Mgahinga National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park derived its name from the dormant volcanic mountain which lies on the Uganda-Rwanda border between Sabinyo and Muhavura mountains and rises up to 3,474 meters. Gahinga is a local Kinyarwanda/Rufumbira word which means “a small pile of stones cleared from farmland at the foot of the volcanoes” on the peak of Mount Gahinga is a swampy caldera which is believed to be 180meters wide.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is mainly covered by Afro-montane vegetation with bamboo forests which are a habitat to the critically endangered mountain gorillas which are the main attraction within Munt Gahinga National Park.

There are also other species of mammals and birds which form part of park’s ecosystem, most notably the golden monkeys.

A hike to mount Gahinga traverses the bamboo forest to a lush swamp overlooking the crater at the summit. It takes about 6 hours for a round trip from Ntebeko.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in Kisoro district in western part of Uganda. It is Uganda’s smallest National parks at an area of 33.7squarekilometers.

Mt Gahinga National Park was gazetted in 1991 mainly to protect the endangered Mount gorillas which roam freely in the Virunga region. It is bordered by volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo.

Mgahinga National Park has got one habituated Mount gorilla family which is available for tracking. Tourists can also visit the Batwa which is one of the minority and less know tribes of the people of Uganda, the most fascinating is when this visit is guided by the Batwa guide to learn the top secrets of the forest.

Mgahinga National park happens to be part of the Virunga Massif where a total of over 480 mountain gorillas are thriving from. The Park settles high at an altitude between 2,227m and 4,127m. The dense forests of this park are also an important habitat for the endangered golden monkeys. This brings out the meaning (Mgahinga National Park “where gold meets Silver”).

Mgahinga National park also has a cultural significance for the indigenous Batwa who lived in this dense forest as hunters and gatherers until recently when they were evicted to conserve the Mountain gorillas.

Flora and Fauna

The slopes of Mgahinga are covered with unique altitudinal species of vegetation while at the base of the mountain is mainly grass. The virgin lush vegetation begins with the montane woodland, followed by the bamboo area, then the montane forest and Ericaceous zone where the giant tree heathers are found. Mgahinga national park is home to at least 39 species of mammals and 79 species of birds. Some of the larger mammals include; forest elephants; leopards, buffalos and warthogs but these animals are rarely seen.

The park’s famous residents and star attractions are the mountain gorillas and the Golden monkeys though less famous but also equally rare and worth protection. The golden monkeys are only found in the Virungas and in one other forest in Rwanda.
Some of the notable bird species include the crowned hornbill, Rwenzori turaco, crowned crane and the black kite.

Local people and Culture

Kisoro district is a densely populated area with an average population of 331 people/ km2 and all these come from mainly two ethnic groups namely the Batwa who are then indigenous dwellers in the forest and these initially survived as subsistence hunter-gather in the forest and they form the minority group but with the richest culture. The major ethnic group are the Bafumbira and these are primarily farmers.

Ntebeko Visitor Centre

This is where all the park activities are arranged from and the Ntebeko is endowed with the breath taking views of about 800m uphill as well as the surroundings of the park.

The Peaks

There are 3 volcanic peaks that can be climbed by visitors in Mgahinga National park mainly Muhabura(4127m), Sabyinyo (3669m) and Mgahinga (3474m). There is no special equipment required to reach the peak of any of these mountains but a reasonable level of fitness is much necessary for those intending to enjoy the hiking experience.

The name of each of the 3 peaks has its attached meaning. Muhabura means “the guide” because of its towering cone which is a prominent landmark. Also, during the 19th century, the Muhabura crater glowed to provide a natural lighthouse for travellers.

Sabinyo means “the old man’s teeth” this name came as a result of the rim of the rim of the mountain which had weathered into the ring of stubby peaks. Gahinga means “a small pile of stones_ or gahingas” which is named for the local practice of tidying the volcanic rocks that clutter farmlands.