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MGAHINGA GORILLA NATIONAL
PARK
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.
LOCATION
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 WILD LIFE
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:
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No one with a
communicable disease ( eg. Flu, diarrhoea ) is allowed to enter the park.
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Stay together in a tight
group while with the gorillas, don't surround them.
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Don't get closer than 5 metres ( 15 feet ) to the gorillas .
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Don't use camera flashes
while photographing.
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Don't eat or smoke when
with the gorillas or within distance of 200 meters from the
gorillas.
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Bury all human faeces a
minimum of one foot deep and ensure that the hole is properly covered.
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Don't leave litter. All
litter must be carried out of the park and disposed of properly.
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No person under 15 years
is allowed to track gorillas.
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Don't make loud noise or
move suddenly.
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You are allowed a
maximum of 1 hour with gorillas.
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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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