Offering some of the most thrilling gorilla trekking experiences in the world, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is an incredible ancient forest located at an altitude of between 2,227m and 4,127m on the Virunga Mountains. The park protects parts of the Virunga volcanoes of Gahinga, Sabinyo and Muhabura shared in Uganda. Covering a total area of 33.7 sq.km, Mgahinga Gorilla national park is the smallest national park in Uganda but one of the places to offer you a remarkable safari.
Mgahinga national park was declared as a game sanctuary in 1930 by the British administration. In 1991, it was gazetted as a national park which led to the eviction of the Batwa pygmies who had for long lived with the wildlife in the park for about a thousand years. The park got its name from a Kinyarwanda/Rufumbira word “gahinga” which means “pile of stones” which were cleared from the farmlands on the lower slopes of the volcanoes.
The forested national park is home to 76 mammal species including the giant mountain gorillas which are also the highlight for trips to this destination. It is one of the few places in the world where you can golden monkeys. Other mammals in Mgahinga are buffaloes, forest elephants, bushbucks, forest hogs and duikers among others. About 180 species of birds are recorded at the gorilla park.
Activities and Attractions in Mgahinga national park
- Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga forest
- Golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga forest
- Volcano hiking on the Virunga volcanoes
- Nature walks in the border trail
- Batwa cultural encounter and experience in the Batwa trail
How to get there
By road
Mgahinga national park lies 510km from Kampala by road and it can be reached via Mbarara-Kabale highway to Kisoro. It is located 14km from Kisoro town. The drive from Kampala to Mgahinga national park takes at least 9 hours. A 4×4 vehicle is recommended for your trip. The park can also be reached from Queen Elizabeth NP taking 6 hours.
By air
It is possible to take a domestic flight from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro airstrip and connect by road to the park. This takes about 3 hours.
Are you looking forward to traveling to Mgahinga national park for the stunning safari and plan to use private means of transport to get there? Hire a car for self drive or guided tour. Make your car reservations today by sending an email to rent@tellanzacarrentaluganda.com or call us now on call us now on +256-702838696 / +256-708234114 / +256-772424754 to talk to the reservations personnel
