Maghinga National Park, Gorilla Trekking in Virungas

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a protected area located in southwestern Uganda. It is part of the larger Virunga Massif, a volcanic mountain range that spans Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park was mainly established to conserve the mountain gorillas that inhabit this region in 1991.

With a total surface area of 33.9 square kilometers, Mgahinga gorilla national park encompasses three inactive volcanoes that are Mount Muhavura, Mount Gahinga and Mount Sabyinyo. Also, the park is made up of vegetation zones including the bamboo forests, Albertine rift montane forests, Rwenzori – Virunga montane moorlands with the tree health and then the alpine zone at the higher altitude.

Where does Mgahinga Gorilla fit into your Uganda Safari?

Mgahinga gorilla national park is commonly known for hosting a various primate species including the mountain gorillas and golden monkeys which are split between the habituated and unhabituated groups. Aside the primates, the park is also a home to over 76 mammal species including the elephants, leopards, bushbucks, bush pigs, buffalo, black fronted duiker, black and white colobus and others. Among the birds in the park are; Rwenzori double collared sunbird, collared apalis, strange weaver, montane nightjar, red faced woodland warbler, mountain masked apalis, red-throated alethe, handsome spur fowl, dusky crimson-wing and others.

Safari activities in Mgahinga National Park

Though gorilla trekking is the main activity in volcanoes national park, there are other activities which one can participate in while on a safari to Rwanda. Among these activities include gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking, and mountain hiking, touring the twin lakes of Ruhondo and Burera and also visiting the grave of Dian Fossey.

Mountain Gorilla Trekking

One of the main attractions of the park is the opportunity to track and observe mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. The park is home to one habituated gorilla group – Nyakagezi which means they are accustomed to the presence of humans and can be visited by tourists under strict guidelines to minimize disturbance. Gorilla trekking takes about 2 to 4 hours or depends on the location of the mountain gorillas. When they are allocated, trekkers are allowed to spend about an hour with them as they learn more about their ways of life like feeding, playing, mating and others.

In addition to gorilla tracking, visitors to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park have the opportunity to track golden monkeys. These monkeys are an endangered species and are unique to the Albertine Rift region of Africa.  The experience takes about 4 hours for every session that takes part.  Get a great opportunity of viewing and taking pictures of these primates and also those of the mountain gorillas since golden monkey trekking can be done during gorilla trekking experience. Hike through the forests of the park to the habituated families of the golden monkeys which are about 6 in number. Remember to move with some binoculars, hiking boots, gloves and other protective requirements for your safety during the trekking.

Golden Monkey Tracking

Visiting the Tomb of Dian Fossey

The park is also a haven for bird enthusiasts, with over 180 bird species recorded, including several Albertine Rift endemics. Among the birds to be seen include the dusky turtle dove, black headed waxbill, kivu ground thrush, greater double collard sunbird, olive pigeon, black headed waxbill, striped breasted tit, malachite and scarlet tufted sunbirds, Rwenzori batis, cape robin chat and others.

With three volcanic peaks – Sabyinyo, Gahinga and Muhavura, Mgahinga gorilla national park offers best hiking experiences. The names of these volcanoes have got meanings that are Sabyinyo means Old man’s teeth; Gahinga means Pile of stones and then Muhavura which means a guide. Of the three mountains, Muhavura is the highest and thus a traveler gets a higher advantage of sighting the peaks of other mountains when he or she climbs it. Walk through the different vegetation zone of the park including the mushy vegetation, bamboo forests and others while hiking to the top of these mountains or volcanoes.

Hiking

Visiting the twin lakes of Ruhondo and Burera

Before Mgahinga gorilla national park was gazetted as a national park, the Batwa people were the inhabitants and lived in the forests as hunters but later displaced though some of them remained around the park. The Batwa people are also encountered on the profits made after tourists visiting the national park. Also, these people entertain the travelers in many ways that is; through dances, songs, stories, poem, folks and others.

Where to stay?

There are several accommodation systems where one can stay at an affordable price and comfortably during a Uganda safari in Mgahinga. Among these accommodations include; Ikoro lodge, Mount Gahinga Rest Camp, Mount Gahinga Lodge, Lake Mulehe Safari lodge, Travelers’ rest hotel, Mutanda Lake Resort and many others.

When to go?

Mgahinga can be visited anytime throughout the year but the best time is the dry season that starts in June to August and in January and February.

How to access Volcanoes National park?

Volcanoes national park is easily accessed from Kigali and takes only two hour drive from Kigali to Musanze district in the Northern region of Rwanda. One can decide to use public means of transport from Kigali to Musanze and then use a private car to the headquarters of the park.

Also, one can hire services from the tour operator who will pick him or her up from the airport to the park headquarters in Kinigi.