Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is Uganda’s smallest park – 33.9 sq.km / 13.1 sq mi. The Park forms part of the Great Virunga Mountains and borders with the parks across the borders of Congo and Rwanda.
Given its size, many like to look at this park as an alternative to Bwindi Forest National Park, but on the contrary, we say Mgahinga is an awesome place to visit for people looking to stay away from crowds – there is only one habituated gorilla family – which means there are only 08 tourists at any time tracking gorillas compared to Bwindi Forest which is home to 19 habituated gorilla families. Permits to trek and see Gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park cost $700 per person/permit ($800 after 01/July/2024) similar to the overrated Bwindi Forest National Park.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is situated at a high altitude, which affords spectacular views our past clients have explained as nothing they have ever seen before. The most prominent feature is the volcanic cones of extinct volcanos in the mountain range which offer great views over Lakes Mutanda and Mulehe.
Things to See & Do In Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Not to be judged by size, this park has amazing experiences to offer. These include;
- Gorilla Trekking.
- Golden monkey Trekking.
- Bird watching.
- Volcano Climbing.
- Batwa Experience.
Best time to visit Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is open for gorilla trekking the whole year, but the best time is during the drier seasons from June to August and December to January. At this time the trails tend to be easier to navigate and spending a precious hour with the gorillas might be more pleasant when it isn’t raining.
Learn more about the best time to visit
Passport & Visa Requirements for Entry into Uganda
Entry requirements can change, so please contact your local Uganda Embassy to verify the information below is current.
Getting to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Entebbe International Airport (EBB) is where most visitors enter the country. However, some are known to fly into neighbouring Kigali International Airport in Rwanda.
By road from Entebbe:
From Entebbe to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is approximately 500km/310mi – a journey that lasts about 9-hours. Alternatively, to cut the drive short, you could add a day or so and break the drive with a visit or overnight stay at Lake Mburo National park. (Only 4 hours from Entebbe/Kampala).
By road from Kigali (Rwanda)
From Kigali, the journey to Mgahinga is a lot shorter than from Entebbe. Driving from Kigali to Mgahinga will take you approximately 5-hours (including border crossing time), However, travellers opting for the fly into Rwanda and drive to Bwindi – 5 hours experience must remember to apply for the East African tourist Visa.
By Air from Entebbe:
It is possible to fly by a domestic carrier from Entebbe or Kampala (Kajjansi Airfield) to Kisoro near Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (±15km from the Airport in Kisoro).
***Chartered flights to Mgahinga can also be booked.
***It’s also possible to fly by helicopter from Kigali to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Things to See & Do
- Gorilla Trekking.
- Golden monkey Trekking.
- Bird watching.
- Volcano Climbing.
- Batwa Experience.
The best time to visit Mgahinga
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is open for gorilla trekking the whole year, but the best time is during the drier seasons from June to August and December to January. At this time the trails tend to be easier to navigate and spending a precious hour with the gorillas might be more pleasant when it isn’t raining.
Passport & Visa Requirements for Uganda
Getting in & around
Entebbe International Airport (EBB) is where most visitors enter the country. However, some are known to fly into neighbouring Kigali International Airport in Rwanda.
By road from Entebbe:
From Entebbe to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is approximately 500km/310mi – a journey that lasts about 9-hours. Alternatively, to cut the drive short, you could add a day or so and break the drive with a visit or overnight stay at Lake Mburo National park. (Only 4 hours from Entebbe/Kampala).
By road from Kigali (Rwanda)
From Kigali, the journey to Mgahinga is a lot shorter than from Entebbe. Driving from Kigali to Mgahinga will take you approximately 5-hours (including border crossing time), However, travellers opting for the fly into Rwanda and drive to Bwindi – 5 hours experience must remember to apply for the East African tourist Visa.
By Air from Entebbe:
It is possible to fly by a domestic carrier from Entebbe or Kampala (Kajjansi Airfield) to Kisoro near Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (±15km from the Airport in Kisoro).
***Chartered flights to Mgahinga can also be booked.
***It’s also possible to fly by helicopter from Kigali to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Gorilla Safaris to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: Trip ideas to inspire you
