Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: Where Gold Meets Silver
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is small, high and dramatic. It covers just 33.7 square kilometres on the Ugandan slopes of the Virunga volcanoes, where Uganda, Rwanda and Congo meet. Bamboo forest climbs towards three volcanic peaks, and on clear mornings the cones of Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo dominate the skyline.
Mgahinga’s motto is “where gold meets silver”, because it is home to both silverback mountain gorillas and rare golden monkeys. It also sees a fraction of Bwindi’s visitors. As a result, it is a favourite with travellers who want gorillas, volcano hikes and culture without the crowds.
Why Visit Mgahinga Gorilla National Park?
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is Uganda’s smallest national park, yet it packs in some of the country’s best experiences. It sits in the far south-west, where Uganda meets Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Three extinct volcanoes rise above the park, and together with Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Congo’s Virunga, it forms the Virunga Conservation Area.
Because far fewer travellers come here than to Bwindi, Mgahinga feels wild and uncrowded. In addition, it is the only park in Uganda where you can track both mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.
Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga
Mgahinga is home to the Nyakagezi gorilla family, which visitors track with an experienced ranger guide. Treks usually pass through bamboo forest on the lower slopes of the volcanoes, and the hike often takes two to five hours in total. A Mgahinga gorilla permit costs the same as one for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: US$800 for foreign non-residents under the current Uganda Wildlife Authority tariff. As in Bwindi, trekkers must be at least 15 years old.
Golden Monkey Tracking
Golden monkeys are an endangered primate found only in the Albertine Rift. Their bright orange-gold coats make them a favourite with photographers. Tracking is less strenuous than gorilla trekking, and the playful troops move quickly through the bamboo. Many visitors combine both primates in a single trip.
Volcano Hikes and the Batwa Trail
Fit hikers can climb Mount Muhabura, Mount Gahinga or Mount Sabyinyo. At the top of Sabyinyo, you can stand in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo at the same time. For a gentler day, the Batwa Trail introduces you to the forest’s first people. Batwa guides share their hunting skills, medicinal plants and traditions, and the walk ends at the sacred Garama Cave.
Best Time to Visit and How to Get There
The drier months from June to August and December to February offer the easiest trails. Mgahinga lies near the town of Kisoro, about a 30-minute flight from Entebbe to Kisoro airstrip, or a long day’s drive from Kampala. From Rwanda, it is only around three to four hours by road from Kigali via the Cyanika border.
Plan Your Mgahinga Safari with Traford Safaris
We secure your gorilla and golden monkey permits and book a lodge close to the park gate. Mgahinga pairs well with relaxing days at Lake Bunyonyi or a second gorilla trek in Bwindi. Try our 1-day Mgahinga gorilla trekking safari from Kigali, read our gorilla trekking guide, or ask us for a custom itinerary.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park FAQs
Is Mgahinga better than Bwindi for gorilla trekking?
Both parks offer excellent encounters. Mgahinga is quieter and adds golden monkeys and volcano hikes, while Bwindi has many more gorilla families and permits.
Can I visit Mgahinga from Rwanda?
Yes. Mgahinga is one of the closest Ugandan parks to Kigali, so it works well for short cross-border safaris.
Where to Stay near Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Every Traford safari is available in three styles: Signature (luxury), Classic (mid-range) and Adventurer (budget). Below are the lodges and camps we recommend most often for this park. Final choices depend on availability, your travel dates and, for gorilla parks, the sector of your permit.
- Signature: Mount Gahinga Lodge, with stone cottages and fireplaces right by the Ntebeko gate; or Chameleon Hill Lodge on the shores of Lake Mutanda.
- Classic: Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge on a peninsula outside Kisoro, or Travellers Rest Hotel and Mucha Hotel in Kisoro town.
- Adventurer: Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp, a community-owned camp near the park entrance with Virunga views.
Not sure which lodge suits you? Tell us your budget and travel style, and our reservations team will shortlist two or three options for Mgahinga, check availability and include them in your quote. You will travel between parks in one of our own custom 4×4 Land Cruisers with a pop-up roof for game viewing, charging ports and Wi-Fi, driven by an experienced Traford driver-guide.
What Our Guests Say
Traford Safaris holds a 5.0-star rating on Google. Here is what recent travellers wrote:
“Had the most rewarding 15 day Uganda Rwanda Safari. My itinerary matched everything I needed and wanted. Gorilla trekking was the highlight of the trip.”
Celine Rohas, Uganda and Rwanda safari · Google review ★★★★★
“A special thank you to Sheba for creating such a wonderful itinerary and organising everything so seamlessly from start to finish.”
Paul Santos, Uganda safari · Google review ★★★★★
Why Travel with Traford Safaris
- Licensed and local: a Kampala-based company registered with the Uganda Tourism Board, planning safaris across Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania.
- Our own vehicles: we own and maintain our fleet of custom 4×4 Land Cruisers, with pop-up roofs, charging ports and Wi-Fi.
- Permits handled for you: we book gorilla and chimpanzee permits directly with the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the Rwanda Development Board, and confirm them before your trip.
- Private and flexible: every safari is private and tailor-made, and itineraries can start on any day that suits you.
- Three travel styles: Signature (luxury), Classic (mid-range) and Adventurer (budget), so the same itinerary can fit different budgets.
- One planner from start to finish: our reservations team, led by senior safari consultant Agaba Sheeba, stays in touch before and during your trip.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: Fees and Official Information
Entry fees, permit prices and park rules for Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Because rates change from time to time, we always confirm the latest fees when you book and show them clearly in your quote.
Want help planning? Talk to our team about your dates, budget and travel style.
