Situated in the awe-inspiring village of Kisoro, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is encircled by the majestic majesty of three Virunga volcanoes. With its combination of rain, bamboo forests, golden monkeys, and silverbacks, the Park is aptly named the place where Gold meets Silver. The park can be accessed by road or air from Entebbe to the Kisoro airfield.

Rwanda to the south and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west define the boundaries of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. It seems to be urging you to go outside of these bounds. Its location is also ideal for those who want to drive there from Rwanda or return there after visiting the Park amidst the breathtaking scenery and thrilling activities available at the park.

  1. Golden Monkey Trekking

The Golden monkeys are small and fast primates that makes their trekking a rather active adventure. The activity takes about 4 hours per session with which you are allowed to view, take photos of the primates before heading back to your lodge or camp.

These six monkeys make up the habituated family, and as a result of their habituation process, they have become less wary of humans and more tolerant of them in their sanctuary. You may follow a path through the bamboo forest to locate the monkeys, which is similar to the path they use to search for young bamboo branches.

To ensure you capture the perfect moments of your golden monkey adventure, don’t forget to bring along your camera, binoculars for impromptu bird watching, and suitable hiking clothing, such as waterproof hiking boots, gloves, long sleeves, and a rain poncho.

  1. Gorilla Trekking

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is habitant to some of the world’s jeopardized mountain gorillas making gorilla trekking a must do activity while at the park.  Trekking the Gorillas starts at about 8am and lasts 2 to 4 hours which depends on the location of the gorillas or how far they moved in their search for food.

What to Put In Mind before Trekking The Gorillas

  • If you have a cold or other infectious diseases, it is wise that you save the adventure for after your recovery because gorillas can catch human diseases.
  • If you have to ease yourself while gorilla trekking, all waste must be buried 30cm deep.
  • Flash photography should not be used and all trekkers should be at least 15 years of age.
  • Only 8 people per trekking group are allowed.
  • When trekking you have a chance to see the gorillas but it is not guaranteed that you will see them all depending on how far the gorillas moved, your reward for the trek maybe a silverback out of the 5 in the one family of Gorillas found in the park.

  1. Mountain climbing or Volcano Hiking

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park’s landscape is so eye catching  that makes it inevitable to miss out while there; three Volcanoes thus; Sabinyo, Gahinga and Muhavura of which each has a literal translation. Sabinyo to mean Old man’s teeth, Gahinga to mean Pile of stones and Muhavura means a guide.

All the three marvelous volcanoes form part of the Virunga Ranges found in Uganda, Democratic republic of Congo as well as Rwanda.

Mount Muhavura is the highest of them all when at its peak, you are at a greater advantage of seeing the other Virunga Mountains. It can be seen from as far as Kisoro town and is justifiably called the guide given how it leads one to the rest of the mountains in the ranges.

Mount Sabinyo is a gateway to Rwanda and the DRC while in Uganda; at its peak you are geographically standing in Rwanda, Uganda and The DRC at the same time! The way to the summit of Sabinyo is filled with mushy vegetation whose uncomfortable impact can be reduced by dressing appropriately in waterproof hiking boots.

Climbing up Mount Gahinga on the other hand requires a hike through a bamboo forest. All three of these mountains can be climbed in a day each up to their summits as long as you are in good physical shape.

  1. Birding for Albertine Rift Endemics

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is blessed with a wide variety of birds thus; the Dusky Turtle Dove, Cape Robin-chat, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Bronze Sunbird, Black-headed Waxbill and Streaky Seedeater, Handsome Francolin, Kivu Ground Thrush and Cinnamon Bracken Warbler, White Starred Robin, Greater Double collard Sunbird, Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori Batis, Shelly’s Dusky Crimsonwing, Archer’s Robin Chat, Olive Pigeon, and Black headed waxbill, Western Green Tinker bird, Malachite Sunbird, Cape Robin, White-starred Robin, Brown Woodland Warbler, Striped breasted Tit, Malachite and Scarlet-tufted Sunbirds, are some of the bird species  found in which is said to have about 180 bird species. Birding in this park can be an all year round. You will enjoy a good list of the Albertine rift endemics in this area especially on the gorge trail. Be ready to bird the whole day and therefore you should carry packed lunch.

  1. Batwa Trail Experience

The Batwa, also known as African pygmies, lived and flourished in these forests and mountains as hunter-gatherers before the land on which the mgahinga gorilla national park was set aside for the purpose of being a gorilla national park. Some of them were later relocated, but they continue to work as porters and guides in the tourism sector by living close to the park.

They will be glad to receive a gratuity for their guide services, and they are also entitled to a share of the tourism earnings. An activity that walks you through their history and changes over time is called a Batwa trail experience. A good place to start is the Garama Cave, an extremely sacred part of Batwa history. This cave is where they managed to conceal themselves.

The Batwa find home in both east and west, and their effortless movement through the forest and uphill serves as a constant reminder of this.Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is situated in the wonder-filled town of Kisoro, surrounded by the majesty of three Virunga volcanoes. The Park is aptly named as the location where Gold meets Silver since it is a concoction of rain, bamboo forests, golden monkeys, and silverbacks. Road or air travel is available to reach the park from Entebbe to the Kisoro airstrip.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is bounded by Rwanda to the south and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. It silently invites you to venture beyond these borders. Additionally, it is situated in a convenient manner to drive to and fro Rwanda.