Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is Uganda’s smallest national conservation area, straddling the edges of the southwestern corner of Uganda it forms a part of the great Virunga volcanic region of the 8 series of volcanic mountains three of these are found in the conservation area (Mountain Muhabura (4,127m), Mountain Mgahinga (3,474m) and mountain Sabinyo (3645m). The 33.7 square kilometers national park consists of a growing forest along the slopes of the mountains hosting critically endangered species of mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. The park was named after the mountain “Gahinga” a local word to means a pile of stones, it was a gazette in a national park in 1991 as a way of protecting the critically endangered species that live within the national park. The park rises at an altitude between 2,227m-4127m above sea level.
The growing this forest has evolved overtime, it is an important wildlife point of Uganda together with a cultural significance, it used to be home to the Batwa, the first hunters and gatherers of the forest, they lived in the forest amicably together with other species, however due to conservation purposes, these were evicted from the forest and continued to live around the surrounding areas of the park in the Bafumbira communities, they used to be keepers of the forest, lately you see the forest through their eyes upon visit. The contrast vegetation of the forest comprises a mix of growth from the farmlands, montane forest, and bamboo forest to heath and moorlands, there are over 200species of birds that have been recorded here some of which are endemics of the Virunga region and the Albertine rift for example the Kivu ground thrush, great blue turaco and the Rwenzori turaco. There are about 76 mammals present in the national park, for example, elephants, bushbucks, buffaloes, golden monkeys, and leopards to mention a few.
Popular things to do in Mgahinga National Park include mountain gorilla trekking the national park has one gorilla group called the Nyakagezi gorilla family, these are known for their mobile nature, they kept moving from Uganda to Rwanda and vice versa however later the group settled in Mgahinga, gorilla tracking begins in the morning at 8:00 am with a briefing from the park rangers, on how to conduct yourself while with the primates, it takes 2-8 hours in the slopy mountains of the park in search of the gorillas, upon meeting them an hour is allowed while with the primates, Gorilla permits are charged $700 for foreign nonresidents.
Golden monkey tracking is done in the bamboo forest of the Mgahinga National Park, the golden monkeys are endemics to this part of the world, a habituated community is visited by travelers, they live in the bamboo forest and primarily feed on the shoots of bamboo, their distinctive color presents a beautiful species, their cheeks feel as though they are always filled with food or something they are chewing, they are pretty fast, in case of taking pictures it is important to set your cameras ready.
Volcanic hiking in Mgahinga National Park, there are three dormant volcanoes of the national park, all offering a unique hiking experience of the national park, all hikes are conducted by the lead of a Uganda wildlife game ranger, climbing mountain Sabinyo is the most famous in the national park, it is strenuous through the trails of the park and yet very beautiful along the hike, expect to see a few animals en route as you make it to the summit.
Batwa cultural experience, the Batwa are a group of last remaining pygmies in Uganda, they are the ancient gathers of the forest who are also referred to as forest keepers, this will show you the forest through their eyes and how they used to live, hunt and collect medicine from the forest. They live in the surrounding communities following an eviction due to conservation purposes. The trail is led by Batwa guides, travelers enjoy performances from the community.
The park can be accessed by road from Kampala or the Entebbe International Airport. It takes approximately 9 hours to drive to the park through Kisoro, Charter or scheduled flights are arranged through domestic ground handlers to the Kisoro airstrip, and a ground transfer is usually made to reach accommodation facilities, example facilities include Lake Mulehe gorilla lodge, Volcanoes lodge, chameleon hill lodge, Kisoro travelers in to mention a few. Mgahinga National Park can be visited all year round but is best during the dry season between December -February and June – early September, these are also referred to as high tourism seasons.