Activities in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park 2021
Activities in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park 2021: Mgahinga National Park in Kisoro district south-western Uganda is a wonder filled park within the Virunga massif. The park is an assortment of two volcanoes, a rain forest, unique mountainous vegetation and several other natural features. Mgahinga National Park is also a home to a number of animal species that include but not limited to mountain gorillas, golden monkeys and other primates.
The park as stated is located in south western Uganda and can be accessed from Kampala in Uganda by road or from Kigali Rwanda also by road. The jounery to the park from Kampala takes about 9 to 10 hours well as the journey from Kigali to the park takes 3 to 4 hours. You can also fly to the park from Entebbe International Airport in Uganda; the flight takes about an hour and 30mins.
A visit to this park will give you an opportunity to engage in several adventurous, fun and relaxing activities and fro 2021 these are the activities you should look out for while you plan your visit to this amazing park.
Mountain Gorilla Trekking
Mountain Gorilla Trekking is the main activity done in this park; this park is one of four parks in East Africa that are habitats for the endangered mountain gorillas. The park habours one mountain gorilla family called Nyakagezi. Visitors to this park engage in a trekking experience that takes them through the mountainous forest to see this one family for an hour. Though the trekking itself up and down the mountain may take up to 4 to 6 hours depending on the location of the mountain gorillas that day. Mountain gorilla trekking in Mgahinga will cost you 700 USD for a trekking permit that is acquired about 3 – 2 months prior to the gorilla trekking experience.
Golden Monkey Trekking
Apart from mountain gorillas, other primates that live in the Mgahinga National Park are the monkeys. The park has several types of monkeys but the most famous ones are the unique golden monkeys that usually fascinate the visitors to park. Visitors to the park are able to trek the forest to see these amazing monkeys. Golden monkeys stay is relatively low altitudes so trekking them won’t be as tedious as trekking mountain gorillas and in fact it will take about 3 to 4 hours. Golden monkey trekking will cost you 100 USD for a golden monkey trekking permit.
Mountain Hiking or Mountain climbing
Mgahinga National Park is made up of three virunga massif thus mountain Gahinga, mountain Muhavura and mountain Sabinyo; which can be climbed or hiked on your visit to Mgahinga National Park. These mountains are locally named and sabinyo means old man’s teeth, Gahinga means pile of stones as Muhavura means guide. Hiking to any of these mountains takes you to the peaks where you’re able to view the beauty of the Virunga region among other beautiful sceneries. Each mountain gives its climbers a unique experience of vegetation, sceneries and hiking trails; the mountains normally hiked or climbed in Mgahinga National Park are Mt. Sabinyo and Mt. Gahinga because they are easily accessed through the park. Mt Muhavura is normally climbed in Volcanoes National park in Rwanda because of accessibility. The hiking time for each mountain is relative, depending on the hikers’ abilities and the toughness of the trails. Mountain hiking or climbing is done in the park all year round but it’s most enjoyable during the dry seasons when the hiking trails are drier and less soggy.
Bird Watching
The Mgahinga forest harbours a number of bird species over 100 bird species including the endemic albertine species; all these birds can be viewed by bird lovers on a bird watching escapades. Bird watching can be done as you take a nature walk through the park and forest or even on the mountain hiking/climbing experience. The birds in the park include but not limited to:- Black headed waxbill, Cape Robin-chat, Bronze Sunbird, Dusky Turtle Dove, , Brown-crowned Tchagra, , Black-headed, Handsome Francolin, Archer’s Robin Chat, Olive Pigeon, Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori Batis, Brown Woodland Warbler and many more. Bird watching is done all through the year in the park.
Batwa Trail Tour
The Batwa people are a unique group of people that live within the Mgahinga area. This group of people have a unique culture and lifestyle that makes them a sensational group to visit on your visit to Mgahinga National Park. The Batwa Trail tour takes you through the different areas of Mgahinga deep to the caves of these people where you will experience their culture through songs, dances, traditional activities, food preparation among other things.
These activities are the top five activities you will experience in Mgahinga National Park this year 2021 but there are many more activities you can enjoy in Mgahinga National Park.
