Mgahinga National Park

Mgahinga National Park is located in southwestern Uganda, near the borders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is part of the larger Virunga Conservation Area, which spans the three countries. The park lies in the Kisoro District, approximately 510 kilometers from Uganda’s capital, Kampala. The journey to the park can be made by road or by air, with the nearest airstrip being in Kisoro town. Mgahinga is Uganda’s smallest national park, covering about 33.7 square kilometers, but it is rich in biodiversity and scenic landscapes

Mgahinga National Park is famous for its population of endangered mountain gorillas, which are part of the larger Virunga gorilla population. Visitors can embark on gorilla trekking adventures to observe these magnificent primates in their natural habitat. The park is also home to golden monkeys, making it the only place in Uganda where tourists can track both mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. Apart from wildlife, the park features three extinct volcanoes: Mount Muhabura, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Sabyinyo, which offer breathtaking hiking experiences.

Beyond primate trekking, Mgahinga National Park offers a variety of activities, including nature walks, bird watching, and cultural encounters with the Batwa people, an indigenous forest-dwelling community. The Batwa Trail experience allows visitors to learn about the traditional lifestyle of the Batwa, including their hunting techniques and herbal medicine. The park’s diverse ecosystem consists of bamboo forests, montane forests, and alpine vegetation, providing a serene and picturesque environment for nature lovers.