authority for a briefing. The actual visit to explore the Nyakagezi family begins at 8:00 am with an experienced park guide leading you throughout the gorilla trekking journey that usually takes 2-6 hours. The 2-6 hours that you spend trekking also include one hour of a magical encounter with a silverback gorilla and its members, full-time photography, and so much more.
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Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking permits.
Strictly 8 people are allowed to visit the Nyakagezi family in Mgahinga N/Park. These represent 8 valid gorilla permits, and each is obtainable at USD 800 if you are a foreign non-resident, USD 700 when you visit as a foreign resident, or an East African citizen. UGX 300,000.
How to book Mgahinga gorilla permits in Uganda?
This is easier when you deal with Uganda’s reputable tour operator. The tour operators in Uganda have access to gorilla permits; about 80% of the permits are issued to them by Uganda Wildlife Authority. Besides, they plan the entire gorilla tour, not just securing a permit alone.
A fully planned gorilla tour to Mgahinga National Park includes many things, ranging from booking quality accommodation of your preference, securing a car for your travel, and many other things. It is, however, advisable to have your permits booked early, considering the high demand. Also, take note that only 8 permits are available for booking, unlike over 160 permits if you are visiting Bwindi National Park. Visiting Mgahinga to see mountain gorillas is amazing. First, it is an opportunity to enjoy a gorilla trek free of crowds.
What to expect on the Trek day
Tourists usually expect a lot on the actual trek day, but since this is a jungle, expect anything to happen. All you need to know is that it will be a fun and memorable day. After breakfast and a briefing at the park headquarters, the hike starts as early as 7:00 a.m. or 8:00 a.m. once allocation has been made. Tour guides keep reminding trekkers about the guidelines for gorilla trekking to protect both the visitors and the gorillas. Rangers and guides constantly communicate during the trek so that the gorilla family is easily spotted. Once you get to the gorilla family, you spend an hour with them, taking as many photos and videos as possible and studying the behavioral patterns of the gorillas. Remember to tip the team that has been with you throughout the trek, including guides and porters.
When to go for Mgahinga National Park gorilla safari?
The dry season is the best time that guarantees a perfect and memorable gorilla trekking tour in Mgahinga National Park. When planning a gorilla tour, there are two phases of dry season to mark on your travel calendar: the long and the short. The long dry season often falls within June, July, August, and September, and then a short dry spell runs for 3 months; December, January, and February.
Rules and regulations for gorilla trekking
For a wonderful experience of gorilla trekking, there are several rules and regulations drafted by the wildlife park’s authorities for the safety of both the mountain gorillas and the tourists. These rules and regulations include.
- Always keep your voice low when you are in the presence of mountain gorillas.
- Do not litter rubbish in the forests
- Ill tourists are not allowed to take part in the trekking
- Always stay in the group
- Do not make unnecessary movements while in the presence of the mountain gorilla.s
- Stay at a distance of 7-8 meters while in the presence of mountain gorillas.
- Do not smoke or drink in the presence of mountain gorillas
- While taking pictures, do not use cameras with a flashlight, as it scares the gorillas
- Do not mimic the gestures of the gorillas, as you cannot tell what they mean
Essential items to pack for your gorilla trekking safari in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
If you’re planning a gorilla trekking safari in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, it’s important to pack wisely to ensure that you have everything you need for a safe and enjoyable experience. The park is located in southwestern Uganda and is home to endangered mountain gorillas, so visitors are advised to bring essential items to protect themselves and the gorillas. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the essential items you should pack for your gorilla trekking safari in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Long-sleeved shirts and trousers: These protect from insects and the sun.
Hiking shoes: Trekking can be challenging in the park, so comfortable hiking shoes are a must.
Waterproof rain jacket or poncho: The park experiences rainfall at any time of the year, so a waterproof jacket or poncho will keep you dry.
Insect repellent: This will protect you from mosquitoes and other insects.
Energy snacks: Trekking can be physically demanding, so it’s essential to pack some snacks to keep you energized.
Garden gloves: These will protect your hands from prickly plants and nettles.
Camera: You’ll want to capture the amazing scenery and the gorillas on your trek.
Long stockings: These will protect your legs from nettles and other vegetation.
Backpack: A backpack is handy for carrying your essentials during the trek.
Walking stick: This will provide support during the trek and help you keep your balance on uneven terrain.
Other tourist activities to do in Mgahinga National Park
Golden Monkey Trekking
The park offers other encounters, including golden monkey trekking. These endangered, golden-furred primates inhabit the bamboo forests along Rwanda’s border. Because the monkeys remain highly playful and jump constantly between trees, they provide an amazing spectacle. To protect them, you must turn off your camera flash while taking photos. Hikers need physical fitness to navigate the muddy, slippery trails and dense bamboo.
Hiking
Besides Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga, one can visit the different Volcanoes for hiking, including Mount Muhabura, the highest volcano, whose name means a guide in Kinyarwanda. The other volcano is Mount Muhavura, which is a crater lake with quite a few bird species. There is also Mount Sabyinyo, which has three peaks. The hike takes 8 hours. Hike to the third volcano, Mount Gahinga, which means a small pile of stones. This hike takes 6 hours. With the help of porters to carry the luggage. For one to hike to the Volcanoes, you will be taken through a short briefing.
Batwa in Mgahinga
Besides the gorilla trekking activity, there is an option for visiting the Batwa Cultural Trails in Mgahinga. Visit the Batwa pygmies and learn about their past life in the forest, including food gathering, fruit gathering, hiding in Ngarama caves, collecting firewood, hunting, music, dance, and drama.
Bird Watching
There are also bird watching activities,s and you will be able to see over 120 bird species, birds spotted in Mgahinga NationaPark while trekking the mountain. Gorillas include pin-tailed whydah, black kite, paradise flycatcher, ibis, speckled mousebirds, Grey-capped warbler, Double-collared sunbird, waxbills, alpine, Blue-headed Coucal, Archer’s Robi-chat, Yellow-vented Bulbul, Olive Pigeon, Olive woodpecker, kivu ground thrush, blue-headed coucal, and Rwenzori nightjar. You will enjoy the sweet songs of birds in the trees within the fresh rainforests.
Nature walk
Tourists can also engage in Nature walks as they go for gorilla trekking, and in this, you can enjoy the forest walk where you have chances of spotting the bush pigs, jackals, elephants, forest hogs, baboons, Gorillas, monkeys, and many more. This walk can take about 6 hours.
Getting There
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is 510km away from Kampala, the capital of Uganda, and you can get there by Road or Air. On road, it is approximately 9- 10 hours drive from Kampala to Mgahinga, that is around 8 hours to Kabale town covering 434km, and there are more 76km to Kisoro town, this route is tarmacked and a bit mountainous and steep. There is also an alternative of using a route from Kabale town passing near the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi and joining Kabale-Kisoro tarmac again. From Kisoro to the park, it’s around 14km to Ntebeko, the park’s main entrance.
The park can be accessed by air, whereby you can make earlier bookings on flights that move from Entebbe International Airport to Kisoro Airfield. Using flights saves more time and is less tiring.
Where to stay on a gorilla trekking tour in Mgahinga National Park?
There are many fine places to consider for overnight stays in Mgahinga National Park, and they range from budget to midrange to luxury. The luxury accommodation to book includes Mount. Gahinga Lodge and Mutanda Lake Resort, or the nearby lodges in the Nkuringo sector, like Chameleon Hill Lodge and Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge. Mucha River Lodge (Budget), Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge, Travelers Rest Hotel, and Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge are the midrange options.
What to wear for gorilla trekking?
On a gorilla trek, you hike through thick tropical rainforest. So, with that being said, you need to be properly kitted out for your gorilla trekking adventure. Here is our list of gorilla trekking clothing to help with your packing. For further information on everything you need to pack for a gorilla trek, check out our gorilla trekking guide.
Headgear
- Sun hat – preferably wide-brimmed for protection
- Sunglasses – high UV protection
- Headlamp (plus extra batteries)
Upper body
- Long sleeve shirt/t-shirt – light or medium weight, moisture-wicking
- Short sleeve shirt/t-shirt – lightweight, moisture-wicking
- Fleece or softshell jacket
- Insulated jacket – down or Primaloft
- Waterproof and windproof hard-shell outer jacket
Legs
- Trekking trousers – light or medium weight, convertible trousers work well
- Lightweight trousers – linen trousers are cool in the heat
- Waterproof hard-shell trousers
- Gaiters
Feet
- Trekking boots – some people choose to wear Wellington Boots instead of trekking boots due to the extensive mud on the trail.
- Training shoe – to wear around the huts
- Mid-weight trekking socks
Other items
- Small rucksack (30-40 litres) – to carry water and personal items
- Duffel bag (70-90 litres) – max weight when full should be no more than 23kg
- Trekking poles
- Water bottle or hydration bag – must be able to carry 1.5-2L of water
Is Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga Safe?
Safety is a top concern for many travelers considering gorilla trekking. Rest assured that gorilla trekking in Mgahinga is generally safe, with park rangers and experienced guides prioritizing the well-being of both visitors and gorillas.
Here’s what makes Mgahinga safe for gorilla trekking:
Experienced Guides: Treks are always led by knowledgeable guides who are trained in gorilla behavior and safety protocols. They ensure that trekkers maintain a safe distance from the gorillas and know how to respond in any situation.
Park Rangers: Armed park rangers patrol the forest to ensure the safety of both trekkers and gorillas. They are trained to deter any potential threats and maintain a secure environment.
Habituated Gorillas: The gorilla families you encounter during treks are habituated, meaning they are accustomed to human presence and are not aggressive towards visitors.
Health Precautions: Before entering the park, trekkers are screened for illnesses to prevent the transmission of diseases to the gorillas. This protects both humans and animals.
Group Safety: Trekking in groups provides an added layer of security, as guides can monitor the surroundings and ensure everyone’s safety.
