Mgahinga is the smallest national park in Uganda, but it forms part of a cross- border system of contiguous reserves in Rwanda and DRC extending over some 430km of the higher Virungas. The park is located in the southwestern corner of Uganda and it covers the northern slopes of the three northern most Virunga volcanoes: Mt. Muhavura (4,127m), Mt. Gahinga (3,474), and Mt. Sabyinyo (3,645). The park is about 10km south of Kisoro and is bordered to the south the republic of Rwanda and to the west by the Democratic Republic of Congo. Each of these countries protects its own portion of the Virunga, in the Parc national des volcanoes and Pac national des Virunga respectively. The three parks together from an area of 434 square kilometer (Virunga conservation area’ VCA), Mgahinga is 33.7 sq. km, just the VCA. The entire park is in Bufumbira county of Kisoro district.
Mgahinga protects 76 mammal species, including the golden monkeys, black and white colobus mountain gorillas, leopard, elephant, giant forest hog, bush pig, buffalo, bushbuck, black- fronted duiker and several varieties of rodents, bats and small predators. Only 115 birds species have been recorded here, possibly a reflection of the park’s small size, the park is still of great interest to bird watchers, as several of the species recorded are localized forest birds, and 12 are considered to be endemic to the Albert Rift region.
Mgahinga National Park hosts one family group of gorillas, called Nyakagezi. In the past the Nyakagezi group moved between Rwanda and Uganda, but for the last two years these gorillas have been staying put in Uganda. The family group consists of ten gorillas, including four silverback males.
Mgahinga is best known to tourists for gorilla trekking. Oddly enough, no gorillas live permanently within the park, but a fair number move freely between Uganda and the neighboring Parc National des Volcans in Rwanda, and one habituated troop frequently spends months at a time within Mgahinga. Gorilla trekking is not the only reason to visit Mgahinga though it also offers a far broader range of activities than any of the other mountain gorilla reserves, including golden monkey tracking, a culture trail, caving, forest walks, and day hikes to the three volcanic peaks.
Size: 33.7 sq. km
Location: far southwest, bordering Rwanda and DR, Congo, 14km from Kisoro town.
Getting there:
By Road; Kisoro is about 540 from Kampala (Uganda’s Capital city), it takes about 9- 10 hours via by car. For public transport, there are daily buses/ minibuses, which set off at 7:00pm from Kampala. To get to Mgahinga from the national park’s office in Kisoro, follow the main road towards the DRC for 100m, turn left at the first main junction, immediately before the Travellers Rest Inn, then turn right about 100m further on. When you reach the park you can get a great over view of the area by walking up the view point, just 15 minutes from Ntebeko gate.
The visitor center
The Mgahinga National Park visitor’s centre is located about a 10 minute drive from Kisoro. Recently renovated, the centre features rock paths that meaner through the vegetation to the building. Beautiful rain chains conserve rainwater for gardening around the centre and under a high beamed log ceiling interactive displays and maps line the walls. Staffed by exceptionally knowledgeable Ugandan Wildlife Authority (UWA) guides you’ll first enter the main room and pay your fees and decide your trail. There are a number of different types of hikes that can be done based on your ability, desire and speed.
When to visit the park
The best time to visit the place for tracking is during the two dry seasons when the park is easily accessed. It is during this time that the thick forests can be penetrated easily and when the paths are not as muddy as it is in the rainy season. The two dry Seasons best for Gorilla Safari are; mid-December to end of February and June to October. However, gorilla tracking tourism is possible throughout the year.
What to see and do:
Gorilla trekking:
For gorilla trekking tours it is now a reliable option in Mgahinga and for your gorilla photography this park is so much lighter than Bwindi since its an extension park of the Virunga massifs with habituated Nyakagezi group to roam across the international borders into Rwanda and Congo. Nyakagezi group and no longer cross to Rwanda. However, in November 2012, the Nyakagezi gorillas returned home and tracking permits are once again available. They are sold at UWA office in Kisoro rather than the central booking office in Kampala.
Mountain hikes:
Guided day hikes are available to each of the three volcanic peaks in Mgahinga. A reasonable level of fitness and an early start are required for any of the mountain hikes, and good boots, rain gear and warm clothes are recommended. The least demanding mountain hike, the 1,100m climb from Ntebeko up Mount Gahinga, offers a good chance of seeing various forest birds in the bamboo zone, while duikers and bushbuck inhabit the marshy crater at the peak. Expect the round trip to take six to seven hours. The tougher, 1,300m ascent from Ntebeko to Sabyinyo, which takes at least eight hours there and back, but the most challenging hike is to the peak of Muhavura, the highest peak. This starts at the base camp a few kilometers from the entrance gate and the round trip will take at least nine hours.
Two trails – Mount Sabyinyo and Mount Muhavura require more than a day covering 14km and 12 km respectively. They are also much steeper than the day hikes as you climb to the tops of each of these volcanoes. The views, though, cannot be beat! On the Sabyinyo hike you get to stand in Uganda, DRC and Rwanda at the same time.
Golden monkey tracking:
The next best thing to seeing after the mountain gorilla is the chance to track the golden monkey, a little- known bamboo- associated taxa primate listed as endangered by the World Conservation Union. Endemic to the Albertine Rift, the golden monkey is characterized by a bright orange- gold body, cheeks and tail, contrasting with its black limbs, crown and tail end. More likely, however, is that the Virunga volcanoes harbor the only remaining viable breeding population of this localized monkey. Fortunately, the golden monkey is the numerically dominant primate within this restricted range- a 2003 survey estimated a population of 3,000- 4,000 in Mgahinga National Park, but no figures are available for neighboring parks in Rwanda and DRC. Golden monkey tracking can be undertaken at Mgahinga daily.
Nature walks:
Half- day nature trails concentrating on the forest zone run out of Ntebeko. Of particular interest to birders, the Sabyinyo Gorge Trail ascends through the heath around Ntebeko into a stand of bamboo forest before following a small stream through a lushly forest gorge. The bamboo forest is a good place to see the pretty golden monkey, as well as handsome francolin, Kivu ground thrush and regal sun bird. The evergreen forest harbours such localized birds as Rwenzori turacos, western green tinker bird, olive woodpecker, African hill babbler, Archer’s ground robin, and so many others. And other trails leads to Rugezi swamp and Garama Cave.
The Batwa Trail:
A welcome diversion from the usual tawdry visits to impoverished Batwa/ Pygmy communities, this initiative provides a genuine opportunity to experience something of tradition Batwa forest culture. The event follows a trail along the lower slopes of Mgahinga Volcano to Garama Cave involves visitors and their Batwa guide in a range of practical interactions such as fire lighting, bivouac building, target practice with a bow and arrow and food gathering. The song culminates with a memorable performance of Batwa song and music in the Batwa’s council chamber in Garama Cave. The Batwa Trail is a partnership between UWA and the worthy United Organization for Batwa Development in Uganda.
Accommodation
When at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, one should not worry about accommodation because there are various lodges suitable for relaxation and overnight. These are found in Ntebeko, Kisoro and Lake Mutanda. In Ntebeko, the accommodations are; Volcanoes mount Gahinga Safari lodge and Amajambere Iwacu camp. The lodges in Mutanda include; Lake Mutanda Chameleon Hill Lodge. In Kisoro, the lodges where a visitor can stay are; Kisoro Traveler’s Rest Hotel and River Mucha Hotel
Resources
- For more information check the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, a website packed with all the information to help you plan a safari to the region.
