Mgahinga Gorilla National park is the most unique in its own and scenic national park. Located in South Western Uganda, Mgahinga sits high in the clouds, at an altitude of between 2,227m and 4,127m. It is an important habitat to the remaining mountain gorillas in the world. At 33.7 square kilometers, Mgahinga National Park is the smallest National Park in Uganda. It is located in the remote South-western district of Kisoro. Mgahinga is part of a larger ecosystem, the Virunga Conservation Area (434km sq) which includes two adjacent parks in Rwanda and Congo. The park which is a cultural heritage featuring in the history, folklore and traditional healing practices for local people, covers the north slopes of the three northern Virunga volcanoes  Muhavura, Gahinga and Sabinyo. The park derives its name from “Gahinga Kinyarwanda word for a pile of volcanic lava stone heaps around which cultivation is carried out.”Mgahinga” is named after Mount Gahinga plus the initial of Mount Muhavura.

Species in Mgahinga

 The vegetation is the one typical of afro-montane areas, with a consistent bamboo forest. There are 76 mammal species recorded, including buffaloes, elephants, bushbucks, golden monkeys, leopards. 115 bird species have been recorded, including Rwenzori Turaco, crowned hornbill, black kite and crowned crane. Mgahinga hosts a population of golden monkeys and a few families of mountains gorillas called Nyakagezi a trans-boundary specie.

Popular Activities

Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the major reason as to why the park was created. The park protects these endangered apes that roam through the Virunga ranges that are spread through Uganda, Rwanda & DR Congo.

Climbing mount Virunga volcanoes

Mgahinga is also known to shelter 3 of the 8 Volcanoes in the Virunga Massif that include Mount Gahinga (3474 meters/11,400 feet above sea level), Mount Sabinyo (3674 meters/12,180 feet above sea level) and Mount Muhabura (4127 meters/13,540 feet above sea level). Read More

Visiting Local Culture

Visit the Batwa People of Bwindi. Originally, these minority people were inhabitants of the rainy forests on which they heavily relied as their source of food & medicine for years. They’re also excellent hunters & fruit gatherers. Read More

Visiting Garama Caves

There are numerous caves but the most significant of all is the Garama cave located 4 km from Ntebeko visitor center. The 200 meter long caves are sacred places for the BaTwa who were evicted from their ancestral forest in 1991. Read More

Trekking Golden Monkeys

There are numerous caves but the most significant of all is the Garama cave located 4 km from Ntebeko visitor center. The 200 meter long caves are sacred places for the BaTwa who were evicted from their ancestral forest in 1991. Read More

Accommodation facilities

For clients who want to visit this park accommodation can be organized from the basic Camp-site to the luxurious full board hotels, these include Traveler’s Rest, Sky Blue, Mt. Gahinga Rest Camp, Virunga Hotel, Chameleon hill Lodge, Mgahinga Safari Lodge, Rugigana Campsite and Mubano Hotel.

How to get there

Mgahinga National Park can be accessed by road or air transport.
Kisoro Town at the foot of Mt. Muhavura is about 540km from Kampala and takes about 8 hours via Kabale on an excellent paved road surface. Public transport by bus is available on a daily basis. Mgahinga is located 13 km from Kisoro town and can be accessed by Public transport.
Kisoro Town can also be accessed by air. The town boasts of a bitumen runway Airfield at Nyakabande.