2 days Mgahinga National Park is an ideal tour that starts from Rwanda via Cyanika boarder near Volcanoes National Park to Kisoro district in the south western part of Uganda. Visiting Mgahinga National Park gives you an opportunity to explore the only small park in Uganda covering an area of 33.9 square kilometers where Mountain gorillas co-exist with golden monkeys thus “gold meets silver”.
The park is located in the Southwestern part of Uganda in Kisoro district; it is 495 kilometers from Kampala the capital city of Uganda that is approximately 8-9 hours’ via Masaka-Mbarara road drive, and just 131 kilometers from Kigali city to the park, that’s a 3 – hour drive via Cyanika Boarder-Kisoro district to the park.
Mgahinga is famously known as a harbor to the rare endangered mountain gorillas and thus turning this small park special, it not only harbors mountain gorillas but also other primates including golden Monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys to mention but a few. The park protects 3/5 Virunga Mountains which include mount Gahinga, Mount Muhambura and Mountain Sabinyo and you will have the opportunity to climb these three Virunga Mountains and explore the beauty of Volcanoes National park and Democratic Republic of Congo – this is felt and experienced as you climb mountain Sabinyo to its summit.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive at Kigali and Transfer to Mgahinga National Park
Upon your arrival at Kigali international Airport the international Airport of Rwanda, you will warmly be welcomed by a professional English speaking tour guide who will shortly tell you about the international airport of Rwanda and then transfer to Mgahinga National Park in southern Uganda.
The journey covers a distance of 131 kilometers from Kigali to the park that is approximately 3 hours’ drive via Cyanika boarder – Kisoro district.
Mgahinga National Park is one of the smallest National Parks in Uganda but very unique in itself, offering a rich variety of Uganda Safaris that include both mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. It was established in 1991 with the purpose of protecting the endangered mountain gorillas; the Park derives its name Mgahinga from one of the Virunga Mountains Mount. Gahinga that are encompassed within the Park, Mgahinga National park is bordered by Rwanda to the south and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west.
Upon reaching the park in the afternoon, you will check in the lodge for lunch then after proceed for a cultural trail to Batwa pygmies to experience and see the lives and hospitality of these people that lived in the forest before establishment of Mgahinga National Park. After this cultural experience, you will transfer back to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking and Departure
Following your early morning breakfast with your packed lunch, water and some snacks, have a road transfer to/from Bwindi forest for gorilla trekking, the trek starts from the park headquarters for a briefing about the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest, then after hike into the forest to search for these endangered primates.
Mountain gorillas are scientifically believed to be 99% human DNA and in their ways of style, the way they feed their young ones and how they conduct their day to day activities proves that they are really humans. Trekking activity lasts for 2-8 hours depending on the location of these primates.
As soon as you reach them, you will be required to spend only one hour with them and you are advised to keep at least one-meter distance from these primates.
After the activity, retire to the lodge, check out, and transfer back to Kampala, having experienced an unforgettable Bwindi National Park Gorilla Trekking Tour.
