Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking

August 9, 2024
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Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking | Best Gorilla Tracking in Mgahinga (2024)

Mgahinga gorilla trekking entirely takes primate enthusiasts on an active trek through the jungles to search specifically for the rare mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park like other destinations involves exploring the already habituated mountain gorilla group family. Unlike gorilla safaris in destinations like Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with many groups, Mgahinga gorilla trekking adventures are conducted only in the Nyakagezi gorilla family.

A total of about 80 endangered mountain gorillas survive within Mgahinga with only the Nyakagezi group being open for gorilla tourism. Mgahinga gorilla trekking is ideal for visitors who desire destinations free of crowds.

What is Mgahinga gorilla trekking like?

Like other destinations, gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park begins with booking a gorilla permit and tour (info@adventureugandasafaris.com). On an actual visit to Mgahinga, visitors get briefed on the rules and regulations to be followed before, during, and after the trek with Mgahinga mountain gorillas.

The park official will also assign experienced park ranger guides to accompany you on a search for the Nyakagezi gorilla group. The trek with Mgahinga gorillas can go for about 2-6 hours and includes an hour for you to observe how these apes behave in their natural habitat and take pictures.

The actual trek with Mgahinga gorillas begins at the Ntebeko area and you will be led by an experienced park ranger guide. Porters will be present, especially to assist visitors with heavy luggage. The porters can be hired at USD 15-20.

Gorilla permits

Nyakagezi being the only gorilla group, it means only 8 visitors can visit it per day translating into 8 gorilla permits. The cost of each permit stands at USD 800 for foreign nonresidents, USD 700 for foreign residents, USD 500 per person for the rest of Africa visitors then shs. 300,000 for Ugandans plus other East Africa Community member states. Consider booking your permit and gorilla trip in advance.

Best time to go gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga gorilla trekking adventures are open to trekkers all year round. The most ideal period for gorilla trekking though is during the peak months. That is the dry season which occurs from December, January to February, and June, July, August to September. It is around these months when Mgahinga National Park can be relatively drier with forest paths accessible. The vegetation cover is less dense thus offering excellent photography moments for the trekkers.

Being an all-year-round destination, visits can also be done during the wet or rainy months of the year. This is, especially for trekkers on a budget gorilla trekking tour in Uganda. The off-months run from March to May then October to November.

How to book a gorilla safari to Mgahinga

The easiest way to book your Mgahinga gorilla trekking tour is by dealing with a reliable tour company. Maranatha Tours and Travel is your trusted ground gorilla safari planner you should consider dealing with. Talk to our reservation team via info@adventureugandasafaris.com to plan and book your memorable gorilla safari holiday.

Comparison between Bwindi and Mgahinga gorilla trekking

There are only two places where you can go to trek mountain gorillas in Uganda that is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Each of these has its advantages and disadvantages when it comes to gorilla tracking experiences. So between Bwindi and Mgahinga which is the best place to visit for gorilla trekking? Here is a complete comparison between gorilla trekking in Bwindi and Mgahinga.

A total of 8 gorilla permits are always available for booking for gorilla trekking in Mgahinga. In Bwindi, about 184 permits can be booked representing the 23 habituated gorilla groups.
The highest concentration of gorillas live in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Park totaling about 459 individuals unlike about 80 in Mgahinga.
Over 23 habituated gorilla groups can be explored from the 4 regions in Bwindi (Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga, and Nkuringo) unlike 1 in Mgahinga National Park.

Additional travel information about Mgahinga National Park

Mgahinga National Park is found in Southwestern Uganda and is the smallest protected area spanning up to only 33.7 sq.km. Its highest altitude is 4127m. Mgahinga was established as a park in Uganda in 1991. It is one of the 3 parks in the Virunga region; the others include Volcanoes National Park and Virunga National Park.

Three Virunga volcanoes also exist in Mgahinga National Park which makes it a scenic destination. They include Gahinga, Sabyinyo, and Muhabura volcanoes.

Other wildlife in Mgahinga

Besides mountain gorillas, Mgahinga National Park also protects other wildlife such as golden cats, golden monkeys, porcupines, tortoises, buffaloes, bush hogs, colobus monkeys, and more.

Other activities to do besides Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga National Park

Golden Monkey tracking & habituation

Golden monkey tracking is a special primate adventure that you should consider engaging in Mgahinga. It allows visitors to enjoy the best of golden monkeys, observe how they behave in the wild, and take pictures. There is also an extraordinary golden monkey habituation experience worth enjoying in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Birding

Mgahinga is one of the Important Birding Areas in Uganda, inhabiting several of Albertine rift endemic species. Birds to expect to find on Mgahinga birding tour include collared apalis, blue-headed coucal, banded prinia, black kite, Grauer’s warblers, Kivu ground thrush, olive pigeon, montane oriole, paradise flycatchers, red-throated alethe, dusky long-tailed cuckoos, Rwenzori Batis, Shelley’s crimson wings, yellow-vented bulbul, pin-tailed whydah, olive pigeon, waxbills, and many others.

Nature walks

Guided nature walks can be enjoyed along the forest trails. These usher visitors via the scenic slopes of volcanoes, swamps, forests, and also the nearby Lake Mutanda. On a guided nature walk, you can enjoy the sights of birds, primates, and also plant species.

Volcano climbing

All three Virunga volcanoes in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can be done hiked. They include Mt. Muhabura (4127m), Sabyinyo (3634m) and Gahinga Volcano.

Batwa trail

The Batwa trail offers visitors a chance to interact with the Batwa pygmies in their local community. The Batwa were once the occupants of the present Bwindi and Mgahinga National Park. They spent years as hunters and fruit gatherers in the Bwindi and Mgahinga Forests. They were later evicted to allow the establishment of the two parks in 1991.

What to pack

Essential items to carry for your Mgahinga gorilla trekking tour include a valid gorilla permit, waterproof hiking boots, long-sleeved shirts, a sweater, trousers, a waterproof daypack, a pair of shocks/stockings, a camera free of flash, snacks, water, first-aid kit, insect repellents and more.

Where to stay during the Mgahinga gorilla trekking

The available accommodation one can stay on Uganda safari or specifically gorilla trekking in Mgahinga include Mount Gahinga Lodge, Amajambere Iwacu Camp, Traveler’s Nest Hotel, Nkuringo Safari Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Mount Gahinga Rest Camp, and others.

Getting to Mgahinga National Park for gorilla tracking

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park lies in Kisoro district, Southwestern Uganda, and getting there is possible by road or by air. By road; Mgahinga is reachable within 8-9 hours’ drive from the heart of Kampala or Entebbe city. Or you can also cross from Kigali to Kisoro via the Chanika border, about 4-5 hour’ drive.