Gorilla Tracking. Mgahinga National Park is the alternative park from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park that you could track Gorillas when in Uganda. Nyakagezi is the only Gorilla group
with 9 members consisting of a Silver Backs, Black backs and Infants. Depending on their movement, tracking could either resume from Ntebeko Visitor’s information Center or the base of
Mount Muhabura . Though it is only one tracking group, surprisingly those that have tracked in both National Parks say that Mgahinga is the better experience! This is because of the low vegetation cover compared to Bwindi’s Impenetrable Forest.
Location. Mgahinga National Park is located at the extreme South western part of Uganda bordering Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. It is approximately 511.9 kilometers by road from Entebbe International Airport of Uganda to Kisoro town where you branch off to a dirt road and drive 12. 7 kilometers more to get to Ntebeko Visitors information Center. Alternatively, you could access the park easily by driving from Kigali to Kisoro via cyanika Boarder covering an average of 152 kilometers to get to the visitor’s information Centre.
Preparation of Gorilla Tracking
Gorilla Permit. Permits are purchased from Uganda Wildlife Authority who are in charge of all Uganda National Parks. Their Headquarters are located in Kamwokya, a Kampala suburb. It is highly recommended that you buy one, months prior the tracking date. This is because of their high demand. Permits can be purchased through the local tour operator to avoid inconveniences.
Cost of Gorilla Permit. Gorilla permit fees are 700 United States Dollars for Foreign Non-Residents, 600 United States Dollars for Foreign Residents and 250,000 Uganda Shillings for East Africans. However, prices are subjected to change depending on Uganda Wildlife Authority ‘s annual Park fees review.
Dress code. You are highly advised to put on Trousers, long sleeved shirts or blouses, closed shoes, hat, gaiters and gloves. All must be nature blending colors. Apply insect repellent before departure.
Carry packed lunch and enough drinking water as the activity may take long depending on where Gorillas are sighted or the terrain.
Time. The activity resumes at exactly 8:00 AM East African time. You are briefed, then headed to the forest. Tracking is estimated to take 2-6 hours depending on how far or close Gorillas were sighted.
Best time to track Gorillas
Mountain Gorillas are tracked all throughout the year. However, the best time is in the dry season when the terrain is not slippery. The dry months are January, February, June, July August and September.
Accommodation facilities. There are a number of accommodation facilities of different categories surrounding the park ranging from Luxury, Midrange and Budget;
Luxury lodges
Mount Gahinga lodge. It is 2 minutes’ walk from the lodge to Mgahinga National Park visitor’s information Centre where most of the activities resume. The lodge is known for its luxury services, support for the Batwa community and scenic views of the three Virunga Volcanoes namely; Mount Gahinga, Sasbinyo and Muhabura.
Midrange Lodges
Mutanda Lake Resort. The lodge’s location is unbelievably stunning! Right on the shores of lake Mutanda with scenic views of three Virunga volcanoes and averagely 15 islands on the lake. It is also strategically located between Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You could track Golden Monkeys from Mgahinga and Gorillas in Bwindi while staying in the same Lodge. It is an hour’s drive to both Parks. Other activities to do while at the lodge are canoe rides around the different islands, birding, cycling and swimming in the lake.
Other lodges are Chameleon Hill Forest lodge, Lake Chahafi resort, Mucha Riverside lodge and Lake Mulehe Gorilla lodge among others.
Safety of the activity. Mountain Gorillas inhabit in the Virunga Volcanoes. The terrain is a bit steep but doable for almost all ages ranging from 16 to 80 years. In some parts of the park, the land is rocky. You are therefore advised to have trekking poles or hiking sticks, hire a potter to support you in carrying a backpack and walk at your pace.
There are no political instabilities in Mgahinga National Park.
Nearest town. Kisoro town is the nearest to the park that may provide touristic services like banks, Pharmacies, shops, cafes, transport and fuel stations among others.
Road condition. Over ninety percent of the road network from Kampala to Mgahinga national park is paved. The same applies from Kigali to the Park. An estimate of 15 to 40 kilometers are dirt roads depending where your accommodation facilities are located.