Despite being home to only one habituated Gorilla Family, Mgahinga Gorilla National park is one of the few places to find mountain Gorillas on the planet. Mgahinga Gorilla National park is the smallest safari park in Uganda, covering an area of 33.7 square kilometers and the country’s part of the bigger Virunga Conservation Area known as the Virunga massif, which is a jointly protected area with Congo and Rwanda.

The park is the only other with mountain Gorillas in Uganda after the popular Bwindi Impenetrable National park in addition to containing a dramatic panoramic backdrop formed by three extinct volcanoes; Mount Sabinyo (3,669m), Mount Gahinga (3,474 m) and Mount Muhavura (4,127 m).

The park contains a number of things to do to adventure lovers with the top-not-to-miss including the following.

Golden Monkey Tracking

Being part of the Virunga Conservation Area, Mgahinga National park is also a home to a rare primate species of Golden Monkeys. These old-world monkey species are only found Rwanda, Uganda and DR Congo within the Virunga Conservation Area and are among the top endangered primate species in the world. Tracking Golden monkeys in Uganda goes for $100 (foreign residents) and $90 (East African residents).

Scenic Viewing

Within the park, there is a viewing platform that has been developed in the park. This platform is about 800 metres from the Park gate. Once on top, you will have a good view of the Park and the surrounding areas. A guide is not necessary and the activity is free. Displaying panels at the hill point will give some information about what you can see.

Gorilla Trekking

Mgahinga’s most exciting and memorable activity is tracking the mountain gorilla in thick jungle. The park has one habituated gorilla group (Nyakagyezi) which is visited by tourists though recently, there was a visiting group from Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park known as Hirwa that crossed border to find a new place to this bamboo park.  Almost all Gorilla safaris take place with Nyakagezi Gorilla family that consists of 11 members; 2 silverbacks, 3 adult females, 4 juveniles and 2 infants.

You can conduct a short Uganda Gorilla Tour of one or two days in this park that is only possible with a start from Rwanda’s capital, Kigali and end as well.

Border Trail Hike – Visa Not Required:

This hike takes you first toward Sabinyo. The trail climbs up the base of Sabinyo for a while through fine montane forest before turning toward the Congo. Along the way you will get a great view of Sabinyo’s gorge and peaks. Upon reaching the Congo you cut back along the international border. The return leg to the Park Head Quarters is a great section for birding. The two rest huts along the way are good places for a break. Look closely for the golden monkeys and signs of elephants.
Hiking time is 5 hours and distance 10 km.

Buffalo Wall and Bird Watching

Farmland along the northern edge of the park is gL drystone wall that keeps buffalo in the park and 0 The trail along the wall is id eal for birding. Guide~ you between 17.00-18.00 if you book by 10.00 the A stroll towards the Democrat ic Republic of Congc through a wetland area where ibis, speckled mous, fire finch are found.

You can easily access the Mgahinga National Park from Rwanda. Most Rwanda safaris feature gorilla watching and golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga.