Mgahinga Gorilla NP

This is conjoined to Bwindi impenetrable National Park and is also home for the rare mountain gorillas. The park derives its name from “Gahinga Kinyarwanda word

Mgahinga Gorilla NP is conjoined to Bwindi impenetrable National Park and is also home for the rare mountain gorillas. Besides, Mgahinga also supports a diverse forest and moorland fauna, notably the localized golden monkey and at least 12 bird species. The park is located in the far southwest; bordering Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo covering an estimated 38.6 sq km, with an elevation of 4,507m.

The park which is a cultural heritage featuring in the history, folklore and traditional healing practices for local people, covers the north slopes of the three northern Virunga volcanoes Muhavura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo. The park derives its name from “Gahinga Kinyarwanda word for a pile of volcanic lava stone heaps around which cultivation is carried out.”Mgahinga” is named after Mount Gahinga plus the initial of Mount Muhavura.

The vegetation is the one typical of afro-Montane areas, with a consistent bamboo forest. There are 76 mammal species recorded, including buffaloes, elephants, bushbucks, golden monkeys, leopards. 115 bird species have been recorded, including Rwenzori Turacco, crowned hornbill, black kite and crowned crane. Mgahinga hosts a population of golden monkeys and a few families of mountains gorillas called Nyakagezi a trans-boundary species to Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo.

Most of visitors undertake the excellent “central circuit” trail, which takes 9 days-8 nights to complete and takes you to the main peaks. However, other shorter hikes are possible in the central area and in the North of Rwenzori. High mountain equipments are required, as the trials reach an altitude of 4.000m above.

Accessibility To National Park.

The Rwenzori lies a few kilometers north of the equator, rising over 4000m above the floor of the Albertine Rift Valley. The park trailhead at Nyakalengeja can be reached from Kampala from the north via Fort Portal (375 km) or the south passing through Mbarara and Queen Elizabeth National Park (450 km). Nyakalengeja is 17km off the Kasese-Fort Portal road and 25km north of Kasese town. Charter flights to Kasese can be arranged from Kampala (Kajjansi) or Entebbe International Airport.

For clients who want to visit this park for Gorilla tracking, Batwa trail or Volcanoe climbing, accommodation can be organized from the basic Camp-site to the luxurious full board hotels, these include Traveler’s Rest, Sky Blue, Mt. Gahinga Rest Camp, Virunga Hotel, Mgahinga Safari Lodge, Rugigana Campsite and Mubano Hotel.