Overview
3 Days Mgahinga Gorilla Tour is designed by Go Primate Safaris and will take you to Mgahinga the smallest but spectacular national park. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of Uganda’s two places where one can spot the endangered mountain gorillas. The park covers an area of 38 square kilometers and sits on the slopes of three giant volcanoes. It is less visited and less known when compared to Bwindi Impenetrable forest or Virunga and the Volcanoes National Park. This gives it an advantage in that the Wardens and rangers will treat you with greater attention as only 8 people come for the briefing and see the one gorilla group in a day.
Safari Highlights
- Gorilla tracking
- Batwa community
Itinerary
This 3-day safari takes you deep into Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda’s smallest national park but one of its most intense wildlife destinations. Set at the meeting point of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mgahinga is part of the greater Virunga Conservation Area and is home to the famous Nyakagezi Gorilla Family. Unlike other parks, gorilla trekking here happens under the shadow of three extinct volcanoes, creating a rare and dramatic setting.
The Guide/Driver from Go Primate Safaris will pick you up from your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe to start the journey to Mgahinga. He will brief you about the trip and the itinerary. This is the time to ask the Guide questions about the safari and what to expect. If there is anything you left out, he can take you to a good shop to acquire them either in Entebbe or Kampala. The journey to Mgahinga will be long but with amazing scenery all the way. Be ready to admire the beautiful landscape and physical features in Southwestern Uganda.
You will bypass rolling hills, mountains, national parks and local people doing business along the roadside. Look out for the long horned Ankole cattle grazing close to the roadside as you approach Mbarara. You will have a stop to see how large traditional drums are made at the Mpambire royal drum makers. You will then proceed and stop at the equator crossing for photos and relaxation. The equator separates the earth’s southern hemisphere from the north. After spending time at the Equator, you will proceed to Mbarara town for lunch. After lunch the journey continues up to Kisoro district.
Accommodation options,
- Luxury- Mount Gahinga Lodge
- Mid-range-Kisoro Travelers Rest Hotel
- Budget- Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp
You will wake and have breakfast very early as you wait for the driver to take you to the park headquarters for the briefing by park warden or rangers. The briefing covers many issues including details about the gorilla groups in Mgahinga, what to expect, what you need to have and how to act while with the gorillas. For the best gorilla trekking experience, you need sturdy boots, bottled water and packed energy snacks just in case the hike takes longer than expected. While at the Ntebeko Centre for Visitors, you will be required to present your passports to ensure that you are over 13 years of age an illegible for the activity. Mgahinga National Park has only one habituated gorilla group. The only gorilla group in Mgahinga is the Nyakagezi group. The group used to migrate a lot to Rwanda and even Congo but is now permanently stationed in Uganda.
It is difficult to predict the time you will be out in the forest looking for the gorillas. If you are lucky to find them early, you will be taken back to the park offices for the Gorilla trekking certificate of completion. The Driver will take you back to the hotel for lunch and refreshment before going for a cultural encounter with one of the local tribes if you came back early enough. You can also choose to go for a nature walk and see some of the crater lakes in the area. Lake Mutanda is an amazing lake to visit.
Accommodation options,
- Luxury- Mount Gahinga Lodge
- Mid-range-Kisoro Travelers Rest Hotel
- Budget- Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp
Wake up at your leisure and take your breakfast as you wait for the Guide/Driver to pick you up to start the journey back to Entebbe. This will be a long journey but the beautiful grass plains, hills, mountains, valleys and general panoramic views of western Uganda is enough to keep you engaged. Then there are the local people going about their business by the roadside or in their gardens. There will be stops to the equator and Igongo Cultural Centre in case you didn’t have the chance to visit them on day 1. You should reach Kampala by 6pm in time for your flight back home or to your hotel in Entebbe.
End of Tour
Includes & Exludes
Safari includes
- Gorilla tracking permits
- Batwa community visit
- Accommodation
- Transportation
- En-route meals
- An English speaking guide
Safari Excludes
- Visas
- Domestic flights
- Tips
- Alcoholic drinks
- Personal insurance
Mgahinga Map
