Things to Do & to See, Attractions in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park : Tourists attractions in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: A traveler to enjoy a complete safari in Mgahinga Gorilla national park is to take a safari visit through booking with trust worthy tour operator who knowns what is on the ground concerning about tourism. And as we Achieve Global Safaris we provide quite inspiring advice to help you plan an exciting experience on Gorilla trekking and other amazing experience in the park such as Golden monkey tracking, Hiking the Virunga volcanoes among others. Get started Now!
Below is the information about the park’s tourist attractions, things do and see, activities, location of the Mgahinga Gorilla national park as out listed;
In general, Mgahinga Gorilla national park is one of Uganda’s smallest national park, located in the southwestern Uganda region. More so, the park is covered with Virunga volcanoes that is; Mount Muhabura measuring ‘4,127 meter’, Mount Gahinga ‘3,474 meter’ and Mount Sabinyo ‘3,645meter’. Mgahinga Gorilla national park is positioned about 10kilometers south of Kisoro and bordered by the Volcanoes National park of Rwanda in the south and Virunga National Park of Democratic Republic of Congo to the west.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has larger part of Virunga Conservation area that spreads over the three countries and each country Rwanda, Uganda and Congo protects its own portion of the Virungas. However, Mgahinga covers an area of about 33.7 square kilometers, sited in Kisoro district, Things to Do & to See, Attractions in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Furthermore, Mgahinga Gorilla national park is famous home to endangered mountain gorillas and active unique golden monkeys and other wildlife species. The park is managed by ‘’UWA’’ Uganda Wildlife Authority and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Below is the information about things to do in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park;
Gorilla trekking –Tracking Experience
Gorilla trekking is the most enjoyable activity in the park which can be done two habituated gorilla families –Nyakagezi Gorilla Family and Hirwa. One to access one of these gorilla families, you need to first purchase a gorilla permit bought at Uganda Wildlife Authority at USD700 for foreign nonresident and USD600 for foreign residents.
Gorilla trekking is quite unforgettable experience that starts early in the morning after briefing at the meeting center. After head out to the forest in search for gorillas accompanied by the park ranger guide as your trekking you will have chances of seeing other wildlife species in the forest such as colobus monkeys, forest buffaloes, giant forest hogs, bush pigs, fronted duiker, variety of bird life among others. Once you locate gorilla group you’re trekking, one hour is given to you to observe them as you learn about their behaviors, feeding, how they play, groom themselves, nesting their nests on the ground as well as enjoying memorable photography.
Volcano Hiking
Gorilla trekking looks to be the most popular activity done in the park but taking hiking experience it’s also awesome as you come to discover a beautiful scenery with your own sights. To hikers visit Mgahinga and take a rewardable hike that allows you to hike to the summit of Mount Muhabura and the reward at the top is gainful with gentle strolls across the lower slopes beneath the magnificent three peak backdrops. But we advise you to be physically fit in the body in order to achieve your adventurous goal in the Pearl of Africa.
Golden Monkey Tracking
This is one of the most exciting experience as one engages in to track this active species in the forest. The activity starts early in the morning at 8am and can last more than 3 hours. Visitors are given one hours to spend with them taking photographs and observing their behaviors. We recommend you to purchase your permit in advance.
Visit Batwa Trails
Visiting the Batwa trails you will have chances of meeting up original people who use to eat together with mountain gorillas in the forest and they used to stay with them in harmony. The trails will also lead you from the base of Muhabura Cave where Batwa used to gather to worship their ancestors. Meeting up with, they will narrate you their traditional forest life and culture ,how used to live gorillas in harmony, Things to Do & to See, Attractions in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Bird watching
The park is an ideal destination for birding which can be conducted through different places such as the Buffalo Wall, forest, wetlands and other habitats. Some of birds to spot; white-necked raven, Black kite ,Pin –tailed whydah ,Double-collared sunbird ,Speckled Mouse birds ,Fire Finch Stonechat ,Blue-headed coucal ,Dusky crimson wing ,Archer’s robin chat ,Yellow-Vented Bulbul ,Alpine ,Grey Capped Warbler ,Ruwenzori turaco ,Ruwenzori nightjar, Olive pigeon ,Kivu ground-thrush among other.
Garama Cave Exploration
Garama cave is located beneath a plateau northern rim of the park, only 3 kilometers away from Ntebeko. The cave measures 342 meters long and it is set in the former farmland zone but in earlier times. This cave forest was occupied periodically by Batwa who used it as a retreat.
When to Go
Wondering about the best time to visit the park. Mgahinga Gorilla national park experiences two rainy seasons that is March-May and September –November to October is the wettest month and driest month is July. To most tourists go for Gorilla Safari during dry months of June –October and December to March. But visiting the park for Gorilla Safaris, we advise you to book your gorilla passes at least 3 to 4 months to the travel period given in peak seasons, Things to Do & to See, Attractions in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Where to Stay on Safari to Mgahinga Gorilla national park
The park boosts with perfect hotels and lodges around Kisoro and Lake Mutanda area and other lodging options can be booked near the Ntebeko’s entrance. You need to reserve the hotels, lodges and campground well in advance.
