Is Mgahinga National Park safe for gorilla trekking?
In the western part of Uganda, in the Kisoro area, is Mgahinga National Park, an East African national park. One of the volcanic mountain chains in Rwanda, Congo, and Uganda, Mgahinga National Park is well-known as a great place to go on a mountain gorilla safari. It is the smallest national park in Uganda and shares borders with Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Virunga National Park, and Bwindi Forest National Park in Uganda.
There are three volcanoes in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: Gahinga, Sabyinyo, and Muhabura. These mountains are among the six Virungas. Both golden monkeys and mountain gorillas, who are in risk of extinction, call Mgahinga National Park home. Lowland equatorial evergreens, tropical seasonals, montane rain forests, and mountain bamboo make up the park’s tropical rain forest.
Mgahinga National Park is the second national park in Uganda dedicated specifically to gorilla tourism, and it is also one of the ten parks in the country that welcome tourists. You must not miss this park when in Uganda; it is breathtaking. It is overseen by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, a government agency responsible for overseeing all of Uganda’s conservation zones.
Exploring Mgahinga National Park on foot to see gorillas
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, gorilla trekking involves seeing gorillas in their native forest environment. The trek departs from Mgahinga National Park’s headquarters at 7:00 am and begins with a safety lecture on how to interact with the gorillas and the forest. You will be led to the jungle by park rangers, trackers, and guides to see the gorillas after a briefing. Once you see a family of gorillas in Uganda, you’ll have an hour to observe them before heading back to the trailhead to collect your certificate of accomplishment.
Gorillas are fascinating to see since they share 95% of our DNA. The habituated gorilla family is only open to a maximum of eight people per day in accordance with the policy of the Uganda Wildlife Authority, which aims to conserve and preserve the endangered mountain gorillas. As a matter of policy, gorilla trekking is only open to those who are at least 15 years old.
Younger children cannot be permitted on the treks due to the fact that they pose a health risk to the gorillas and the forest environment. The Uganda Wildlife Authority and the Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPF) ensure the safety of visitors and trekkers in Mgahinga National Park, making it an ideal location for gorilla trekking.
In Mgahinga National Park, where one may undertake gorilla trekking, how many habituated families are there?
The Nyakagezi gorilla group is the only habituated gorilla family in Mgahinga National Park, making it an ideal location for gorilla trekking. Four silverbacks, two babies, two adult females, and one juvenile make up the nine-member Nyakagezi gorilla family. After his father Bugingo stepped down as leader, Mark emerged as the dominating silverback.
Mathew and Mafia are silverbacks; Nyiramwiza and Nshuti are mature females; Nkanda is a juvenile; and Rukundo and Mutagamba are infants. It is thought that Bugingo, the oldest silverback, is over 54 years old. You have an almost certain chance of seeing gorillas in their native habitat if you go gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park.
For Mgahinga National Park, how much is the gorilla trekking permit?
There are 8 gorilla trekking permits available daily in Mgahinga National Park; these permits are inexpensive in comparison to Rwanda’s, which makes Uganda an attractive destination for gorilla trekking enthusiasts. Foreign residents pay USD700 per person, non-residents pay USD800, while East African citizens pay Shs.300,000 for the gorilla trekking permit. There is a strict one-hour viewing window for the gorillas with the gorilla trekking permit.
During the peak months of January, February, July, August, September, and December, gorilla trekking permits often sell out in record time. Get in touch with Katland Safaris with the details of your planned trek and the dates you’d like it to take place.
We’ll check the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s online system for permit availability and send you an invoice to pay for them. If they’re not available on the dates you’d like, you can choose another date that does. We will confirm your journey and email you a copy of the receipt along with your booking ID after we receive payment. Mgahinga National Park’s gorilla permits are easily obtained via the Uganda Wildlife Authority, making the procedure a breeze.
At Mgahinga National Park, when may one go on a gorilla trekking adventure?
All year round, visitors to Mgahinga National Park may go gorilla trekking. The months of January, February, June, July, and early September are ideal for gorilla trekking since they are drier and have less rainfall, however weather conditions may change at any moment.
You are welcome to see the gorillas at any time of year. Because gorillas are more visible and the vegetation is lusher after a rain, some people believe that the rainiest season is the best time to observe them. Those hoping to go gorilla trekking around this season should definitely reserve their permits in advance, since they sell out fast.
Gorilla hiking in Mgahinga National Park: the best way to get there
From Rwanda’s capital of Kigali, visitors may take a four-hour journey over the Chanika border into Uganda to reach Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Departing from the airport or hotel in Kigali, you may have a city tour before crossing into the Kisoro area of Uganda, where you can stop for lunch and spend the night.
Another option is to drive the 9–10 hours from Entebbe or Kampala to Mgahinga National Park via the Kampala–Mbarara–Kisoro route. Flights into Kisoro Airstrip take about two hours and depart from either Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip. Daily scheduled flights are offered by Aerolink Uganda and other airlines, and charter flights are also an option. We may personalize your itinerary so that you see different parks, but one of the most unforgettable is Mgahinga National Park, where you can do gorilla trekking.
What hotels are available in Mgahinga National Park?
Guests of Mgahinga National Park have their pick of many places to stay during their stay. In most cases, you may find a lodge on the forest’s periphery, where you can take in breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. A few examples of the lodges in the area include the five-star Gahinga Lodge, the mid-range Lake Chahafi Lodge, and the affordable Lake Muhele Lodge.
You may also choose to stay in one of the several hotels in Kisoro town, which is conveniently located within a half-hour drive of the park headquarters. Since it takes around an hour’s drive to Mgahinga National Park, some visitors choose to stay in lodges or tents in the Rushaga region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
When planning a safari to Mgahinga National Park to see gorillas, why should you choose Katland?
Amazing safaris in Mgahinga National Park, Uganda, and the rest of East Africa are available via Katland. For more information about our reduced packages and customized tours, visit our website at The secret to our success in arranging genuine experiences is the team we’ve built over the years, which consists of both young and enthusiastic employees mentored by seasoned directors and managers who are deeply committed to their work and native Ugandans. Read about other people’s experiences with Katland Safaris by reading their reviews and ratings on safari bookings and trip advisor.
