Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Gorilla Safaris & Wildlife Safaris In Mgahinga Gorilla National Park; Gorilla Tracking Essentials, Mountain Gorilla Trekking Tours; Getting There, Other Activities, Accommodation In Mgahinga Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in the south western corner of Uganda. The Park was gazetted in 1991 and covers an area of 33.7 sq km. The Park occupies the northern slopes of the three northernmost Virunga Volcanoes, i.e. Mt. Gahinga (3,474 m), Mt. Muhavura (4,127 m) and Mt. Sabinyo (3,645 m). The summit of Muhavura has a small crater lake and forms the highest point (4127m) in the park. The summit areas are dominated by wort and dwarf heath vegetation. This emerges into bamboo and broad leaved montane forest down the mountains. The lower slopes have high altitude Savannah woodland with lost of lichens and mosses.

The Park is10 km south of Kisoro and is bordered Rwanda to the south and to the west by the Democratic Republic of Congo. These countries protect their own portions of the Virungas in Parc National des Virunga and Parc National des Volcans irrespectively.
From far away, the huge cones of the virunga volcanoes dominate the landscape and signal you as you move on. On reaching the park, you can get an overview of the area by walking up the viewpoint, just 15 minutes from Ntebeko Gate. Mgahinga has immense biological significance because throughout the climatic changes of the Pleistocene ice ages, mountains such as these provided a refuge for mountain plants and animals, which moved up or down the slopes as climate became warmer or cooler.
Wildlife

The Virungas inhabit a large variety of wildlife, including about half the world’s critically endangered mountain gorillas. The park is best known for Gorilla tracking for by tourists. Strangely enough, no gorillas live permanently within the park, but a fair number moves freely between Uganda and the neighboring Parc National des Volcans in Rwanda.
The Mountain Gorillas are the most awe-inspiring animals to be found in Africa. Regrettably regional human population growth and poaching activities within the park have destroyed much of their natural habitat plus their numbers. Having faced extinction, today sound Conservation policies have slowed down their decline.
Getting There and Away
The drive takes you about 540 km from Kampala to Kisoro and it takes close to 8 hours via Kabale. When you reach Kisoro you will drive along a dirt road 14 Km. For public transport, there are daily buses/matatus, which set off at 7.00pm from Kampala. Once in Kisoro Town, you can hire a cab to the park gate or trek to the park if you are physically powerful enough.
Gorilla Tracking in Mgahinga

This is the most thrilling tourist activity in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The habituated gorilla in this park is called the Nyakagezi, which consists of 9 members, 2 silverbacks, 3 adult females, 2 juveniles and 2 infants. Gorilla tracking is an intensive experience that can take the whole day. The guide leads you through the gorilla’s world, explaining aspects of their ecology and behavior along the way.
What you Must Carry with to Mgahinga
Gorilla Tracking can be strenuous walk, so go prepared. It is advisable that you;
• Wear shoes with good traction, suitable for steep muddy slopes
• Carry rain gear, sunscreen and a hut, as the weather is unpredictable.
• Carry binoculars, you will see much more, you can hire from the park office
• Carry water and food.
Regulations  for Mgahinga Gorilla Trackers
• Keep your voice down or be quiet. You will see and hear if you do.
• Don’t point or waive your arms- this can be seen as a threat. Move gently.
• If approached by a gorilla, back away slowly to keep 5m separation.
• Don’t use flash, this could threaten the gorillas and bother other visitors.
Birding In Mgahinga Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is blessed with a unique bird fauna; 79 bird species have thus far been recorded within the park, including several species endemic to the East Congo Montane region. Park Management offers you a guide who will take around for a good viewing of birds, do not forget your binoculars.
OtherActivities in Mgahinga
• Mountain gorilla tracking tours
• Wildlife Safaris
• Birding tours
• Hiking/ Volcano Climbing
Interesting Facts About Gorillas
o The adult male Uganda gorillas have more pronounced bony crests on their skulls, giving them a more conical shape in comparison to the females.
o Mountain gorillas are diurnal – they are generally active during the hours between 6am – 6pm, which is why gorilla trekking is best within this specific time.
o As male gorillas age, they develop a saddle of grey or silver colored hair on their backs, for this reason, male Uganda gorillas are referred to as “silverbacks”.
o Gorillas are best identified by their nose prints, which are unique to each individual. The guides are so knowledgeable and can aid you.
o An adult male gorilla should have at least eight females in his “home”. He does not admit any other male.