Things to do in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park might be the tiniest of the national parks in Uganda but it has a big impact in terms of wildlife, adventure, and culture. This Park is located in the extreme southwestern part of the country and is one of the 3 volcanic national parks that form the Virunga Conservation Area, a range of active and dormant volcanoes that stretch over the western parts of Uganda, Rwanda, and Democratic Republic of Congo. Magnesium is often referred to as the place “where gold meets silver” and it is the only refuge where the rare Golden Monkeys coexist with the adorable Mountain Gorillas
. A trip to Mgahinga could be perfect if you want an intimate, off-the-beaten-path style safari, and at the same time, a tranquil environment away from the noise of the cities, secluded by handsome volcanoes and humid forests that could be a scene from a mythological story.
Gorilla Trekking: The Silverback Experience.
The most significant attraction at Mgahinga is undoubtedly tracking the endangered Mountain Gorillas. A habituated gorilla family in Mgahinga Park is limited to just one and that is the Nyakagezi group
, whereas there are several in the other parks. Being very active, on the one hand, the Nyakagezi group
had the habit of crossing borders in the past but on the other hand, they stayed in the Ugandan side for the last few years. Hence as some visitors may think of it as a “luxury” of trekking here, the reality of this statement comes out of the very limited number of permits which is only eight per day and so the groups of people you will encounter will be very few. The search takes you among wonderful bamboo groves and the vast moorlands, with the rangers guiding you and telling you interesting facts about gorilla behavior. The time you get with the family is definitely not going to be over 60 minutes wherein the massive silverbacks guard their troop fiercely while the mischievous babies playfully tumble through the grass, which is an experience that will stay with you forever.
Golden Monkey Tracking: A Splash of Color.
Mgahinga is the only one safari destination in Uganda where the magnificent Golden Monkeys
can be found. To be sure, these creatures are a great pleasure to look at; with bright orange-gold fur and long, cute tails, they are much livelier and more fun-loving than gorillas. Their tracking is usually less hard-work and the reason for that is that the whereabouts of these animals are the lower bamboo zones of the volcanoes. During the course of the forest, the team will be able to see a troop of monkeys leaping from one branch to another at breakneck speed, and they often stop to eat bamboo shoots or wild fruits. If anyone wants a more profound link, then he can choose a Golden Monkey Habituation Experience at the park, which permits one to spend four hours with the researchers and the monkeys, giving the researcher a rare look at how these unique creatures are studied and protected in the wild.
Climbing the Virunga Volcanoes: Stand in Three Countries.
Mgahinga is the place to be for the thrill-seeking active, who is looking forward to trekking the three famous extinct volcanoes: Mount Sabinyo, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Muhabura. All three volcanoes offer different adventurous and distinguished views and rewards. Mount Sabinyo whose name means “Old Man’s Teeth” because of its pointy peaks is possibly the most well-known one. The hiking safari requires one to ascend steep ridges through wooden ladder and upon reaching the top, you are actually at the cross point of 3 countries: that is Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC all at once! The Mount Gahinga is the minor one and thus, it offers a less tiring walk through the forest sqm of the mountain to a lovely crater swamp which is the peak. If you are in the mood for the ultimate challenge of your stamina, then get on top of Mount Muhabura which stands tallest. The stunning views of the other Virunga volcanoes plus, in a good weather, the glistening Lake Edward and far Rwenzori Mountains can be seen from its summit.
The Batwa Trail: A Journey into Ancient Culture.
An outing to Mgahinga would be incomplete without participating in the Batwa Trail. The Batwa people, who are widely referred to as the “Keepers of the Forest”, were the inhabitants of these mountains for many thousands of years as they lived off the forest through hunting and gathering even before the park was gazetted. On this cultural path, the Batwa guides take you through the forest to show their ancient lifestyle. You will be taught how they hunted with bows and arrows, in what manner they collected wild honey and which plants they used as medicine for everything that ranged from common cold to toothaches. On the trail, the main event is getting to the sacred Garama Cave which is a gigantic lava tube that in the past served as a palace for the Batwa king and a fortress during times of war. While in the dark and mystic cave, the Batwa women perform old and beautiful songs that describe their ancestral home, a very touching and real way of understanding a dying culture.
Birding and Scenic Nature Walks.
If you are a nature lover or a bird enthusiast, Mgahinga is definitely your paradise with more than 180 recorded bird species. The Park is a breeding ground for many “Albertine Rift Endemics” birds that have their habitats only in the park and no other place in the world in this case such as the colorful Rwenzori Turaco and the Regal Sunbird. The scenic nature walks are also great if you are not really a bird watcher but still want to see the park and should not feel any pressure. Taking a walk on the Buffalo Wall which is a stone barricade built to protect the local farms from the wild animals, or the Gorge Trail between Mount Gahinga and Mount Sabinyo is basically what you can do. On these trails, you can see the awe-inspiring volcanic landscape, the charming quiet water courses and also small forest dweller like duikers and lovely butterflies can be spotted, besides, you are still able to breathe the fresh, cool mountain air.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is an area where the magic runs deep and the beauty is of different kinds. No matter if you are making eye contact with a silverback, or you are on a volcanic peak, or you are uncovering the ancient secrets of the Batwa, the park is a place for a calm and deep bond with the wild core of Africa.