Trekking Gorillas at Mgahinga National Park

Being the smallest national park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is 33.7 square kilometers in size and is situated in the southwest of the Kisoro district. Primates like golden monkeys and mountain gorillas live in the park, along with other creatures like buffaloes, huge forest hogs, duikers, bushbucks, bush pigs, and various plant and bird species. Because of its variety of primates, it is one of the most popular parks.

Majorly Gorilla trekking

The primary year-round activity in Mgahinga Park is gorilla trekking. Families go on treks with gorillas, and Nyakagyezi is the sole family that goes into Mgahinga National Park. In Mgahinga National Park, this gorilla family is the only habituated gorilla family for mountain gorilla trekking. There are presently 9 members of the family.

The trekking experience

The gorilla trekking experience begins early in the morning at the park headquarters, where you receive an orientation regarding the guidelines, procedures, and expectations for the trip. After being divided into groups of eight and given a ranger, you will go hiking through the forest.

While hiking, you will be able to see various bird species, plant and tree species, mammals including huge forest elephants, buffalo, and bush pigs, as well as other primates like golden monkeys. As soon as the gorillas are located, you will be able to spend time with them in their natural habitat. This will allow you to witness their daily routines, including eating, nursing, playing, caring for their young, and taking pictures. Following the trek, you receive a certificate.

The price of a gorilla trekking permit 

The Uganda Wildlife Authority issues gorilla trekking permits to any visitor who is over 15 years old, enabling them to see the habituated gorilla family at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. In Mgahinga National Park, a single gorilla trekking permit costs USD 800 for non-resident foreigners, USD 700 for residents, and UGX 300,000 for citizens of East Africa.

The ideal time to visit Mgahinga National Park to do gorilla trekking

Although gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park may be done at any time of year, the ideal months to go are June, July, August, September, December, January, and February, which is also known as the dry season. Access roads and gorilla trekking paths are usable during the dry season since there is less rainfall in the park than during the wet season, when the pathways become muddy and treacherous.

What to bring to when going on a gorilla trek

Due to the park’s unpredictable weather, visitors going on a gorilla trekking safari are advised to bring a variety of essentials, including long sleeve shirts and pants, hiking shoes, a weatherproof rain jacket, insect repellent, energy snacks, gloves, a camera, long stockings, backpacks, walking sticks, and water bottles.