TOURIST ACTIVITIES IN MGAHINGA NATIONAL PARK
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in the southwestern corner of Uganda. The Park covers the northern slopes of the three northernmost Virunga Volcanoes: Mountain Muhavura (4,127 m), Mountain Gahinga (3,474 m), and Mountain Sabinyo (3,645 m). The Park is about 10 km south of Kisoro and is bordered to the south by the Republic of Rwanda and to the west by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The large numbers of tourists for luxury and budget Uganda safaris visit Mgahinga National Park because of its variety of tourist activities like;
Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National park
The most exciting or amazing activity in Mgahinga National park is Mountain Gorilla tracking. The park hosts only one Gorilla group known as “Nyakagyezi” which is habituated for tracking. The group has 4 juveniles and 2 infants. The group is mobile and some times cross to Rwanda or the Democratic Republic of Congo (D.R.C).
Visit Ntebeko Centre
The activity is organized from the Visitor Centre at Ntebeko. A viewing platform, 800m uphill from the Visitor Centre, provides good view of the park and the surrounding areas. A guide is not necessary and access is free.
Mountain hiking in Mgahinga National Park
Mountain Mgahinga has three volcanic peaks namely Muhubura or muhavura (4127m), Sabinyo (3669m) and Mgahinga (3474m). Visitors can decide to climb any of the mentioned mountains. The hike enables visitors gain physical fitness hence improving health of the climber.
Bird viewing in Mgahinga National park
The hike to Gahinga and sabinyo provides a clear view and excellent photography of the Dusky turtle Dove, Cape Robin-chat, Kivu-ground Thrush, Olive Thrush, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Bronze Sunbird, Regal Sunbird, Blue-headed Sunbird, Rwenzori Batis, Black-headed Waxbill, Streaky Seedeater among others.
Buffalo viewing in Mgahinga National Park
Farmland along the northern edge of the park is guarded by a dry stone wall that keeps buffalo in the park handout of crops.
Cultural walk to the Batwa community
The Batwa pygmies are known as the keepers of Mgahinga forest because they spend most of their time in the forest. Visitors can be guided by the by the local Batwa guide to feed them insights into their traditional forest life and culture.
Garama Cave exploration in Mgahinga National park
The 342m long Garama cave lies beneath a plateau near the northern edge of the park, 3km from Ntebeko. It is set in the former farmland zone but in earlier times, the cave lay deep in forest when it was occupied periodically by Batwa who used it as a council chamber and a retreat after raiding their Bafumbira neighbors. Today the cave provides an atmosphere setting for a performance of Batwa music at the Batwa Trail. Contact Gorilla Expeditions Limited for Cheap gorilla safaris and wildlife tours in Uganda to enable you explore the hidden treasures of Mgahinga National Park and many other tourism destination in Uganda.