How is Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

How is Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park offers a unique and intimate experience with one of the most fascinating creatures on earth, the mountain gorillas. Located in southwestern Uganda, Mgahinga is part of the larger Virunga Conservation Area, which spans Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Here’s what you can expect and How is Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park:

1. Scenic Beauty: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is set amidst stunning scenery, characterized by lush forests, volcanic peaks, and diverse flora and fauna. The landscape alone makes the trek an unforgettable experience.
2. Small Group Tours: The park limits the number of visitors allowed to trek each gorilla family per day, ensuring a more intimate and less disruptive experience for both visitors and gorillas. Groups typically consist of a maximum of eight people per gorilla family.
3. Experienced Guides: Trained guides lead visitors through the forest, sharing insights into the gorillas’ behavior, ecology, and conservation efforts. These guides are knowledgeable about the terrain and can ensure both the safety of visitors and the welfare of the gorillas.
4. Physical Challenge: Gorilla trekking can be physically demanding, as it involves hiking through dense forest and sometimes steep terrain. Treks can range from a few hours to a full day, depending on the location of the gorilla family. Visitors should be prepared for moderate to strenuous physical activity.
5. Close Encounters with Gorillas: The highlight of the trek is undoubtedly the opportunity to encounter mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Visitors are typically allowed to spend up to one hour observing the gorillas from a safe distance, providing ample time for photography and observation.
6. Conservation Impact: The fees generated from gorilla trekking permits contribute to conservation efforts in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, including habitat protection, anti-poaching measures, and community development projects.
7. Booking in Advance: Due to the limited number of permits available each day, it’s advisable to book gorilla trekking permits well in advance, especially during the peak tourist season (June to September and December to February).

Overall, gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to connect with these magnificent creatures in their natural environment while supporting their conservation and the livelihoods of local communities.

About Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

The park is Uganda’s smallest national park which is boarded by Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Bwindi Forest National Park in Uganda. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has the three volcanoes namely Mountain Gahinga, Mountain Sabyinyo and Mountain Muhabura all of which are part of the six Virunga Mountains. Mgahinga National Park harbors the endangered mountain gorilla and the Golden Monkeys.  The park is a tropical rainforest comprised of lowland equatorial evergreen forest, tropical seasonal forest, montane rainforests and mountain Bamboo.

How is the Mgahinga National Park gorilla treks?

Mgahinga is home to one gorilla family open for gorilla tracking and this is called Nyakagezi gorilla group. Like gorilla tracking in Bwindi you need to book your trek in advance with a trustworthy tour operator to avoid missing out on the only 8 permits that are available for gorilla trekking in Mgahinga. The gorilla permit for trekking in Mgahinga cost same like for Bwindi that $800 pp for foreign nonresidents, $700 for foreign residents and 300,000 Uganda shillings for East African Resident.

Gorilla tracking in Mgahinga only has one session in the morning, this starts in the morning with briefing and after you head out with walking through the forest in search for these endangered mountain gorillas.

Other Things to do in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Batwa Cultural Trail Experience

This is done in the Mgahinga Batwa cultural trail. On Batwa cultural trail experience tour you will be guided by one of the Batwa guides giving you an opportunity to learn about traditional forest life of the Batwa in Mgahinga Forest which is historically the home of the Batwa, you will also enjoy the traditional dances of the Batwa and Stone Age including making traditional fire among other activities taking you through the authentic batwa life during the times in the forest. This activity costs $80 per person.

Nature walk in Gahinga Forest

The Nature walk is done in Mgahinga forest it is a very exciting activity to do after gorilla trekking which gives you an opportunity to learn more about tree species as well other wildlife species in the forest.

Village walk around Kisoro

This walk will take you through Kisoro local communities including visiting local markets and learning the day to day life of the local people in Kisoro. You have an opportunity to engage and learn more about the Bafumbira and Bakiga tribes including enjoying traditional cultural dances, local foods and local arts.

Golden Monkey Tracking

Golden Monkey tracking is another activity that can be done after gorilla trekking in Mgahinga, this is only done in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, like gorilla tracking this also starts in the morning with briefing and after you head out with walking through the forest in search for these endangered monkeys. Golden monkey tracking permits are readily available and can be purchased on arrival at the park headquarters.

Golden Monkey Habituation

Golden Monkey Habituation is another activity that can be done after gorilla trekking in Mgahinga, this gives you an opportunity to spend much time with the semi habituated Golden monkeys as you participate in activities geared to making them get used to human presence this also starts in the morning with briefing and after you head out with walking through the forest in search for these endangered monkeys. Golden monkey habituation permits are readily available and can be purchased on arrival at the park headquarters.

Birding

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of the best places for bird watching in Uganda, the park is home to over 127 bird species with various Albertine endemics.

Why book Gorilla trekking in Uganda Mgahinga Gorilla National Park with us?

Eco Adventure Safaris offers amazing gorilla experiences Mgahinga National Park, the rest of Uganda and the East African region as a whole.  Contact us here for our discounted packages and also tailor-made trips. Our magic in organizing authentic experience stems from the fact that we have over time assembled a team mixed with young and energetic staff guided by well-experienced mature managers and directors who are Ugandans and passionate about what they do. Eco Adventure Safaris is highly rated and reviewed on trip Advisor to help you learn on the experiences of the other travelers who have traveled with us. Contact us about How is Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.