Mgahinga National Park, located in southwestern Uganda, is a unique safari destination. It is a well-known place where silver and gold meet. This park, the smallest in Uganda, covers about 33.7 square kilometers and includes the slopes of three Virunga mountain ranges.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which is 33 square kilometers in size, is found in the remote southwest of Uganda. It is an ideal place for gorilla safaris. The park borders the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to the west and Rwanda to the south.
The slopes of the three northern Virunga volcanoes—Mount Muhabura (4,127 m), Mount Gahinga (3,474 m), and Mount Sabyinyo (3,645 m)—are covered by Mgahinga Park. It is located 14 km from Kisoro town.
Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo each protect different parts of the Virunga mountain range.
Together, these three parks form the 434-square-kilometer Virunga Conservation Area (VCA), with Mgahinga covering 33.7 square kilometers, or 8% of the total area. The entire Mgahinga Park is within Kisoro District’s Bufumbira County.
The park is made up of the forested slopes of three extinct volcanoes. From a distance, the large cones of the Virunga volcanoes dominate the landscape and become more visible as you get closer.
Walking to the viewpoint, which is about 15 minutes from Ntebeko Gate, provides a good view of the area. The Virunga mountains are home to plants and animals that moved up and down the slopes as the climate changed during the Pleistocene ice ages.
The park is important for nature conservation, as about half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas live in the Virunga region.
Things to See in Mgahinga National Park
Mgahinga National Park is home to 76 mammal species, including endangered mountain gorillas, with about 1,004 individuals still alive today.
Other animals in the park include elephants, buffaloes, golden monkeys, spotted hyenas, black-faced duikers, giant forest hogs, bushbuck, and more than 115 bird species.
Virunga Volcanoes
Mgahinga National Park is part of the Virunga Conservation Area (VCA), which also includes Virunga National Park in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and Volcanoes National Park in northwest Rwanda.
The park is home to three Virunga Massifs: Gahinga, from which the park gets its name, Muhavura, which stands at 4,127 meters, and Sabyinyo, which is 3,645 meters high.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park lies at elevations between 2,227 and 4,127 meters. The park was designated as a national park in 1991 to protect its natural treasures.
Mount Sabyinyo (3,669m)
Mount Sabyinyo’s peak has been shaped by time, making it look like an old man’s teeth. Reaching the top of this mountain is an exciting experience. The volcano has three steep summits.
To reach the first peak, hikers must climb a steep slope on the eastern side. The path to the second peak includes walking along a narrow ridge with deep valleys on both sides in Rwanda and Uganda.
The third peak requires using ladders and scrambling over rocks, making it the most difficult climb.
However, once at the summit, you will find yourself standing in three countries at the same time—Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
This is an unforgettable adventure.
Mount Gahinga (3,474m)
On the way to the park, you will see small piles of stones, known as “Gahinga,” in the gardens. Although Mount Gahinga is much bigger than these small piles, it looks smaller when compared to Mount Muhabura.
Hiking to the top takes about six hours for a round trip, passing through a beautiful bamboo forest. There used to be a Crater Lake at the top of Mount Gahinga, but over time, it turned into a swamp about 8 kilometers wide.
Mount Muhabura (4,127m)
This volcano stands as a landmark and can be seen from all over Kisoro. Its cone-shaped peak offers some of the best views in Uganda. Most of the hike passes through rocky terrain covered with grass and small plants.
From the summit, hikers can see the Rwenzori Mountains, Lake Edward in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi, and the Virunga volcanoes. The 12-kilometer round-trip hike takes about eight hours to complete.
Since there are no facilities at the Muhabura campsite, it is recommended to camp there the night before the hike. Hikers need to bring a tent, water, food, and sleeping materials.
