By clicking ‘Accept’ you agree that we use Analytical cookies for gathering information about how our
website is used, as well as Advertising and social media cookies (including cookies from trusted
partners) to personalize our advertising campaigns and to allow you to share on social media.
About our use of cookies
Below you can decide which type of cookies you would like to keep switched on.
Open a list of all cookies
Functional cookies
Functional cookies are essential to using our website and cannot be switched off.
These cookies do not contain personal information and are not used for analytical or advertising purposes.ShowHide
description
Analytical cookies
(anonymous)
Analytical cookies gather anonymous information about how our website is used. The information collected
does not contain personal information, cannot be traced back to you, and
is not used for advertising purposes.
ShowHide
description
Advertising and social
media
cookies
Advertising and social media cookies (including cookies from trusted
partners) enable us to personalize our advertising campaigns, and enable you to share on social media.
ShowHide
description
Ariadne is a renowned Africa expert. She and her husband form a team who write and update many Bradt guides, including the guide to Uganda.
Ariadne is a renowned Africa expert. She and her husband form a team who write and update many Bradt guides, including the guide to Uganda.
Ariadne is a renowned Africa expert. She and her husband form a team who author the Bradt guide to Uganda.
Ariadne and her husband form a team who author the Bradt guide to Uganda.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park protects the Ugandan slopes of the majestic Virungas, a range of freestanding volcanoes that rises to a maximum altitude of 4,507m/14,787ft on the border with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It is an alternative destination to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for mountain gorilla trekking. Other attractions include hikes to the summit of three of the park’s volcanic peaks and golden monkey trekking.
Aside from the endangered mountain gorilla, Mgahinga is home to many other mammal species. However, as in all forests, animals tend to be hard to spot. The very rare golden monkey, endemic to the Albertine Rift, can be tracked. Other mammals include black-and-white colobus, buffalo, elephant, bushbuck and duiker.
Mgahinga is Uganda’s smallest park. It forms part of the Virunga Mountains and adjoins with the parks across the borders of DRC and Rwanda. The entire park is at a high altitude, and the views are out of this world. The most prominent feature are the volcanic cones of extinct volcanoes in the mountain range. It also offers great views over Lakes Mutanda and Mulehe.
Weather & Climate
The near-constant threat of rain means that Mgahinga doesn’t have a Dry season as such, although the precipitation eases a little from December to January, and even more mid-year. The park’s reputation for being one of Uganda’s coolest places is reflected in the average daytime temperature of 20°C/68°F. You’ll need plenty of warm, waterproof clothing during the two Wet seasons (from February to May and from September to November).
Gorillas can be tracked year-round in Mgahinga. Predictably, the low seasons roughly coincide with the Wet seasons (February to May and September to November), but be aware that some of the park’s accommodation shuts down in these months. The landscape of the park, dominated by the Virunga Mountains, can be better navigated in the drier months.
Philip is an acclaimed travel writer and author of many guidebooks, including the Bradt guides to Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and South Africa.
Volcanoes in the mist
3/5
As indicated by its name, this small park – protecting the Uganda portion of the Virunga Mountains, on the border with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo – is best known for the opportunity to track its habituated mountain...