4 Days 3 Nights Mgahinga National Park Gorilla Tracking Safari

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This classic 4-day Uganda safari is a gorilla safari adventure taking you gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in the far southwestern part of Uganda, about 540 km from Kampala (Uganda’s Capital City) bordering Rwanda (Volcanoes National Park)and the DRC (Virunga National Park).

The park’s wildlife includes mountain gorillas, endangered golden Monkeys, Black-and-white Colobus Monkeys, Elephants, Bushbucks, and Buffalos. There are over 115 bird species that have been recorded here, including several endemics of the Albertine Rift. Mgahinga National Park is a full day’s drive from Kampala to Kisoro and a further 30 minutes to the Park entrance. Kisoro is the nearest town.

Beginning and ending in Kampala, Uganda the safari travels southwest to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Along the way, you will stop at Mpambire royal drum makers to witness how drums are made from skins and wood. The second stop is at the Equator for some experiments and photographs then proceed to Igongo cultural hotel for a lunch break. 

After lunch, continue with your journey from Mbarara via Ntungamo as you view beautiful farms with Ankole cattle crazing. Head to Kabale a beautiful district with plenty of thrilling and stunning hills and continue your journey to Kisoro and finally onto Mgahinga gorilla national park.

On day two, you start early in the morning, driving to the boundary of the national park for formalities before continuing to a ranger’s station. Leaving your wheels behind at the ranger station, the walk begins. Finding and getting to the gorillas is not always easy, nor are you guaranteed to see them.

The arduous trek to the gorilla groups takes you through very dense vegetation, on narrow trails up steep and often muddy slopes. The search for gorillas can last several hours since the gorillas move around in the thick undergrowth shifting deeper into the forests at times.

The good news is that once you search them out the gorillas don’t flee, because they are quite used to human onlookers. After spending an hour with the gorilla family it is time to retrace your steps, trekking back to the ranger’s station. Return to your lodge.

On day three, we are up early for breakfast before heading back into Mgahinga gorilla national park. In addition to being Uganda’s gorilla trekking hotspot, Mgahinga Park is also famous for its golden monkey tracking. Today we go in search of the endangered golden monkeys endemic to this region of the Virunga massif.

These rare golden monkeys are found in the bamboo forests on the lower slopes of the mountains; which makes for an easier and shorter trek than the previous day. After finding one of the large, habituated troops, numbering over 100 golden monkeys each, we stop to watch these striking, long-tailed primates.

The golden monkeys are very social and active, jumping energetically between the trees and interacting playfully. Our walk also offers excellent opportunities for spotting other primates and mammals in the forest, along with numerous exotic birds.

Animals found here, include forest elephants, spotted hyenas, buffaloes, giant forest hogs, bushpigs, and various antelopes such as bushbuck and duikers. After tracking the golden monkey, you will return to the lodge for lunch and have a relaxed evening or opt for a guided nature walk in the forest or the Batwa trail in case you did do it the previous evening.

On day four, we make our way back to Kampala city, in Uganda, and later transfer to the airport for our onward flight, bringing our memorable 4 days 3 nights Mgahinga National Park Gorilla tracking trip to a close.

Golden Monkey Tracking: Hike through stunning bamboo forests to see this attractive and endangered primate

Bird Watching: Trek to the Rugezi Swamp, the Sabinyo Gorge, or the bamboo forest for the best bird-watching opportunities. There are over 115 species here.

Gorilla Tracking: Permits are limited and must be booked in advance with African Spice Safaris. Tracking excursions start from the Ntebeko entrance gate at around 0800 hours and it takes 2 hours to 4 hours. We can confirm that the group has not crossed the border to Rwanda.

Volcano Climbing: A tough day’s hike will take you to the peaks of Muhavura, Gahinga, or Sabinyo – whose summit is crossed by the Uganda-Rwanda-Congo border. Hiking all three volcanoes takes a full day for hiking each mountain. The great scenery of Rwanda, DR.Congo, and the Virunga conservation area, the Ruwenzori, Lake Edward, and Bwindi impenetrable forest can be seen while at the peaks of different mountains.

Batwa Forest Trail: Mgahinga forests are known to be homes for the indigenous Batwa hunters, fierce warriors, and fruit gatherers who depended on the entire forests for survival. This unique cultural trail is led by Batwa guides, and visitors will learn about day-to-day life as a hunter-gatherer in the forest, and watch an astonishing performance in the sacred Ngarama Cave.

Day 1: Kampala – Drive to Mgahinga National Park Safari
Day 2: Mgahinga National Park (Gorilla Tracking)
Day 3: Golden Monkey Tracking/ Hiking
Day 4: Mgahinga National Park – Kampala

Day 1: Kampala – Drive to Mgahinga National Park Safari

Breakfast at your hotel then departs by road from Entebbe/ Kampala, taking you approximately 8 to 9 hours to drive through the small towns of Mbarara, Kabale to Kisoro town from where you will then drive to the park headquarters.

A brief stop is made in Masaka at the equator and later in Mbarara for lunch. Mgahinga National Park is Uganda’s smallest and probably most scenic National Park situated in the extreme South-Western corner of the Country.

The park is popularly known for gorilla tracking. It’s home to the habituated Nyakagezi gorilla group – a fairly nomadic bunch that has been known to cross the border into Rwanda and the Congo. Mgahinga National Park is home to a variety of birds with 179-184 species recorded. The list includes the Ibis, Whydahs, Mousebirds, Stone Chats, Sunbirds, etc.

Other animals include Golden Monkeys, giant forest hogs, bush pigs, forest buffaloes, elephants, bushbucks, golden cats, side-striped jackals, black-fronted duikers, and South African porcupines.

Accommodation Options

Mid-Range Accommodation: Travelers’ Rest Hotel Kisoro, Mutanda Lake Resort, Mgahinga Safari Lodge
Budget Accommodation: Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp, Blue Sky Hotel
Luxury Accommodation: Mount Gahinga Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge

Meal Plan {Lunch & Dinner}

Day 2: Mgahinga National Park (Gorilla Tracking)

Gorillas are normally present in Mgahinga from October – May and the rest of the year in Rwanda. On a day of tracking wake up early and go in search of the mountain gorillas. It takes about 3 or 5 hours given the small size of the park. Spend an hour or two with these highly endangered species as you learn a few things about them. Return to your lodge.

Accommodation Options

Mid-Range Accommodation: Travelers’ Rest Hotel Kisoro, Mutanda Lake Resort, Mgahinga Safari Lodge
Budget Accommodation: Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp, Blue Sky Hotel
Luxury Accommodation: Mount Gahinga Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge

Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 3: Golden Monkey Tracking/ Hiking

You may go for golden monkey tracking alongside other primates or you can go hiking on any of the volcanic peaks of your choice. This requires fitness and an early start. Go for the least stressful hike on Gahinga which also offers a chance of spotting golden monkeys and forest birds. Or you can hike Muhabura the highest peak in about nine hours. Relax and dine at your lodge.

Accommodation Options

Mid-Range Accommodation: Travelers’ Rest Hotel Kisoro, Mutanda Lake Resort, Mgahinga Safari Lodge
Budget Accommodation: Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp, Blue Sky Hotel
Luxury Accommodation: Mount Gahinga Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge

Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 4: Mgahinga National Park – Kampala

Enjoy breakfast and drive back to Kampala. Stop for lunch in Mbarara on your way. This marks the end of this trip.

Meal Plan {Breakfast & Lunch}