Found in the south west, bordering Rwanda and Congo, Mgahinga comprises three extinct volcanoes and three extensive swamps. At 33.7 km², it is Uganda’s smallest National Park.
It is situated in Kisoro in south western Uganda, about 540 km from Kampala.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is part of the larger Virunga Conservation Area, a jointly protected region shared with Congo and Rwanda.
Explore Uganda’s smallest national park, where volcanoes, golden monkeys and mountain gorillas meet in a unique cross-border landscape. Let us include Mgahinga in your Uganda safari itinerary.
Mountain gorillas and rare golden monkeys
Mgahinga is one of two locations in Uganda where mountain gorillas can be found, the other being Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The park has one habituated gorilla group, although this group sometimes crosses the border into Rwanda, which means Mgahinga is not always a reliable spot for viewing gorillas. The park was once home to mountain gorillas that later migrated into Rwanda’s Volcanoes area.
There are 76 recorded mammal species, including buffaloes, elephants, bushbucks and golden monkeys. A total of 115 bird species have been recorded, including Rwenzori turaco, crowned hornbill, yellow-billed kite and grey crowned crane.
The park takes its name from “Gahinga”, the local word for the piles of volcanic stones cleared from farmland at the foot of the volcanoes.
Three climbable peaks on the Uganda–Rwanda border
The national park covers three of the eight Virunga volcanoes: Mount Muhabura, Mount Gahinga and Mount Sabyinyo. All lie on the Uganda–Rwanda border and can be climbed in one day from the park headquarters.
The homeland of the Batwa
Beyond its wildlife importance, the park has strong cultural significance, especially for the indigenous Batwa pygmies. This hunter-gatherer community was known as the forest’s first people.
Reaching Mgahinga National Park
The park is approximately an eight hour drive via Kabale from Kampala. For those without private transport, daily bus services depart at 0700 hours. From Kisoro town, visitors can hike or hire a special vehicle to reach the park gate.
Volcano landscapes, rare primates and life on the edge of the Virunga Mountains
A close encounter with a mountain gorilla in its natural forest habitat
The historic Garama Cave, once home to the Batwa people
Experienced rangers guide visitors through the dense forest landscape
A golden monkey moves through the forest of Mgahinga
A mountain gorilla rests quietly in the dense vegetation
A silverback gorilla sits in the open clearing, watching his surroundings
