Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga gorilla national park; Gorilla trekking is an exceptional activity in Mgahinga gorilla national park which involves moving on foot into the tropical rainforest in search of the mountain gorillas and once found spend one hour with them in their natural environment. Mgahinga gorilla national park is the smallest national park in Uganda located in southwestern region in Kisoro district bordering with Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga national park in Congo. Gorilla trekking is also done in other destinations like Bwindi impenetrable national park, Volcanoes national park in Rwanda, Virunga national park and Kahuzi Biega national park in Congo.
Gorilla trekking experience in Mgahinga gorilla national park
Mgahinga gorilla national park is a home of one habituated gorilla family Nyakagezi and trekking starts very early in the morning with a briefing at Ntebeko park headquarters. After the briefing you will start trekking in the jungle with an experienced park guide who is well conversant with gorilla trekking trails to follow. Gorilla safaris in Mgahinga gorilla national park takes about 30 minutes to 6 hours depending on where the mountain gorillas are located because they like to move from one place to another in search of food. During trekking you will enjoy great views of other primate species, birds, plant species among others and once the mountain gorillas are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their environment where you will be able to learn about their lifestyle, habits, watch gorillas carry out their daily activities, take photos and record videos.
Cost of a gorilla trekking permit in Mgahinga gorilla national park
A gorilla trekking permit is a card that is issued to any visitor above the age of 15 years allowing him or her to spend one hour with the endangered mountain gorillas. A gorilla trekking permit in Mgahinga gorilla national park costs 700 USD per person for foreign non residents, 600 USD per person for foreign residents and 250,000 USD per person for East African citizens.
A gorilla trekking permit in Mgahinga gorilla national park should be booked 3 to 6 months in advance before the trekking date because there are only 8 available gorilla trekking permits daily hence they get sold out quickly especially during the dry season in the months of June to September and December to February.
How to book a gorilla trekking permit in Mgahinga gorilla national park
A gorilla trekking permit in Mgahinga gorilla national park can either be booked through Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) a government body that is in charge of tourism by contacting the offices in Kampala via telephone call or email.
A gorilla trekking permit in Mgahinga gorilla national park can also be booked through a trusted tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris. You will contact us with the dates when you wish to visit the endangered mountain gorillas. After contacting us, we will check for permit availability and if there are permits available, you will be asked to make a deposit for the permit. Once we receive the money, we will purchase the permit on your behalf and send you a scanned copy of the receipt as confirmation.
Best time to go for gorilla trekking in Mgahinga gorilla national park
Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga gorilla national park can be done all year round though the best period is during the dry season also known as the peak season in the months of June, July, august, December, January and February. During the dry season there is less or little rainfall in the park therefore gorilla trekking trails will be dry and passable compared to the rainy season when the trekking trails are muddy and slippery.
How to get to Mgahinga gorilla national park
Mgahinga gorilla national park is located in southwestern part of Uganda and can be accessed by road transport means where by tourists will drive from Kampala or Entebbe through Mbarara, Kabale, Kisoro and then to the park headquarters which takes about 9 to 10 hours’ drive.
Tourists can also access Mgahinga gorilla national park from Kigali Rwanda whereby they will fly to Kigali international airport and then connect the Ntebeko park headquarters through Cyanika border.
Mgahinga gorilla national park can also be accessed by air transport means where by tourists will book domestic schedule or charter flights with Aero link Uganda limited to Kisoro and Kihihi airstrip. Domestic flights to Mgahinga gorilla national park can be booked by your tour operator.
Where to stay in Mgahinga gorilla national park
There are several accommodation facilities in Mgahinga gorilla national park where you can stay during your gorilla trekking safari. The accommodations range from budget, midrange and luxury including Mutanda Island Lodge, Mount Gahinga Lodge, Mucha Lodge, Lake Mulehe Lodge, Lake Mutanda Lodge, Muhabura Motel, Kisoro Travelers Rest Camp, Mount Gahinga Rest Camp, Montana Guest House, Mubano Hotel, Kisoro Tourist Hotel, 3 Way Gorilla Resort, Mondi Lodge Kisoro, Golden Monkey Guest House, Bam Rest House among others.
Gorilla trekking is an adventurous activity that shouldn’t be missed during your trip in Mgahinga gorilla national park and it can be combined with wildlife viewing in Lake Mburo national park. For more information about gorilla safaris, you can contact us at Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website for affordable gorilla trekking packages.
