In our previous article, we shared about gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park. We hinted at gorilla trekking in Mgahinga gorilla national park but we never shared the details. Here is what you need to know about gorilla trekking in Mgahinga gorilla national park.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, located in southwestern Uganda is part of the larger Virunga Conservation Area, encompassing parks in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In Rwanda, the park is known as Volcanoes National Park while in Congo, it is known as Virunga National Park.
Democratic Republic of Congo has the biggest share of the Virunga conservation area. Courtesy of Virunga National Park, Congo has 97% of the Virunga conservation area. Rwanda shares 2% of the conservation area while Uganda has less than 1% of the conservation area.
Unfortunately, though Congo has the biggest share of the conservation area, gorilla trekking is still underdeveloped due to the continuous civil wars in that country. Most of the tourists are often left with only two options; Mgahinga gorilla national park and Volcanoes national park.
The experience of trekking gorillas in Volcanoes National Park is different from gorilla trekking in Mgahinga gorilla national park even though country boundaries merely separate the parks. Similar to Serengeti National Park and Masai Mara Conservation Area, gorillas can cross freely among the three countries.
Gorilla Treks in Mgahinga offer visitors the chance to embark on guided hikes through the forest in search of habituated gorilla families. These treks can vary in duration and difficulty, depending on the location of the gorilla groups on any given day. The experience of coming face to face with these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat is truly awe-inspiring and provides a rare opportunity to observe their behavior up close.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Gorilla Trekking Permits
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has one habituated gorilla family well known as Nyakagezi. With only one habituated gorilla family, Mgahinga offers a maximum of eight gorilla trekking permits a day. This is because the gorilla trekking rules only allow a maximum of eight people to meet with a gorilla family in 24 hours.
A gorilla trekking permit in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park goes for $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign residents, $500 for Africans outside the East African community, and Ugx 300,000 for Africans within the East African community.
Permits are offered on a first come first serve basis. There are no special permits for Africans or East Africans. The same slot that is sold at $800 to non-Africans, is the same slot that is sold to Ugandans at Ugx 300,000. This also means that the Ugandan Wildlife Authority loses a lot of money whenever it sells permits to Ugandans at the expense of foreigners.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Weather Conditions
Visitors to Mgahinga should be prepared for varying weather conditions and challenging terrains, but the chance to witness mountain gorillas in their natural environment makes the experience more than worth it.
Wet Season (March to May and September to November)
During the wet season, Mgahinga receives heavy rainfall, especially in April and May, which are typically the peak of the rainy season. Rain showers are common, and the trails can become muddy and slippery, making trekking more challenging. Despite the rain, this is still a good time for gorilla trekking as the forest is lush and green, and the gorillas are often easier to spot feeding on the abundant vegetation.
Temperatures during the wet season range from around 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F).
Dry Season (December to February and June to August)
The dry season in Mgahinga is characterized by less rainfall and more sunshine. This is generally considered the best time to visit the park for gorilla trekking, as the trails are drier and more easily navigable. Temperatures during the dry season range from around 10°C to 28°C (50°F to 82°F).
Other Things To Do In Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
In addition to gorilla trekking, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park offers a range of other activities, including golden monkey tracking, bird watching, and hiking to the summit of Mount Mgahinga or Mount Sabinyo, two of the three volcanic peaks in the park.