How to get to Mgahinga gorilla national park
How to get to mgahinga gorilla national park; Mgahinga gorilla national park is the smallest protected area located in southwestern part of Uganda in Kisoro district neighboring with Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga national park in Democratic Republic of Congo. Mgahinga gorilla national park is famously known for harboring endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, other primates like chimpanzees, l’hoest monkeys, different bird species, mammals and the three volcanic mountains. Mgahinga gorilla national park can be accessed by both road and air transport means
Getting to Mgahinga gorilla national park by road transport
Mgahinga gorilla national park is located in southwestern part of Uganda and when using road transport means, you will drive from Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale, Kisoro and then to the park headquarters which takes about 9 to 10 hours’ drive in a 4WD safari vehicle.
When using road transport means, Mgahinga gorilla national park can also be accessed from Kigali Rwanda where you will fly to Kigali international airport and then connect to Mgahinga gorilla national park through Cyanika border in Kisoro or Katuna border in Kabale which takes about 3 to 4 hours’ drive.
When using road transport means, Mgahinga gorilla national park can also be accessed by public means of transport where tourists will board a bus from Kampala bus terminal to Kisoro town and then hire a taxi to Ntebeko park headquarters. Using public means to access Mghainga gorilla national park is however not advisable as it tiresome, takes a long time due to multiple stopovers along the way and you might be overcharged.
Using road transport means to get to Mgahinga gorilla national park is tiresome but rewarding with great views of the traditional homesteads, terraced farmlands, plantations, Kigezi hills, local people, roadside markets, and beautiful landscapes among others.
Mgahinga gorilla national park can also be accessed from other national parks like Bwindi impenetrable national park, Queen Elizabeth national park, Kibale forest national park and Lake Mburo national park
Getting to Mgahinga gorilla national park by air transport means
When using air transport means to Mgahinga gorilla national park, you will book scheduled or charter domestic flights with Aerolink Uganda limited or Bar aviation from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro airstrip and then connect to the park headquarters by road. Scheduled flights with Aerolink depart from Entebbe airport daily at 7:00am and arrive at Kisoro airstrip at around 8:10am.
Scheduled flights with bar aviation depart from Entebbe airport daily at around 7:05am and arrive at Kisoro airstrip at around 8:30am. Both Aero link and bar aviation offer charter and helicopter flights on request if the scheduled services do not meet your needs.
Safari activities in Mgahinga gorilla national park
Upon arrival in Mgahinga gorilla national park, there are a number of safari activities that you can engage in during the safari including,
Gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking is one of the top activities in Mgahinga gorilla national park that attracts many tourists. Gorilla trekking starts early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking. After the briefing, you will start trekking in search of mountain gorillas which takes about 30 minutes to 6 hours depending on where the gorillas are located. Once they are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives you an opportunity to watch them carry out their daily activities, learn about their behaviors, take photos and record videos to show people back home.
Golden monkey trekking
Golden monkey trekking is the second best activity in Mgahinga gorilla national park and just like gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking starts early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking. Golden monkey trekking takes about 30 minutes to 4 hours and once the golden monkeys are found you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their environment which helps you to watch them play, feed, jump up in trees, take photos and record the moments to show people back home.
Bird watching
Mgahinga gorilla national park is a home of over 115 recorded bird species including Albertine rift endemics, forest birds and migratory birds including black kite, paradise flycatcher, white-necked raven, speckled mouse bird, double-collared sunbird, grey capped warbler, blue-headed coucal, dusky crimson wing, Kivu ground thrush, Ruwenzori turaco, olive pigeon among others.
Batwa trail experience
Batwa trails experience is another interesting activity in Mgahinga gorilla national park where you will be able to interact with the Batwa people who used to live in Mgahinga forest before it was gazetted into a national park, visit the forest where they used to live, visit Garama cave which acted as a store and hiding place, listen to ancient songs from the Batwa women among others.
Mountain climbing
Mgahinga gorilla national park is the home of 3 volcanic mountains which include Mount Sabinyo which is 3,669 meters above sea level, Mount Muhabura which is 4,127 meters above sea level and Mount Gahinga which is 3,474 meters above sea level.
Getting to Mgahinga gorilla national park is easy when you go through a tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris in that we will be able to book for you your entire Uganda safari package which includes transportation, accommodation and park activities.
