Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is Uganda's smallest national park and one of its most beautiful. Tucked into the far southwestern corner of the country, where Uganda meets Rwanda and the DR Congo, it protects the Ugandan slopes of three towering extinct volcanoes in the Virunga Mountains.
The park's slogan says it all: this is where gold meets silver. Here you can trek to see mountain gorillas with their silverbacks and track the rare golden monkeys that live in the bamboo forest. You can also climb volcanoes with views into three countries and walk with the Batwa, the forest's original people.
This complete guide covers everything you need to know: gorilla trekking and permits, golden monkeys, the volcano hikes, where to stay, fees, the best time to visit and how to get there.
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Mgahinga Gorilla National Park at a Glance
| Location | Kisoro District, southwestern Uganda, on the Rwanda and DR Congo borders |
| Size | About 34 square kilometres, Uganda's smallest national park |
| Gazetted | 1991 as a national park |
| Volcanoes | Muhabura (4,127 m), Sabyinyo (3,669 m) and Gahinga (3,474 m) |
| Gorillas | One habituated family, the Nyakagezi group |
| Gorilla permit | US$800 per foreign non-resident |
| Other highlights | Golden monkeys, volcano hikes, Batwa trail, Garama Cave, birding |
| Nearest town | Kisoro, about 14 km away |
| Managed by | Uganda Wildlife Authority |
Why Visit Mgahinga Gorilla National Park?
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is small, but it packs more variety into one place than almost any park in East Africa:
- Gorillas and golden monkeys together: it is the only park in Uganda where you can track both.
- Volcano scenery: the trek takes place on open volcanic slopes and bamboo forest, with views that Bwindi's dense jungle cannot match.
- Three countries from one peak: on top of Mount Sabyinyo you can stand in Uganda, Rwanda and the DR Congo at the same time.
- Quiet and personal: with only eight gorilla permits a day, you will rarely meet other groups.
- Easy from Kigali: it is one of the closest Ugandan gorilla parks to Kigali International Airport.
Mgahinga and the Virunga Volcanoes
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park protects the Ugandan part of the Virunga Mountains, a chain of eight volcanoes along the Albertine Rift. Three of them stand in the park, and all three have long been extinct. The only active Virunga volcanoes are in the DR Congo's Virunga National Park.
Mgahinga joins Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park and Congo's Virunga National Park to form the Greater Virunga Landscape. Together with Bwindi, this region is home to every mountain gorilla on Earth. Gorillas do not recognise borders, so the three countries work together to protect them.
The park climbs from about 2,200 metres to the summit of Muhabura at 4,127 metres. On the way up you pass through farmland edges, bamboo forest, montane woodland, giant heather and finally alpine moorland. Each zone has its own plants, birds and views.
The Story of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
The area was first protected as a gorilla sanctuary in 1930, under the colonial government. It was later managed as a game reserve, and in 1991 it was gazetted as Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
The park's creation came at a heavy cost to the Batwa. These hunter-gatherers had lived in the forest for generations, and they were moved out when the park was established, with little support to adapt to life outside. Farmers who had settled on the lower slopes were also relocated.
Today the Uganda Wildlife Authority shares part of the park's income with neighbouring communities. The Batwa Trail was created so that the Batwa can share their heritage with visitors and earn a living from it.
Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Gorilla trekking is the main reason most visitors come to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The park has one habituated family, the Nyakagezi group, famous for having several silverbacks that live together peacefully.
In the past, Nyakagezi was known for wandering across the border into Rwanda and Congo. It has now stayed on the Ugandan side for many years, so permits can be booked with confidence.
The group even has a special connection with us. One of its females is named Tulambule. As a young infant in 2019, she was caught in a poacher's snare and rescued by UWA rangers and vets from Gorilla Doctors. She has since grown up healthy in the wild and is now a mother herself.
What to Expect on the Trek
Treks begin with a briefing at the Ntebeko park headquarters at around 8:00 am. You then set off with an expert ranger guide and trackers who know where the family spent the previous night.
Trekking can take from 2 to 8 hours, depending on where the gorillas are and your pace. The terrain is steep in places but more open than Bwindi's forest, with bamboo and volcanic slopes. Once you find the family, you spend up to one magical hour with them.
A maximum of 8 visitors may visit the Nyakagezi group each day. That makes Mgahinga permits limited, so book early, especially for June to September and December.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Permits
Every visitor needs a gorilla permit, issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority:
| Visitor category | Gorilla permit |
| Foreign non-resident | US$800 |
| Foreign resident | Lower resident rate, confirmed at booking |
| East African citizen | Lower citizen rate, confirmed at booking |
UWA has offered a low-season rate of US$600 in April, May and November. The permit includes park entry for the day of your trek. Compare all options in our guide to gorilla trekking permits in Uganda, and see how prices differ across countries in our gorilla permit prices compared guide.
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Golden Monkey Tracking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Golden monkeys are endangered and found only in the Virunga volcanoes and a few nearby forests. With their bright orange-gold backs, dark limbs and lively faces, they are a joy to photograph, and they love to feed on fresh bamboo shoots.
Tracking starts with a briefing at around 7:30 am. Groups live in the bamboo zone on the lower slopes, so treks are usually shorter and easier than gorilla treks, making this a great activity for families. You spend one hour with the monkeys.
For a longer experience, golden monkey habituation lets you spend up to four hours with a group that is still getting used to people. Golden monkey tracking costs about US$60 per foreign non-resident, and habituation about US$100. Read more in our guide to golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga.
Volcano Hikes in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Each of the three volcanoes in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can be climbed in a single day with a UWA ranger. They are among the best day hikes in Uganda.
Mount Sabyinyo (3,669 m)
Sabyinyo means "old man's teeth", after its jagged summit. It is the toughest climb, with three peaks, steep ridges and wooden ladders near the top. The reward is unforgettable: on peak three you stand where Uganda, Rwanda and the DR Congo meet. Allow about 8 hours.
Mount Gahinga (3,474 m)
The smallest and easiest of the three, Gahinga takes about 6 hours up and back. The trail climbs through bamboo forest to a swampy crater at the top. It is a good choice for fit walkers who are not experienced climbers.
Mount Muhabura (4,127 m)
The highest volcano, Muhabura means "the guide", as its cone once guided travellers. The climb is long and steady, taking about 8 to 10 hours, and ends at a small crater lake with views as far as Lake Bunyonyi on a clear day.
Volcano hikes are charged separately from park entry. For more mountain adventures, see our Uganda hiking safaris.
The Batwa Trail and Garama Cave
The Batwa Trail is a 3 to 4 hour walk guided by Batwa people, the original forest dwellers of the Virungas. They show you how their ancestors lived: lighting fire with sticks, building shelters, hunting with bows and arrows, collecting water in bamboo and using forest plants as food and medicine.
The walk ends at Garama Cave, a long lava tube that the Batwa once used as a refuge and meeting place. Inside, the Batwa perform traditional songs that echo through the darkness, a deeply moving end to the experience. Your fee goes directly to supporting Batwa families.
Birding in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Around 180 bird species have been recorded in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, including several Albertine Rift endemics found only in this mountain region. Highlights include:
- Rwenzori turaco, Rwenzori batis and Rwenzori double-collared sunbird
- Handsome francolin, Kivu ground thrush and dusky crimsonwing
- Regal sunbird, blue-headed sunbird and strange weaver
- Archer's robin-chat and red-throated alethe
The bamboo zone and the Sabyinyo Gorge are the best birding areas. Keen birders can combine Mgahinga with Bwindi on our Uganda birding tours.
Nature Walks in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
The Sabyinyo Gorge walk follows a ravine through montane forest to a lovely waterfall, with chances to see primates, chameleons, duikers and forest birds. The border trail runs along the edge of the park with views over the Rwandan and Congolese volcanoes. Both are good half-day options after gorilla trekking.
Bwindi vs Mgahinga for Gorilla Trekking
| Feature | Mgahinga | Bwindi |
| Habituated families | 1 | Over 20 |
| Permits per day | 8 | Many more, across four sectors |
| Terrain | Volcanic slopes and bamboo | Dense, steep rainforest |
| Extra primates | Golden monkeys | Chimpanzees nearby, many monkeys |
| Best for | Scenery, volcano hikes, Kigali access | Permit availability, gorilla habituation |
Read our full comparison of Bwindi vs Mgahinga for gorilla trekking, or our complete guide to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
How to Get to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
By Road
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park lies about 14 km from Kisoro town, along a rough road to the Ntebeko gate that takes about 45 minutes. A 4x4 vehicle is recommended, and it is essential in the rainy seasons.
Driving Times to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
| From | Approximate drive time |
| Kampala (about 510 km) | 8 to 9 hours |
| Kigali, Rwanda (via Cyanika border) | 3 to 4 hours |
| Kisoro town | About 45 minutes |
| Lake Bunyonyi | About 2 hours |
| Bwindi (Rushaga or Nkuringo sectors) | 1.5 to 2 hours |
| Lake Mburo National Park | About 6 hours |
| Queen Elizabeth National Park | About 6 hours |
From Kampala, many travellers break the journey with a night at Lake Mburo National Park. You can also combine Mgahinga with Queen Elizabeth National Park on a longer safari.
By Air
Light aircraft fly from Entebbe or Kajjansi to the Kisoro airstrip, a short drive from the park. Flying saves a full day each way, and we can book the flight and road transfer together.
Via Kigali
Flying into Kigali International Airport is often the fastest route. From Kigali, it is a scenic drive to the Cyanika border and on to Kisoro. Ugandan and Rwandan visas are both covered by the East Africa Tourist Visa, and we can advise on what you need.
Where to Stay Near Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
- Mount Gahinga Lodge (luxury): stone cottages just minutes from the park gate, with superb volcano views.
- Chameleon Hill Lodge (upmarket): colourful cottages on a hill above Lake Mutanda, about 30 minutes from the park.
- Mutanda Lake Resort (midrange): lakeside cottages with views of the volcanoes across the water.
- Travellers Rest Hotel (midrange): a historic hotel in Kisoro town, once a base for gorilla researcher Dian Fossey.
- Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp (budget): a community-run camp right at the park gate.
Tell us your budget, and we will recommend the best match for your trip.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Entrance Fees
| Visitor category | Adult entrance |
| Foreign non-resident | US$40 |
| Foreign resident | US$30 |
| East African citizen | UGX 20,000 |
Entrance fees are valid for 24 hours and are included in your gorilla permit on trekking day. Golden monkey tracking, volcano hikes and the Batwa Trail are charged separately. Uganda Wildlife Authority updates its tariff from time to time, so we confirm current rates when you book, and all fees are included in our quotes.
Best Time to Visit Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is open for gorilla trekking all year. The best times are the drier seasons from June to August and December to February, when trails are less slippery and views of the volcanoes are clearer.
The wetter months of March to May and October to November bring heavier rain and muddy slopes, but the forest is lush and there are fewer visitors. It is also the time of the lower-season gorilla permit rate. At this altitude, nights are cold all year, so pack warm layers.
Sample 3-Day Mgahinga Gorilla Safari from Kigali
Day 1: Kigali to Mgahinga
Meet your guide in Kigali and drive north to the Cyanika border, then on to Kisoro. Check in to your lodge in the afternoon, with the Virunga volcanoes rising behind you.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking
After an early breakfast, report to Ntebeko for your briefing, then trek to the Nyakagezi family for one unforgettable hour. In the afternoon, relax or take a short walk along the park edge.
Day 3: Golden Monkeys and Return
Track golden monkeys in the bamboo forest in the morning, then drive back to Kigali for your evening flight.
You can add a volcano hike, the Batwa Trail or a night at Lake Bunyonyi. See more ideas in our best Uganda gorilla safaris.
Travel Tips for Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
- Get fit before you go. Walking, stairs and hill hikes in the weeks before will make the trek far more enjoyable.
- Hire a porter. Local porters carry your bag and help on steep sections, and the fee supports local families.
- Pack for the mountains. Bring waterproof hiking boots, long trousers, garden gloves for nettles, a rain jacket and warm layers.
- Follow the gorilla rules. Keep 7 metres away, wear a mask if asked, and do not trek if you feel unwell.
- Bring your passport. You need it to check in for your permit, and the park is close to the borders.
- Carry some cash. Kisoro has banks, but small purchases and tips are easier in Ugandan shillings.
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Mgahinga Gorilla National Park FAQs
Where is Mgahinga Gorilla National Park?
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is in Kisoro District in southwestern Uganda, about 14 km from Kisoro town, where Uganda meets Rwanda and the DR Congo.
How many gorilla families are in Mgahinga?
Mgahinga has one habituated gorilla family open to visitors, the Nyakagezi group, with up to 8 visitors allowed each day.
How much is a gorilla permit in Mgahinga?
US$800 per foreign non-resident, the same as in Bwindi. Lower rates apply to foreign residents and East African citizens. The permit includes park entry on trekking day.
Is Mgahinga better than Bwindi for gorilla trekking?
Both offer excellent gorilla encounters. Mgahinga has more open volcanic scenery and golden monkeys, while Bwindi has many more gorilla families and permits. If Mgahinga permits are sold out, Bwindi's Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors are close by.
Can I see golden monkeys and gorillas on the same trip?
Yes. Mgahinga is the only park in Uganda where you can do both. Most visitors track gorillas one day and golden monkeys the next.
How long does it take to get to Mgahinga from Kigali?
About 3 to 4 hours by road via the Cyanika border, making it one of the closest Ugandan gorilla parks to Kigali.
What is the best time to visit Mgahinga Gorilla National Park?
June to August and December to February, when trails are drier and volcano views are clearest. Gorilla trekking runs all year.
Can you climb the volcanoes in Mgahinga?
Yes. Muhabura, Sabyinyo and Gahinga can each be climbed in one day with a UWA ranger. Sabyinyo lets you stand in three countries at once.
Plan Your Mgahinga Gorilla Safari
Tulambule Uganda Safaris is 100% Ugandan-owned, accredited by the Uganda Tourism Board and the Uganda Wildlife Authority, and rated 4.9 stars on TripAdvisor. We have arranged gorilla safaris since 2014, and we secure your permits directly through UWA.
Call or WhatsApp +256 782 915 447 or email info@tulambule.com for a free quote, from Kampala, Entebbe or Kigali.
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