Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the smallest park in the country. It is about 38 sq km. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of the three national parks that protect the endangered gorillas. Mgahinga National Park protects the Ugandan part of the Virunga mountains that stretch through Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mgahinga covers only 33 sq km of size, is located in the far southwestern corner of Uganda bordering Rwanda and Congo,14 km from Kisoro town in Bufumbira County about 540 km from Kampala-the capital. Mgahinga National Park was gazetted in 1991.
This Park covers the northern slopes of the three northernmost Virunga Volcanoes namely; the 3,474 m high Mt. Gahinga, Mt. Muhavura (4,127 m), and Mt. Sabinyo (3,645 m). The park is bordered to the south by the Republic of Rwanda and to the west by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Each of these surrounding countries protects its own share of the Virungas. The three parks together form the ‘Virunga Conservation Area’ (VCA) totaling to 434-sq. km of which Mgahinga is 33.7 sq. km, just 8% of the VCA.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park experiences two wet rainy seasons; February – May and
September- December of each year. The maximum amount of rainfall it receives in a year is 250mm-October and Minimum is 10mm -July.
Despite being the smallest in Uganda, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of Uganda`s prime tour-safari destination very important to the country <strong><em>for it is one of the only two parks in Uganda that are habitat for about half the world`s endangered Mountain gorillas</em></strong> hence a Uganda Gorilla safaris destination as well as a great African Wildlife safari spot due to a large variety of wildlife such as buffaloes, elephants, bush bucks, the threatened golden monkeys just to mention but a few.
This park consists of the partly forested slopes of three extinct volcanoes. These huge cones of the Virunga volcanoes dominate the landscape when viewed from a distance and front you as you approach the premises. When you get to the park, a 15 minutes’ walk up the viewpoint from Ntebeko Gate can get one a great overview of the area. <strong>Mgahinga Park</strong> is of a great biological importance because it’s one of those mountains that provided a refuge for mountain plants and animals that moved up or down the slopes as climate became warmer or cooler throughout the climatic changes of the Pleistocene ice ages. The Virungas are home to a large variety of wildlife, including about half the world’s critically endangered mountain gorillas.
The park experiences a cool climate that supports the growth of Afro-montane vegetation and the abundant type of Vegetation is the bamboo, a delicacy to the Mountain gorilla. The Lobelia, Haege-nia spp are among the other types of vegetation is park.
Flora and fauna in Mgahinga Gorilla Park
Mgahinga’s slopes are covered with a series of distinct altitudinal bands of vegetation. The lowest zone is an area of grass and bush which was formerly encroached and cleared by farmers and is now regenerating. Undisturbed vegetation starts with montane woodland, followed by the bamboo zone, montane forest and the Ericaceous zone which contains giant tree heathers. The sequence culminates with the spectacular alpine zone which occurs only on East African mountains above 3000m and includes bizarre giant forms of lobelia and groundsel.
The park contains at least 39 species of mammal and 79 birds. Larger mammals include elephant, leopard, buffalo and bush pig but these are rarely seen. Mgahinga’s most famous resident is the mountain gorilla. Less famous but equally rare and deserving of protection is the golden monkey which is found only in the Virungas and in one other forest in Rwanda. Notable bird species include the Rwenzori turaco, crowned hornbill, black kite and crowned crane.
Local people around Mgahinga Gorilla Park
Kisoro District is heavily populated with 331 people/ km2.
There are two main ethnic groups. The most numerous are the Bafumbira who are primarily farmers. The Batwa, who once practiced a subsistence hunter-gather life in the forest, form a minority group.
Mgahinga Peaks – alternative hiking
The peaks Mgahinga hasthreevolcanic peaks, Muhubura(4127m), Sabyinyo (3669m) and Mgahinga (3474m). These can all be climbed. Though no specialist equipment is required, a reasonable level of fitness is necessary if you intend to enjoy the experience.
Batwa Trail and Garama Cave
The Batwa Trail leads from t he base of Muhuvura Cave. This walk is conductoed by Batwa guides VI insights into their traditional forest life and culture. The 342m long Garama Cave lies beneath a platee northern edge of the park, 3km from Ntebeko. It i~ former farmland zone but in earlier times, the cave forest when it was occupied periodically by Batwa as a council chamber and a retreat after raiding their neighbours.
Gorilla Tracking
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. This consists of 11 members; 2 silverbacks, 3 adult females, 4 juveniles and 2 infants. This group is mobile and sometimes crosses into Rwanda and DRC, so check for updates from Uganda Wildlife Authority (see contacts). Registration and briefing for gorilla tracking commences at Ntebeko at 07.45. Tracking starts at 08.30 and can take three to eight hours.
Getting to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
For 8-10 hours by road you can access the park from Kampala. Journeying through rural Uganda is an amazing experience to southwestern Uganda. Where towns like kisoro offers different accommodations to spend a night. The best possible opportunity, interact and experience friendly locals and the culture of Bafumbira and Batwa people.
Fly in safaris depart Entebbe airport morning and afternoon landing in Kisoro airstrip about 10 km to the park.