Scheduled Flights to Mgahinga.
Mgahinga gorilla national park is a natural park that was gazette in 1991 which is part of the Virunga conservation area. The park is a habitat for mountain gorillas hence its name ‘’Mgahinga gorilla national park’’. Additionally, The park is the smallest national park in Uganda. Nevertheless, one should know that it is among the only two parks in Uganda that Inhabitat the endangered mountain gorillas. Mountain gorillas are clearly one of the top tourist attractions in Uganda. The park has Virunga ranges which is a natural habitat for the mountain gorillas. In fact, some of the gorillas migrated from Congo and Rwanda from the surrounding parks to Mgahinga national park. Scheduled Flights to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can start from Entebbe International Airport.
How to get to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park?
The park can be accessed using Scheduled Flights to Mgahinga via Kisoro airfield. For tourists interested in visiting the park, you can either use scheduled or domestic flights. The flights are from Entebbe international airport or any airfield or airstrip to the Kisoro airstrip. The flights can be luxury, midrange, or budget Flights to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Daily Scheduled Flights to Mgahinga
Aero link operates 1 scheduled flight from Entebbe to Kisoro airstrip per day.
The first flight leaves at 7.00 AM from Entebbe to Kisoro. It will arrive at 8 AM and land back in Entebbe at 11:00 AM leaving Kisoro at 8.00 AM.
Activities to do in Mgahinga gorilla national park
Gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking is one of the major activities that is carried out in Mgahinga Park with two habituated gorilla group which lives in this park. The fact that the park is small in size makes trekking easier. This is because it’s very easy to spot gorillas compared to other parks. The park has a very thick rain forest with a wide variety of tree species and thick vegetation cover which is food for the gorillas which are known to be vegetarians. This sometimes makes some of the gorillas migrate from Rwanda and DRC to Mgahinga though not in large numbers.
Gorilla Tracking Experience
For anyone to go trekking, there is a need for a gorilla permit. The permit costs USD 700 for foreign nonresidents, USD 600 for foreign residents, and 250000UgShs for East African residents. Peak seasons require to book permits in advance. Upon seeing the gorillas, you have an hour to observe the gorilla family. You will see how they feed, interact, live and continue doing their day-to-day activities.
Check some of the Sample safaris you can do in Mgahinga
3 Days gorilla trekking in Mgahinga
Golden monkey tracking and habituation experience
Tracking can be as fun as trekking, the golden monkeys are only found in Mgahinga national park which can be included on your safari trip as you trek in Mgahinga for gorillas. The activity requires you to book a golden monkey trekking permit. The permit costs US 60$ for foreign residents and US 60$ for foreign non-residents. The sum of 20.000 UG shillings is for East African residents. This activity starts at 7.00 AM with a briefing in the park and sometimes in the afternoon. The park has habituated golden monkeys which allows you to have half a day. The habituation experience costs $100 per person. You will have about 6 hours or half a day as you watch golden monkeys do their day-to-day activities.
Volcano climbing and platform viewing
Mgahinga national park has 3 volcanic mountains available for climbing. These include; Mt.Gahinga, Mt Sabinyo, and MT Muhavura. Mt. Muhavura stands at 4127 meters and at a platform of about 800 meters from the national park headquarters. These volcanoes are closely adjoining Kisoro town. You will view the magnificent scenery of the town, natural parks, and its surrounding as you continue hiking. You can choose a day to take the hike for all three volcanoes.
Crater lakes viewing and Cave exploration
Kisoro has a number of caves and crater lakes and the most outstanding one being the emerald-green lake Mutunda located 14 kilometers north of Kisoro town ideal for canoeing, fishing, and cruises with other recreational activities related. Garama cave is one of the caves where the once crafty warriors from the Batwa group of people lived. The cave is 342 meters in length and 14meters deep. While in the caves, you will learn about the ways of living for Batwa. There are other caves that were inhabited by the Batwa like Ruhenju in Gigozi parish, Soko in Soko parish, Mwambike near Mutorere secondary school which was used for safety purposes during the wars. These can be seen and documented for those interested as you enjoy the local people once a lifetime story.
Wildlife viewing and nature walks
Mgahinga national park is inhabited by 76 mammal species like the bush big, golden cats, giant forest hogs, elephants, civets, and buffaloes however due to difficulty in the geographical relief of the area, these are rarely seen. Natural walks in Mgahinga are so interesting and educating where a tourist under a guide gets to move around trails in the forest. There, you get to learn a lot more about the forest flora and fauna species, including the ancient tree species that still exist in that forest.
Batwa cultural experience and community visits.
Batwa pygmies are natives of Bwindi impenetrable forest. You will get to tour around their village and hear stories of their survival in the forest, their life before and after they were sent out of the forest. Get to share and learn about their culture like the Stone Age era they still live; making fire using stones, etc. Visitors in this local village get a chance to learn more about the Bakiga, Bafumbira, and Batwa and in case you enjoy local dances, songs, and volunteering, you can take part in volunteering in the nearby schools and communities owned by the local people.
Bird watching
First and foremost, the park has about 150 bird species with various Albertine endemic best for bird watching. All these are great adventures for bird lovers thee fore, you can carry your bird watching equipment to enjoy bird watching later and experience the wonders of Uganda.
When to visit the park?
The best time to go trekking is during the drier seasons of Uganda which is in the months of January, February, June, July, August, and September. The land is dry and the vegetation is green also giving you a clear view of the gorillas since the grass is not too high. A number of people prefer such seasons for different reasons, however, the low seasons when the park receives mid rainfall can also be good for visiting the park. You will get discounts on accommodation facilities that are in Mgahinga and also on some safari with flights to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park packages offered by Pamoja Tours and Travel Company.
Accommodation facilities in Mgahinga?
Mgahinga gorilla national park has got a number of accommodation facilities that range from luxury, midrange to budget accommodation. Luxury facilities include Gahinga lodge, midrange facilities include lake chahafi resort, lake Mulehe safari lodge, and budget facilities include; Kisoro travelers inn. The accommodation here is from 90-100USD per person for a night for budget options, 100-200USD per person for a night for those who wish to stay in mid-range lodges, and for luxury lodges, 200-400USD per person for a night.
Pamoja Tours and Travel company offers safaris in different parts of Uganda by experienced guides. These safaris go beyond Uganda but also Kenya, Rwanda, DRC, and Tanzania with the best and memorable experience. Contact us for Scheduled Flights to Mgahinga to help you plan and tailor any safari of your own interest throughout east Africa.
