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While Bwindi Impenetrable Forest steals the limelight, the smaller Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in southwestern Uganda has arguably better views and is directly connected to the extended Virunga conservation area.

Travellers visiting the park can hike the extinct Virunga Volcanoes, track golden monkeys, join a gorilla trek or keep their eyes peeled for the buffalo, elephants and rare bird species which call these rainforests home.

Mgahinga is just one part of the larger Virunga Conservation Area which covers 434 square kilometres of volcanic mountains linking Rwanda, Uganda and the DRC. The bamboo forested slopes and calderas and views of Lake Mutanda below are reasons enough to visit this enchanting, picturesque border area.

Hidden gems in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Uganda's hidden gem

Philip Briggs
Philip Briggs

Mgahinga, set on the Ugandan slope of the Virungas, is my personal favourite among East Africa’s gorilla tracking destinations. True, there’s only one habituated group here, but if you can secure one of the park’s eight daily permits, you're in for a special experience. This is because the group in question is overseen by a trio of massive male siblings, making for superb silverback viewing. In addition, the gorillas here are generally found in bamboo forest or other relatively open areas, hiking conditions are usually quite undemanding, and low tourist volumes give the park a relatively off-the-beaten-track feel. What’s more, the location, below the volcanic Virunga peaks, is utterly spectacular, and other activities on offer include golden monkey tracking and various volcano hikes.

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Mgahinga Gorilla National Park travel guides

Decolonising African travel—and travel writing
Article

Decolonising African travel—and travel writing

Mazuba Kapambwe
Mazuba Kapambwe

Travel writing in Africa has always been an overwhelmingly white affair. Early accounts from 19th century explorers like Henry Morton Stanley and fiction writers like Joseph Conrad depicted Africa as uncivilised, mysterious and barbaric, reflecting the racist attitudes that underpinned European empire building.

Gorilla trekking costs
Guide

Gorilla trekking costs

Charlotte Beauvoisin
Charlotte Beauvoisin

Gorilla trekking can cost from USD $1,500 per person on the low-end, to $5,000 and above on the luxury end.

Is Uganda or Rwanda better for gorilla trekking?
Guide

Is Uganda or Rwanda better for gorilla trekking?

Charlotte Beauvoisin
Charlotte Beauvoisin

In short, I usually recommend Rwanda to those looking to splash out, or on limited time. I suggest Uganda is a better choice for the more budget conscious, and if you're looking for a bigger variety of activities before or after a gorilla trek.

The best time to see gorillas
Guide

The best time to see gorillas

Charlotte Beauvoisin
Charlotte Beauvoisin

The climate, gorilla trekking conditions, and tourism seasons are more or less the same in both Rwanda and Uganda. Gorilla-trekking is a year-round activity, but I find there are some important considerations when timing your trip.

Guide

Gorilla Photography Tips

Charlotte Beauvoisin
Charlotte Beauvoisin

Your hour with the gorillas will fly by and you’ll certainly want some good photos as a memento.If you are lucky you’ll find your gorilla family out in the open on a sunny day in perfect conditions for photography.

Guide

Conservation & Responsible Gorilla Trekking

Charlotte Beauvoisin
Charlotte Beauvoisin

Gorilla families vary in size from fewer than 10 members to 65, with bigger families usually splitting into smaller groups. Mountain gorillas are social animals.

What To Do After A Gorilla Trek
Guide

What To Do After A Gorilla Trek

Charlotte Beauvoisin
Charlotte Beauvoisin

UgandaUganda is a haven for primate lovers. You can track golden monkeys in Mgahinga and chimpanzees in Kibale, Budongo and Kyambura Gorge.

Gorilla trekking
Guide

Gorilla trekking

Philip Briggs
Philip Briggs

Before Sir David Attenborough’s landmark TV programme, Life On Earth, gorillas were seen largely in a negative light, based on King Kong and cheap B-movie monsters. At one point, a survey of the world’s most feared animals featured gorillas alongside sharks and spiders.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park tours

Western Uganda
Uganda

Western Uganda

Mountain gorillas and beyond
10 days
7 Day Mgahinga Gorillas Lake Bunyonyi & Queen Elizabeth
Uganda

7 Day Mgahinga Gorillas Lake Bunyonyi & Queen Elizabeth

7 days From $2,530 pp

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park travel companies

East Africa

Tailormade Africa

Luxury safaris experts
Africa

Pamoja Safaris

Supporting the community through tours and travel
East Africa

Natural World Kenya Safaris

The leader in customized and budget-friendly East Africa safaris
Africa

Take Me To Africa

Experts in small group travel to Africa
East Africa

Beyond Travel

Uganda-based safari specialist
Uganda

Nandi Adventures

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