mgahinga gorilla national park

Uganda’s smallest national park, Mgahinga, sits in the far southwest on the foothills of the Virunga Volcanoes. It is the only place in Uganda where you can see both mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. The park is fondly described as the place “where silver meets gold” — and it adds moving Batwa cultural encounters and beautiful forest and volcano walks to the mix.

Rich BiodiversityDespite its size, Mgahinga is wonderfully biodiverse, home to around 39 mammal species including mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, bushbucks, duikers and sitatunga. Its birdlife is rich in Albertine Rift endemics, and the park also shelters reptiles, amphibians and more than two dozen tree species.

Mountain Gorilla TrekkingMgahinga is home to one habituated gorilla family, the Nyakagezi group, which once ranged freely across the Uganda–Rwanda border but now resides within the park. Trekkers should be reasonably fit, at least 15 years old, and hold a valid gorilla permit.

Golden Monkey Trekking & HabituationMgahinga is the only place in Uganda to track the endangered golden monkey. Visitors can spend time observing these charismatic, bamboo-loving primates, or join the habituation experience to watch researchers acclimatise them to human presence.

Batwa Cultural TrailThe Batwa were the original inhabitants of the Mgahinga forest. On the Batwa Trail, Batwa guides share their traditional forest life — medicine, blacksmithing, fire-making by rubbing sticks, and songs and dances — in a deeply moving cultural encounter.

Hiking the VolcanoesThree of the Virunga volcanoes rise within the park — Sabyinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura — each offering a challenging but rewarding climb, with summit views stretching across the Rwanda and DRC borders.

BirdingBirding is rewarding year-round, with the best sightings from March and from October to November. Many forest species and prized Albertine Rift endemics can be seen, often within a short walk of the forest edge.

More Information About Mgahinga Gorilla National ParkCovering just 34 km², Mgahinga lies in Kisoro District in southwestern Uganda and was gazetted as a national park in 1991. It forms part of the transboundary Virunga Conservation Area, linking Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and the DRC’s Virunga National Park.

Where to StayAccommodation is limited and intimate, with options including Mount Gahinga Lodge and Mucha Hotel in nearby Kisoro.

How to Get ThereBy road: About 8–9 hours from Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale and Kisoro.By air: Scheduled flights run from Entebbe to the Kisoro airstrip, followed by a short road transfer to the park headquarters.