It occupies 33.7 sq km. This is Uganda’s smallest national park. On the other hand, it is the only dramatic park that lies on the Northern slopes of Mount Muhavura. Mgahinga and Sabyinyo are the three volcanoes that create a great background in southwestern Uganda. They mark the end of the Albertine rift valley and separate Uganda, D .R Congo, and Rwanda. This area is a habitat to the largest number of mountain gorillas.
Even if gorilla tracking is the main activity in the park, the gorillas are only tracked when they migrate to its premises. There is also a provision for mountain hiking on Mt Muhabura to the gentle slopes beneath the magnificent three peak backdrop. This area receives rain from March to May, then from September to November.
Accessibility
This park is 540km from Kampala capital. On a fair day, the journey takes 8to10 hours. The drive to this park is on a winding road, especially from Kabale to Kisoro. It starts from Kampala to Mbarara to Kabale to Kisoro to Mgahinga. There is an alternative charter flight which can be arranged from Entebbe or Kajjansi. The plane flies you to Kisoro airstrip.
Fauna and flora
The slopes of Mgahinga are covered with lush vegetation. The lowest zone is an area of grass and bush which was formerly encroached and cleared by farmers and is now regenerating. This Mountain national park has mountain woodland, bamboo zone, montane forest, and the Ericaceous zone, which contains giant tree heathers.
This beautiful prehistoric park is home to 39 mammal species like elephants, leopards, buffalo, bush pigs, to mention but a few. This is also home to primates like Mountain gorillas, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, de Brazza’s monkey, vervet monkey, and several others
Activities
Gorilla tracking
This park is a habitat to some families of Mountain gorillas; however, due to some reasons like a reduction in food, dying of some family members, they migrate easily to Parc National des Volcans. This means that their permits are sold if the gorillas are available in the park.
Mountain climbing
Mgahinga Volcanoes Mountain has three Peaks that can be hiked, that is to say, Muhabura, Sabyinyo, and Mgahinga. Sabinyo is on the Rwanda section, Mt Gahinga on the Uganda section. When you stand at any of these peaks, you find yourself looking into Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo. This activity is worth a try.
Bird watching.
This park is blessed with rich avian life. Most birders prefer taking a safari to Mgahinga National Park because of the variety of birds that it is endowed with. There is also the Buffalo wall, which is a strategic point for birders.
Guided Batwa trail walk
This is done by a Batwa Guide. This person takes you from the base of Muhavura to Garama cave. You get to know the traditions of the forest human habitats and their lifestyle. This guide takes you beneath a plateau near the northern edge of the park. It is 3km from Ntebeko. It lay deep in the forest where the Batwa used to host their council chamber meetings. The stories behind these human forest inhabitants are very interesting.
Accommodation
The Volcanoes Camp, Traveler’s hotel, Mgahinga safari lodge, Mountain Gahinga Rest camp
