Uganda Gorilla trekking Experience In Mgahinga National Park

For authentic and raw gorilla trekking experience in Africa, Mgahinga National Park in Uganda is the ideal choice. Mgahinga National Park may be the smallest Uganda National Park sitting on approximately 33.7 square kilometers of forested land, is also home to mountain gorillas.

Over the years, Mgahinga National Park has been one of the unpopular gorilla trekking destination in Uganda allowing the mountain gorillas to live a purely free life with less human presence. Ranger guide allocated to Mgahinga National Park routinely patrol the forest for security purposes and these gorilla may not expect any other humans throughout the day.

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On gorilla trekking day, tourists gather at the ranger station for briefing at Ntebeko visitor center where the main headquarters of the park are situated. Do not forget to carry necessary gorilla trekking gears to help you walk through the jungle with dense vegetation including tangles, large leaves and much more.

Brief Details About Mgahinga National Park

Mgahinga National Park has three significant mountains that is mountain Gahinga, Muhavura and Sabyinyo affecting the physical capability of those on the way to find the mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park is physically challenging so keep some level of fitness. So far one gorilla trekking family called Nyakagezi is open for gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park.

A plethora of birds lives in Mgahinga National Park with a list of over 115 bird species recorded, over 39 mammals including mountain gorillas and endangered golden monkeys. From the stone buffalo wall keen birders have the chance to spot a range of birds.

A guided hike on either of the three Mountain towers of Mgahinga Forest is exciting with chances of spotting some of the best sceneries rarely seen when positioned closer to the ground.

Batwa trail and Garama cave visit while in Mgahinga National Park gives you a glimpse into the life of these former Mgahinga forest dwellers.

The buffalo wall is a natural stone barrier on northern edge of Mgahinga National Park that prevents buffaloes from straying into the farmlands.

What Happens On Gorilla Trekking Day In Mgahinga National Park

Tourists gather at the ranger station for briefing where the most recent details about the mountain gorillas of Mgahinga National Park and most recent updates about the forest are communicated.

Later all trekkers follow the ranger guide using the trail heading to the last location where the gorilla family was seen.

Along the way, tourists are requested to keep up with the rules of gorilla trekking as these have been proved by researchers to maintain harmony between the mountain gorillas and humans. Mountain gorillas are always suspicious and on guard for intruders in their vicinity no matter how many visitors they receive.

Tourists on a gorilla trek are encouraged to shift focus to other forest dwellers that live in the forest as at times the adventure may take longer than expected. Be sure to see the mountain gorillas no matter how long it may take.

As you approach the mountain gorillas, the ranger guide warns you to wear your mast and deal with the last personal care like drinking, smoking or nay other so that you do not deal with this when in the presence of the gorillas.

Enjoy the presence of the mountain gorillas, take photos, film and depart from these primates to allow them focus on their daily life. It is hard to be around the mountain gorillas and not feel emotionally connected to them because their characters are closely related to those of humans. Mountain gorillas have about 96% human DNA.

One hour of gorilla trekking is allowed with the mountain gorillas during gorilla trekking in Uganda.

What Are The Requirements For Gorilla Trekking In Mgahinga National Park

Purchase the gorilla trekking permit for Mgahinga National Park note that only maximum 8 tourists are allowed to visit each gorilla family per day.

Pack right for gorilla trekking including safari boots, long sleeved shirt, safari hat, rain proof gears, foldable water bottle, first aid kit and more.

Maintain some level of fitness to help you trek through the jungle where the landscape is uneven with sometimes mountain gorillas spending time on the slopes or deep in the valleys.

Reserve necessary gorilla trekking amenities like accommodation, transport, driver guide and others. It is best to do this in advance to avoid last minute disappointments when the best choices run out. Mgahinga National Park has limited accommodation choices however more are available in Kisoro town which is about 30minutes drive from Ntebeko the main quarters of the park.

Maintain good health during while preparing for gorilla trekking and treat communicable illnesses as these can be passed to the highly vulnerable mountain gorillas. Communicable infections may end in massive deaths.

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

Mgahinga National Park is open for gorilla trekking all year but the dry season is most exciting that is June to September and December to January. The forest is vibrant with mountain gorillas and other forest inhabitants keeping most of their time closer to the ground.

The trails in Mgahinga National Park are often wet but less moist during the dry season allowing you to move faster and conveniently to find the mountain gorillas.

When taking photos or filming during gorilla trekking more light sips through the dense jungle canopy to the ground in the dry season.

If you want company during gorilla trekking as a solo traveler, the dry season provides the best possibility as more tourists book to do Uganda safaris in this season.

Do not be intimidated by the wet season that is March to May and late October to November as gorilla trekking time is still open. Uganda is not affected by extreme weather conditions that can stop activities like gorilla trekking.

Why Choose Mgahinga National Park For Gorilla Trekking In Uganda

The mountain gorillas in Mgahinga National Park are still authentic receiving less human visits allowing to still maintain their natural characteristics.

Beyond gorilla trekking, Mgahinga National Park offers stunning views of the volcanoes that tower over the Mgahinga forest.

The rich bird life of Mgahinga National Park hosting over 115 bird species including Albertine rift endemics is outstanding for keen birders. Golden monkeys and variety of other primate species are living in Mgahinga National Park and these you may come across on the way to fins the mountain gorillas.