Mgahinga Gorilla National Park | Uganda Gorilla Parks

MGAHINGA GORILLA NNATIONAL PARK

Mgahinga gorilla national park is the smallest park in the country. It is about 38 sq km.
Though it is very important as it is one of the two parks in Uganda that are habitat for the endangered mountain gorillas.
Mgahinga gorilla national park is situated in south western Uganda, in kisoro district. This park was gazetted in 1999 and is part of the virunga conservation area.
This park adjoins Rwanda’s volcano, and the democratic republic of Congo’s virunga national parks.
Mgahinga gorilla national park experiences two wet seasons in the year that is February to May, and September to December.

Kisoro is one of the most densely populated areas in Uganda with 331 people per square kilometer. The bafumbira who are cultivators are the biggest number in the area and the batwa who once lived in the caves and once fed on wildlife are the minority in the area.
Mgahinga is protected by the Uganda wildlife authority, which allows local people to have controlled and sustainable access to the selected resources. Majority of the people working in the park are the community members that is Bufumbira and batwa.
According to the Ugandan law established by the Uganda wildlife authority, the community receives 20% of the park entrance fees for their development projects.

Ecosystem and wildlife
Because the park is located on a mountainous area, the park vegetation is affromontane within a cool climate. The type of vegetation is the bamboo which is 60% which is a delicacy to the mountain gorilla. Other types of flora found in the park include lobelia, haegenia, among others.

There are a number of animals found in the park, and these include the mountain gorillas, buffaloes, elephants, bushbucks, the threatened golden monkeys and many others.

The park also has a number of bird species which include ht rwenzori turaco, crowned hornbill, black kite and crowned crane.

Volcano climbing
There are three extinct volcanoes offered by mgahinga national park for the physically fit hikers although they don’t require special mountaineering gear. The three volcanoes are gahinga, sabinyo, and muhavura.

Mt. sabinyo which is also known as the “old man’s teeth” offers three challenging peaks to climb. The first peak is on the eastern side of the mountain and can be reached if one climbs up the mountain.
If one wants to get to the second peak, it involves walking a ridge with breath – taking drops into gorges of Rwanda and Uganda.
The third peak is the final one. Here one has to use even the hands as the place is so steep. When the visitor is lucky and reaches the top, one will be at a point in Rwanda, democratic republic of Congo, and Uganda at the same time.
The round trip is 14 km, and takes about 8 hours to cover a round trip.

Mt.gahinga which is known as a “small pile of stones” and is 3474 meters. On the way to the park, you can find small piles of stones in garden fields, and the local people around the area call those stones “gahinga”. Gahinga being next to mount muhavura makes it look small but otherwise its quite big. This hike goes through a pure bamboo forest. There is a lush swamp on top of gahinga which was once a crater lake. A round trip on gahinga takes around 6 hours.

Mt. muhavura also known as “the guide” is 4127 meters. This mountain acts as a guide because it seen from all over kisoro. This mountain provides some of the best views in the country due to its typical con-shape. Much of the climb passes through a rocky surface covered by grass and small shrubs. Hikers on top of the mountain, have an opportunity to view the other virunga volcanoes, Lake Edward, Queen Elizabeth national park, bwindi impenetrable national park, and the peaks of Rwenzori Mountains.
The round trip hike takes approximately 8 hours to cover 12 kms. Hikers are advised to camp at muhavura base camp the night before. And hikers should come with all the necessities as the base camp does not provide things like water, tents, food, sleeping gear, among others.

Garama cave is another interesting feature in the park that people like most. This is one of the caves where the batwa who were warriors once lived and fought their neighbours, the Bantu. It is 3 kms from the park headquarters to the cave and it takes around 4 hours a round journey. The rangers normally explain to visitors how the batwa lived and used to fight out of the cave. The cave is 342 meters in length and 14 meters deep. This cave is now occupied by the bats as now the batwa live with people.

Gorilla tracking is the main tourist activity carried in mgahinga national park. This is the most exciting and unforgettable experience, which might take one through a thick jungle. So far there is one gorilla group which has been habituated. This group is called nyakagezi. This group consists of 11 members; 2 silverbacks, 3 adult females, 4 juveniles and 2 infants. This group is available for tourists.
Booking for gorilla tracking should be made at least three months in advance, but again it should not be two years in advance as it would be too early. This helps one be sure that the requested dates are available. The tracking experience starts at 8:30 am local time and it takes around three to eight hours. Registration at the gate commences at 7:45 am.
Gorilla tracking at mgahinga gorilla national park is enjoyable but it is again challenging, therefore, the trackers should ensure physical fitness.
Gorilla trackers should come with the following;
They should carry the rain gear as the weather is wet and rainy most of the time. And more to that, the weather in the park is unpredictable.
Jungle shoes should be wore because they are the ones suitable for the steep muddy slopes.
Those who are uncomfortable with the jungle sounds should put on ear plugs.
Sun screen lotion should be carried as the weather can’t be predictable in the park. A hat and insect repellant should be packed.

Bird watching is yet another tourist activity that takes place in mgahinga gorilla national park. Birding along the edge of the park is available only on request. The guides can take you out for one hour, 5:00 - 6:00 pm if you book by 10:00 am in the morning of the same day. A walk along the buffalo wall towards the democratic republic of Congo takes you through a wetland area where ibis, speckled mouse bird and fire finch are found. Stone chart, grey capped warbler, waxbills and yellow vented bulbul are always seen around the campground. Birders should take their time, ask their guides where the best spots are and should not forget binoculars.

Viewing platform is about 800 meters from the park gate. On top of this platform one will have a better view of the park and the surrounding areas. Here the guide is not necessary and the activity is at no cost. There are display panels at the hill point that give all the information about whatever is seen up there.

Accommodation and meals
A wide range of accommodation facilities are offered by kisoro district. These facilities range from basic campsites to luxurious full board hotels. The hotels in kisoro include; virunga hotel, which is for the medium class tourists, tourist hotel which is a full board luxurious, mgahinga safari lodge, which is also luxuxurious, travelers rest camp, sky blue hotel, mt. gahinga rest camp, rugangana rest camp, mubano hotel, among others. There’s also a community camp ground with ample space for “do it yourself – camping” at the park gate.
Most of the above mentioned hotels provide meals for the visitors residing there.

Access
From Kampala to kisoro is 540 kms and it takes about 8 hours via kabale. There are daily public transport means in Kampala Bus Park. Once in kisoro, one can always hire a tax to the park and it is 13 ½ kms.
It is also possible to fly to kisoro if arrangements are made with eagle air which has flights on Monday’s and Fridays from Entebbe to kisoro. There are also other domestic airlines which one can contact, but if on a tour it is advisable to use vehicles for one will be able to see a lot.

For conservation purposes visits to the gorillas are tightly controlled and the following rules apply and must be strictly adhered to.

No one with communicable diseases like flue and diarrhea is allowed in the park to avoid animals adapting the diseases.

Littering is strictly prohibited.

Domestic animals like dogs, cats, or any other animals of the kind are not supposed to be come with when going to the park.

Spiting on the vegetation in the park or on the soil is not allowed.

When coughing or sneezing, one should go away from the gorillas and should cover the mouth and nose in the process.

No flowers, fruits, or any other plantation should be taken out of the park.

Visitors are not allowed to eat in the presence of the gorillas or other animals. And at the same time, visitors are not allowed to feed the animals in the park.

Visitors are supposed to stay together in tight groups while with the gorillas, and they are not supposed tosorround them.

Unnecessary noise and shouting moving suddenly is not allowed.

While photographing, visitors are not allowed to use flashes.

You are not allowed to got closer more than 5 meters to the gorillas.

Smoking in the presence of the gorillas is not allowed.

No one below the age of 15 years is allowed to go for gorilla tracking, and this is for security reasons.

Visitors are only allowed a minimum of one hour with the gorillas.