Birding in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is incredibly one of a few rewarding safari experiences visitors on safari in Uganda shouldn’t miss to take part. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is set suitably in southwestern Uganda at the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) just along the Albertine Rift Valley. Spanning up to about 34 square kilometers, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is Uganda’s smallest national park comprising of forest which inhabits about 180 bird species including the Albertine rift endemics that makes it one of the significant birding sites in Uganda.
Birding in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park gets you a chance to spot out diverse bird species including Rwenzori Batis, Rwenzori nightjar, regal sun bird, red faced woodland warbler, stone chat and Rwenzori turaco a mention but a few. Visitors on birding tour in Mgahinga National Park explore different trails within this park that reward them with astonishing bird sights. The gorge trail is a famous trail within Mgahinga Gorilla National park and takes you up to Mount Sabyinyo. A hike through this trail while on birding safari in Mgahinga National Park may last you about 3 to 4 hours and comes with remarkable sights at birds such as regal sunbirds, brown crowned Tchagra, bronze sunbird, olive thrush, cape robin chat, blue headed sunbird, dusky turtle dove, Rwenzori Batis, black headed waxbill, streaky seed-eater a mention but a few. Also enjoy stunning views of Gahinga and Sabyinyo volcano.
Bamboo trail which straddles at elevation 2500 meters and the montane forest between altitude 2660 and 2700 meters. This is popular for Rwenzori turacos, Chubb’s cisticola, banded prinia, red faced woodland warblers, archer’s robin chat, back kite, alpine chat, grey capped warblers, dusky crimsonwing, blue headed coucal, double collared sunbird, fire finch stonechat, yellow vented bulbul, olive woodpecker, Kivu ground thrush and many more.
What to pack for birding in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Birding in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park requires you to pack appropriately and your packing list should have binoculars, cameras, long sleeved shirt, long trousers, rain jacket, waterproof hiking boots, sunscreen and many more.
Best time to go for birding in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Birding in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is open to visitors at any time of the year. But March, April and May then September, October and November are the ideal months for birding in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Most birds breed during these months and most migratory birds can be best spotted from November to April.
Where to stay while on birding in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Accommodation options in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park range from budget to luxury and they include Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp-budget lodging options, Mount Gahinga Lodge-luxury hospitality facility and other nearby ones like Chameleon Hill Lodge (luxury), Mutanda Lake Resort and Traveler’s Rest Hotel.
How to get to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Visitors on birding safari to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park takes you to southwestern Uganda about 8-10 hours’ drive from Kampala city center. Mgahinga National Park is reachable by road or by air. By road, your journey starts from Kampala or Entebbe through Masaka-Mbarara to Kisoro. A 4 wheel drive safari vehicle is ideal for your road trip to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Alternatively, you can take a flight from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi airfield then you land in at Kisoro or Kihihi airstrip where you can connect to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park by road.
In summary, birding is one of a few most fascinating safari experiences offered in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. However, you can also take part in mountain gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, volcano hiking, Batwa trail and others.