Gorilla Trekking Mgahinga National Park Travel Guide

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in south western Uganda in Kisoro District and forms part of the Virunga Massif.

The park is the smallest national park in Uganda, covering about 33.7 square kilometers. It is an important refuge for endangered mountain gorillas. The landscape of the park is shaped by three volcanoes: Mount Muhabura, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Sabyinyo.

Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga

A trek in Mgahinga is more than a simple walk. It is a chance to enter the forest and observe mountain gorillas in their natural home.

Mgahinga is home to only one habituated gorilla family, the Nyakagezi family. The walk to find this family takes visitors through thick forest areas. A normal trek can last from 30 minutes to six hours, depending on where the gorillas are on that day. Trekking starts early in the morning at the park headquarters, with a briefing led by experienced park rangers who explain the park rules and safety guidelines.

After the briefing, tourists are divided into groups of eight people. Each group is led by trained park rangers into the forest to search for the gorillas. Once the gorillas are found, visitors are allowed to spend one hour observing them.

Quiet Gorilla Experience

Mgahinga offers quieter and more personal gorilla encounters because it receives fewer visitors than nearby Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Golden Monkey Trekking

The park also offers golden monkey trekking in the bamboo zone. Golden monkeys are active and easy to watch as they move and feed in the trees.

Permits and Best Time to Visit

Planning a trek in Mgahinga requires securing a permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. A gorilla trekking permit costs USD 800 per person per trek.

The best time for gorilla trekking is during the dry seasons, from June to August and from December to February, when trails are less muddy.

Accommodation Options

Accommodation options around Mgahinga range from budget to luxury, and most lodges are a short drive from the park. These include Mount Gahinga Lodge, Mucha Hotel Kisoro, Travelers Rest Hotel Kisoro, and Kisoro Tourist Hotel.