Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a unique rain forest volcano reserve, in a golden triangle between Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. The thrilling experience to Mgahinga in Uganda’s mountainous far south-western tip where you will have the opportunity to trek the might mountain gorillas. Mgahinga is part of a larger ecosystem, the Virunga Conservation Area (434km) which includes two adjacent parks in Rwanda and Congo.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park sits high in the clouds, at an altitude of between 2,227m and 4,127m. It was formed to protect the rare mountain gorillas that inhabit its dense forests, and it also an important habitat for the endangered golden monkey. Its most striking features are its three conical, extinct volcanoes, part of the spectacular Virunga range that lies along the border region of Uganda, Congo and Rwanda.

The gorilla safari starts from Kampala taking you to south-west and across the Equator. You drive through Savannah grasslands seeing banana plantations and herds of Ankole cattle, famous for their incredibly long horns. You then ascend into the Kigezi highlands, known as the “Switzerland of Africa”, with terraced farming and mountain scenery and continue your drive to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. To your booked accommodation.

The park offers a soothing aura of majesty with cool temperatures owing to the mountainous nature of the park. It is home to part of the 1063 located in the Virunga massif. It is indeed where gold meets silver where gorillas are house with the same habitat of the golden monkeys.

The cultural heritage featuring folklore and traditional healing practices for local people covers the north slopes of the three northern Virunga Volcanoes, Muhavura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo.

The park derives its name from Gahinga a Kinyarwanda word for a pile of volcanic lava stone heaps around which cultivation is carried out. On the other hand, Muhavura means guide and Sabyinyo means the Old man’s teeth. It is bordered to the south by Rwanda and to the west by Democratic Republic of Congo.

Gorilla and Golden Monkey tracking takes places in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Sector. On arrival attend the briefing by a ranger guide, after then, the guide leads you through the gorillas’ world surrounded by wild forest and impressive birdlife, explaining the gorillas’ behavior along the way.

Tracking excursions leave from Ntebeko entrance gate at 8am daily and last between two and four hours. The thrill of spending time observing these gentle and endangered giants is an awesome, exciting experience to be done again. Many find it to be a rare and moving opportunity.

Another opportunity do and see are the Golden Monkeys. These primates are beautiful, endangered and more agile than the mountain gorillas. They live in bamboo thickets on the lower slopes of the mountains and tracking them acclimatizes you perfectly to the slight altitude.

For generations, Mgahinga’s dense forest were home to the indigenous Batwa hunter gatherers and fierce warriors who depended on the forest for shelter food and medicine. Now they lead visitors through the forests and introduce them to their old home and the techniques they used survive in it.

The best birding in Mgahinga also takes in some of its most beautiful scenery in the gorge between Mount Gahinga and Sabyinyo through the bamboo forest and in the montane forest where the beautiful Rwenzori Turaco may be observed.

Hiking around the foothills of the Virunga Volcanoes gives visitors the chance to spot forest birds, the Rugezi Swamp, wild vegetation, bamboo forests and glorious views of the surrounding lakes and agricultural villages.

All three volcanoes in this park can be summited, taking a full day each. Views from the peaks are well worth the effort taking in Rwanda, DR Congo, the Virunga’s, the Ruwenzori’s, Bwindi impenetrable Forest and Lake Edward.

Besides primates, you can visit to see wildlife in Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, Kidepo Valley and Lake Mburo National Parks plus the chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park. Uganda wildlife is rich. You have to venture to the national parks for most of the action. The scenery is spectacular from the rolling hills to Savannah, as well as the scenic Lake Victoria vista’s, and forests there is a lot to take in.

Accommodations can range from super luxury hotels in Kampala, and some of the upscale accommodations in the safari lodges.

However, more affordable accommodation can be found depending on personal tastes. Transportation is available but can be challenging given the state of infrastructure. A good destination for the eco – tourist who is willing to give up the creature comforts for the sake of beauty.