Both Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga National Parks are Uganda’s only host for the endangered mountain gorillas. These National Parks are both situated in the southwestern part of Uganda spanning districts of Kanungu, Rubanda and Kisoro districts. While Bwindi national park is popular for its lush dense forests that are almost “impenetrable”, Mgahinga on the other hand is the smallest national park in the country but remains one of the most visited and a favorite for many visitors.

Bwindi National Park alone shelters almost half of the world’s only remaining mountain gorillas. It should be noted that Uganda is among the only three lucky countries that host the rare primate species of mountain gorillas. 

The other two countries that host the remaining mountain gorillas are Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda are also popular destinations for gorilla trekking safaris in Africa. Bwindi impenetrable National Park being the largest host for the endangered mountain gorillas has been progressing and registered success while receiving quite a large number of visitors compared to others.

Bwindi impenetrable National Park has consequently risen to fame globally because of gorilla trekking adventures. Both local and international visitors come from all parts of the world to spend some of their precious time with these human-like primate species. A visit to Bwindi National Park is definitely worth every penny spent and the activity is such a lifetime experience that will not leave you the same. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was gazetted in 1991 as a national park and later, was declared a sanctuary for the only remaining mountain gorilla species. 

COMPARING GORILLA TREKKING IN BOTH BWINDI AND MGAHINGA NATIONAL PARKS. 

Even though Bwindi National Park generates a high revenue and has promoted the tourism sector of the country, the early inhabitants of Batwa and pygmy people who initially stayed comfortably with the mountain gorillas in the wilderness of Bwindi are highly affected by the development since the bigger part of their homes and land was gazetted as a national park and home for the endangered mountain human-like primate species of mountain gorillas. Bwindi traps stunning bird species due to its rich in Ecosystem and abundant plant life alongside the vast impenetrable swamp in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park on the other hand shelters only one habituated gorilla family known as the “Nyakagezi family group”. 

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park also carries pride as one of the oldest national parks in Uganda. While the park shelters almost 600 gorillas out of the only remaining 1063, there are about four gorilla trekking regions in Bwindi’s impenetrable forest including; Buhoma gorilla sector, Ruhija gorilla sector, Rushaga gorilla sector and Nkuringo gorilla sector all scattered in different parts of the park.

Rushaga gorilla sector is situated in south east of Bwindi impenetrable National Park, Ruhija in the Eastern part, Nkuringo in the south and Buhoma gorilla sector in the north. Those are the four gorilla trekking regions that visitors to Bwindi can choose from and spend a quality one hour with the endangered mountain gorillas. 

Buhoma sector is the most visited and popular gorilla sector in Bwindi impenetrable National Park and the park’s headquarters are also situated right at this spot. Buhoma is also one of the most easily accessed gorilla sectors and is just 2 two-hour road drive away from the Ishasha sector the home of tree-climbing lions in the south of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

There are five habituated gorilla families in Buhoma gorilla sector and they include Rushegura gorilla family, Muyambi gorilla family, Habinyanja gorilla family, Katwe gorilla family, and Mubare gorilla family, the oldest of all.

Mubare gorilla family was initially comprised of 12 gorilla individuals under the leadership of the giant Ruhondeza, male protecting silverback who died as a result of deteriorating health and age. Ruhondeza was later succeeded by Kanyonyi who also later turned weak and Malaya took over. He is the current leader and male silverback of the surviving nine gorilla individuals.

Rushegura is another family that split from Habinyanja and is currently and under the leadership of Mwirima, a giant fierce silverback who fought for succession, failed and decided to part ways with those who believed in him and currently features 7 gorilla individuals.

The Habinyanja gorilla family is comprised of only 12 gorilla individuals, even though initially they were quite big in number -about 25 gorilla individuals before splitting with Rushegura.  

Gorilla trekking in Buhoma gorilla sector takes 1 to 7 hours depending on the location of the tracked gorilla group.

All gorilla trekking tours in both Mgahinga and Bwindi national parks start at 8:00 am after briefing and breakfast. All trekkers are arranged into eight – member groups. Each group is allocated to track and locate one particular gorilla family. Once the tracked group is located, visitors can spend 1 full hour in contact with these endangered mountain gorillas. 

Gorilla trekking permits in both Bwindi and Mgahinga have the same price and the experience is absolutely the same with just small differences like the number of mountain gorillas.

Gorilla trekking permits in both national parks go for 700USD for the foreign non residents, 600 USD for foreign residents and ugx 250,000 per person.