Mgahinga Gorilla National Park protects the Ugandan slopes of the majestic Virungas, a range of freestanding volcanoes that rises to a maximum altitude of 4,507m/14,787ft on the border with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It is an alternative destination to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for mountain gorilla trekking. Other attractions include hikes to the summit of three of the park’s volcanic peaks and golden monkey trekking.
Mgahinga is Uganda’s smallest park. It forms part of the Virunga Mountains and adjoins with the parks across the borders of DRC and Rwanda. The entire park is at a high altitude, and the views are out of this world. The most prominent feature are the volcanic cones of extinct volcanoes in the mountain range. It also offers great views over Lakes Mutanda and Mulehe.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is best known as an alternative destination to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for mountain gorilla trekking, but it also offers good birding, and an opportunity to spend time with the localized golden monkey. There are only one or two habituated gorilla troops here. This means a maximum of only 16 permits a day are available, resulting in a very exclusive experience on the day of trekking.
Aside from the endangered mountain gorilla, Mgahinga is home to many other mammal species. However, as in all forests, animals tend to be hard to spot. The very rare golden monkey, endemic to the Albertine Rift, can be tracked. Other mammals include black-and-white colobus, buffalo, elephant, bushbuck and duiker.
Best Time To Visit the Park
Gorillas can be tracked year-round in Mgahinga. Predictably, the low seasons roughly coincide with the Wet seasons (February to May and September to November), but be aware that some of the park’s accommodation shuts down in these months. The landscape of the park, dominated by the Virunga Mountains, can be better navigated in the drier months