Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the smallest national park in Uganda, with a cover area of 33.7 square kilometers. The national park is situated in the southwestern part of Uganda. The national park obtained its name from “Gahinga,” which is a local word for the piles of volcanic stones that were cleared from farmland at the foot of the volcanoes.

Mgahinga National Park sits high in the clouds at an altitude of between 2,227 m and 4,127 m. It was created to protect the rare mountain gorillas that live in its dense forests and it is also an important habitat for the golden monkeys.

The national park was declared a game sanctuary in 1930 by the British administration and it was gazetted as a national park in 1991. The park is one of the few national parks in the world that have mountain gorillas and others include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The national park has striking features, which are the three conical, extinct volcanoes that are part of the Virunga range, which lies along the border region of Uganda, Congo and Rwanda. Mgahinga forms part of the larger Virunga conservation area, which includes adjacent parks in these countries. The volcanoes’ slopes have a number of ecosystems and are biologically diverse and their peaks offer a beautiful background to this gorgeous scenery.

The national park has one gorilla family, which is the Nyakagezi group, which is fully habituated and ready for trekking. Besides the gorillas, Mgahinga boasts over 76 mammals which include elephants, giant forest hogs, bush pigs, bushbucks, buffaloes, leopards, and bird species of over 180, including the 14 endemic Albertine rift species, notably the Kivu ground thrush and turaco.

Besides wildlife, the park has huge cultural significance, particularly for the indigenous Batwa pygmies. The hunter-gatherers were the forest’s first people and their ancient knowledge of its secrets remains unrivaled. The Batwa were self sufficient and tourists can see how while on a trip to Uganda with a Batwa guide to learn the secrets of the forest.

The Nyakagezi Gorilla Family

The Nyakagezi gorilla family is the major habituated gorilla family within Mgahinga national park and it’s available for gorilla trekking daily. The naming of the gorilla family was based on the place where the gorilla family was first sighted. The Nyakagezi gorilla group used to migrate to other neighbouring destinations of Rwanda and the democratic republic of Congo and because of its behaviour of moving, it made some tourists get worried of booking a gorilla trekking permit because they were not certain of seeing the gorilla family while on the Uganda safari

The Nyakagezi gorilla family was habituated in 1991 after it was gazetted as a national park and it was officially opened for tourism in 1994. The gorilla family was led by a silverback called Bugingo, who was later succeeded by Mark. Bugingo, who still existed, stayed within the group and was named “mzee,” which meant “elder.” Today Mark leads the group with his brother Mafia, who is the assistant and the gorilla family has 10 members, including 5 silverbacks: Mark, Mafia, Rukundo, Ndungutse and Bugingo; 2 adult females: Nshuti and Nyiramwiza; and 3 youngsters such as Fred, baby Nshuti and Mutagamba.

Activities In Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Gorilla trekking

Gorilla trekking is the major attraction in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The gorilla trekking experience starts in the morning at 8am and it lasts for 2 to 8 hours depending on the location of the mountain gorillas. Before the trekking safari proceeds, tourists are given the rules and regulations of the trekking safari, such as keeping a distance of about 7 meters away from the gorillas, burying all waste 30 centimeters deep, no flash photography and all trekkers must be 15 years and above.

Only 8 individuals per trekking group are allowed. Tourists start hiking in the forest and are accompanied by the park guide, who leads them to the gorilla family and once they are located, you will spend an hour observing these gentle giants. Therefore, having a face-to-face encounter with these gentle mountains is a life-changing moment and a real definition of a Uganda safari.

Mountain Gorilla

Golden monkey tracking

Besides the gorillas, Mgahinga is also popular for having golden monkeys. The golden monkey tracking takes 2 to 4 hours and once located, tourists take the opportunity to take pictures and watch them carry out their day-to-day activities.

Birdwatching safari

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park boasts a variety of bird species, which can be spotted while on a wildlife safari in Uganda. Birds that can be seen while in Mgahinga include handsome francolin, white-starred robin, Kivu ground thrush, cinnamon bracken warbler, greater double-collared sunbird, Rwenzori turaco, Shelly’s dusky crimson wing, olive pigeon, Archer’s robin’s chat, white-starred breasted tit, malachite and scarlet-tufted sunbirds among others

Since the national park is home to over 180 species of birds, which can be observed throughout the whole year. The national park has a number of the Albertine Rift endemics, which can easily be encountered on the gorge trail. While on a birding safari in Mgahinga, be ready for a full day and should be able to carry your packed lunch and pair of binoculars for clear viewing.

Hiking

This is an amazing experience that is carried out within the national park since it has 3 volcanoes that form part of the Virunga ranges in Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. These include Sabyinyo, which means “old man’s teeth”; Gahinga, which means “pile of stones”; and Muhavura, which means “a guide.” Mount Muhavura is the highest among the three volcanoes and it has the advantage of viewing other Virunga mountains from its peak.

Mount Sabyinyo is a gateway to Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo while in Uganda. While at the peak, you are geographically standing in Rwanda, Uganda and Congo at the same time. A hike to Mount Gahinga requires a hike through the bamboo forest. All these mountains can be climbed up to their peaks in a day as long as you’re healthy and physically fit. Therefore, hiking these 3 volcanoes is a memorable part of a Uganda safari.

Batwa trail experience

Initially, before the area was gazetted into a national park, the Batwa people used to live here and thrived in these forests and mountain areas as hunters. They were displaced later but some of them still live around the park and have been trained as guides and porters.

A Batwa trail experience is an activity that takes you through their history and a visit to the Garama Cave. The Garama cave is where they used to hide from Bantu invasion so many years ago. The Batwa trail experience adds depth to your African safari.