MGAHINGA GORILLA NATIONAL PARK

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in the famous Virunga Mountains. Encompassing three inactive volcanoes, the altitude in the park ranges from 7,000-13,000 ft. Mgahinga links to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, all important habitat strongholds for the endangered mountain gorilla and the endangered golden monkey. This majestic park is comprised of different forest habitats as well as an alpine zone at the higher altitudes. As Uganda’s smallest park, Mgahinga boasts some of the best views in the world!  

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is open for gorilla trekking year-round. The park experiences no real dry season, and rain is always possible. Because of the high altitude the climate is mild to cold and wet, with temperatures ranging from 68°F during the day to 48°F in the evenings. There tends to be less rainfall December to January and June to August. During these times of year, the trails will be easier to navigate. The wettest seasons are February to May and September to November. Remember to bring good hiking boots and rain gear any time of year.  

Mgahinga is best known for mountain gorilla tracking; it’s in the name! There is only one group of habituated gorillas, the Nyakagazi troop, so there are few permits allotted, allowing you to enjoy an exclusive tracking experience. Once recorded at only 680 individuals in the wild, mountain gorillas were recently downgraded from Critically Endangered to Endangered as new counts find over 1,000 individuals, thanks to intensive conservation efforts. You can also track a habituated troop of golden monkeys, also endangered and endemic to the Virunga Mountains. They can be found in the foothills of the volcanic mountains, mostly foraging in the bamboo forest. These playful primates are a pleasure to watch! Mgahinga is also home to bushbuck, buffalo, giant forest hogs, and bushpigs. Forest elephants and elusive small cat species are difficult to find.