What to do in Mgahinga gorilla National Park
What to do in Mgahinga gorilla National Park? Though compact in size, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park delivers a high-impact experience with a variety of adventurous and cultural activities. Located in the far southwest of Uganda, at the intersection of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the park is part of the Virunga Conservation Area, known for its volcanic scenery, rare wildlife, and deep cultural heritage. Various activities can be done in the park as explained below
Golden monkey trekking safaris
Besides gorilla trekking, the other main tourist activity to do in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is golden monkey trekking. Golden monkeys can only be seen in Virunga Massif in the whole of East Africa. The block of Virunga Massif is composed of Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda. Golden monkey trekking is done in Mgahinga gorilla national park in Uganda of all the ten National parks that Uganda has. Similar to gorillas, golden monkey tracking start with a briefing, and tourists are allocated a particular group to trek. Golden monkeys tend to move a lot but tracking them usually takes 30 to four hours. Golden monkey tracking costs 100USD for the permit and you will as well spend 1 hour once they are spotted. Mgahinga gorilla national park has about 42 to 60 well habituated golden monkeys that are available for tracking by tourists.
Bird watching safaris
Mgahinga Gorilla National park offers the best places acting as homes for different bird species. You can spot a different kind of species of birds found in forests, caves, and mountains. Over 175 bird species have been recorded in Mgahinga gorilla National Park. Different trails are available leading you to several bird species. The best trail is the gorge trail that lasts for 3 hours between Sabinyo and Gahinga mountains where you can spot bird species such as a black headed waxbill, Rwenzori batis, cape robin, Olive pigeon, and others. Other trails include a bamboo trail that harbors Rwenzori turaco, Red-faced woodland warbler, Blue-headed Sunbird, Cape robin chat among others. Birding safaris take place in the park all year round. However the best time for birding is during the wet seasons (November to April).
Mountaineering/Hiking safaris
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has three dormant volcanoes which include Sabinyo Muhavura and Mount Gahinga. No tourist visiting Mgahinga Gorilla Park can miss these highly elevated mountains. The three mountains stand at the border of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Most of the hikers find hiking Mount Sabinyo very interesting. Up reaching the peak of Mountain Sabinyo, tourists will be standing in three countries at the same time and this is a hike that takes the whole day or two o hours as compared to the other 2 mountains. Travelers who cannot manage hiking Sabinyo because of its high altitude (3669 meters) can as well hike opt for an easier trek of Gahinga which lasts for hours .you will encounter amazing vegetation types comprised of different species such as wood, bamboo, and forests which are interesting.
Mountain Sabinyo
Mountain Sabinyo is one of the mountains that provide the best hiking experience to visitors coming to Uganda. It is located in Mgahinga Gorilla national park in southwestern Uganda and usually, visitors for gorilla trekking safaris in Mgahinga National park incorporate hiking Mt.Sabinyo. The name Sabinyo originated from Kinyarwanda’s word Irinyo which means the tooth. The mountain has a sharp steep slope and posses crater lakes. To overcome the challenge of hiking this hill, the Uganda Wildlife Authority came up with locally made had ladders to enable visitors to access the last peak of Mt. Sabinyo.
Visitors can take a hike to the peak which will last for about 8 hours. Mountain Sabinyo is 12037 feet high and it borders the 3 countries of Uganda, Rwanda, and D.R.Congo and the whole journey from the foothills to the peak and back is about 14 Kilometers. You will pass via the steep slopes as you enjoy the magnificent views of the Mgahinga National park as well as the crater lakes seen before linking up to the summit.
Visitors will need to first contact with UWA before the hike to get clearances, the ranger guide as well as making payments. The Sabinyo hiking permits cost USD 85 per person which includes the ranger fee and the park entrance fee. You can start the hiking on flat swampy areas as you ascent to the steep slopes on your lucky day you might see primates such as golden monkeys crossing in addition to watching different bird species as you ascent or descent to the mountain. As you plan to go to Mgahinga gorilla National Park, you can also think of engaging in hiking the Sabinyo Mountains.
Mountain Gahinga
At 3,474 meters high, Mt. Gahinga provides a hiking experience to visitors to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Mt. Gahinga takes about 6 hours as compared to Sabinyo and Mt.Muhabura. As you hike, luckily you may see golden monkeys, especially when walking via the bamboo forests. The Gahinga Trail commences at farmland and spreads to the unspoiled forests. The scenery is interesting with breathtaking and enticing. Giant bamboo occupies the vast areas of the trail with, jungle elephant footprints the continue far deeper in as you you explore different bird species.
Mountain Muhabura
While in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, visitors can also feel the hike of mountain Muhavura. Mountain Muhavura is the highest summit of all mountain ranges. The highest peak of mountain Muhabura stands at 4,127meter high and it takes 8 hours to hike up to the peak. Upon reaching the summit, one spots the magnificent views of Volcano ranges, Mountain Rwenzori, the spectacular views of Lake Edward, and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
Visitors have always incorporated nature walk safaris with hiking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. It is hard to avoid hiking during the guided nature walk safaris because the park itself is hilly. There are different and many spectacular places in Mgahinga National park that you can tour when on nature walk safaris as you encounter different attractions and species of interest.
Cultural safari tours
You can as well participate in cultural safaris to the villages and communities adjacent to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. These people are short and were depending on forests and fruits as hunters and fruit gatherers. Some Batwa remained around the park. The Government is sensitizing them into tourism conservationists and protectors of the forest. The Mgahinga Batwa trail so experiences enriching with people learning the history of these people and some of the acts they were doing. The cultures safari tours in Mgahinga Gorilla national park are mostly led by Batwa themselves as guides so you will get firsthand information about them.
Guided nature walk Safaris
The untamed fauna and flora provide the best spot for guided nature walk safaris in Mgahinga Gorilla National park. Different walking trails lead tourists to best spots to see different species within the park. Especially bird species. Tourists can encounter the Batwa while on Guided nature walks. The trail on Mount Sabinyo foothills lead to a border point of Rwanda, Uganda, and D.R.Congo. This journey takes about 5 hours as you spot different primates such as monkeys along the way.
Gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking is one of the amazing activities that take place in Mgahinga National Park. Mgahinga National Park is home to only one habituated group. The group has 9 members include silverbacks, juveniles, and infants. Visitors to this park just encounter this gorilla family which offers an amazing experience.
Gorilla trekking safaris commence early in the morning at eight with a briefing at Ntebeko gate. Then after the trekkers together with a ranger guide starting the journey. Which lasts for about 2 to 4 hours. On your way you will meet other primates as the golden monkeys, monkeys. Several bird species including cape robin chart, streaky seedeater among others. Visitors will also get a chance to see the magnificent vies of the mountains Sabinyo and Muhabura.
How to get a gorilla permit in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park?
Uganda wildlife Authority issues Gorilla Trekking permits to visitors. Gorilla trekking permits are in high demand and therefore the visitors need to book these permits in advance. The gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs 800 USD per person. Visitors can visit Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (December to February and June to October).
Batwa trails at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Visitors for mountain gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park find it interesting to visit local community villages after trekking. The locals visited are the indigenous tribes around the park especially the Batwa’s culture.
The Batwa trail
The Batwa Trail will enable you to explore the folks of the Batwa, what was their ways of life. The local Mtwa guide will guide you while demonstrating. How they gather food before being evicted. The place where Batwa used to gather is at Garama cave close to Ntebeko Visitor center. Visitors are entertained by the traditional dances and songs. Visitors will spend 30 minutes to an hour with the Batwa people. Walking on the foothills of mountain Muhabura adds up to the experiences while on the trail.