4-Day Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking and Hiking Experience
The 4-Day Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking and Hiking Experience is an exciting adventure in Uganda that involves a hike to the summit of Mount Gahinga and trekking to see the endangered mountain gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which has one habituated gorilla family called Nyakagezi. The park is located in the far southwestern part of Uganda, near the borders with Congo and Rwanda. This trip starts and ends in Kampala.
Highlights of the 4-Day Mgahing Gorilla Trekking and Hiking Experience
- Day 1: Transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
- Day 2: Mountain gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
- Day 2: Hike Mount Mgahinga in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
- Day 3: Drive back to Kampala
- Detailed Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
On day 1 of the 4-day Mgahinga gorilla trekking and hiking experience, wake up early and be ready for pickup from your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe. You’ll start the long but rewarding journey to western Uganda, passing through beautiful vegetation, farmlands, and the rolling hills of Kigezi. There will be a stop at the equator, popular with tourists, and another stop in Mbarara city for lunch at Igongo Cultural Hotel. Finally, you’ll drive to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, where you will check into your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Meal plan: Lunch and dinner
Day 2: Mountain gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
On day 2 of the 4-day Mgahinga gorilla trekking and hiking experience, have breakfast and pack snacks and water. Wear your best trekking gear and go to the park headquarters for a briefing. Afterward, hire a porter to help with your backpack. The trek starts at 8:00 AM and may take 30 minutes to 7 hours to find the Nyakagezi gorilla family. Once found, you can observe and take photos, but turn off your camera flash and sound. After one hour, trek back to meet your driver for lunch. There is an optional evening activity, the Batwa Trail, where you can learn about the Batwa people’s history in the forest.
Meal plan: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 3: Hike Mount Mgahinga in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
On day 3 of the 4-day Mgahinga gorilla trekking and hiking experience in Uganda, after breakfast, prepare for your hike up Mount Mgahinga. Pack essential items like a lunch box, drinking water, insect repellent, and a rain jacket. Dress in suitable hiking clothes, including sunglasses, a cap, long sleeves, and lightweight waterproof hiking boots. Meet your safari driver to return to the park headquarters for a morning briefing about the hiking experience, including important rules and potential encounters. The briefing begins at 7:00 am, and it’s advisable to hire a porter for assistance.
You will then start the hike to Mount Mgahinga, which is 3,472 metres high. The goal is to see the swampy lake at the summit. Along the way, expect to see wildlife such as gorillas, golden monkeys, and various birds, as well as views of nearby volcanoes. After the hike, you will return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight rest.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 4: Return to Kampala
On your 4-day Mgahinga gorilla trekking and hiking experience, after breakfast, check out and begin the drive back to Kampala. You will have lunch at Ishanyu Food Centre in Mbarara during the trip. Upon reaching Kampala, you can either stay overnight or go directly to Entebbe International Airport for your night flight home.
Inclusions:
- Pick up and drop off in Kampala
- A 4×4 safari vehicle with fuel for ground transportation
- An English-speaking safari guide
- Uganda gorilla trekking permit
- Mount Mgahinga volcano hiking permit
- Rangers
- All meals are stated in the itinerary
- Accommodation as per the Itinerary for 3 nights
- Enough bottled drinking water
Exclusions of your 4-day Mgahinga gorilla trekking and hiking experience
- International travel visa and air ticket
- Additional accommodation
- Other drinks apart from water
- Optional activities
- Life insurance
- Laundry fees
- Souvenirs
- Porter
- Tips