Mgahinga is Uganda’s smallest national park and it’s in the far South-West of Uganda near the town of Kisoro. It is located in the Virunga Mountains and is conterminous with the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are the only locations in Uganda in which mountain gorillas can be found. Mgahinga has one habituated gorilla group, although this group sometimes crosses the border into Rwanda.
Additional wildlife includes Blue Monkeys, Black & White colobus monkey, leopard, forest elephant, giant forest hog as well as numerous species of birds. As well as being famous as a refuge for ‘Gentle Giants’ Mgahinga is also a favourite with hikers who come to explore the many caves and the three volcanoes, which lie partly within the park’s borders.
Attractions and activities in the park The most interesting activity in the park is tracking of gorillas and this is the greatest source of inspiring tourists. This activity takes a period of three days and there are over three groups of gorillas with the grey backed gorilla but tracking require one to move with the permit and the vaccination documents.
Bird watching is another activity in the park. The species of birds are the grey chapped warbler, yellow vented bulbul, stone chart, Ibis, black kite, wax bill, speckled mouse bird and others. But for one to under stand these birds it requires one to have a bird guiding book as well as an experienced guide.
The former warrior caves of the Batwa are suitable for cave exploration known as the Garama caves.
Scenic viewing is another activity and it is free of charge the park provides a clear platform to the surrounding mountains, vegetation as well as the Bafunbira and Batwa homes.
Mountain climbing and volcano hiking the most challenging mountain to climb is Mt Sabyinyo that’s why ladders are provided to get to the peak of 3669m high another Mt suitable for climbing is Muhavura it covers a big part of kisoro and can as well view it while in Kisoro
The park is 540 kms from Kampala and it’s an 8-hour journey by road. There are also flights from Entebbe International Airport to Kisoro.
