Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
The smallest national park of Uganda. An endemic volcanic forests for endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys only traced here in the country. Meanwhile, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a bloc on the larger Virunga conservation area. Sharing on extra half of the world’s populations of mountain gorillas in Virunga.
The Park Is located in at the far end southwestern Uganda boarding Rwanda from the north and DR Congo. Its smaller areal coverage is 33.4km2, raised on an elevation. Ranging from 2000 to 4127m above sea level, rightly accessed in Kisoro district placed into the great western rift valley.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is spot where gold meets silver. Finding the Albertan golden monkeys living harmoniously along with the silverback mountain gorilla. Beside the gorillas the park also offers much more of mammals. Including forest elephants, buffalos, chimpanzees rarely seen. For birders the forest labors 115 bird species including the Rwenzori turacos and many fluttering on tree branches. One can decide to self drive to Mgahinga national park or choose a guided safari to the park
Adventure activities done at Park
Gorilla trekking
The major adventure done at Mgahinga. However, opportunities limited of watching gorillas in the park. The volcanic forest has only one habituated gorilla family called habinyanja. This means only 8 trekkers a day are able to roll into the Mgahinga rush tropics and trek these endangered largest apes. The single gorilla family fully habituated and trekkers can enjoy a full hour for a close up encounter with the gorillas. The chances to trek and find this gorilla group are higher and the possibilities of missing remain doubted. A permit to trek the habituated gorilla family costs $700.
Golden monkey trekking
The golden monkey though overshadowed by gorilla trekking, but this inevitably one of the thing you won’t allow to leave the park without glance on the species. Golden monkeys are endemic species to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The beautiful rare species are live in larger communities and are partially habituated, though their shy creatures, but there is much possibility for a close up encounter. Golden monkey, trackers can take a normal tracking or opt for premium golden monkey habituation. Tracking costs $60 for a permit and habituation a permit costs $100 and spends about 4 hours before the presence of the beautiful and unique monkeys.
Volcano hiking
Among the many cones that makes up Mgahinga forest, there are three dominant and dormant volcanos. Which have statured a clear climbing adventure. A climb to one of the volcano costs $80 including the park entrance and climbing charges. The climbing are organized and lead by UWA rangers guides. Among the climbed trails are Mt. Sabinyo (3669m) located on the three countries borders of Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo. Climbing to the peak of Mt. Sabinyo, you’re at the border of three countries. Other trails include Mt Muhavura (4127m) hike, the most challenging hike with a view reaching far to Rwanda’s mountains. The trek covers 12km to and fro and takes about 7 hours to hike and slope back. And the other is Mt. Gahinga (3474m), the hike here covers 8kms and takes about 6 hours climb and slopping back.
Batwa Cultural Trails
The cultural trail is organized with UWA. The forest walking trails are guided by local Batwa exhibiting how they lived in the forests before their unrated evictions. And as well showing what they have copped to use the situation to earn their standard of their lives. The Batwa pygmies community visit gives a deep insight if the Batwa people.