3 Day Gorilla Trekking Safari In Mgahinga National Park

A 3 day gorilla trekking safari in Mgahinga National Park involves taking one hour with a fully habituated mountain gorilla family. Mgahinga National Park is a Uganda National Park in southwestern part of Uganda. it is the smallest Uganda National Park too covering an area of about 33.7 square kilometers. Contact Us

Mgahinga National Park has its headquarters in Ntebeko but its topography has three mountains that is mountain Gahinga, Muhavura and Sabyinyo but these are part of the famous Virunga Volcanoes. These highlands in Mgahinga forest influence have fast you get to the mountain gorillas. At times the mountain gorillas spend time on the slopes or deep in the valleys of these highlands so you have to find them.

The gorilla trekking experience in Mgahinga is unique because the environment around this forest is untamed and less traveled so expect an authentic safari experience. The vegetation of Mgahinga forest is tangled and thick which has been accumulated over a long period of time.

Mgahinga National Park so far has one gorilla family called Nyakagezi that is open to the public so donot expect multitudes of people attending this adventure.

Highlights of 3 Day Gorilla Trekking Tour in Mgahinga National Park.

Day 1 Drive to Mgahinga National Park

Day 2 Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga National Park

Day 3 Departure Gorilla-safari -tours

Details of 3 Day Gorilla Trekking Tour in Mgahinga National Park

Day 1 Drive to Mgahinga National Park

Early morning, our driver guide picks you and drive to Mgahinga National Park. The distance from Entebbe or Kampala to Mgahinga National Park is about 540 kilometers and drive time 8 to 9 hours. Enroute, you may enjoy a stopover at the Equator to take photos standing on both sides of the hemisphere.

Mgahinga National Park is a biosphere reserve and home to other wild animals including black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, golden monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey and many others. More than 115 bird species have been confirmed as residents of Mgahinga forest. The topography of Mgahinga National Park is composed of three Virunga Volcanoes that are stunning to watch and one of them called Muhavura is considered a significant landmark in the area. Hike on Mountain Sabyinyo gives you chance to stand on the border in Uganda, Rwanda and D.R.Congo at the same time.

The drive to Mgahinga National Park us bumpy and through winding roads because of the effect of volcanic actions that affected the Kigezi sub area.

Arrive in the late evening to check into your lodge

Mgahinga accommodations Gahinga Volcanoes lodge, UWA cottages. More accommodations options are available in Kisoro town.

Meal plan full board

Day 2 Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga National Park

Wake up early for breakfast and head to the ranger station at Ntebeko for briefing. Donot forget to carry your gorilla trekking gears along and wear the necessary attires comfortable for a jungle adventure. While at the ranger station, you may meet other tourists but at the moment donot expect crowds because currently only one gorilla family is open to the public in this park Gorilla-Tracking

After briefing, the ranger guide uses the trail leading where the gorilla family was last seen the previous day. Time of locating the mountain gorillas may take about 2 hour to more depending on the factors prevailing in the wilderness. In order to still keep the vibe of gorilla trekking experience, open your mind to seeing other forest dwellers includes olive baboons, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys and others.

Keen birder on gorilla trekking safari in Mgahinga National Park have a chance to spot a number of birds including Albertine rift endemics.

Finally as you get closer to the mountain gorillas, the ranger guide reminds you about the rules of this adventure them advises you to wear the clean masks. One of you may be requested to introduce the rest of the group to the mountain gorillas as away to show that you visit in peace. The first glance of the mountain gorillas may send a cold chill down your spine and create some anxiety but try to keep calm.

Enjoy every moment with the mountain gorillas as it in folds. Take every minute before the mountain gorillas seriously because they are natural and not choreographed to put on a performance. This is the life the mountain gorillas live. Take as many photos as you can to reserve for future reference as having been on a gorilla trekking safari in Africa

Get back to your lodge

Day 3 Departure

After spending time with the mountain gorillas, drive back Entebbe Airport to catch up with the flight back home. Gorilla- Trekking-Booking

How Much Is The Cost Of Gorilla Trekking Permit In Mgahinga National Park

The current cost of gorilla trekking permits for Mgahinga National Park is $800 for international nonresidents, $700 for International residents, $500 for Other Africans and 300,000shs for East Africans. The inclusions in the cost of gorilla trekking permits for Mgahinga National Park are park entrance fees, ranger guide fees, conservation fees, security and others.

What To Expect On Gorilla Trekking Safari In Mgahinga National Park

During the gorilla trekking safari in Mgahinga National Park, expect to walk in a dense forest that is normally wet no matter the season. Mgahinga forest has a dense canopy that allows less sunray penetration to the ground. The dense network of rivers may flood the ground of Mgahinga National Park especially in the rainy season so wear safari boots that cover above the ankles.

The mountain gorillas are huge primates with dark fur from head to toe so when they emerge donot be shocked by this appearance. The silverbacks have white saddle on the back and are giants.

Time of finding the mountains is hard to determine but some tourists have found them after two hours id search while others may take more time. Having some patience gets you finally to the mountain gorillas, No matter how long you take to find the mountain gorillas only one hour is allowed with them because they are habituated to be before humans for that time.

Expect to come across other forest inhabitants including, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey and others. Other mammals may be seen in the forest including forest elephants and others.

Why Do Gorilla Trekking Safari In Mgahinga National Park

Gorilla trekking experience in Mgahinga National Park is the most authentic with mountain gorillas that donot normally receive visitors on a daily. The mountain gorillas in Mgahinga National Park are quite timid especially with intruders they are not accustomed too.

When you purchase the gorilla permits for Mgahinga National Park, its one way to support the conservation of these endangered primates as more funds need to be collected. The fate of the existence of the mountain gorillas was first brought to the attention of the world Diane Fossey the American primatologists before the 1980s when there census was done and about 250 mountain gorillas were recorded as existing world over.

Other than the mountain gorillas, during this safari adventure in Mgahinga National Park, you may spot animals including forest elephants, a range of birds, a variety of tree species and others. A visit to Mgahinga National Park is beyond doing gorilla trekking.

By hiring a porter to do gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park, you contribute to the community sensitization as this is one way to get them to appreciate the importance of having the mountain gorillas and there habitat in there vicinity. The locals use the money they collect to run there daily expenses.

Are Mountain Gorillas In Mgahinga National Park Safe To Visit

The mountain gorillas in Mgahinga National Park are safe to visit because they were first habituated to get used to human presence. No matter how many times you do the gorilla trekking, briefing is a must attend every time. This is because the mountain gorillas change characters just like humans that get mood swings.

Even though the mountain gorillas are calm, they can also charge when provoked but no need to panic when you experience such behavior. Wait for the ranger guide to establish the cause of the matter but be collaborative in order to calm the situation. Sometimes you may be required to pretend chewing foliage or bow as a way of showing total submission.

The environment around Mgahinga National Park is quite steep from the mountains around the park and volcanic actions that affected this area so try to keep fit to enable you search for the mountain gorillas.

When Is The Best Time To Do A Gorilla Trekking Safari In Mgahinga National Park

The best time to do gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park is in the dry season even though the park is open all year. Mgahinga National Park receives untimely rains that leave the ground soggy when less sunlight is allowed through to the ground.

In general the forest has less precipitation in the dry season and more light that allows better photographing environment.

The ground of Mgahinga forest has limited undergrowth which permits faster movement when searching for the mountain gorillas that normally spend more time in the deeper ends of the forest.

The dry season is normally June to October and December to February and is the peak tourism season in Uganda. Expect the demand for gorilla trekking permits to be high in the dry season yet at the moment 8 gorilla permit are open to the public from Mgahinga National Park. The dry season is normally characterized by high competition for other logistic that support tourism including accommodations, transport and others.

The wet season is also great time for doing gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park even though the mountain gorillas may spend most of the time in a sheltered spot. Be sure to find the mountain gorillas every time no matter the season.

How long is gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park

From the starting point, the time of finding the mountain gorillas during gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park varies. The locations of the mountain gorillas depends on factors including food location, weather conditions prevailing through the day, mood in the gorilla family and others.

Even though sometimes the mountain gorillas may be spotted in two hours other tourists may take about three quarters of the day. Pack some energy snacks to munch on during the breaks as you search for the mountain gorillas.

Watch out for other interesting features in Mgahinga National Park other than just finding the mountain gorillas.

Upon finding the mountain gorillas, only one hour is allowed with them as a conservation measure to reduce on the time with them. The presence of humans disturbs the daily activities of mountain gorillas. the more time with the mountain gorillas my cause them to get suspicious with you.

What are the rules of gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park

No making noise while trekking to find either the mountain gorillas because this makes them feel attacked.

Volunteer top stay behind in case you have a communicable infection like flu, cough, covid-19 and others.

While walking in the forest, try not to dump garbage in the forest because this alters the nature of the forest where these primates thrive.

When with the mountain gorillas keep a distance of about 7 meters from them to prevent chances of spreading any infection to these highly susceptible primates.

Never enter the forest without an escorting ranger guide as you may encounter animals that may hurt you or get lost in the wilderness.

In case you wish to have along call, request from the ranger guide to dig a hole for you atleast 30 centimeters deep.

Donot the touch the mountain gorillas although they may try to reach out to touch your hair or belongings out of curiosity.

Feeding the mountain gorillas is forbidden because they are wild animals that must search for there own food.

Spitting on vegetation is forbidden as this may pass germs to the mountain gorillas

The age limit for gorilla trekking safari in Uganda is 12 years and over this was set to enable more children to get to see the mountain gorillas at a younger age.