3 Days Gorilla tracking Safari
This 3 days gorilla tracking safari takes you to the famous Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, which is well known for the mountain gorillas.
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Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of the most treasured safari parks in Uganda when it comes to gorilla trekking and volcano hiking. This was once home to the Batwa pygmies who lived as hunters and fruit gatherers in the tropical forest. The park is set within the Virunga Volcanoes that are shared between D.R. Congo, Rwanda and Uganda.
Lying at an altitude of 2227 and 4127 meters, Mgahinga is set in the far Kisoro district, Southwestern Uganda. Accessing it by road can take you about 9-10 hours’ drive from Kampala capital city and only 2 hours’ flight from Entebbe Airport. Set within the Virunga Mountain ranges, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park holds 3 of the eight Chain Mountains (Muhabura, Gahinga & Sabyinyo).
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park was gazetted as a Uganda National Park in 1991 but originally, it was officially a Game Reserve. Its land area coverage is 33.7 sq.km making it the smallest of the existing 10 National Park in the Pearl of Africa.
There are many reasons why you should consider visiting Mgahinga National Park, but the most important of all is mountain gorilla trekking. The park is set in an area where mountain gorillas range and it has one fully habituated gorilla family open for gorilla trekking.
Mgahinga is a special wildlife and primate destination, hosting up to 39 mammal species. The popular mammal species of visitor interest on Uganda safaris in this park include the endangered mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, spotted hyenas, side-striped jackals, bushbucks, & giant forest hogs. Other wildlife/animals living in this protected area include buffaloes, forest elephants, black-fronted duikers, olive baboons, porcupines, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, golden cats and plenty of bird species.
Mgahinga is a significant birding location in Uganda, hosting an incredible Albertine rift endemic species. Over 180 bird species survive in the various habitats in this park including montane masked apalis, white starred robin, Shelley’s dusky crimson wing, cinnamon bracken warblers, scarlet-tufted malachite, blue-headed sunbird, Doherty’s bush shrike, alpine chat, red-necked spur fowl, African paradise flycatchers, fire finch, dusky turtle dove, brown-crowned tchagra, grey capped warblers,
Archer’s robin-ground thrush, Southern red bishop, regal sunbird, yellow-throated long claws, Kivu ground thrush, banded prinia, rufous chested swallow, African paradise flycatchers, cape robin chat, and more.
There are only 4 places to meet the endangered mountain gorillas in the wild and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of them with only one habituated group Nyakagezi. Located in Kisoro, gorilla trekking in Mgahinga begins at Ntebeko with briefing and maximum of 8 (eight) visitors are assigned to a single family of gorillas to track.
A normal trek takes 2-6 hours and this involves winding through the bamboo forest and steep slopes. Travelers to Mgahinga for gorilla trekking can obtain a valid Uganda gorilla permit at USD 700 per person if you belong to category of foreign nonresidents, the foreign residents are charged USD 600 and Ugandans plus the rest of East African citizens pay UGX 250,000. Like Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the rest of the gorilla trekking destinations, gorilla permits are issued out to persons above 15 years.
Golden monkey tracking & habituation are a must-do on Mgahinga National Park safari. These are two unique primate adventures offering you a great chance to get up close & personal with the unique golden monkeys, the sub-species of blue monkeys. These are endemic species to the Albertine rift and Virunga Region, surviving in the protected areas such as Volcanoes National Park, Virunga and Mgahinga National Parks.
Volcano hiking adventures are conducted perfectly in the park’s 3 Virunga Volcanoes: Gahinga (3669m), Muhavura (4127m) and Gahinga (3474m). You require at least a day to conquer any of these Volcanoes’ peaks and all hikes can be done with the lead of an experienced park guide.
Birding expeditions in Mgahinga National Park is a special experience awaiting you to enjoy. It offers a remarkable chance to see variety of resident and Albertine rift endemic species. The birds to be spotted in Mgahinga include the red-faced woodlands, Kivu ground thrush, yellow-vented bulbul, paradise flycatchers, montane masked apalis, brown woodland warblers, Rwenzori batis, streaky seed-eaters, western green tinker bird, crowned cranes, red necked spur fowl, scarlet tufted sunbird, cinnamon bracken warblers, Archer’s ground robin, cape robin chat, fire finch stonechat, Chubb’s cisticolas, black kite, greater double collared sunbird, white-starred robin and many others.
Nature walks shouldn’t be missed on a visit to Mgahinga. Special guided nature walking experiences lead you through the park’s swamps, forests, rivers and lakes, with the lead of the park ranger guide. Within the park, there are incredible trails worth conquering on a guided nature walk including the border trail on the slopes of Mt. Sabyinyo- taking nature lovers to border meeting point for all the 3 countries in Virunga region. Sabyinyo gorge trail, the perfect trail for nature lovers in search for challenging treks.
The Batwa trail experience offers the best cultural encounter, opportunity for you to meet and interact with the Batwa pygmies. Get to learn more about the Batwa, how they lived harmoniously with mountain gorillas in the forest for a thousands of years and discover plant species that are of medicinal value.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is always open to all travelers all year long, but the most ideal time to get there is during the dry season. This takes place twice a year; from June to early September & December to February. This is a special time to explore the park on a guided gorilla trekking experience.
This park contains all accommodation types (budget, midrange and luxury). They exist inside and around the park including Mount Gahinga Lodge, Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp, Traveler’s Nest Hotel, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Mount Gahinga Rest Camp, Lake Mutanda Campsite, Chameleon Hill Lodge and more.
By road: begin driving from Entebbe or Kampala through the Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale-Kisoro route expecting to spend at least 9-10 hours. Or take between 4 and 5 hours’ drive from Kigali through Chanika border to Kisoro then Mgahinga. Air travel offers easier connectivity, taking about 2 hours for you to fly to Kisoro airstrip.
This 3 days gorilla tracking safari takes you to the famous Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, which is well known for the mountain gorillas.
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Our team of tours and safari experts is always ready and to serve you on whatever your budget is, your group size, number of days you want to stay, your preferred gorilla adventure
We strongly advise you to book your gorilla tours at least three (3) to six (6) months before your arrival date. Kindly note that gorilla permits have limited availability, and can be fully booked in a short period of time.
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