Mgahinga Safari offers an experience of Uganda's smallest national park. It was established to protect the mountain gorilla primates of the Ugandan sector of the Virunga Volcanoes that straddle Rwanda and the DRC. Of the 600 mountain gorillas left in the world, 300 are found in the Virunga Volcanoes, whilst the other 300 are in the nearby Bwindi National Park.Safari in Mgahinga will take you to the richly forested Virunga Volcanoes for an audience with a mountain gorilla. Mgahinga National park is a well known park for Mountain gorilla safaris. At just 33.7km2, it is also one of the most dramatic for the park lies on the northern slopes of Mts. Muhabura, Mgahinga and Sabyinyo, three volcanoes that create an unforgettable regional backdrop. These peaks are three of the six Virunga volcanoes that mark the southern limit of the Albertine Rift Valley and are divided between Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo.

A View of Virunga Volcano

Once in Kisoro town, you hike (if you are flexible) or take a special hire vehicle to the park gate. Its is also possible to fly to Kisoro. Flights can be arranged with Eagle Air, which has flights on Mondays and Fridays from Entebbe to Kisoro. Mgahinga National Park was gazetted in 1991 and is a part of the great Virunga Conservation Area, which is 434 km. It adjoins Rwanda's Volcano and the Democratic Republic of Congo's Virunga National Parks. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park experiences two wet rainy seasons; February - May and September- December of each year. The maximum amount of rainfall in a year is 250mm (October) and Minimum is 10mm (July).

Kisoro District is heavily populated with the Bafumbira who lead a simple life-style mainly as cultivators. These are the major ethnic group. The Batwa (Pygmies) who once lived in caves and fed on wildlife is the minority group. The park has Afro-montane vegetation and a cool climate. The abundant type of Vegetation is the bamboo (60 %), which is a delicacy to the Mountain gorilla; other types of flora include the Lobelia, Haegenia spp, etc. Animals found in the park include the Mountain gorilla, buffalo, elephants, bushbucks, the threatened golden monkeys and many others.

Birdwatching - Examples of bird species include Rwenzori turaco, Fiscal shrike, crowned hornbill, Black kite, Augur Buzzards, Crowned Crane.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 10am. That morning. A stroll along the Buffalo wall towards Congo takes you through a wetland are where Ibis, Whydah, Speckled Mouse bird, and Fire Finch are found, Stone chart, Grey-Capped Warbler, Waxbills and Yellow-Vented Bulbul are always seen around the campground. Ask your guide where the best spots are. Feel free to take your time and go at your own pace .Do not forget your Binoculars!

Mount Mgahinga 3474M - Mount Gahinga is quite bigger than the average 'Gahinga' but sitting next to Mount Muhavura does make it look small. 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'. A hike, who 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 8 km.

Mount Sabinyo 3669 M - 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 one. If you are to continue, the climb to peak eleven involves walking a ridge with breath-taking drops into gorges of Rwanda and Uganda. 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 peak 11! Once on top, you will be in Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda at the same time. The journey takes about eight hours round trip to cover the 14 km stretch.

Mount Muhavura 4127 M - 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 other 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 12 km. 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.The Virungas are home to more than half of the world's population of the endangered mountain gorilla. 380 individuals roam the slopes of the volcanoes while the remaining 340 live nearby in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Fortunately for the gorillas, Mgahinga's small area is supplemented by those of two larger, adjoining parks in Rwanda (Volcanoes NP) and DR Congo (Virunga NP). 

Though Mountain gorilla tracking is the Mgahinga National park most popular Safari activity, Mgahinga merits a visit simply to appreciate the scenery. A choice of hikes allows for all abilities, ranging from the 8 hour return Family tour to the summit of Mt. Muhabura, to gentle strolls across the lower slopes beneath the magnificent three peak backdrop.  The park contains at least 39 species of mammal and 79 birds. Larger mammals include elephant, leopard, buffalo and bush pig but these are rarely seen Mgahinga National park most famous resident is the mountain gorilla. Less famous but equally rare and deserving of protection is the golden monkey which is found only in the Virungas and in one other forest in Rwanda. Notable bird species include the Rwenzori turaco, crowned hornbill, black kite and crowned crane.

Mgahinga Peaks - alternative hiking
The peaks Mgahinga hasthreevolcanic peaks, Muhubura(4127m), Sabyinyo (3669m) and Mgahinga (3474m). These can all be climbed. Though no specialist equipment is required, a reasonable level of fitness is necessary if you intend to enjoy the experience.

Batwa Trail and Garama Cave
The Batwa Trail leads from t he base of Muhuvura Cave. This walk is conducted by Batwa guides VI insights into their traditional forest life and culture. The 342m long Garama Cave lies beneath a platee northern edge of the park, 3km from Ntebeko. It i~ former farmland zone but in earlier times, the cave forest when it was occupied periodically by Batwa as a council chamber and a retreat after raiding their neighbors.

Gorilla Tracking - Mgahinga National park most exciting and memorable activity is tracking the mountain gorilla in thick jungle. The park has one habituated gorilla group (Nyakagyezi) which is visited by tourists. This consists of 11 members; 2 silverbacks, 3 adult females, 4 juveniles and 2 infants. This group is mobile and sometimes crosses into Rwanda and DRC, so check for updates from Uganda Wildlife Authority (see contacts). Registration and briefing for gorilla tracking commences at Ntebeko at 07.45. Tracking starts at 08.30 and can take three to eight hours.

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!!

For budget camping safaris in Mgahinga there is ample space at the park gate and Mt. Gahinga Rest Camp for Camping', besides that, there is also excellent traditional Bandas managed by the local community.
Kisoro Town which is 14 kms to the gate of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park offers a wide range of accommodation facilities ranging from the basic Camp-site to the luxurious full board hotels and lodges; these include Traveler's Rest, Sky Blue, Mt. Gahinga Rest Camp, Virunga Hotel, Mgahinga Safari Lodge, Rugigana Campsite and Mubano Hotel among others.

Mgahinga Hotel lodge Camp Accommodation
Red Chilli gorilla Camp – The Luxury gorilla camp is located at the starting point for trekking the Mountain Gorilla at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mount Gahinga Rest Camp – Lodge -  In the shadow of the dramatic Virunga volcanoes, the camp is located almost right next to the park headquarters. This intimate lodge offers stunning views of the nearby Kisoro volcano and an excellent base
Mgahinga Safari Lodge - range with 7 rooms, it is the ideal starting place for gorilla tracking Safari. It is just 45 minutes drive; or by boat, to the Mgahinga National Park Headquarters, The luxury lodge is an oasis in the middle of paradise. You will find Mgahinga Safari Lodge in a picturesque mountain area located on a peninsular in Lake Mutanda and situated in the three-county-corner Uganda/ Rwanda/ Congo.

Gorilla Tracking Information
For Conservation reasons, visits to the gorillas are tightly controlled. The following rules apply and must be strictly adhered to:
1. No one with a communicable disease ( eggs. Flu, diarrhea) is allowed to enter the park.
1. Stay together in a tight group while with the gorillas, don't surround them.
2. Don't get closer than 5 meters (15 feet) to the gorillas.
3. Don't use camera flashes while photographing.
4. Don't eat or smoke when with the gorillas or within distance of 200 metres from the gorillas.
5. Bury all human faeces a minimum of one foot deep and ensure that the hole is properly covered.
6. Don't leave litter. All litter must be carried out of the park and disposed of properly.
7. No person under 15 years is allowed to track gorillas.
8. Don't make loud noise or move suddenly.
9. You are allowed a maximum of 1 hour with gorillas.
10. Don't spit on vegetation or soil while in the park. Use your hankie or other garment