Mgahinga Gorilla
National Park
Gorillas and golden monkeys on the flanks of ancient African volcanoes — Uganda's smallest park packs extraordinary experiences into every hectare.
Uganda's Smallest, Most Volcanic Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, at just 33.7 square kilometers, is Uganda's smallest national park but one of its most dramatic. Nestled in the extreme southwest corner of the country, sharing borders with Rwanda and the DRC, Mgahinga protects the Ugandan portion of the Virunga Volcano chain — three towering extinct volcanoes draped in Afromontane forest, bamboo thickets, and moorland.
The park was gazetted in 1991 specifically to protect mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, and forms part of the greater Virunga Conservation Area — the world's most important mountain gorilla habitat shared between Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC. The park's name derives from the local Rukiga word for the old volcano stumps.
Two Iconic Primate Experiences: Mgahinga is one of very few places on Earth where you can trek mountain gorillas on one day and golden monkeys on the next — two bucket-list primates in one compact park. The park also connects with Bwindi for a comprehensive gorilla trekking itinerary.
The Batwa pygmy people, the original forest dwellers of these mountains, were displaced when Mgahinga was gazetted. Today they live in the surrounding communities and offer extraordinarily rich cultural experiences — sharing their ancient forest knowledge, honey-gathering skills, and musical traditions with visitors.
Virunga Volcanic Peaks
Mt. Muhabura
The highest peak; a challenging 8-hour hike with crater lake at summit. Best views over Uganda, Rwanda and DRC.
Mt. Gahinga
The smallest volcano; 6-hour hike through bamboo to summit with a swampy crater and stunning views.
Mt. Sabinyo
"Old Man's Teeth" — the dramatic triple-peaked summit is where Uganda, Rwanda and DRC meet. Rope-assisted hike.
All three volcanoes can be hiked with UWA-licensed guides. Summit hikes typically take 6–10 hours return and require a good level of fitness. The vegetation zones — bamboo forest, giant heath, afroalpine moorland — are extraordinary and change dramatically with altitude.
Mgahinga Experiences
Gorilla Trekking
Mgahinga's single gorilla family — the Nyakagezi group of 10 individuals — can be trekked with a UWA gorilla permit (USD 800). High success rate when the family is present.
- Nyakagezi gorilla family (10 members)
- Occasionally moves to Rwanda — confirm before booking
- 1-hour observation in natural habitat
- Dramatic bamboo forest and volcanic scenery
- Combine with Bwindi for multiple family options
Golden Monkey Trekking
Golden monkeys — brilliant orange-gold primates found only in the Virunga Volcano forests — can be trekked in Mgahinga's bamboo zone. A truly unique and rarely crowded experience.
- Permit USD 60 per person
- Trek through bamboo forest zones
- Large groups of 100+ golden monkeys
- Very photogenic — bright golden coats
- Golden monkey habituation also available
Batwa Cultural Trail
The Batwa Experience — one of Uganda's most moving cultural encounters. Batwa guides lead visitors through the forest they once called home, sharing traditions, stories, and skills.
- Forest survival skills demonstration
- Traditional honey harvesting techniques
- Musical instruments and storytelling
- Ancient fire-making and hunting methods
- Proceeds support Batwa community welfare
Volcano Hiking
Hike any of the three Virunga volcanoes — from Mt. Gahinga's bamboo-draped slopes to the dramatic triple summit of Mt. Sabinyo where three nations meet.
- All three volcanoes open to guided hiking
- Mt. Sabinyo: stand in Uganda, Rwanda & DRC simultaneously
- Mt. Muhabura: spectacular crater lake at summit
- Extraordinary afroalpine vegetation zones
- Community guide hire for livelihood support
Getting to Mgahinga
Location: Extreme SW Uganda, 14km from Kisoro town. Nearest airports: Kisoro (charter flights), Kabale. By road: 9–10 hours from Kampala via Kabale.
Best time: June–September and December–February. Volcano hikes best in dry seasons. Gorilla and golden monkey trekking year-round.
Stay: Mount Gahinga Lodge (luxury), Mucha Guest House (budget). Very limited accommodation — book early, especially for gorilla permits.
Mgahinga + Bwindi Circuit
Mgahinga and Bwindi are just 1.5 hours apart by road, making them natural partners in a comprehensive southwest Uganda gorilla circuit. A 5–7 day itinerary can include gorilla trekking in both parks, golden monkey trekking, volcano hiking, and Batwa cultural experiences — one of Africa's finest primate-focused itineraries.
Mgahinga also sits at the gateway to Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park (gorillas) and DRC's Virunga National Park (gorillas, okapi) — enabling extraordinary cross-border African wilderness adventures.
Trek Gorillas on the Virunga Volcanoes
Mgahinga's dramatic volcanic landscape creates an unforgettable backdrop for one of Africa's greatest wildlife encounters.
Book Mgahinga Trek See Uganda PackagesMgahinga Gorilla
National Park
Gorillas and golden monkeys on the flanks of ancient African volcanoes — Uganda's smallest park packs extraordinary experiences into every hectare.
Uganda's Smallest, Most Volcanic Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, at just 33.7 square kilometers, is Uganda's smallest national park but one of its most dramatic. Nestled in the extreme southwest corner of the country, sharing borders with Rwanda and the DRC, Mgahinga protects the Ugandan portion of the Virunga Volcano chain — three towering extinct volcanoes draped in Afromontane forest, bamboo thickets, and moorland.
The park was gazetted in 1991 specifically to protect mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, and forms part of the greater Virunga Conservation Area — the world's most important mountain gorilla habitat shared between Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC. The park's name derives from the local Rukiga word for the old volcano stumps.
Two Iconic Primate Experiences: Mgahinga is one of very few places on Earth where you can trek mountain gorillas on one day and golden monkeys on the next — two bucket-list primates in one compact park. The park also connects with Bwindi for a comprehensive gorilla trekking itinerary.
The Batwa pygmy people, the original forest dwellers of these mountains, were displaced when Mgahinga was gazetted. Today they live in the surrounding communities and offer extraordinarily rich cultural experiences — sharing their ancient forest knowledge, honey-gathering skills, and musical traditions with visitors.
Virunga Volcanic Peaks
Mt. Muhabura
The highest peak; a challenging 8-hour hike with crater lake at summit. Best views over Uganda, Rwanda and DRC.
Mt. Gahinga
The smallest volcano; 6-hour hike through bamboo to summit with a swampy crater and stunning views.
Mt. Sabinyo
"Old Man's Teeth" — the dramatic triple-peaked summit is where Uganda, Rwanda and DRC meet. Rope-assisted hike.
All three volcanoes can be hiked with UWA-licensed guides. Summit hikes typically take 6–10 hours return and require a good level of fitness. The vegetation zones — bamboo forest, giant heath, afroalpine moorland — are extraordinary and change dramatically with altitude.
Mgahinga Experiences
Gorilla Trekking
Mgahinga's single gorilla family — the Nyakagezi group of 10 individuals — can be trekked with a UWA gorilla permit (USD 800). High success rate when the family is present.
- Nyakagezi gorilla family (10 members)
- Occasionally moves to Rwanda — confirm before booking
- 1-hour observation in natural habitat
- Dramatic bamboo forest and volcanic scenery
- Combine with Bwindi for multiple family options
Golden Monkey Trekking
Golden monkeys — brilliant orange-gold primates found only in the Virunga Volcano forests — can be trekked in Mgahinga's bamboo zone. A truly unique and rarely crowded experience.
- Permit USD 60 per person
- Trek through bamboo forest zones
- Large groups of 100+ golden monkeys
- Very photogenic — bright golden coats
- Golden monkey habituation also available
Batwa Cultural Trail
The Batwa Experience — one of Uganda's most moving cultural encounters. Batwa guides lead visitors through the forest they once called home, sharing traditions, stories, and skills.
- Forest survival skills demonstration
- Traditional honey harvesting techniques
- Musical instruments and storytelling
- Ancient fire-making and hunting methods
- Proceeds support Batwa community welfare
Volcano Hiking
Hike any of the three Virunga volcanoes — from Mt. Gahinga's bamboo-draped slopes to the dramatic triple summit of Mt. Sabinyo where three nations meet.
- All three volcanoes open to guided hiking
- Mt. Sabinyo: stand in Uganda, Rwanda & DRC simultaneously
- Mt. Muhabura: spectacular crater lake at summit
- Extraordinary afroalpine vegetation zones
- Community guide hire for livelihood support
Getting to Mgahinga
Location: Extreme SW Uganda, 14km from Kisoro town. Nearest airports: Kisoro (charter flights), Kabale. By road: 9–10 hours from Kampala via Kabale.
Best time: June–September and December–February. Volcano hikes best in dry seasons. Gorilla and golden monkey trekking year-round.
Stay: Mount Gahinga Lodge (luxury), Mucha Guest House (budget). Very limited accommodation — book early, especially for gorilla permits.
Mgahinga + Bwindi Circuit
Mgahinga and Bwindi are just 1.5 hours apart by road, making them natural partners in a comprehensive southwest Uganda gorilla circuit. A 5–7 day itinerary can include gorilla trekking in both parks, golden monkey trekking, volcano hiking, and Batwa cultural experiences — one of Africa's finest primate-focused itineraries.
Mgahinga also sits at the gateway to Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park (gorillas) and DRC's Virunga National Park (gorillas, okapi) — enabling extraordinary cross-border African wilderness adventures.
Trek Gorillas on the Virunga Volcanoes
Mgahinga's dramatic volcanic landscape creates an unforgettable backdrop for one of Africa's greatest wildlife encounters.
Book Mgahinga Trek See Uganda Packages