How to trek Mgahinga Mountain gorillas in Uganda.
Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park calls for first buying a gorilla permit from Uganda Wildlife Authority.
With around 33.7 square kilometers in area, Mgahinga National Park is the smallest National Park in Uganda. Just a couple of the famous six Virunga Volcanoes, the park rests on the northern slopes of Mountain Muhabura, Mountain Sabyinyo, and Mountain Gahinga. They provide the park’s stunning background.
Mgahinga National Park has one gorilla family: the Nyakagezi family. This gorilla family used to stray into Rwanda in the past, so it was difficult to get gorilla permits for this park ahead of time. But lately, this gorilla family is regularly residing in Mgahinga national park; pre-booking its gorilla permits is thus rather important.
How can I get Gorilla Permits for National Park Mgahinga?
Choose a day when you desire to conduct gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park and the quantity of gorilla permits you wish to purchase. Recall: Mgahinga National Park has only one gorilla family. For every gorilla family, only eight gorilla licenses may therefore be sold.
Our safari consultant reviews Mgahinga National Park gorilla permit availability per your date from the Uganda Wildlife Authority when you submit us an inquiry.
Should the gorilla’s permit situation be favorable, we urge our customers to buy them ahead of time. This is true despite their short availability as the great demand globally drives them to be sold quickly.
We ask you to provide specifics such your entire name as shown on the passport, nationality, date of birth, and expiration date. These are kept records; some of them apply to your gorilla trekking success certificate.
A Gorilla Trekking Permit for Mgahinga National Park costs what?
Mngahinga National Park’s expenses are:
$800 per person for foreign non-residents each journey
$700 per person on each trip for foreigners.
300,000 shs for residents of East Africa.
This expenditure comprises
Day park fees, security, ranger guide fees, assistance of the gorilla conservation fund, one hour of mountain gorilla watching
forbids
Drinks; tips; transportation; lodging; any other personal item.
Could I get a gorilla permit for Mgahinga National Park in instalment?
Indeed, there is possibility for one to get Mgahinga National Park licenses in installments. Purchasing the gorilla permits in installments 30% of the overall permit cost and 70% of the whole cost as a top-up according Uganda Wildlife Authority.
This is relevant both top-up before the 90 days to the date of trekking and when you buy the gorilla permit 90 days from the date of travel at least six months or one year in advance.
Please top-up; otherwise, you will lose the gorilla permit and no refund will be issued in line with Uganda Wildlife Authority regulation.
Are the Gorilla Permits for Mgahinga National Park refundable?
On gorilla permits for Mgahinga National Park, a refund is possible; however, this relies on Uganda Wildlife Authority’s refund policy.
What happens on Gorilla Trekking Briefing day at Mgahinga National Park?
Your ranger guide and park warden will walk you through the laws of gorilla trekking and other aspects of the gorilla family you are seeing when you meet at Ntebeko Center.
Into the Mgahinga forest, the ranger guide leads a party of no more than eight visitors. You might ask to have a porter before beginning the gorilla hike. A porter is someone who, sometimes when exhausted, gives you a push and helps you carry your items in the wilderness.
Apply the dos and dont of gorilla trekking advised by the ranger guide. Although the ranger guide moves at the slowest speed among the trekkers, he does not slow down the rest of the party as you must know the mountain gorilla’s position or timing. During gorilla hiking, you pause; thus, pack some food to savor during these pauses.
When you at last find the mountain gorillas, the ranger notes their general state and tells the hikers to approach or back off in case of a serious battle.
If everything is well, you may snap pictures and observe their everyday routines. But because these primates are afraid of unusual events in their habitat, no employing flash photography while gorilla trekking.
Since a space of at least 8 meters allows between visitors and the mountain gorillas, if the gorillas are more near, quietly withdraw without creating any interruption. This is for conservation purposes to stop the infectious viruses from proliferating to mountain gorillas.
After an hour with the mountain gorillas, gently and peacefully remove yourself from them so they may continue with their everyday activities.
When should one get Gorilla Trekking Permits for Mgahinga National Park?
Mgahinga National Park offers open year-round gorilla treking. Some, on the other hand, like the drier season—that which runs June to September or December to January.
The hike to find the mountain gorillas and other forest inhabitants is faster in the dry season as the forest gets less humid conditions. Consequently, the gorillas are in excellent spirits and the forest life is at its best too.
Given the great demand from other Uganda safari operations, the cost of services is more even during this busiest travel season.
For those on a tighter budget, booking gorilla permits for the low season—March to May or November—is more handy. Furthermore, with fewer visitors to the nation this season, service providers might offer cheaper rates. Thus, one may travel with a modest budget and make use of first services.
In the low season for special gorilla trekking, it is likely feasible to find area to keep off other visitors. Also probable in the low season is going gorilla trekking alone without paying extra to shut off other visitors.
Is Trekking Among Gorillas Difficult in Mgahinga National Park?
Usually volcanic, the geography of the gorilla trekking region means that you can plan to climb several hills and plateaus. Three unique mountains encompass Mgahinga National Park, painting a stunning landscape.
Sometimes mountain gorillas may be seen deep in the valley or on the slopes during gorilla treking. Your ranger guide brings you wherever they spend the day.
If you were physically fit, you could find the mountain gorillas wherever they may be.
Should you have to avoid heavy creepers, the ranger opens a way with a machete.
Your gorilla trekking gear is appropriate; comfortable safari boots will let you to negotiate the moist ground from logged water from sometimes overflowing rivers.
Other Activities Following Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga National Park
Birding in the National Park Mgahinga
Sharp birders on a gorilla trekking safari to Mgahinga National Park have a twofold chance to see a variety of species. Although ornithologists believe the count is still growing as more people are birdwatching Mgahinga National Park has documented roughly 115 bird species so far.
Mgahinga National Park has a first-rate environment that many birds find suitable. Along the Gorge walk, you will see Afro-alpine moorland on the slopes, various birds residing in montane forest, and regenerating grassland at the lower slopes. Furthermore visible are various birds: Rwenzori Turaco, Alpine Chat, Kivu Ground Thrush, Malachite Sunbird, Dusky Turtle Dove, and others.
Climbing on Mgahinga National Park
One everyday hiking destination in Mgahinga National Park are the three volcanoes there. Mountains among them include Mountain Muhavura, Mountain Sabyinyo, and Mountain Gahinga.
Before ascending any of these mountains, you needed to have a guiding escorting ranger.
An 8-hour return trek will allow one to climb Mountain Sabyinyo, 3669 meters high. Sabyingyo locally refers to old man’s teeth; its top’s worn ring produces stubby peaks. Above you observe Uganda, Rwanda, and D.R. Congo border from one pivot.
From the Ntebeko tourist center, Mountain Gahinga, 3474 meters high, may be walked in around 6 hours. Gahinga locally refers to little stone heaps used for scattering into nearby gardens. You ascend from a bamboo forest to a verdant marsh at the top.
With a round journey of almost 8 hours, Mountain Muhabura is around 4157 meters high. Muhabura locally refers to the guide as the mountain is well-known by its tall cone serving as a navigational marker. Great alpine vistas, the rift valley, Lake Edward, the Rwenzori peaks, and much more are yours as you ascend.
Trekking in Mgahinga National Park Golden Monkeys
Unique body forms and golden monkeys are among the most threatened primate species worldwide. One can find them quite interesting to follow. The golden monkeys exhibit their natural life even in habitation.
Their golden brown hair reflects their love swinging from one tree to another, maintaining the forest alive.
To be let do this, you need a golden monkey trekking permit from Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Garama Cave and Batwa Trail
A Mutwa guide leads visitors through their past forest life and culture during a walk the local community hosts.
The Batwa find great emotional resonance in the Garama cave since it was their hide-out after attacking the Bafumbira farmers. One also found a council chamber. Batwa presentations and performances now find an atmospheric backdrop in the Garama cave.
The guidelines of Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga National Park?
In the forest, never spit on ground or vegetation. This could poison the food mountain gorillas eat.
When you find the mountain gorillas, keep a distance of roughly eight meters to lower your chances of infecting them with a disease.
Never litter the forest during gorilla trekking because this alters the nature of the woods. The Mountain gorillas feed entirely on foliage, and when you litter several plastic wraps, moisture may not penetrate the ground over time.
Flash photography is forbidden as it may agitate the mountain gorillas and send them into hiding.
Keep your voices low during gorilla trekking to not scare the mountain gorillas and other forest dwellers. The gorillas are very suspicious of intruders in their vicinity.
When eating or smoking, do this at least 300 meters from the mountain gorillas so that they are not enticed to grab it from you. Wild animals must search for their own food and not depend on human provision.
Wear a mask and sanitize properly before meeting the mountain gorillas as a rule emphasized to prevent chances of passing any contagious infection to the mountain gorillas. They have a DNA of about 96 % of that of humans, so they can also catch human diseases.
Never provoke the mountain gorillas because you do not know the impact. They may go into hiding if they get agitated, yet only one hour is allowed with them.
What To Carry For Gorilla Trekking In Mgahinga National Park
A raincoat in case it falls while searching in the forest.
Safari boots that cover your feet well.
Safari foldable hat to protect your hair from water dripping off the trees.
A camera to keep memories of having done gorilla trekking.
Garden gloves for your palms if you trip and fall in the wilderness.
Pajamas to wear at night as you go to sleep
A pair of binoculars for a clearer view of far-ranging features.
Insect repellant to keep away biting insects
Bug spray
Some cash to swap into local currency if you need to buy anything.
First aid pack in case you need emergency help.
Waterproof bag to take with your gorilla trekking gear.
