Guide to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Welcome to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, an icon of Uganda’s national parks. Seated high in the clouds, Mgahinga National Park commands majestic natural beauty and welcomes visitors each year — interested in gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, mountain hiking, sightseeing, bird watching and more. The park is home to three Virunga volcanoes, abundant wildlife, and awe-inspiring caves. Whether you’re looking for mountain gorilla trekking, a lifetime wildlife adventure, or want to immerse yourself in the stillness of nature—go hiking, backpack or take a nature walk in one of the most beautiful places, you’ll find your place in Mgahinga National Park.

About Mgahinga National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is Uganda’s smallest but most scenic national park. Located in South Western Uganda, Mgahinga sits high in the clouds, at an altitude of between 2,227m and 4,127m. It is an important habitat to the remaining mountain gorillas in the world. At 33.7 square kilometers, Mgahinga National Park is the smallest National Park in Uganda. It is located in the remote South-western district of Kisoro.

Mgahinga forms part of the much larger Virunga Conservation Area which includes adjacent parks in Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo. It is the Ugandan part of the Virunga Region and it is bordered by Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and the Virunga National Park of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The volcanoes’ slopes contain various ecosystems and are biologically diverse, and their peaks provide a striking backdrop to this gorgeous scenery.

Mountain Gorillas

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is home to critically endangered mountain gorillas, the major reason as to why the park was created. The park protects these endangered apes that roam through the Virunga ranges that are spread through Uganda, Rwanda & DR Congo.

Wild Animals

Mgahinga National park is a home to over 39 mammal species including more than 10 primate species and the stars of the show are the endangered mountain gorillas and the rare golden monkeys that are easily seen on guided wildlife tours within the park.

Virunga Volcanoes

Mgahinga is also known to shelter 3 of the 8 Volcanoes in the Virunga Massif that include Mount Gahinga (3474 meters/11,400 feet above sea level), Mount Sabinyo (3674 meters/12,180 feet above sea level) and Mount Muhabura (4127 meters/13,540 feet above sea level). Read More

Local Culture

Visit the Batwa People of Bwindi. Originally, these minority people were inhabitants of the rainy forests on which they heavily relied as their source of food & medicine for years. They’re also excellent hunters & fruit gatherers. Read More

Garama Caves

There are numerous caves but the most significant of all is the Garama cave located 4 km from Ntebeko visitor center. The 200 meter long caves are sacred places for the BaTwa who were evicted from their ancestral forest in 1991. Read More

Golden Monkeys

There are numerous caves but the most significant of all is the Garama cave located 4 km from Ntebeko visitor center. The 200 meter long caves are sacred places for the BaTwa who were evicted from their ancestral forest in 1991. Read More

Mount Gahinga

Mt. Gahinga (3,473) meters above sea level is the lowest and easy to hike about 6-8 hour loop trail leads to a 180 meters wide swamp that covered up the Crater Lake on top.

Mount Muhabura

At 4,127 meters, Mt. Muhabura is the highest volcano in the park. Seen from far beyond kisoro town, it’s referred to as a guide mountain by the local BaTwa people. Read More

Mount Sabinyo

Mt. Sabinyo is the oldest volcano of all Virunga massifs and its peaks can tell the time of erosion weathered its peaks resembling an old man’s teeth. Read More

Gorilla Tracking

Mountain Gorilla Tracking is the main popular adventure in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. This activity is done daily in the morning hours. Read More

Bird Watching

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has an alluring list of over 180 species of birds including some Albertine endemics. Read More

Golden Monkey Tracking

Golden Monkey Tracking is a must do to travelers visiting Mgahinga. This amazing adventure is done in the morning hours and can be done all year round. Read More

Travel Planner

Tour Operators

This the most this a list of credible gorilla trekking tour operators that we have reviewed here in Uganda and we are certain that they have registered companies, offices, Skills to make your gorilla safari a success!!! The list is not biased and we have ensured they are trust worthy.

Accommodation

This is a list of all the accommodation in Mgahinga National Park. The accommodation options range from budget to Luxury accommodation.