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SIZE:
33 sq km
LOCATION:
Far southwest, bordering Rwanda and Congo,
14km from Kisoro town.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in
the southwestern corner of Uganda. The Park
covers the northern slopes of the three
northernmost Virunga Volcanoes: Mt. Muhavura
(4,127 m), Mt. Gahinga (3,474 m), and Mt.
Sabinyo (3,645 m). The Park is about 10 km
south of Kisoro and is bordered to the south
by the Republic of Rwanda and to the west by
the Democratic Republic of Congo. Each of
these countries protects its own portion of
the Virungas, in the Parc National des
Volcans and Parc National des Virunga
respectively. The three parks together form
the 434-sq. km. 'Virunga Conservation Area'
or VCA. Mgahinga is 33.7 sq. km, just 8% of
the VCA. The entire Park is in Bufumbira
County of Kisoro District.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is 33.7 sq.
km and consists of the partly forested
slopes of three extinct volcanoes. From far
away, the huge cones of the virunga
volcanoes dominate the landscape and beckon
you as you approach. When you reach the park
you can get a great overview of the area by
walking up the viewpoint, just 15 minutes
from Ntebeko Gate. Mgahinga Park has great
biological importance 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. The Virungas are
home to a large variety of wildlife,
including about half the world's critically
endangered mountain gorillas.
What to do
Gorilla Tracking
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.
We must stress that, while you have a very
good chance of seeing gorillas, success is
NOT guaranteed. They are wild creatures with
no fixed routine, and finding them requires
the skill and experience of your trackers
and guides, as well as luck.
The trackers and guides have helped to
habituate the gorilla groups and know them
intimately. They will take you to the area
where they left the gorillas the day before.
Before leaving they may be able to suggest
how long the hike might be. While walking,
please feel free to ask guides to slow down
if they are going too fast and if you need a
rest. Feel free to stop and look at birds or
flowers, the guide will ensure that you
don't get left behind.
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 water and food
Carry binoculars, you will see much more,
you can hire from the park office
When taking photos, remember your subjects
are black animals in dim light, and flash is
not allowed.
Good Manners for Gorilla Watchers
· 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 slowly.
· 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.
Hiking:
Volcano Climbing
Mt. Sabyinyo (366m)
'Old man's teeth'
Like an old man, time has eroded Mt.
Sabyinyo's crown. This volcano offers 3
challenging peaks to climb. A climb up the
mountain takes one up a ridge along the
eastern side of the climb to peak. If you
are to continue, the climb to the peak 11
involves walking a ridge with breath-taking
drops into gorges of Rwanda and Uganda, a
dual experience you will achieve here.
Finally, the hike up to the peak 111 is
steep with several ladders and mush
scrambling. You are guaranteed to get your
hands dirty en-route to peak111! Once on
top, you will be in Rwanda, Democratic
Republic of Congo and Uganda, what a triple
experience this is!!! The journey takes
about eight hours round trip to cover the
14km stretch.
Mt. Gahinga (3474m)
On your way to the park, look out for small
piles of stones in the garden fields. The
local people call such a pile a 'Gahinga'.
Mount Gahinga is quite bigger than the
average 'gahinga' but sitting next to Mount
Muhavura does make it look small. A hike,
which takes you about, six hours round trip,
goes through a good example of a pure Bamboo
forest. Gahinga once had a Crater Lake on
top but time has changed it into a Lush
swamp. Distance to the swamp is 8km.
Mt. Muhavura (4127m)
'The Guide'
Seen from all over Kisoro, this volcano acts
as a guide. The typical cone-shaped Mountain
provides some of the best views in the
country. Much of the climb passes a rocky
surface covered by grasses and small shrubs.
Once at the top, hikers are rewarded with
the view of the Virunga volcanoes, Lake
Edward in queen Elizabeth National Park,
Bwindi and the peaks of Rwenzori Mountain.
The hike takes approximately 8 hours round
trip covering 12km.You are advised to camp
at the Muhavura base camp the night before
the site has no facilities so you need a
tent, water, food and sleeping gear.
Cave Exploration
Garama cave
This is one of the caves where once the
crafty Batwa (who were warriors) lived and
fought their neighbors, the Bantu. The
distance to the cave entrance from the park
headquaters is 3 km long and it takes about
4 hours. Your guide will show you how the
Batwa lived and fought out of the cave. The
cave is 342m in length and 14m deep, and is
now inhabited only by bats.
Viewing Platform:
This is about 800 metres from the Park gate.
Once on top, you will have a good view of
the Park and the surrounding areas. A guide
is not necessary and the activity is free.
Displaying panels at the hill point will
give some information about what you can
see.
Border Trail - Visa Not Required
This hike takes you first toward Sabinyo.
The trail climbs up the base of Sabinyo for
a while through fine montane forest before
turning toward the Congo. Along the way you
will get a great view of Sabinyo's gorge and
peaks. Upon reaching the Congo you cut back
along the international border. The return
leg to the Park Head Quarters is a great
section for birding. The two rest huts along
the way are good places for a break. Look
closely for the golden monkeys and signs of
elephants.
Hiking time is 5 hours and distance 10 km.
Birding
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.
For the Virunga Conservation Area as a
whole, over 295 species in the Virungas are
endemic to the Albertine Rift Afromontane
region representing 59% of the total of
known endemic species.
Remember to contact the Park Management for
a guide who will take around for a good
viewing of birds, do not forget your
binoculars!!
Free Birding
Free birding along the edge of the park is
now available on request. The guides are
happy to take you out from 5-6 p.m. if you
book by 10 a.m. that morning. You can choose
where the walk will take you, or simply
relax in the campground. A stroll a long the
buffalo wall toward the Congo takes you
through a wetland area where Ibis, Whydah,
Speckled Mousebird, and Fire Finch are
found. Stonechat, Grey Capped Warbler,
Waxbills, and Yellow-Vented Bulbul are often
seen around the campground. Ask your guide
where the best spots are. Feel free to take
your time and go at your own pace, there is
no hurry when birding.
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