Frequently Asked Mgahinga National Park Questions.
Often asked Mgahinga National Park questions. Although Mgahinga’s National Park is the smallest National Park in Uganda, this does not imply it provides less attractions for visitors. Situated on 33 square kilometers of terrain with three volcanoes Mountain Gahinga, Mountain Muhavura, and Mountain Sabyinyo around, the park seats
Among the well-known residences of the few surviving mountain gorillas worldwide is this one. The only habituated family in the park is the Nyakagezi gorilla trekking family, but sometimes passes into Rwanda. Many more different primates, including golden monkeys, blue monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus, find solace in the park.
Hiking to the summit of Sabyinyo Mountain in Mgahinga National Park would allow you to see the Uganda border, D. R. Congo, and rich green Rwanda. Hiking other mountains in the park provides a stunning surrounding greenery view along with unusual flora down the slopes.
Mgahinga National Park has a great abundance of birds because this immaculate forest offers over 79 bird species a suitable habitat. Mgahinga National Park provides a secure place even for endemics from Albertine. For birders, the park is a fun place as every second they may find at least one fresh bird species.
Activities One Should Do In Mgahinga National Park
Trekking in Mgahinga National Park with Gorillas
Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park is second on the list. Trekkers start each day at the ranger station at Ntebeko Visitor Center for briefing. Although permits for this park are provided depending on the availability of mountain gorillas, everyone must have a scheduled gorilla trekking permit. Sometimes the sole family available for visitors from the Nyakagezi gorilla family crosses to Rwanda or D.R.Congo.
Either you have negative Corona Virus readings obtained at least 72 hours before your gorilla trip or you have a document proving you have been vaccinated against Covid-19. With your hiking equipment in hand, little party headed for the great jungle quest.
Mgahinga routes have more flora around them as they are less disturbed and hence bring gorilla trekking equipment to help you on your journey. You may carry tracking boots that can negotiate steep hills, dirt-friendly long pants and a shirt, a flash-less camera, a pair of binoculars and so much more.
Early morning briefing at Mgahinga lasts from 0745 to 0830 hours. A ranger guide leads you into the bush to start gorilla walking. Look out also for various primates like blue monkeys, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkeys, and many more.
Birding in the National Park Mgahinga
Mgahinga National Park has seen the reported nesting of over 79 bird species. One of the unique Uganda Birding locations that offers opportunity to see a variety of birds including rare Albertine endemics. Among the species you could see are Kivu Ground Thrush, Malachite Sunbird, White-tailed Blue Flycatcher, Rwenzori Turaco, Montane Double-collared sunbird, and so many more.
The great Gorge tail, which wraps half-way up mountain Sabyinyo, has most of the avian attractions. This tail crosses many highland environments.
Mounting The Mountains
Three unique volcanoes, Mountain Muhavura, Mountain Sabyinyo, and Mountain Gahinga, protect Mgahinga National Park. Every one of these mountains may be climbed in one day; no particular hiking equipment is needed.
Mount Sabyinyo hiking
Walking a distance of around 14 kilometers, ascending and descending mountain Sabyinyo might take eight hours. You proceed via steep and muddy crumbling to reach the peak after walking a small ridge with a view of great gorges.
From the summit, Uganda, Rwanda, and D.R. Congo are all visible.
Trekking Mount Muhavura
Mountain Muhavura is crowned from the summit by a crater lake. Rising this peak offers amazing panoramic views of lash alpine flora. The fastest and shortest rising path with amazing dramatic vegetation is the Muhavura trail; five additional Virunga Volcanoes also become visible. This round journey takes about eight hours.
Mounting Gahinga
Walking over the bamboo woods towards lash vegetation emerging from the crater is Gahinga Mountains. You get to see a beautiful panorama with a canopy of Virunga forest. About six hours pass throughout this climb.
Primate Walk In Mgahinga National Park Golden Monkey
Golden monkeys also call Mgahinga National Park home. Among the rarest monkeys are these ones. They live only in the Virunga region, throughout the whole planet. Their body form is bigger than any other monkey species and coated with golden brown hairs at the rear.
The funny character of the golden monkeys makes following them interesting. Though they have been acclimated, nature constantly surfaces; the forest is kept active all day long. They are woodland ninjas, so expect to remain on your feet while pursuing them.
Although the permission cost $100 at Uganda Wildlife Authority, each golden monkey never ventures into the jungle without a ranger guide—even when treking.
More primates also reside in the park-like black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, blue monkeys, L’Hoest’s and so many more.
Trail Batwa Trail and Garama Cave Walk
Starting from the Muhavura base to Garama Cave, one walks into the ancient life of the Batwa pygmies. A Mutwa Guide with particular expertise of historical forest behavior and culture leads this trek.
After attacking the Bafumbira farms, the Batwa used the approximately 342-meter-long Garama cave as their council room and escape point. Under a plateau close to Mgahinga National Park’s northern edge, this cave
Batwa aim to show how they lived their past life like hunting, medical treatment, cooking, and so many more while at the cave. Upon request, a dancing troupe may amuse you with plays, music, and drama reflecting the previous lives and beliefs.
Book Mgahinga National Park Gorilla Permits:
For all of the gorilla parks, the Uganda Wildlife Authority is mandated to sell and distribute gorilla trekking permit cards. Given the great demand for gorilla permits, walking in to get one might be difficult. You should find availability as some visitors book their gorilla permits as early as a year in advance.
Purchased Gorilla permits in Mgahinga National Park are dependent on the movable Nyakagezi gorilla family presence. This family sometimes travels to Rwanda or D.R. Congo.
A Mgahinga National Park gorilla treking permit is $800 day per person.
Getting to Mgahinga National Park via road
Kambala-Kabare Kisoro
From Kampala City, Mgahinga National park is 540 kilometers by road and takes 8 to 9 hours excluding pauses. From Kabale, the meandering route of almost 80 kilometers brings you to Ntebeko Visitor Center, the park headquarters. On a smooth road, this journey takes two hours or so.
Using Air
Entebbe Airport/Kajjansi Air Strip to Kisoro
Every day domestic flights leave Kajjansi Airstrip or Entebbe Airport for the Kisoro Airstrip. To go to Mgahinga National Park, you must transfer in a vehicle.
Requesting charter flights from either Kajjansi or Entebbe Airport allows one to organize them.
What Facilities To Plan In Mgahinga National Park?
One may get Mgahinga National Park lodging in Kisoro town or just inside the park. They vary from Budget to Luxury to Moderate lodging.
Among the available accommodations are some
Volcanoes Camp, visitor hotel Kisoro, Traveler’s Inn, camping
When Should One Plan to Book a Gorilla Trekking Safari in Mgahinga National Park?
Since the Nyakagezi gorilla family has been created in Uganda during previous years, Mgahinga National Park is accessible for visitor reservations all year round.
Because of the volcanic work and sometimes gorilla feeding from the hillside with bamboo availability, trekking in Mgahinga National Park is more difficult.
The extreme wet seasons force the gorillas to descend the volcanic highlands, which increases the difficulty of the search.
For what duration is Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga National Park?
Depending on the gorilla mobility, a two-hour to three-quarter of the day gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National park takes. Sometimes the gorillas battle with wild families and other times hunt for fresh food, which forces them into hiding should they lose.
This makes the search for the mountain gorillas quite erratic in terms of timing. Before visitors are allowed to begin gorilla treking, a team of ranger guides observes the gorillas every day. Once they find them, the party of visitors follows the later path leading to their location.
What to bring for activities in Mgahinga National Park?
Mgahinga National Park has softer, volcanic soils. You should use hiking boots that will hold as they usually are muddy and damp.
Rainproof gears because any moment without notice is raining.
Water bottle to carry drinking water for rehydration on the trail to find the birds and gorillas.
A camera to save pictures and memories of your amazing Mgahinga forest encounters.
Energy nibbles for re-energies throughout the woodland treks and climb.
Some hard money to convert into local money should you desire to make a purchase.
Warm clothing covering your body against woodland stingers such biting nettles: pants and long sleeved shirts.
a waterproof light bag to carry your stuff in the wild.
Changing into when you see the mountain gorillas and masks to wear before gorilla trekking
Two binoculars can let you to clearly see things such birds, mountain tops, monkeys, gorillas, and so much more from fur-ranging distances.
A cape or big brim cap to shield your hair from leaf falling water.
Insect repellent to cover your body before starting any kind of woodland activity.
Please get more information on frequently asked Mgahinga National Park inquiries via phone or email from Katland Safaris. To see what other customers have to say about our offerings, check our trip advisor Review page as well.
