Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in southwestern Uganda and it is part of the great Virunga conservation region which also stretches to Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. Mgahinga is well known for its volcanic landscapes with the three famous volcanoes which are Mount Gahinga, Muhabura and Sabyinyo.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is famous for its endangered mountain gorillas and comes second to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for protecting the magnificent apes. This is one of the few places where you can get to experience awesome gorilla trekking experiences in the wilderness.
Apart from trekking gorillas, Mgahinga gorilla national park is the only place where you get a chance to see and trek golden monkeys because it’s a perfect place for primate enthusiasts, bird watching is also done alongside any activity where you get a chance to watch various bird species.
The park contains sections of three Virunga volcanoes that are Gahinga, Muhabura and Sabyinyo. Mountains.
Mount Gahinga
Mount Gahinga.
Mount Gahinga is one of the three Virunga volcanoes found within Mgahinga Gorilla National Park located in southwestern Uganda on the border between Uganda, Rwanda and DRC standing at an elevation of about 3,474 meters above sea level.
Mount Gahinga is dormant and therefore no longer active, it offers stunning opportunities for hikers and trekkers. Trails are less challenging compared to other mountain peaks within the Virunga region.
While heading to Gahinga peak, you get a chance to see different vegetation zones like bamboo forests and moorlands making the hiking so fascinating. You get a chance to see stunning views of the surrounding landscapes and other Virunga volcanoes like Sabyinyo and Muhabura.
After or before hiking, you can decide to embark on gorilla trekking where you get a chance to see the endangered mountain gorillas within their natural habitat.
Mount Muhabura.
Muhabura is one of the volcanoes located in the Virunga Mountains stretching along the borders of Uganda, Rwanda and DRC, it has an elevation of about 4,127 meters above sea level making it the third highest peak in the Virunga Mountains.
Mount Muhabura is an inactive volcano and a prominent landmark in the park. Adventure lovers get a chance to hike and trek the journey to the peak which is a bit challenging but rewarding once you reach the peak.
During your journey to the summit, you get the opportunity to encounter different vegetation zones like bamboo and montane forests which are home to diverse wildlife, primate and bird species.
When you reach the summit, you are able to see other Virunga mountains like Gahinga and Sabyinyo and when you stretch, you can see Lake Edward in Queen Elizabeth National Park, you can also see a border marker signifying the point where Rwanda, Uganda and DRC converge which means you are standing in three countries at the same time.
Mount SabyinyoMount Sabyinyo.
Mount Sabyinyo is shaped like an Old Man’s Teeth, part of the Virunga Mountains within Mgahinga Gorilla National Park at the border of Uganda, Rwanda and DRC.
Mount Sabyinyo has an elevation of approximately 3669 meters above sea level, it is dormant which means it is no longer active.
Mount Sabyinyo is unique in such a way that it has multiple peaks that resemble a set of teeth hence its nickname, old man’s teeth.
Outdoor enthusiast enjoys the privilege of hiking and trekking Mount Sabyinyo since it has multiple peaks which can be climbed in one day amidst the challenging terrain and steep rocky sections.
At the summit, you will find a border point that represents a point where Uganda, Rwanda and DRC intersect which means you do stand in three countries at once, you can also see other Virunga mountains like Muhabura and Gahinga alongside stunning panoramic views of the surroundings.
Sabyinyo visitors are given a chance to enjoy the various flora differentiated by the different vegetation zones they grow in and a variety of primates like gorillas and monkeys and bird life species.
Apart from the three prominent Virunga mountains, Mgahinga is also home to the famous Batwa people also known as the Twa or the pygmies who are believed to have been the first inhabitants of the forests.
The Batwa are believed to be traditional hunters and gatherers who truly relied on the forest for their livelihoods but because of conservation efforts of mountain gorillas, they were recently evicted from the park and the forests.
Visitors to Mgahinga gorilla national park are given a chance to learn about the Batwa, their culture and traditional practices all together including hunting and gathering fruits and how they were able to survive through the forests.
The Batwa cultural experiences are filled with dance and music which is part of their heritage plus crafts and souvenirs that are made by Batwa acting as a source of income and visitors to support their community.
You can learn about the history and unique culture of the Batwa as well as the challenges they faced due to the conservation efforts of protecting the endangered mountain gorillas.
How to get to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can be reached from Kampala through the Masaka-Mbarara-Ntungamo- Kabale-Kisoro route which takes about 8-9 hours of driving.
From Kigali, you can use the Cyanika border to cross to Uganda which takes about 4-6 hours of drive.
You can use a domestic flight from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi airstrip to Kisoro air strip.
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