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Mgahinga Gorilla National Park although the
smallest in the country ( about 33.7 km ) is
very important, as it is one of the only two
parks in Uganda that offer habitat for the
endangered Mountain gorilla.
Situated in Kisoro
District, South western Uganda, this park was
gazetted in 1991 and is a part of the great
Virunga Conservation Area, which is 434 km. It
adjoins Rwanda's Volcano and the Democratic
Republic of Congo's Virunga National Parks.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park experiences two
wet rainy seasons; February - May and
September- December of each year. The maximum
amount of rainfall in a year is 250mm (October)
and Minimum is 10mm (July).
THE PEOPLE
Kisoro District is heavily populated with the
Bafumbira who lead a simple life-style mainly as
cultivators, as the major ethnic group. The
Batwa (Pygmies) who once lived in caves and fed
on wildlife is the minority group.
ECOSYSTEM AND WILDLIFE
Being a mountainous are, the park experiences
Afro-montane vegetation and a cool climate. The
abundant type of Vegetation is the bamboo ( 60 %
), which is a delicacy to the Mountain gorilla,
other types of flora include the Lobelia,
Haegenia spp, etc.
Animals found in the park include the Mountain
gorilla, buffalo, elephants, bushbucks, the
threatened Golden monkeys and many others.
Examples of bird species include Rwenzori turaco,
Fiscal shrike, Crowned hornbill, Black kite,
Augur Buzzards, Crowned Crane.
GORILLA TRACKING
This is the most exciting and unforgettable
experience, which might take one through a thick
jungle. Tourist group ( The Nyakagezi Group )
consists of 9 members; 2 silverbacks, 3 adult
females, 2 juveniles and infants.
Tracking can take three to eight hours.
VOLCANO CLIMBING
Mgahinga National Park offers three extinct
volcanoes for physically fit hikers although
they do not require special Mountaineering
gears.
MT SABINYO [3669M]
Like an old man, time has eroded Mt. Sabyinyo's
crown. This volcano offers 3 challenging peaks
to climb. A climb up the mountain takes one up a
ridge along the eastern side of the climb to
peak one. If you are to continue, the climb to
peak eleven involves walking a ridge with
breath-taking drops into gorges of Rwanda and
Uganda. Finally, the hike up to the peak 111 is
steep with several ladders and mush scrambling.
You are guaranteed to get your hands dirty
en-route to peak 11! Once on top, you will be in
Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda
at the same time. The journey takes about eight
hours round trip to cover the 14 km stretch.
MT. MGAHINGA [3474M]
On your way to the Park, look out for small
piles of stones in the garden fields. The local
people call such a pile a 'Gahinga'. Mount
Gahinga is quite bigger than the average 'Gahinga'
but sitting next to Mount Muhavura does make it
look small. A hike, which takes you about, six
hours round trip, goes through a good example of
a pure Bamboo forest. Gahinga once had a Crater
Lake on top but time has changed it into a Lush
swamp. Distance to the swamp is 8 km.
MT MUHAVURA [4127 M]
Seen from all over Kisoro, this volcano acts as
a guide. The typical cone-shaped Mountain
provides some of the best views in the country.
Much of the climb passes a rocky surface covered
by grasses and small shrubs. Once at the top,
hikers are rewarded with the view of the other
Virunga volcanoes, lake Edward in Queen
Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi and the peaks of
Rwenzori mountain. The hike takes approximately
8 hours round trip covering 12 km. You are
advised to camp at the Muhavura base camp the
night before the site has no facilities so you
need a tent, water, food and sleeping gear.
CAVE EXPLORATION
This is one of the caves where once the crafty
Batwa ( who were warriors ) lived and fought
their neighbours. The distance to the cave
entrance from the park Headquarters is 3 km long
and it takes about 4 hours. Your guide will show
you how the Batwa lived and fought out of the
cave. The cave is 342m in length and 14m deep,
and is now inhabited only by bats.
VIEWING PLATFORM
This is about 800 metres from the Park gate.
Once on top, you will have good view of the park
and the surrounding areas. A Guide is not
necessary and the activity is free. Display
panels at the hill point will give some
information about what you can see.
BIRD WATCHING
Birding along the edge of the park is now
available on request, the guides are happy to
take you out from 5-6 p.m. If you book by 10am.
that morning. A stroll along along the Buffalo
wall towards Congo takes you through a wetland
are where Ibis, Whydah, Speckled Mouse bird, and
Fire Finch are found, Stone chart, Grey-Capped
Warbler, Waxbills and Yellow-Vented Bulbul are
always seen around the campground. Ask your
guide where the best spots are. Feel free to
take your time and go at your own pace - there
is no hurry when birding. Do not forget your
Binoculars!
ACCOMMODATION
Kisoro offers a wide range of accommodation
facilities ranging from the basic Camp-sites to
the luxurious full board hotels, these include;
Traveller's Rest Camp, Sky Blue, Mt.Gahinga Rest
Camp, Virunga Hotel, Mgahinga Safari Lodge,
Rugigana Camp Site, Mubano Hotel among others.
At the park gate, there is a community Camp
ground with ample space for ' Do it you
Self-Camping, and Mount Gahinga Rest Camp.
The choice is yours!
GORILLA TRACKING REGULATIONS
For Conservation reasons, visits to the gorillas
are tightly controlled. The following rules
apply and must be strictly adhered to:
1. No one with a
communicable disease ( eg. Flu, diarrhoea ) is
allowed to enter the park.
1. Stay together in a tight
group while with the gorillas, don't surround
them.
2. Don't get closer than 5
metres ( 15 feet ) to the gorillas .
3. Don't use camera flashes
while photographing.
4. Don't eat or smoke when
with the gorillas or within distance of 200
metres from the gorillas.
5. Bury all human faeces a
minimum of one foot deep and ensure that the
hole is properly covered.
6. Don't leave litter. All
litter must be carried out of the park and
disposed of properly.
7. No person under 15 years
is allowed to track gorillas.
8. Don't make loud noise or
move suddenly.
9. You are allowed a
maximum of 1 hour with gorillas.
10. Don't spit on
vegetation or soil while in the park. Use your
hankie or other garment.
ACCESS
Kisoro is about 540 km from Kampala ( Uganda's
capital city ) - a drive which takes about 8
hours via Kabale. For those without private
transport, there are daily bus transport
services, which set off at 0700 hours. Once in
Kisoro town, you hike ( if you are strong enough
) or take a special hire vehicle to the park
gate. Its is also possible to fly to Kisoro.
Flights can be arranged with Eagle Air which has
flights on Mondays and Fridays from Entebbe to
Kisoro.
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