Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Uganda
Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda is another thrilling adventure that gorilla visitors should think about. Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest are the only two tourist destinations in Uganda where people go to trek mountain gorillas in the wild. Most of the time, Bwindi is the widely talked about gorilla habitat more than Mgahinga. This is because, there are four gorilla trekking sectors in Bwindi forest plus several gorilla families than Mgahinga. Mgahinga National Park has got one group called the Nyakagezi Gorilla Family, whose trekking is worth the energy. Despite having just only one gorilla family, Mgahinga is an exceptional area where no one would get worried of overcrowding.
Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga is best defined as a life-changing experience that gives you a chance to come nearer the endangered mountain gorillas in the wild. The park is positioned suitably in South-Western Uganda just at the border with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Mgahinga occupies an around 34 Square kilometres that form part of the bigger Virunga Conservation Area (VCA). This vast conservation area covers sections of Volcanoes National Park in North Western Rwanda as well as Virunga National Park in the eastern side of Congo.
Getting to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
To go gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla Park, one may choose to go through Kigali to the Mgahinga in south western Uganda, which is closer to Rwanda. Gorilla trekking in Uganda from Kigali is one of the easiest and cheapest ways of visiting to see gorillas in Uganda at any of the two gorilla parks. This is because, a 1 day gorilla trip or a 2 days gorilla tour in Uganda from Rwanda are possible unlike from Entebbe.
Another alternative route would be to drive from Entebbe or Kampala by road to the Park going through Kabale to Kisoro town and then connect to the park. Kisoro town is the nearest urban area near the park and so visitors can spend an overnight here and move to the gorilla habitat the next day to see the endangered primates. Entebbe to Mgahinga is quite long but enjoyable. It is a day long (10 hours) drive on the road to the park or Kisoro town. But along the way, expect to enjoy some attractions that a visitor who used the Kigali route would miss.
When transferring to Mgahinga from Kampala/Entebbe, you will take Kampala – Masaka road along which you will make some stops the traditional drum and handicraft makers at Mpambire. There is a lot to admire about these people who have several hand-made crafts worth looking at and buying. Continue and make a stop at the Uganda Equator at Kayabwe in Mpigi. Stand at the Equator monuments for photo opportunities as well as enjoying the water experiment at the site. Handicraft shops are also many here and you are free to buy some. Proceed with the journey through Masaka to Mbarara city. Expect to see some zebras and antelopes along the way as you pass by Lake Mburo National Park. Good sightings indeed. Have a lunch stop in Mbarara and proceed straight to the Kisoro where you reach in the evening.
Mgahinga National Park can also be accessed by flying from Entebbe and land at an airstrip near Kisoro town. Also note that most tourists who trek gorillas in Bwindi forest’s southern sectors of Nkuringo and Rushaga also use Kisoro airstrip and then transfer by road to the park. This means that Kisoro airtsrip is a very strategic asset for gorilla trekking tours in the two gorilla parks in Uganda. Flying from Entebbe to Kisoro takes about 1 hour. When you take our flying gorilla trekking trips in Uganda, we make all the necessary arrangements for ground transfers to and from the park.
When is the Best time to go for gorilla trekking in Mgahinga