Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is situated at the extreme end of the southwestern part of Uganda, in the remarkable zone. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is among the only four national parks in the entire world where travelers can engage in mountain gorilla trekking. Mgahinga was upgraded as a national park in 1991, the same year as Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park (also situated in the southwestern part of Uganda). Click here to see mountain gorilla trekking safaris.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park covers an approximate area of 33.7 square kilometers, which makes it among the smallest national parks in Uganda. Being among the smallest national parks doesn’t mean that it is visited by fewer tourists or has fewer tourist attractions and activities within the park. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a paradise of nature. Click here to view our recommended mountain gorilla trekking tour.

If you are interested in Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park but you cannot afford a mountain gorilla trekking permit, then Mgahinga National Park is the best option for travelers due to the fact that it also offers nature walks and hikes through Mgahinga Gorilla National Park leading to many interesting attractions such as the Sabinyo Gorge where travelers can enjoy viewing different bird species, mammal species such as buffaloes and elephants, and primate species like golden monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, Red-tailed monkeys, and Lhotse monkeys, among others, in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is an ideal destination for different butterfly species and tourists who are interested in studying tree species. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park offers the best hiking safaris.

Hiking in the jungles of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park involves

Hiking to the summit of Mount Sabinyo

Hiking to Mount Sabinyo is one of the best mountain hikes in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which takes you to the summit of Mount Sabinyo with interesting views showcasing the third peak shared by three wonderful East African countries (Rwanda, Uganda, and the DRC). That feeling of being within the borders of three different countries is an immeasurable experience.

Hiking or climbing Mount Muhabura

Hiking to the summit of Mount Muhabura is no joke because it stands at 4127 meters above sea level and provides the most outstanding views due to the fact that it’s the tallest among the Virunga chained volcanoes. Hiking to Mount Muhabura takes approximately 8–10 hours and offers the most rewarding views when you climb up to the summit within the Virunga Massif. At the summit, you can even view the magnificent Queen Elizabeth National Park and Lake Edward at large.

Hiking or climbing Mount Gahinga

hiking to Mount Gahinga, which stands at 3474 meters above sea level. Hiking to Mount Gahinga's summit takes between 6 and 7 hours. Mount Gahinga Peak is covered by a swamp that was once an incredible crater lake that was created by volcanism.

Hiking via the sabinyo gorge trail

Hiking through the African jungles of Mgahinga takes travelers a 6-kilometer distance to the deep Sabinyo Gorge, which is an extension of the abrasion along the edge of Mount Sabinyo and offers one of the best productive bird-watching destinations with an opportunity to spot the fascinating Rwenzori Turaco. Hiking to the Sabinyo Gorge nature walk always takes about 4 hours and crosses through the Rugezi Swamp, which acts as an outstanding bird-watching spot. Travelers may also be able to see other mammal species such as duikers, black and white colobus monkeys, golden monkeys, and other mammal species.

 Hiking to the Congo-Border Trail

Since hiking through the Congo border cuts across different altitudes or different vegetation zones, hikers get a greater chance of spotting the calderas on the summit of the Gisozi hill. While on Gisozi Hill, you should look out for the beautiful Kisoro town and Bunagana town, which offer the breathtaking Lake Mutanda. This Congo-border trail hike takes about 4 hours and involves moving through the thick montane forest on Mount Sabinyo, which leads you to the border of the DRC.

Hiking to the popular Batwa trail

The Batwa Trail is an interesting one, showcasing the magnificent Batwa people of Uganda. This trail allows travelers to explore the ancient way of life of the Batwa people. The Batwa used to live in the forest, and you will be able to see the forest where they lived before resettlement. The Batwa Trail hike provides visitors with both cultural and natural experiences. You will encounter Batwa’s original hunting techniques and fruit-gathering skills, experience honey harvesting processes, and visit the traditional herbalists who get their medicine from the original plant and tree species and use it to treat common ailments. The Batwa Trail experience gives travelers the opportunity to visit the Ngarama Cave, where they are entertained by women performing traditional songs.

Hiking via the golden monkey track

Hiking to the Golden Monkey Spectacular Trail allows tourists to see the gentle golden monkeys in particular, but it also takes two hours to reach the once-farmland within the bamboo forest. If it is a clear day, you will be able to spot the spectacular Virunga Massif and encounter some unique forest animals such as buffalo and bush duikers.

Hiking and nature walks on Mgahinga Gorilla National Park's many trails take you to the summits of Mount Gahinga, Mount Muhabura, and Mount Sabinyo; hiking to the Sabinyo gorge and the Batwa trail provides breathtaking views; and bird watching and butterfly species are fascinating.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park’s one competitive advantage is that it has fewer crowds and is free from noise. Thus, visitors can explore the park in peace. Some of the activities at Mgahinga don’t require booking.

Gorilla tracking In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga, Uganda is the luckiest protected area where gorilla tracking can be carried out. There are approximately 80 gorillas located in Mgahinga National Park. Trekking mountain gorillas in Mgahinga National Park is somehow challenging since they reside in high altitudes. There is only one gorilla family called the Nyakagyezi gorilla group that is open to tourism in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga begins at 7 a.m. with a short briefing about the rules and regulations. After the morning briefing, Mgahinga park rangers and guides lead tourists to the Nyakagezi gorilla group.

Mountain gorilla adventures in Mgahinga National Park take place in pristine forests full of primate species, bird species, and other beautiful forest creatures. The time it takes to trek a mountain gorilla depends on the location of the gorilla group; it may take 1 to 3 hours. Go when you are ready with your camera to capture one-in-a-lifetime moments during one of the most amazing gorilla experiences.

Golden Monkey Tracking in Mgahinga National Park should be one of the most sought-after primate trekking experiences by many African tourists. Golden monkey trekking can only be done in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Uganda (Mgahinga Gorilla National Park), which offer habituated groups and are open to tourists tracking them. Golden monkey trekking may take between an hour and three hours. Golden monkey trekking starts at 7 am with a morning briefing.

Hiking to the peak of one of the volcanoes.

Hiking to the top of a volcano should be a dream come true in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Tourists to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can hike three of the eight volcanoes, such as Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Gahinga, standing at 3474 meters above sea level, and Mount Muhavura (4127 m). Mount Sabinyo is thought to be the oldest mountain and Muhavura the youngest. These three volcanoes are located at the borders of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Bird Watching

Mgahinga National Park is among Uganda’s finest bird-watching spots. Mgahinga protects over 110 bird species that can be spotted in the caves, lakes, and forests. The best time for bird watching in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is during the wet seasons between April & May and from October to November. Mgahinga National Park bird species include the yellow-vented bulbul, yellow-throated longclaw, white-starred robin, red-necked spurfowl, white-necked raven, waxbills, white-starred robin, white-naped raven, western green tinkerbird, thrush, and cinnamon bracken warbler. Striped-breasted Tit, Streaky Seedeater, Rwenzori Turaco, Stone Chat, Stray Seedeater, Speckled Mousebird, Red-necked Spur Fowl, Southern Red Bishop, Shelly’s Dusky Crimson Wing, Rwenzori Nightjar, Paradise Flycatcher, Rwenzori Double-collared Sunbird, Rwenzori Batis, Rufous-chested Swallow, Regal Sunbird, Red-throated Alethe, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Pin-tailed Whydah, Paradise Flycatcher, Olive Woodpecker, Olive Thrush, Olive Pigeon, and Sunbird. Among many others.

Nature walks

Mgahinga’s pristine forests, small rivers, lakes, swamps, and mountain slopes offer wonderful spots for nature walks. One of the nature walking trails leads tourists to the beautiful village plantations for a magical encounter with some of the locals, the Batwa pygmies of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

The best time to travel to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is in the dry months, which are from June to September and December to February. However, tourists can tour Mgahinga Gorilla National Park throughout the year.