Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga gorilla national park; gorilla trekking is an adventurous and the most famous activity in Uganda safaris which attracts the highest number of tourists. The activity involves moving on foot into the tropical rainforest with an experienced park guide in search of the mountain gorillas and once found spend one hour with them in their environment. Mgahinga gorilla national park is the smallest national park located in southwestern part of Uganda in Kisoro district. The park harbors a number of wildlife species including the famous mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, mammals like forest buffaloes, elephants, bushbucks, duikers, bushbucks, golden cats, different bird species like Rwenzori turaco, blue headed council, paradise fly-catcher, black kite among others.
Gorilla trekking experience in Mgahinga gorilla national park
Mgahinga gorilla national park is a home of one habituated gorilla family Nyakagezi which is available for trekking on a daily basis with a maximum number of 8 people. Trekking of mountain gorillas in the park starts in the morning with a briefing at the park headquarters about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking. After the briefing you will start trekking in the jungle with a park guide which takes about 30 minutes to 6 hours depending on the location of the gorillas. During gorilla trekking you will be able to view different bird species as Mgahinga gorilla national park is one of the best birding destinations, view other primates like black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, view different plant and tree species among others. Once the gorillas are located you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives you an opportunity to watch them play, feed, breastfeed, groom young ones, learn about their behaviors, take photos and record the beautiful moments.
Cost of a gorilla trekking permit in Mgahinga gorilla national park
A gorilla trekking permit is a legal document or card that is issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to any visitor above the age of 15 years allowing him or her to visit a habituated gorilla family in Mgahinga gorilla national park. A gorilla trekking permit in Mgahinga gorilla national park costs 700 USD per person for foreign non residents, 600 USD per person for foreign residents and 250,000 UGX per person for East African citizens.
Gorilla trekking permits in Mgahinga gorilla national park should however be booked 3 to 6 months in advance before the trekking day in that there are few permits and they usually get sold out quickly especially during the dry season therefore to avoid last minute inconveniences you are advised to book in advance.
How to book a gorilla trekking permit in Mgahinga gorilla national park
A gorilla trekking permit in Mgahinga gorilla national park can either be booked directly through Uganda wildlife Authority (UWA) by contacting the head offices in Kampala via telephone calls or email. A gorilla trekking permit can also be booked via a trusted tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris whereby you will contact us with the dates when you wish to travel. After contacting us we will check for permit availability and if there are permits that match with your date, you will be asked to make a deposit for the permit. When we receive the money we will purchase the permit on your behalf and send you a scanned copy of the receipt as confirmation.
Best time to go for gorilla trekking
Mgahinga gorilla national park is a tropical rainforest which can be visited anytime throughout the year though the best time is during the dry season also known as the peak season in the months of June to September and December to February. During the dry season gorilla trekking trails will be passable compared to the wet season when the trails are muddy, slippery and mountain gorillas will be clearly viewed due to thin vegetation.
Where to stay during your gorilla trekking safari in Mgahinga gorilla national park
There are several accommodation facilities in Mgahinga gorilla national park where you can stay during your gorilla trekking safari including Volcanoes Mount Gahinga safari lodge, Amajambere Lwacu camp, Kisoro tourist hotel, Countryside Guesthouse Kisoro, Kisoro Travelers Rest Hotel, Mountain Gorilla safari hotel, Mount Gahinga Rest camp, Bwindi jungle lodge, Mucha hotel, Muhabura motel, 3 way Gorilla Resort, Montana Guest house among others.
How to get to Mgahinga gorilla national park
Mgahinga gorilla national park is located in southwestern part of Uganda and can be accessed by both road and air transport means.
Air transport means, when using air transport you will book domestic flights with Aerolink Uganda limited from Entebbe international airport of Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro airstrip and then connect to the park headquarters by road. Domestic flights to Kisoro airstrip can be booked by your tour operator.
Road transport means, when using road transport you will drive from Kampala or Entebbe via Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale and then to the park headquarters which takes about 9 to 10 hours drive in a 4 WD safari vehicle.
Mgahinga gorilla national park can also be accessed from Kigali Rwanda whereby you will fly to Kigali international airport and then connect to Mgahinga gorilla national park by road via Cyanika border in Kisoro district which takes about 3 to 4 hours drive.
Gorilla trekking is a must do activity for visitors who want to have lifetime memories. For more information about gorilla trekking and safari booking, you can contact us at Achieve Global Safaris.
