3 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari In Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Duration
Overview
3 Days Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Eco-tour takes you to Uganda’s smallest but spectacular national park. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of Uganda’s two places where one can spot the endangered mountain gorillas. The park covers an area of 38 square kilometers and sits on the slopes of three giant volcanoes. It is less visited and less known when compared to Bwindi Impenetrable forest or Virunga and the Volcanoes National Park. This gives it an advantage in that the Wardens and rangers will treat you with greater attention as only 8 people come for the briefing and see the one gorilla group in a day. This is different from the 3 Days Bwindi Gorilla tour where rangers can sometimes get overwhelmed with too many tourists visiting the various gorilla families.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the only place where visitors can spot both golden monkeys and mountain gorillas in Uganda. It stands out from Bwindi because of its three volcanoes – Gahinga, Sabinyo and Muhabura. Most sections of the volcanoes are in Mgahinga but a small part stretches all the way to Rwanda and Congo. The summit of one of the volcanoes lies at a point where the borders of the three countries meet. It is therefore possible to be in 3 countries in a space of one minute. The presence of these volcanoes is responsible for the spectacular views, landscape and creatures that cannot be found in Bwindi. Mgahinga national park is home to bush pigs, bushbucks, duikers, buffaloes, forest elephants, jackals and leopards. The recorded bird species are over 180 and include the blue headed coucal, double collard sunbirds, ibis, paradise fly catchers, Rwenzori bats, Rwenzori night jar, Rwenzori Turaco, Speckled mouse bird, Stone chat, black kite, wax bills and the white-naped raven.
Despite the rich biodiversity in the park, Mgahinga is more known for its golden monkeys and Mountain gorillas. Mgahinga has one gorilla group but with the most Silverbacks in Uganda. The Batwa Trail in Mgahinga offers a much more interesting and quality cultural encounter than any offered in Bwindi Impenetrable forest. In Mgahinga, it is not just about cultural entertainments. Tourists go out into the forest with the Batwa themselves as Guides to learn about their ancient traditions, caves, traditional homes, medicines and hunting methods.
Our 3 Days Gorilla tour in Mgahinga is designed for those who want an easier gorilla family or want to combine it with golden monkey trekking in Uganda. The trip starts from Kampala or Entebbe but can be arranged to start from Kigali in Rwanda to reduce on the driving time.
Highlights
Day 1: Pickup from Entebbe/Kampala – Transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga – Batwa Trail
Day 3: Transfer back to Entebbe
NOTE:
- The minimum age required for gorilla tracking is 15+ years; in case of flu or of any other airborne disease, the visitor will be not allowed to meet with the gorillas or the chimps.
- Travel by
- These rates are subject to change if not booked on time.
Included/Exclude
- Gorilla permits
- All activities in Lake Bunyonyi
- A Standard Tour Van with an experienced Guide/Driver
- Airport transfers
- 2 Days accommodation with meals
- All meals during the safari and bottled drinking water
- Park entrance fees
- All drinks, including the drinks for the sundowner
- Uganda Entry Visa fee
- International air flights
- Any optional activity not indicated in above program
- Laundry Services
- Gratuities and Tips
Tour Itinerary
Our Guide/Driver will pick you up from your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe to start the journey to Mgahinga. He will brief you about the trip and the itinerary. This is the time to ask the Guide questions about the safari and what to expect. If there is anything you left out, he can take you to a good shop to acquire them either in Entebbe or Kampala. The journey to Mgahinga will be long but with amazing scenery all the way. Be ready to admire the beautiful landscape and physical features in Southwestern Uganda.
You will bypass rolling hills, mountains, national parks and local people doing business along the roadside. Look out for the long horned Ankole cattle grazing close to the roadside as you approach Mbarara. You will have a stop to see how large traditional drums are made at the Mpambire royal drum makers. You will then proceed and stop at the equator crossing for photos and relaxation. The equator separates the earth’s southern hemisphere from the north. You can spread your legs and be in two hemispheres at the same time. After spending time at the Equator, you will proceed to Mbarara town for lunch. After lunch the journey continues up to Kisoro district.
Dinner and Overnight at Kisoro Travelers Rest Hotel, Lake Mutanda Resort or Mount Gahinga Lodge
Meal Plan: Full board
You will wake up and have breakfast very early as you wait for the driver to take you to the park headquarters for the briefing by park warden or rangers. The briefing covers many issues including details about the gorilla groups in Mgahinga, what to expect, what you need to have and how to act while with the gorillas. For the best gorilla trekking experience, you need sturdy boots, bottled water and packed energy snacks just in case the hike takes longer than expected. While at the Ntebeko Centre for Visitors, you will be required to present your passports to ensure that you are over 13 years of age an eligible group for the activity. Mgahinga National Park has only one habituated gorilla group. The only gorilla group in Mgahinga is the Nyakagezi group. The group used to migrate a lot to Rwanda and even Congo but is now permanently stationed in Uganda.
As you begin the search for the gorillas, expect to see birds and smaller primates along the way. You will pass through thick bamboo forests in areas of higher altitude than normal. Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga involves a lot of physical activity depending on the location of a gorilla group but you will be consoled by breathtaking views of the Virunga Volcanoes and pristine African forest. You might even get tired but will soon forget once you encounter the massive Silverback. Mountain gorillas are peaceful and dramatic primates. You will notice everyone member of the group busy on something or simply resting. The mothers will be breastfeeding or taking care of the youngsters. The juveniles are very playful and tend to climb trees more often. The Silverback is very observant and always on the lookout for any danger to the family – keep a distance of at least 7 meters. You are only allowed one hour with the gorillas. Take that time to take good photos for your memory while not forgetting to observe the groups behavior.
It is difficult to predict the time you will be out in the forest looking for the gorillas. If you are lucky to find them early, you will be taken back to the park offices for the Gorilla trekking certificate of completion. The Driver will take you back to the hotel for lunch and refreshment before going for a cultural encounter with one of the local tribes if you came back early enough. You can also choose to go for a nature walk and see some of the crater lakes in the area. Lake Mutanda is an amazing lake to visit.
Dinner and Overnight at Kisoro Travelers Rest Hotel, Lake Mutanda Resort or Mount Gahinga Lodge
Meal Plan: Full board
Wake up at your leisure and take your breakfast as you wait for the Guide/Driver to pick you up to start the journey back to Entebbe. This will be a long journey but the beautiful grass plains, hills, mountains, valleys and general panoramic views of western Uganda is enough to keep you engaged. Then there are the local people going about their business by the roadside or in their gardens. There will be stops to the equator and Igongo Cultural Centre in case you didn’t have the chance to visit them on day 1. You should reach Kampala by 6pm in time for your flight back home or to your hotel in Entebbe.
End of Safari
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