Overview
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is another beautiful gem regardless of the fact that it is Uganda’s smallest park with breathtaking views. You are expected to see Mountain Gorillas and Golden Monkeys however the golden monkeys are more popular than the gorillas in this park with only one fully habituated Nyakagezi family that migrates between Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. Away from the primates you will see animals like , forest elephants, bush pigs, bushbucks, giant forest hogs and duikers; bird species with 19 endemics like Rwenzori batis, Rwenzori turaco, dusky crimson-wing, regal sunbirds, blue-headed sunbirds, strange weavers and rodents. The trip will start in Kampala via Mbarara to Mgahinga and back to Kampala.
Day 1: Drive from Kampala to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
At the agreed spot, you will meet with our driver guide in the morning who will brief you about the trip, at which point any questions or concerns from you will be handled. You will set off for Mgahinga which will take about 9 hours enjoying the great scenery, landscape and physical features of the country side. A stopover will be made in Mbarara for lunch, then you will proceed to Mgahinga where you will arrive in time for dinner and then check into your lodging for the night so you can rest and be ready for the next day.
Day 2: Gorilla trekking and Batwa community tour
A very early breakfast will be served and after you will be driven to the park’s headquarters for briefing about the regulations to follow during the trek, how to behave and what to expect to ensure a smooth trek. With a guide and armed ranger your trek will start and will take about 30minutes- 6hours and when the gorilla family is found you will be given an hour with them get to see the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, how they live, care for each other, care for their young, how and when they eat, during the trek you will be given water and a snack for when you need it. Also expect to see monkeys, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, forest hogs, bush pigs, bushbucks, porcupines and spotted hyenas. When done with the trekking, you will go back to your lodge and freshen up then have lunch. There after you will visit the Batwa people for a community tour. With the help of a local guide, you will be involved in different community activities like music, dance and drama, crafting and honey harvesting. Story telling will also be key as a way to learn the Batwa people’s history and what makes them an interesting group people. You will the return to the lodge, have dinner and then wind down the day with a relaxed evening into the night, and retire as and when you wish.
Day 3: Checkout and departure
You will wake up to a beautiful breakfast, and then check out of the lodge and prepare for your departure for Kampala and this will take about 9hours. You will have one stop over at the equator, for lunch, picture taking moments and exploring the craft village after which you will continue to Kampala and will be dropped off at the agreed upon point which will mark the end of the 3 day trip.
