3 Days Mgahinga Gorilla Tour takes you to Uganda’s 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. That 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. This is different from the 3 Days Bwindi Gorilla tour where rangers can sometimes get overwhelmed with too many tourists visiting the various gorilla families.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is
Our 3 Days Gorilla tour in Mgahinga is designed for those who want an easier gorilla family or want to combine it with golden monkey trekking in Uganda. The trip starts from Kampala or Entebbe but can be arranged to start from Kigali in Rwanda to reduce on the driving time.
Trip Summary
Day 1: Pickup from Entebbe/Kampala – Transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga – Batwa Trail (Optional)
Day 3: Transfer back to Entebbe
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pickup from Entebbe or Kampala – Transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Our Guide/Driver 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.
Dinner and Overnight at Kisoro Travelers Rest Hotel (Mid-range) and Mount Gahinga Lodge (Luxury).
Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park – Batwa Trail
As you begin the search for the gorillas, expect to see birds and smaller primates along the way. You will pass through thick bamboo forests in areas of higher altitude than normal. Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga involves a lot of physical activity depending on the location of a gorilla group but you will be consoled by breathtaking views of the Virunga Volcanoes and pristine African forest. You might even get tired but will soon forget once you encounter the massive Silverback. Mountain gorillas are peaceful and dramatic primates. You will notice everyone member of the group busy on something or simply resting. The mothers will be breastfeeding or taking care of the youngsters. The juveniles are very playful and tend to climb trees more often. The Silverback is very observant and always on the lookout for any danger to the family – keep a distance of at least 6 meters. You are only allowed one hour with the gorillas. Take that time to take good photos for your memory while not forgetting to observe the groups behavior.
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.
Dinner and Overnight at Kisoro Travelers Rest Hotel (Mid-range) and Mount Gahinga Lodge (Luxury).
Day 3: Transfer back to Kampala or Entebbe
End of Tour
What you need to Know
You can book this tour as an individual or as a group. It is important to book a gorilla safari early enough so that the permits can be acquired in time. Gorilla trekking is extremely popular and permits can be impossible to find during the peak months like June or July. Should it occur that the gorilla permits are not available, don’t despair. Mountain Gorilla trekking can be done in Bwindi, the volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in Congo. It is also important that you can combine gorilla trekking in Mgahinga with hiking one the volcanoes or tracking golden monkeys
Driving from Entebbe to Mgahinga National park takes about 8 hours. If this is too much for you, we recommend that you take a flight from Kajjansi or Entebbe to Kisoro airstrip. Aerolink organizes daily flights to and from Entebbe or Kajjansi. Alternatively, you can arrive from Kigali in Rwanda which requires 4 hours of driving.
Are you wondering what to pack for gorilla trekking in Mgahinga? Come with suitable hiking shoes which are suitable for thick forests and jungles. The shoes should be sturdy enough to help you hike through steep and mud-filled slopes. A rain jacket is very important particularly during the rainy season. If you find jungle sounds uncomfortable, pack your ear plugs. The forest is full of insects but they can be contained by a good insect repellent. Don’t forget to move with packed lunch from our hotel.
What is Included and Excluded
The cost includes
- Any transfers to and from the Airport
- Gorilla Permit
- 2 Days accommodation with all meals and breakfast
- A Tour van (4×4)
- Fuel for the entire trip
- A Guide/Driver with excellent English Speaking Skills
- Fuel for the whole safari
- Park entrance fees
- Lunch and Drinking water while traveling and out of the hotel
- Air tickets and any flight bookings
- Acquiring Visas
- Expenses like tips, laundry and alcoholic drinks
- Excess baggage
- Telephone bills
Accommodations
Kisoro Travelers Rest Hotel: This is one of Uganda’s oldest hotels and with an impressive list of former guests. Dian Fossey herself called it her second home. Dian Fossey would come to the hotel for meetings with people and also to do her paperwork. Some of the greatest primatologists would come here before visiting the gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda. Kisoro Travelers Hotel is built outside Kisoro
Mount Gahinga Lodge: This luxury lodge is built on the slopes of the three Volcanoes in the park and close to the park entrance. Mount Gahinga Lodge is close to the borders of three countries – Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. One can therefore visit all the three countries in a short space of time or by climbing to the top of one of the volcanoes. The view of the volcanoes from the lodge is simply awesome. Mount