More information about Mgahinga National Park, Gorilla Trekking in Uganda, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Situated in Kisoro district, southwestern Uganda, this park was gazetted in 1991 and is part of the Virunga conservation area, which is 434km. It adjoins Rwanda’s volcano and the DRC Virunga National parks. Mgahinga Gorilla National park experiences two wet rainy seasons; February-May and September – December of each year. The maximum amount of rainfall in a year is 250mm (October) and the minimum is 10mm (July). The park was established in 1991 and it is governed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority with a size of 33.7-sq. km and it lies between altitudes 2,227m and 4,127m. It covers 3 of the Virunga volcanoes which are Mt. Muhavura (4,127), Mt. Gahinga (3,474), and Mt. Sabinyo (3,645)
THE BATWA
The local People
Kisoro district is heavily populated with331people /square kilometers. The major ethnic groups are Bafumbira who lives in a substantial way of life and the Batwa. The Batwa people lived in dense forests at the foot of the Virunga Volcanoes. These where hunter-gatherers and fierce warriors who based on the forest for shelter, food, and medicine later the ancient knowledge passed down for generations. They also believed themselves as the first people for a good reason. The Batwa tribe’s is one of the Central Africas’s ancient pygmy
When Mgahinga Gorilla National Park was established, the Batwa, a group of indigenous people, were suddenly removed out of the forest and forced to abandon their low-impact, nomadic lifestyle and there landless who act as workers for the local farmers. The only time they are permitted to re-enter their cherished forest is as tour guides on the Batwa Trail. A visit to the Batwa trail permits visitors to discover the magic of the indigenous people’s old home while part taking in nature walks and learning about the group’s cultural heritage.
During this moving cultural encounter tour, the Batwa demonstrate hunting techniques; gather honey; point out medicinal plants, and demonstrate bamboo cups. Guests are finally invited to the sacred Ngarama Cave, once home to the Batwa King, where the women of the community perform a sorrowful song that echoes eerily around the depths of the dark cave and leaves guests with a striking and moving sense of the richness of this fading culture. This is truly a unique experience for visitors to learn about the traditional culture of the indigenous people. of the Batwa
Highlights
- Switch off your flashlight in the Ngarama Cave, as ghostly singing begins to echo in the pitch darkness
- Making fire requires teamwork! Watch your Batwa guides create fire to smoke out bees
- See a traditional Batwa grass hut – quick to build and to demolish which was essential for this nomadic culture
- Enjoy the lively dance at the cave’s entrance as the Batwa women sing a traditional song to welcome their guests
- Walkthrough the pristine Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, with spectacular views of the Virunga Volcanoes
Ecosystem and wildlife of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Being a mountainous area, the park experiences a form of montane vegetation and a cool climate. The abundant types of vegetation are the bamboo (60%), which is a delicacy to the mountain gorillas, other types of flora include the Lobelia, Haegenia sop, etc.
The park contains at least 39 species of mammals and 79 species of birds. Animals found in the park include the mountain gorilla, buffalo, elephants, bushbucks, the threatened golden monkeys, and many others.
Examples of bird species include Ruwenzori Turaco, fiscal shrike, crowned hornbill, black kite, and Augur buzzards, crowned crane.
Accommodation: Where are to stay in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Safari Lodge
Mgahinga Safari Lodge is in picturesque mountain area situated in three-country-corner of Uganda-Rwanda and Congo
All the tents are twin bedded with the usual amenities and superb en-suite toilet facilities. The canvas walls, elevated platforms, and thatched roofs blend well with the environment. With 6 tented chalets and the main lodge building Mgahinga Safari Lodge offers peace, quiet and comfort in beautiful surroundings with panoramic views of Lake Mutanda and the nearby Virunga Mountain
Travelers Hotel
It’s located in the heart of the old town Salinas, the Traveler’s Hotel is one of the shortest blocks from the National Steinbeck Center and three blocks to its birthplace and boyhood home, and many cool attractions are just near away from the Traveler’s Hotel. Come and stay at our historic hotel and experience a wonderful time in Steinbeck County!
A drive to the attractions in Gilroy, Monterey, Santa Cruz, and Carmel, Salinas is known as the crossroads of California. Undiscovered gems such as the Artichoke Capital of the World, Castroville, and Moss landing where a stop at Phil’s Fish Market is the local’s choice, are must-sees.rld-class wine tasting, the beaches of Monterey Bay, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Mazda Raceway, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Kayaking, as well as great hiking and golf are close by and open year-round.
Sky Blue Hotel
Sky blue hotel is located in Kabale, it has 19 rooms offering budget accommodation with warm and friendly service – the hotel is impeccably clean and serves a range of tasty local meals in the restaurant.
It is an ideal base from which to visit the nearby Mgahinga National Park, which is Uganda’s smallest National park, covering just 38 square kilometers and one of the only two locations that of Bwindi and Mgahinnga where the endangered mountain gorilla can critically be seen. The Sky Blue Hotel is associated with the Kisoro Tourist Hotel Group
Kisoro Tourist Hotel.
Kisoro tourist hotel gives a wonderful view of the Virunga volcanoes enjoying a stunning view of these mountains which border Rwanda, Uganda and DR Congo.
Facilities
All the rooms are self-contained with DSTV.
Enjoy the comfortable atmosphere of the lounge and warm yourself in the chill of a Kisoro evening by an open fireplace.
Massage services, a sauna and a steam bath for those with weary legs on returning from Gorilla tracking or volcano trekking activities are also offered
Conference Facility
The hotel has two conference rooms capable of hosting 50 and 100 persons.
Kisoro Travellers Rest
Kisoro Travellers Rest is a place to compliment your gorilla experience or provide you the homely comfort for your exploration of this astonishingly beautiful volcanic area. The lodge offers a welcoming atmosphere; quality accommodation. It consists of 11 En-suite rooms which are decorated with a unique selection of African art. The spacious rooms overlook a well-groomed courtyard that has the magical Virunga Volcanoes as a backdrop.
The beautiful surrounding garden is the home of many birds. Sitting on the terrace you can smell the sweetish perfume of the honeysuckle and in the evenings, when it gets cooler, visitors can warm themselves at the fireplace, outside or in the lounge.
From the hotel, there are a lot of activities for visitors to undertake. Traveler’s Rest provides bikes to discover the nearby surroundings; you may visit the nearby Lake Mutanda; walk to the local market in Kisoro on Mondays and Thursdays, or you can climb one of the volcanoes. You can even go and track the majestic mountain gorilla. The Mgahinga National Park is only 14 kilometers away
