Mgahinga National Park is situated in the southwestern corner of Uganda a continuation of the Virunga mountains stretching from Rwanda and the democratic republic of Congo. The conservation area occupies 33.7 square kilometers along the foothills of the 3 mountains part of the Virunga mountains. It was gazette in 1991 as a way of protecting the critically endangered species of the mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. The park is famous for the gorilla trekking the activity is open all year round. Uganda experiences 2 seasons in the year the wet season and the dry season each of these presents a different setup in the national parks.
Best time to visit the Mgahinga National Park is during the dry season between June to August and December- to February, most of the park activities are best done during the dry season there’s more sunshine during the day, so expect a bitof cold weather in the evenings and during the night during a gorilla trekking safari, it is more easy to access park routes to see the mountain gorillas, there is one gorilla group living within the park called the Nyakagezi gorilla family. This is also regarded as a high tourism season, it is also a perfect way to go mountain climbing the trails are much drier and less slippery making it possible to hike to the summits, possible mountain hikes include the Sabinyo hike and the Muhabura Hike. Due to global and weather changes, it is important to note that there can be rain any time of the year hence one should be prepared for any circumstances.
In the wet t season is equally possible to go to the national park, just that this time round expect a tough challenging course in the months of May, September, March, April, October,and November there are lots of rain, and it is the best time for birding in the national park there are over 200 species of birds present in the national park most of which are endemics of the Virunga volcanic region, it is during this time that the park does receive migratory species as well, gorilla trekking and golden monkey tracking can be done carefully as it takes place on the lower slopes of the mountain, however, the mountain climbing is hard. For agent travelers, accommodation facilities offer discounts during this time, and there are less crowds as well.
What to pack during a visit to Mgahinga National Park includes warm clothes, long-sleeved shirts and trousers, waterproof covers for phones and cameras, ponchos, gaiters, insect repellants among other important personal materials, things to do in Mgahinga include Gorilla trekking in the conservation area, Golden monkey tracking, birding, hiking volcanoes, boat cruise along lake Mutanda to mention a few.
The national park can be accessed by air from the Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Kampala domestic flight handlers operate flights that land at the Kisoro airstrip, and ground transfers to the accommodation facilities booked, example facilities include Mgahinga gorilla lodge.