Mgahinga National Park
Mgahinga National Park is a home to a large variety of wildlife, including about half the world's critically endangered mountain gorillas. This Park is located in the southwestern corner of Uganda. The Park covers the northern slopes of the three northernmost Virunga Volcanoes: Mt. Muhavura (4,127 m), Mt. Gahinga (3,474 m), and Mt. Sabinyo (3,645 m). The Park is about 10 km south of Kisoro and is bordered to the south by the Republic of Rwanda and to the west by the Democratic Republic of Congo. Each of these countries protects its own portion of the Virungas, in the Parc National des Volcans and Parc National des Virunga respectively. Click here to visit our Uganda map for more information
What to do there
GORILLA TRACKING This is the most thrilling tourist activity in Mgahinga. Gorilla tracking is an intensive experience that can take the whole day, you must come when prepared for the worst. The guide leads you through the gorilla's world, explaining aspects of their ecology and behavior along the way. We must stress that, while you have a very good chance of seeing gorillas, success is NOT guaranteed. They are wild creatures with no fixed routine, and finding them requires the skill and experience of your trackers and guides, as well as luck. The trackers and guides have helped to habituate the gorilla groups and know them intimately if i can say. They will take you to the area where they left the gorillas the day before. Before leaving they may be able to suggest how long the hike might be sometimes the first guide will have stayed near them so that by the time you get there,he will have known the exact place.
While walking, please feel free to ask guides to slow down if they are going too fast and if you need a rest especially for those who are not use to mountain and hill climbing. Feel free to stop and look at birds or flowers, the guide will ensure that you don't get left behind. Gorilla Tracking can be strenuous walk, so go prepared. It is advisable that you: 1-Wear shoes with good traction, suitable for steep muddy slopes 2-Carry rain gear, sunscreen and a hut, as the weather is unpredictable. 3-Carry water and food 4-Carry binoculars, you will see much more, you can hire from the park office 5-When taking photos, remember your subjects are black animals in dim light, and flash is not allowed.
Good Manners for Gorilla Watchers
• Keep your voice down or be quiet. You will see and hear if you do.• Don't point or waive your arms- this can be seen as a threat. Move slowly. • If approached by a gorilla, back away slowly to keep 5m separation. • Don't use flash, this could threaten the gorillas and bother other visitors. Click to read about full gorilla trekking regulations on the next Page
This National Park has great biological importance because throughout the climatic changes of the Pleistocene ice ages, mountains such as these provided a refuge for mountain plants and animals, which moved up or down the slopes as climate became warmer or cooler.
Ghahinga Park are home to a large variety of wildlife, including about half the world's critically endangered mountain gorillas. To know more about Mgahinga National Park, click on the following directives: Birding and bird watching in mgahinga national park hiking in mgahinga national park and the mountains around Mgahinga national park accommodation Travel to mgahinga national park
The three parks together form the 434-sq. km. 'Virunga Conservation Area' or VCA. Mgahinga is 33.7 sq. km, just 8% of the VCA. The entire Park is in Bufumbira County of Kisoro District.Mgahinga Park is 33.7 sq. km and consists of the partly forested slopes of three extinct volcanoes. From far away, the huge cones of the virunga volcanoes dominate the landscape and beckon you as you approach. When you reach the park you can get a great overview of the area by walking up the viewpoint, just 15 minutes from Ntebeko Gate.
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