The 2-day Mgahinga National Park tour is a great trip that starts from Rwanda through the Cyanika border near Volcanoes National Park and continues to Kisoro District in southwestern Uganda. Visiting Mgahinga National Park gives you a chance to explore Uganda’s smallest national park, covering an area of 33.9 square kilometers, where mountain gorillas live alongside golden monkeys.
The park sits in Kisoro District, about 495 kilometers from Kampala, Uganda’s capital, an 8 to 9 hour drive along the Masaka-Mbarara road. From Kigali city, the park is about 131 kilometers away, roughly 3 hours by road via the Cyanika border into Kisoro District.
Mgahinga is best known as home to the rare and endangered mountain gorillas, which makes this small park special. It also shelters other primates such as golden monkeys and black-and-white colobus monkeys. The park protects three of the eight Virunga volcanoes: Mount Gahinga, Mount Muhabura, and Mount Sabyinyo. Visitors can hike these volcanoes and take in views that stretch across Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, especially from the summit of Mount Sabyinyo.
2-Day Kigali Mgahinga Tour Highlights
- Day 1: Arrive in Kigali and transfer to Mgahinga National Park
- Day 2: Gorilla trekking and departure
Detailed 2-Day Kigali Mgahinga Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Kigali and Transfer to Mgahinga National Park
On arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed by a professional English-speaking tour guide and transferred to Mgahinga National Park in southern Uganda.
The journey covers 131 kilometers from Kigali to the park, about 3 hours by road via the Cyanika border into Kisoro District.
Mgahinga National Park is one of the smallest national parks in Uganda but stands out for its mix of mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. It was established in 1991 to protect the endangered mountain gorillas, and the park takes its name from Mount Gahinga, one of the Virunga Mountains within its boundaries. Mgahinga National Park borders Rwanda to the south and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west.
On reaching the park in the afternoon, check in at the lodge for lunch, then head out on a cultural trail to visit the Batwa pygmies and learn about the lives of the people who lived in this forest before Mgahinga National Park was established. After this cultural experience, transfer back to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking and Departure
After an early breakfast, with your packed lunch, water, and snacks ready, transfer to the park headquarters for gorilla trekking. The trek starts with a briefing covering the rules of gorilla trekking, followed by a hike into the forest to search for the assigned gorilla family.
Mountain gorillas share close to 98% of their DNA with humans, and their feeding habits, care for their young, and daily routines echo much of human behavior. Trekking takes 2 to 8 hours depending on where the gorillas are found that day.
Once you reach them, you get one hour with the gorillas, staying at least one meter away at all times.
After the activity, return to the lodge, check out, and transfer back to Kampala, closing out your Bwindi and Mgahinga gorilla trekking experience.
What to Bring
Pack hiking boots, a rain jacket, long trousers, a long-sleeved shirt, gardening gloves, insect repellent, sunscreen, drinking water, and energy snacks for the trek. A camera and binoculars help you capture the gorillas and other wildlife along the way.
What’s Included
This tour includes transport from Kigali, a professional driver-guide, and your gorilla trekking permit. Meals and personal expenses are not included unless agreed at booking.
