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Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Wildlife & Animals

Expert

By Ariadne van Zandbergen

Ariadne and her husband form a team who author the Bradt guide to Uganda.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is best known as an alternative destination to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for mountain gorilla trekking, but it also offers good birding, and an opportunity to spend time with the localized golden monkey. There are only one or two habituated gorilla troops here. This means a maximum of only 16 permits a day are available, resulting in a very exclusive experience on the day of trekking.

GorillaCommon

ChimpanzeeNone

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

LionNone

LeopardRare

CheetahNone

HippoNone

BuffaloOccasional

ZebraNone

WildebeestNone

ElephantOccasional

GiraffeNone

Wildlife Highlights

The Nyakagazi group of mountain gorillas is notable for incorporating four sibling silverbacks. A troop of habituated golden monkey, which is endemic to the Albertine Rift and more or less restricted to the Virungas, can also be tracked. Bushbuck and buffalo are quite often encountered, while other more secretive resident mammals include golden cat, side-striped jackal, giant forest hog, bushpig and elephant.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

The Dry seasons (from June to August and December to January) are the best times for trekking gorillas. The park stays open throughout the year, but in heavy rain, the trails might be difficult to walk, and time with the gorillas and photography can be compromised.