Trekking Mountain Gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: Situated in the southwestern portion of Kisoro district, which borders Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the smallest national park in Uganda. With a total area of 33.7 square kilometers, the national park was gazetted in 1991. It is home to a variety of vegetation types, including bamboo, Afro-montane, buffalo, duiker, bush buck, bush pig, giant forest hog, and forest elephants, as well as primates, including golden monkeys and mountain gorillas, and various bird species.

Trekking gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

The main activity in the national park is gorilla trekking, which gives visitors the chance to go about looking for habituated gorilla families and, if they are located, spend an hour with the mountain gorillas in their natural environment. Gorilla trekking begins early in the morning with a lecture about the park’s rules, regulations, and expectations at the park headquarters. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is home to a single family of habituated gorillas. Following the lecture, you will be paired with a park guide who is experienced with mountain gorillas. Depending on the gorillas’ location, the hike through the jungle can take anything from 30 minutes to 7 hours.

You can see various bird species, plant and tree species, mammals like huge forest hogs, forest elephants, bush pigs, buffaloes, and other primates like golden monkeys while trekking. Once the gorillas have been located, you will be permitted to spend an hour with them in their natural habitat. During this time, you will be able to witness their daily activities, such as feeding, nursing, playing, grooming young, taking pictures, and documenting the amazing moments. A certificate attesting to your participation in the gorilla trekking expedition will be given to you after the trip.

The price of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park gorilla trekking permits

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) issues gorilla trekking permits, which are legal documents that let visitors over 15 to enter Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and see the habituated gorilla family. In Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, a single gorilla trekking permit costs USD 800 for non-resident foreigners, USD 700 for residents, and UGX 300,000 for East African nationals.

How to reserve a permit for gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

You can make a direct reservation for a gorilla trekking permit in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park by calling or emailing the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s central office in Kampala. Additionally, you can reserve a gorilla trekking permit with a reputable tour company like Achieve Global Safaris. You will contact us with your names, the date, month, and year that you would want to visit the gorillas when making a reservation with a tour operator. After getting in touch with us, we will verify whether permits are available, and if they are, you will be required to pay a deposit. We will buy the permit and email you a scanned copy as confirmation as soon as the monies are received.

Trekking with gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Gorilla National Park in Mgahinga

However, because gorilla trekking permits in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are competitive and typically sell out quickly, especially during the peak season in June to September and December to February, it is best to book three to six months prior to the trekking date.

The ideal time to visit Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for a gorilla trekking safari

Although it is possible to undertake gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park at any time of year, the dry/peak season—June, July, August, September, December, January, and February—is the ideal time. Access roads and gorilla trekking trails will be passable during the dry season because there is less rainfall in the park than during the rainy season, when the trails are muddy and slick.

Guidelines for gorilla trekking

To ensure a successful gorilla trekking excursion in Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, a number of rules must be adhered to in order to prevent mishaps.
To prevent spreading infections to the gorillas, visitors should keep a 7-meter distance from them.
Children under the age of eighteen are not permitted to gorilla trek in either national park.
Because gorillas are such delicate animals, tourists with illnesses and health conditions should refrain from participating in the activity. In fact, they should not engage in order to prevent spreading infections to the gorillas.
One of the reasons people should reserve their permits in advance to prevent losing out on the activity is that a gorilla family can only accommodate up to eight visitors.
Since litter might endanger wildlife, it should be avoided in parks.
Tourists are granted a maximum of one hour to interact with the mountain gorillas after they have been located and seen.
When among primates, visitors should refrain from making unnecessary sounds or movements.
The tourist should avoid making eye contact with the gorillas and should duck their head if they do.
Additionally, visitors should refrain from banging their chests in front of gorillas since this may cause a battle to break out once the primates spot you.

Gorilla hiking safety in Uganda

Given that Uganda is a peaceful nation free of political unrest, gorilla trekking tourists may be sure they will have the time of their lives there without encountering any obstacles or security risks. This makes the country a great destination for travel. In order to prevent mishaps, tourists participating in gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park will first get a briefing from a guide at the park headquarters regarding the rules and regulations that must be observed.

To prevent any animal attacks during gorilla trekking, travelers are escorted by a ranger. The ranger typically carries a fir arm to frighten off the animals without shooting them. In the event of a mishap, a guide also keeps a first aid kit on hand so they can tend to the visitor before they go to the hospital for treatment.

NB: Travelers should also keep in mind that gorilla trekking in Uganda is possible for those who are in Kigali; so, gorilla trekking from Kigali is an option.

Because gorilla trekking is so simple and exciting, visitors will have an adventure in the various parks if they have the right gear and are aware of the rules to follow.

Gorilla Habituation vs. Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla Trekking vs. Gorilla Habituation: There are a number of differences between gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation, including cost, experience, duration of visit, and many other factors.

In order to spend an hour with habituated gorilla families in their habitat, gorilla trekking entails traveling over forest trails with a group of eight people and a park ranger.

Gorilla habituation is the process of teaching gorillas to interact with humans for extended periods of time over the course of one to two years. Habituation and gorilla trekking both provide an amazing experience.

If you don’t want to do both, you can choose from the following differences between gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation, which will provide you with additional information about each activity:

Costs

While permits for gorilla habituation cost USD 1,500 for foreign non-residents, USD 1000 for foreign residents, and UGX 750,000 for East African citizens, tourists who want to go gorilla trekking must have a gorilla permit, which costs USD 800 for foreign non-residents, USD 700 for foreign residents, and UGX 300,000 for East African citizens. These permits are available for purchase or reservation at the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s “UWA” offices or via a reputable tour operator who is a registered business.

Therefore, we recommend that you always reserve your preferred gorilla permit six months prior to your arrival in Uganda. Trekking with gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Permit for Gorilla Trekking the number of participants in each activity; While gorilla habituation permits four people per gorilla family, gorilla trekking in Uganda is restricted to eight persons per gorilla family per day in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This is to reduce the gorillas’ stress levels and the transmission of illnesses.

Duration of the events;

While gorilla habituation allows visitors to spend four full hours in the presence of these creatures undergoing the habituation process, gorilla trekking is an unpredictable experience that can take two to eight hours depending on their movements. After locating them, visitors are given an hour to spend with the habituated family.

An escort is necessary for both gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation. While a gorilla habituation experience necessitates moving with researchers, rangers, habituation experts, and medics, a gorilla trekking activity simply requires a qualified guide and ranger who accompany them in the jungle in search of these gentle giants. Visitors need these professionals who are better aware about this animal to accompany them during the gorilla habituation experience because the gorillas are still in the wild and going through a number of learning procedures.

Number of available gorilla families;

Tourists visiting Uganda for a primate safari can choose between 21 fully habituated gorilla families in the four sectors of the country’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and one gorilla family in the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for their journey. In the southern section of the park, two gorilla families have been set aside for gorilla habituation experiences.

Age Restrictions

Because of the potential for them to scream or become afraid and ultimately fail to complete the walk, it is advised that only those aged 15 and up participate in gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation. They are carriers of pediatric illnesses including flu, malaria, and diarrhea, which pose a risk to gorillas since they are easily contracted.

Rules and guidelines for trekking and habituated gorilla

For their own safety and the preservation of the great mountain gorillas, travelers are urged to abide by the same laws and regulations that apply to gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation. as stated below;

Passengers should not be ill or infected.
Stay seven meters away from mountain gorillas.
Avoid staring directly into gorillas’ eyes.
For both activities, a minimum age of 15 is required.
When hiking in the forest, keep your voice down.
Avoid leaving trash in the park.
Flash disc cameras are prohibited.
Avoid eating, drinking, or smoking near gorillas.
Remain in close-knit groups.

Note: It is recommended that travelers bring the following essentials for a successful gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experience: rain jackets, energy-boosting snacks, rubber hiking boots, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hand gloves that keep you from touching muddy and sharp tree branches.

Both gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation are incredible experiences that allow you to get up close and personal with your 98% DNA cousins who live in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which is home to the world’s largest population of mountain gorillas. The differences between gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation should help you decide what to do, if not both. Whichever option you choose, get assistance from a reliable tour operator.

Accommodations in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for your gorilla trekking safari

During the gorilla trekking safari, guests can stay at a variety of lodging options in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Luxury, medium, and economy accommodations are available, and they include the following:

Lodge at Mount Gahinga: The Volcanoes Safari ran this safari resort, providing visitors with the most opulent lodging and top-notch services. It has drawn a lot of visitors who come to explore the park and depart with pleasant memories.
Rest Camp at Mount Gahinga: For camping tourists, the Rest Camp is the ideal option; you can camp there yourself. In addition, the local community runs flawless traditional bandas. For your enjoyable stay, Mount Gahinga Rest Camp is clean and well guarded.
The Bwindi Jungle Lodge: The Bwindi Jungle Lodge, which is close to Lake Mulehe, provides guests who come to explore southern Bwindi and Mgahinga National Park with a pleasant stay.
Lodge at Mount Gahinga: During your pleasant visit in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, you can camp in the volcanoes camp while staying at an upscale safari resort in Ntebeko.
Public Campsite: This affordable lodging option in Mgahinga offers basic cottages and camping options through the community camp group.

Additional lodging options when visiting Mgahinga

Kisoro has a greater variety of hotel options. The Mgahinga Gorilla National Park gate is 14 kilometers away from Kisoro town. The following accommodations are available in Kisoro, a bustling business town, ranging from primitive camp sites to opulent full-board hotels:

Mount Gahinga Rest Camp, Three Way Gorilla Resort, Rugigana campground, Mucha Hotel, Muhabura Motel, Montana Guest House, Landmark Guest House, Kisoro Tourist Hotel, Kisoro Travelers Lodge, Virunga Hotel, and Sky Blue

The Mgahinga Gorilla National Park travel route

The southwestern region of Uganda is home to the Mgahinga gorilla national park, which is accessible by road and air. If you use road transportation, it will take you nine to ten hours to get from Kampala to the park headquarters via Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale, and Kisoro.

Booking scheduled or charter flights from Entebbe airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro airfield and then connecting to the park headquarters is what is meant when you use air transportation.

Travelers can also reach Mgahinga Gorilla National Park from Kigali, Rwanda, by flying to Kigali International Airport and then driving three to four hours to reach the park via the Cyanika border.

Please check our website or get in touch with Usoke Explorera for more information on safari reservations or gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Additional Things to Do in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park While on Safaris and Gorilla Trekking Tours

Trekking with golden monkeys in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Golden monkey trekking, which begins with a briefing at Ntebeko park headquarters, is an energetic activity that is the second most popular activity in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park after gorilla trekking. Following the briefing, a park guide will lead you on a journey through the forest, following trails made of discarded bamboo leaves, shoots, and fruits. You can see a variety of wildlife species during the 30- to 4-hour golden monkey trek. Once you find the golden monkeys, you can spend an hour with them in their habitat, where you can learn about their lifestyle and behaviors and observe them playing, feeding, and jumping up trees, among other things.

Experience the Batwa Trail in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

An intriguing activity in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the Batwa Trail Experience, which gives visitors a chance to engage with the Batwa people who once called the area home before it was designated as a national park. The Batwa trail experience in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park begins with two guides praying to Biheeko, the Batwa forest god, who they believe provides protection to humans, particularly before hunting excursions. The Batwa trail will take you through the forest where the Batwa once lived, teach you about various medicinal plants and their significance, show you how they hunted and gathered, show you how they made fire by rubbing two dry sticks against one another, and show you how they made bamboo cups, among other things. The Batwa trails will also lead you to the Garamba cave, which sits beneath Mount Gahinga and was once inhabited by the Batwa ruler. It served as a food store and a location for them to hide from their foes. The Batwa tail experience includes listening to their traditional melodies, historical stories, and lifestyle, among other things.

Observing birds at the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

One of Uganda’s top birding locations, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is home to approximately 250 known bird species, including migratory birds, woodland birds, and Albertine unique bird species. A knowledgeable park guide will accompany you when you go bird watching in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. They will assist you in identifying various bird species, including the black kite, double-collared sunbird, white-necked raven, speckled mouse bird, paradise flycatcher, pin-tailed whydah, Kivu ground thrush, olive woodpecker, Ruwenzori batis, blue-headed coucal, archers, robin chat, yellow-vented bulbul, Ruwenzori turaco, olive pigeon, and Ruwenzori nightjar.

Investigate the Garama Caves

One of the main sights that visitors to Mgahinga National Park should not miss is the Garama cave. Before they were recently relocated, the Batwa people had resided in these caverns for many years. The 342-meter-long Garama Cave is located 3 kilometers from Ntebeko beneath the park’s northern plateau. It takes place in what was formerly an agricultural area, but in the past, the cave was in the forest. The Batwa utilized it as a retreat after invading their neighbors and as a council chamber.

Important Details Regarding Garama Caves

Garama Cave is roughly 340 meters long and 14 meters deep.
The Batwa people (pygmy Batwa People) were the first to live in Garama Cave.
The Mgahinga National Park headquarters is around 3 km away from Garama Cave.
In Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, mountain climbing

In Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, mountain climbing is an exciting activity that allows visitors to trek the three Virunga volcanic ranges, which comprise

Mount Muhabura is 4,127 meters above sea level. The hike takes about 8 hours total, and once you reach the summit, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the Virunga volcanoes, Lake Edward, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Mount Rwenzori, and more.
Hiking Mount Gahinga, which is 3,474 meters above sea level, takes roughly six hours total. On the way up, you’ll travel through farmlands and dense bamboo forest before seeing a crater-filled wetland and enormous lobelia.
Reaching the summit of Mount Sabinyo, which is 3,669 meters above sea level, takes roughly eight hours. The journey up Mount Sabinyo will take you through a deep forest with African montane vegetation, past Rugezi Swamp, and when reaching the summit, you will find yourself in three different countries: Rwanda, Congo, and Uganda.