Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda’s smallest national park at 33.7 square kilometers, sits in the southwestern corner of Kisoro District, bordering Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and the DRC’s Virunga National Park. Established in 1991, this compact reserve lies within the Virunga Conservation Area, cradling three dormant volcanoes Mount Muhavura (4,127 meters), Mount Gahinga (3,474 meters), and Mount Sabyinyo (3,645 meters). Perched between 2,227 and 4,127 meters, its misty forests and rugged peaks offer a stunning backdrop for adventure.
Wildlife and Gorillas
Mgahinga protects the endangered mountain gorillas, with one habituated group, Nyakagezi, roaming its slopes alongside neighbors in Rwanda and the DRC. It’s also the only Ugandan home to golden monkeys, rare primates thriving in bamboo zones. Over 39 mammals like elusive forest elephants, buffaloes, and bushbucks and 79+ bird species, including the Rwenzori Turaco, inhabit this diverse ecosystem. The park’s montane forests, bamboo belts, and alpine zones brim with unique flora, from giant lobelias to heathers.
Top Activities
Gorilla trekking is the star draw, starting with a morning briefing at Ntebeko Gate before a 2–6-hour hike to spend an hour with Nyakagezi. Golden monkey trekking offers a lighter, 1–4-hour trek to watch these playful primates. Hiking the volcanoes Gahinga (6 hours), Sabyinyo (8 hours, straddling three countries), or Muhavura (8–10 hours) rewards with crater swamps and panoramic views. The Batwa Trail immerses you in the forest’s first people’s culture, guided by Batwa elders sharing ancient survival skills.
Getting There
From Kampala, it’s a 9 to 10-hour drive (510 kilometers) via Kabale to Kisoro, then 14 kilometers to the park. Flights from Entebbe to Kisoro Airstrip (1.5 hours) cut time, followed by a 30-minute drive. Dry seasons (from June to August and December to February) ease access.