8-day Mgahinga National Park Safari
The 8-day Mgahinga National Park Safari will take you through the Gorilla National Park, which is situated in southwest Uganda near the borders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Despite being the smallest national park in Uganda, it offers a wealth of interesting activities for any outdoor enthusiast. This park is home to all three of Uganda’s Virunga volcanoes, all of which offer trekking options. This vacation includes hiking a volcano of your choosing, trekking with mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, and a walk down the Batwa Trail with the option to go birdwatching. You can walk all three volcanoes in a longer day, or you can decide to prioritise hiking over other activities.
Safari Highlights of the 8-day Mgahinga National Park Safari
Day 1: Arrival for the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park safari
Day 2: Transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Day 3: Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park
Day 4: Golden Monkey tracking
Day 5: Batwa experience trail
Day 6: All-day birding at Mgahinga National Park with an option of a community walk.
Day 7: Hike Sabyinyo or Muhabura or Gahinga Volcanoes
Day 8: Departure-Transfer to the Airport
Detailed Itinerary of the 8-day Mgahinga National Park Safari
Day 1: Arrival for the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park safari
When you arrive at Entebbe International Airport, a Journeys Uganda representative will be there to greet you and arrange for a transfer to your Entebbe accommodation. Dinner and overnight at Papyrus Guest house.
Day 2: Transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Your driver guide will take you to Kisoro, Uganda, which is located at the foot of the Virunga Volcanoes, this morning after breakfast. Savour the scenic drives and spectacular views of the volcanoes. Flying to the Kisoro airstrip from Entebbe is another alternative. You will be transfered to Kisoro Travellers Rest Hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park
In addition to other animals, the main reasons Mgahinga Gorilla National Park was preserved were the mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. After picking you up from the lodge, your driver guide will take you to the park’s briefing area where you will receive instructions on how to behave and engage with gorillas in their natural habitat.
You may need to drive before beginning the park hike, depending on where the gorillas are located. After that, the park ranger guide will accompany you to the beginning of your gorilla journey. Depending on the gorillas’ location, you may need to hike a certain distance before you can see them and spend up to an hour with them. After that, you may begin your descent back to the lodge at Kisoro Travellers Rest Hotel. You will always remember your time spent in this jungle and getting to know these massive monsters.
Day 4: Golden Monkey tracking
Your driver guide will take you to the briefing point where the golden monkey tracking begins following an early breakfast. Similar to the day before, you begin your walk up to Mgahinga National Park after receiving a lecture from the ranger guide. Your goal is to find golden monkeys, which are unique to the Virunga Volcanoes.
Unlike gorillas, golden monkeys typically move quickly, and you will follow them as they travel in search of food. More than any other vegetation, bamboo shoots are their favourite food source. The hike’s initial section passes through bushes and secondary woodland. You can venture farther into the forest to the bamboo areas, where you’ll begin to hear noises and observe the movements of these incredible animals. Before beginning your descent back to the beginning, you have an hour to spend with the golden monkeys and return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5: Batwa experience trail
Being hunter-gatherers, the Batwa were an indigenous people who lived in the forest and relied on it for their subsistence. The government ultimately chose to remove the Batwa from the forest after they were coerced by other people groups to engage in irresponsible poaching.
Your driver guide will take you to the briefing area this morning. They will take you to begin the adventure in their footsteps following a briefing from the Batwa guide leader translated by the ranger guide. They will show you the forest and explain to you how they survived and were reliant on it. You can sign up for a half-day (about 4 hours) or full-day (roughly 6 hours) tour before returning to tour lodge.
Day 6: All day birding at Mgahinga National Park with an option of a community walk
After having an early morning breakfast, we shall head out birdwatching the early risers in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park with our packed lunch. Keep an eye out for the Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori Batis, Kivu Ground Thrush, Dusky Crimsonwing, Blak-collared Apalis and the Western Tinkerbird, among others. On the other hand, those not interested in birding will have the option of a community walk which is a taste of the culture of local communities around the park. You will be transfered back to Kisoro rest hotel for dinner and accommodation.
Day 7: Hike Sabyinyo or Muhabura or Gahinga Volcanoes
The hike to Mt. Gahinga, which is located at an elevation of 3474 metres or 11,400 feet, is more moderate and takes about 6 hours. It is shared by Rwanda and Uganda. The lower slopes of the mountain are rich in forest birds, and the marshes near the summit are the residence of bushbucks and the rare duikers. The hike takes most of the day, but those who are adventurous will be rewarded with a great sense of accomplishment and, on a good day, spectacular views of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo
The steepest ascent is to Mt. Sabyinyo, which is situated 3674 metres or 12050 feet above sea level. You will eventually lose reliance on the climbing sticks since you will only be able to ascend the steep hills using the wooden steps. You will have successfully reached the peak and be in all three of the DR Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda. In ideal weather, the ascent and descent take about nine hours.
Day 8: Departure- Transfer to Airport
We appreciate you coming to Uganda with us, and this morning after breakfast your driver guide will take you to Entebbe where you may catch your flight home.