Mgahinga National park takes its name from Gahinga which is a local word for the piles of volcanic stones cleared from farmland at the foot of the volcanoes. As its name suggests, it was created to protect the rare mountain gorillas that inhabit its dense forests, and it is also an important habitat for the endangered golden monkey. Out of the mountain gorilla population that are found in the Virunga Massif, there are about 3 gorilla families that are known to be living in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Mgahinga National Park is Uganda’s smallest national park at just 33.7km2 and located in the south western part of Uganda
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is part of the larger Virunga Conservation area that spreads over the three countries. Each of these countries protects its own portion of the Virungas, in the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in DR Congo respectively. The three parks together form the 434-sq. km. ‘Virunga Conservation Area’ or VCA. Mgahinga is 33.7 sq. km, just 8% of the VCA. The entire Park is in Bufumbira County of Kisoro District. Mgahinga Park has great biological importance because throughout the climatic changes of the Pleistocene ice ages, mountains such as these provided a refuge for mountain plants and animals, which moved up or down the slopes as climate became warmer or cooler. The Virungas are home to a large variety of wildlife, including the world’s critically endangered mountain gorillas.
Mgahinga’s most exciting and memorable activity is tracking the mountain gorilla in thick jungle. The park has one habituated gorilla group (Nyakagyezi) which is visited by tourists. This consists of 11 members; 2 silverbacks, 3 adult females, 4 juveniles and 2 infants.
Gorilla trekking is the most popular adventure activity that attracts most visitors to Mgahinga National Park in Uganda. The treks begin at Ntebeko, taking trekkers between 2 and 6 hours with guarantee of one hour of up close and personal with mountain gorillas. Valid gorilla permits are needed for anyone interested in tracking mountain gorillas, each costing USD 800 for foreign non-residents, USD 700 for foreign residents, and UGX 300,000 for East African citizens
On September 12th 2025, UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority), announced the arrival of a baby gorilla born to tulambule, a female adult of the Nyakagezi group. Tulambule whose names means “lets tour” in Luganda was herself born on 1st December, 2016 during Uganda’s tourism tulambule campaign. This new birth not only adds to the growing gorilla population but also shows and alerts the success of the conservation efforts.
When to Visit Mgahinga National Park?
Wondering about the best time to visit Mgahinga? The park experiences two rainy seasons; March-May and September-November. October is the wettest month, with 250mm of rain and July the driest with just 10mm. Most tourists go for gorilla safaris during the dry months of June-October and December to March. It is advisable to book your gorilla passes at least 4 months to the travel period given that there is a high demand for the Mgahinga gorilla passes.
Important Tips for Tourists
- Make sure to carry enough drinking water as you can get very thirty on the trek and at higher altitudes you could have a headache. Make it a point that your guide has packed for you enough water and a meal.
- A strong and sturdy pair of hiking shoes is required for the trekking; carry a water proof bag for your camera, as it is sometimes rain in the forest which may spoil your gadgets.
- A client should always carry identification documents like a passport/ national ID and gorilla permit at all time to present at the check in point or briefing point before tracking to avoid any hassles on your trip.
- You always not put on shouting color while going for a trek as they may influence the normal behavior of gorillas.
