Top Attractions in Mgahinga National Park: Besides Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga National Park is the second gorilla park

Top Attractions in Mgahinga National Park

December 19, 2024
News Journeys Uganda

Top Attractions in Mgahinga National Park: Besides Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga National Park is the second gorilla park found in Uganda, with an array of attractions that attract tourists from different parts of the world. The park is located in south-western Uganda in the Virunga Conservation Area. It is ranked as the smallest protected game park but worthy of visiting and famous for gorilla trekking and golden monkey trekking, among others.

In order to save the endangered mountain gorillas, wildlife, and montane forests, the national park was gazetted in 1991. Numerous attractions, including bird species, mammals, primates, mountains, and much more, draw visitors to Mgahinga National Park. A wide variety of species can be found at the 33.9-square-kilometre Mgahinga National Park. There are various activities visitors can engage in while in Mgahinga National Park, as discussed below.

Top Attractions in Mgahinga National Park

Mountain gorillas

The mountain gorillas are the primary draw of Mgahinga National Park. Mgahinga National Park is one of the few locations in the world where mountain gorillas, an endangered species of primates, may be found. Despite being the smallest national park in Uganda, Mgahinga contains primates that are thought to be closely related to humans, having 98% human DNA. Mgahinga National Park’s mountain gorillas draw up to eight visitors each day. In order to spend at least an hour with these endangered apes in their natural environments, tourists travel to the park. The Uganda Wildlife Authority issues gorilla permits to visitors who wish to see mountain gorillas.

Apparently, to study the rules and restrictions of the activity, guests head to Ntebeko, the park’s briefing location, in the morning before trekking. Armed rangers with guns lead tourists into the forest between 2 and 7 to seek out the mountain gorillas. The trekkers spend an hour with the mountain gorillas and observe them going about their daily lives.

To study the rules and restrictions of the activity, guests head to Ntebeko, the park’s briefing point, in the morning before trekking. Armed ranger guides will lead tourists into the forest for about 2-3 hours to search for the mountain gorillas. The trekkers spend an hour with the mountain gorillas and observe them going about their daily lives.

Golden monkeys

Only the Virunga protection area, which includes Mgahinga, Virunga, and Volcanoes National Park, is home to these endangered primate species. Mgahinga National Park is the only location in Uganda where golden monkeys can be seen. These golden monkeys like hanging from the bamboo vegetation in the national park. Travellers who obtain golden monkey trekking permits from the Uganda Wildlife Authority have the opportunity to observe golden monkeys. The year-round quest for the golden monkeys in Mgahinga begins with a briefing when hikers are given information on the activity’s rules and restrictions. Because they dwell in bamboo trees, searching takes several hours, and hikers are allowed to observe them for an hour each day.

Bird species

With approximately 180 bird species, including 14 that are endemic to the Albertine Rift, Mgahinga National Park is also a popular destination for birdwatchers. Those who enjoy birdwatching can always plan birding tours in various parts of Mgahinga National Park with the rangers. Trails such as the Sabyinyo Gorge, bamboo, border, and buffalo wall are used by the birds of Mgahinga National Park.

Birds in Mgahinga National Park include Cape Robin-chat, Dusky Turtle Dove, Buff Spotted Flufftail, Scarlet Tufted Malachite Sunbird, Western Tinker Bird, Kivu Ground Thrush, Rwenzori Turaco, Dusky Crimsonwing, Red-throated Alethe, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, African Olive Pigeon, Handsome Francolin, White-tailed Blue Flycatcher, Buff Spotted Flufftail, Bronze Sunbird, and are just a few of the birds found in Mgahinga National Park.

The Batwa

Travellers who enjoy learning about African culture enjoy visiting the Batwa in Mgahinga National Park. Before being forced to leave when the region was gazetted as a national park, the Batwa, who are short pygmies, lived in the forests of Mgahinga National Park. The Batwa coexisted with the wild animals until the government forced them to leave in order to decrease poaching and give the animals more room. Following important park activities like mountain gorilla trekking, bird watching, and golden monkey trekking, among others, the Batwa fled Mgahinga National Park and settled on the park’s edges, where visitors may always find them. The Batwa people are amiable, hospitable, and somewhat short. Tourists are led by a local guide to several homes where residents engage in customs like winemaking, coffee manufacturing, craftmaking, and other activities.

Mountains

There are three dormant volcanoes spread across the mountainous region of Mgahinga National Park. The national park is home to Mount Muhabura, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Sabyinyo. The mountains in Mgahinga National Park are among the eight Virunga volcanoes, which also include those in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Numerous creatures can be found in the highlands of Mgahinga National Park, particularly mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. Hikers that ascend these mountains can witness a variety of park fauna and birds in addition to the most breathtaking vistas of the park and its environs.

Best time to visit Mgahinga national park

Although it is possible to visit Mgahinga National Park throughout the year, some months are better than others. Mgahinga National Park is best visited during the dry season, which runs from June to September and December to February. The trekking paths are dry and simpler to follow, the foliage is sparse and offers fantastic views of the wildlife, the roads connecting to the park are in good shape, and there is little to no rainfall during this time.

The park is constantly open throughout the year, so those who enjoy bargains and have leisure during the wet season should especially visit. The park offers cheap tour packages and lodging for visitors during the rainy season, which runs from March to May and again from October to November. The rainy season is not the ideal time of year to visit the park because of the high levels of precipitation that cause the roads and trekking trails to become slick and the dense, tall vegetation that obscures views of the wildlife.

Getting to Mgahinga

Road transport or air transport are the two ways that visitors might reach Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Flying from Kajjansi airport or Entebbe international airport to Kisoro airport is an option for those who like to travel in luxury or who wish to get to the park fast. Bar Aviation Uganda and Aerolink Uganda are two of the airline companies that organise these trips.

Road transport is an option for visitors who are okay with extended travel times and those who cannot afford plane travel to reach Mgahinga National Park. From Kampala/Entebbe, it takes nine to ten hours to go to Mgahinga National Park via Masaka, Lyantonde, Mbarara, Ntungamo, Kabale, and Kisoro.

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