Gorilla Tracking Experience in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, located in the far southwestern corner of Uganda, offers an exceptional gorilla tracking experience within a uniquely scenic setting. Though smaller than its counterpart, Bwindi, Mgahinga is part of the larger Virunga Conservation Area and is home to one habituated mountain gorilla family—the Nyakagezi group.

Overview of the Experience

The gorilla tracking experience in Mgahinga begins early morning at the Ntebeko Visitor Centre, where visitors are registered and briefed by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. The briefing covers the gorillas’ behavior, safety protocols, and tracking procedures. From there, trekkers—organized in small groups of up to eight—set off into the forested slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes, which include Mount Muhabura, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Sabyinyo.

The trek through Mgahinga’s montane and bamboo forests is both invigorating and rewarding. It offers chances to encounter a range of wildlife and rare bird species. The duration of the trek can vary from 2 to 6 hours, depending on the gorillas’ movements, as they are free-ranging in their natural environment.

Once the Nyakagezi group is located, visitors can spend one hour observing the gorillas as they feed, interact, groom, or rest. The silverbacks, juveniles, and mothers with infants offer a powerful glimpse into the complex social structure of these critically endangered primates.

Unique Aspects of Mgahinga Gorilla Tracking

• Intimate Experience: With only one habituated family, the experience is highly personal and uncrowded compared to other parks.
• Scenic Terrain: The dramatic volcanic backdrop and bamboo forests offer breathtaking scenery not found elsewhere in Uganda.
• Cross-border Heritage: The Nyakagezi family has been known to move between Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC, highlighting the transboundary conservation efforts in the region.
• Cultural Enrichment: Mgahinga also offers the opportunity to learn about the Batwa people, indigenous forest dwellers who once lived in harmony with the gorillas and the forest ecosystem.

Conservation Significance

Gorilla tracking in Mgahinga directly supports conservation through tourism revenue, which funds park management and provides income for local communities. This approach helps ensure the long-term protection of mountain gorillas and their fragile habitat.

Access and Permits

• Gorilla Permit Cost: $800 per person (as of 2025), booked through the Uganda Wildlife Authority or registered tour operators.
• Accessibility: The park can be accessed from Kisoro town (approx. 14 km away) and is reachable by road or charter flight from Kampala or Entebbe.

In Summary, the gorilla tracking experience in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is an intimate, scenic, and conservation-driven adventure that offers visitors the chance to witness one of nature’s most remarkable species in a truly spectacular setting.