How to Get To Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
How to get to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of the aspects any traveller looks to know as they plan their gorilla safari to the remarkably beautiful, serene Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The park is located in the south western part of the Republic of Uganda, and is one of the smallest national parks in the country. Nestled in the district of Kisoro, Mgahinga National Park borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda all together forming the Virunga Massif Area, the only place where less than half the world’s endangered mountain gorilla population can be found with the rest being inhabited in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Having been gazetted a national park in 1991 solely to protect the then critically endangered mountain gorillas that were feared to get extinct in a couple of years.
With about 80 gorillas in the park, numerous golden monkeys that are a rear sight in the world, over 180 bird species with 12 species being endemics to the Albertine Rift, great flora and so much more, tourists are drawn to visit the park. The most sought after activities in Mgahinga National Park are however gorilla trekking and golden monkey tracking. The serenity and calming aspect of the park shouldn’t be overlooked as travellers can be rewarded with hidden sights and attractions of the park whilst on a non-hurried nature walk to explore the gem that not many have had an opportunity to explore. With these very captivating activities, it is necessary for travellers to wonder on how to get to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park to take part in these amazing activities, or simply hide away.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can be accessed by both road and air.
How to get to Mgahinga by Road.
Travellers can fly into Uganda at the Entebbe International Airport and then be transferred to the park by road via the Entebbe-Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale-Kisoro route. The drive can take approximately 9 hours. Though long, travellers are rewarded with some of the most beautiful sights of Uganda’s countryside with vast plantations of tea and bananas in sight, homesteads, Kigezi hills, locals doing various activities, even just sitting by the road to watch cars pass by as they count and wave. There are a number of stops made along the way with enroute activities that could distract you from the long ride say the Equator experience.
The same route is used by even public transport means say buses that operate from Kampala. Travellers after experiencing everything like a local and also cut on costs can opt for this. It is however not as informative as you wouldn’t have the expert advice of a tour guide, and would definitely miss out on rather beautiful sights and attractions along the way. The bus does not go as far as the park, travellers are required to hire a private taxi to the park.
How to get to Mgahinga by Air
To get to Mgahinga National Park by air is made possible with the availability of domestic airline companies that have scheduled and chartered flights to various national parks in Uganda, Mgahinga being one of them. Aerolink operates chartered and scheduled flights to Kisoro airstrip on a daily. The flights set off from Entebbe at 7am and arrive at 8:10am in Kisoro airstrip, and then leave Kisoro at 8:25am and arrive at Entebbe at 11:25am. This is one of the options that travellers with limited time to spare go with, much as it comes at a cost.
There are connecting flights available as organised by Aerolink, say to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park where you can spot the famous tree climbing lions at the Ishasha sector of the park, Semuliki National Park and others. With this opportunity to connect flights, travellers can combine their gorilla safaris in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park with any other activities in any other parks say boat safaris on the Kazinga channel, game drives, walking safaris, hot air balloon, and chimpanzee tracking, among so many others.
Also, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can be accessed from Kigali. With this, travellers land in Kigali International Airport of Rwanda and then be transferred to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park via Chyanika border point to Ntebeko, the park headquarters where gorilla trekking starts from. The drive from Kigali to the park is roughly 3-4 hours only as compared to the long 9 hours from Entebbe. Due to this, most travellers have resorted to going with this option since it takes less time on the road and also makes it possible to do a short one day gorilla trekking safari in Mgahinga and then return to Kigali.
Given the insight above, hopefully your wonder about how to get to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has been answered. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is an amazing gorilla destination in Uganda with a lot to offer, including golden monkey tracking and a Batwa cultural trail that vividly relives the way of life of the ancient forest dwellers that were solely hunters and gatherers and co-existed with the animals and all therein in the park. Visiting the park would fulfil your adventurous spirit as well as help you relax and unwind in some of the best accommodation facilities in and around the park, ranging from Luxury, mid-range to budget, to fit any traveller’s tastes, preferences and budget.
With all that the park has to offer and guidance provided herein, be encouraged to continue your planning for a visit. Get in touch with a reputable tour operator to help you further. Do not hesitate to reach out to us should you need any further information.
