Background Information

Mgahinga National Park is Uganda’s smallest and probably most scenic National Park is situated in the extreme South-Western corner of the Country, forming part of a large conservation area that straddles political boundaries to include parcdes Volcano in Rwanda and Parc de Virungas in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Three extinct Volcanoes, part of the spectacular Virunga range, lie within the boundaries of the Ugandan portion of this biologically rich area.Mountain gorillas form the main attraction at Mgahinga National Park, which protects the Ugandan portion of the Virungas, an imposing string of nine freestanding extinct and active volcanoes that runs along the border with Rwanda and the Congo. Mgahinga National Park just like Bwindi Impenetrable National park is popularly known for gorilla tracking. One habituated gorilla family is habitat in this national park for gorilla tourism. This gorilla family used to migrate from Uganda to Rwanda as its range is shared between the three countries of Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC, but of recent, this family has stabilized in and can be trekked occasionally. Prior to that, its gorilla permits could be booked on ground but can now be booked at Uganda wildlife Authority head quarters in Kampala. Mgahinga National Park also attracts a sizeable number of tourists interested in hiking three instinct volcanoes of Mgahinga, Muhavura and Sabinyo. For those interested in trekking golden monkeys in Uganda, then Mgahinga is the national park to visit. As part of community and cultural tourism, there is a cultural trail by the Pigmies who used to stay in caves on Mgahinga.

What to see and do

Mgahinga can be accessed from Rwanda just one hour drive from Chanika boarder, driving for about fifteen minutes from the boarder to Kisoro town from where you will drive on s rough and stoney road that will lead you to Mgahinga park headquarters. If you are driving from Entebbe/Kampala, then it will take you approximately 9-10 hours drive through small towns of Mbarara, kabale to Kisoro town from where you will then drive to the park headquarters. For those interested in flying, scheduled flights depart from Entebbe to Kisoro airstrip from where you can drive to the park head quarters.