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Goegraphical Size:
The smallest National Park in Uganda with 33.7 sq km.
Location: Mgahinga
Gorilla National Park is located far southwest, bordering
Rwanda and Congo, 14km from Kisoro town. The Park covers
the northern slopes of the three northernmost Virunga
Volcanoes: Mt. Muhavura (4,127 m), Mt. Gahinga (3,474
m), and Mt. Sabinyo (3,645 m). The Park is about 10 km
south of Kisoro and is bordered to the south by the Republic
of Rwanda and to the west by the Democratic Republic of
Congo. Each of these countries protects its own portion
of the Virungas, in the Parc National des Volcans and
Parc National des Virunga respectively. The three parks
together form the 434-sq. km. 'Virunga Conservation Area'
or VCA. Mgahinga is 33.7 sq. km, just 8% of the VCA. The
entire Park is in Bufumbira County of Kisoro District.
Habitat: The Park,
gazetted in 1991, covers an area of 33.7km2. It is found
in the extreme Southwestern corner of Uganda that borders
with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. It includes
parts of Muhavura, Mgahinga and Sabinyo Volcanic Mountains.
Accessibility: Kisoro
is about 540 km from Kampala (Uganda's capital city),
it takes about 8 hours via Kabale by car. For public transport,
there are daily buses/minibuses, which set off at 7.00pm
from Kampala. Once in Kisoro Town, you can hike to the
park if you are strong enough or hire a cab to the park
gate. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park was established to
provide a secure habitat for the endangered Mountain Gorilla
(Gorilla Gorilla Beringei).
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| Gorilla
Tracking in Mgahinga National Park |
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| This is the most thrilling
tourist activity in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
The habituated gorilla in this park is called the
Nyakagezi, which consists of 9 members, 2 silverbacks,
3 adult females, 2 juveniles and 2 infants. Gorilla
tracking is an intensive experience that can take
the whole day. The guide leads you through the gorilla's
world, explaining aspects of their |
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ecology and behavior along the
way. We must stress that, while you have a very good chance
of seeing gorillas, success is NOT guaranteed. They are
wild creatures with no fixed routine, and finding them
requires the skill and experience of your trackers and
guides, as well as luck. The trackers and guides have
helped to habituate the gorilla groups and know them intimately.
They will take you to the area where they left the gorillas
the day before. Before leaving they may be able to suggest
how long the hike might be. While walking, please feel
free to ask guides to slow down if they are going too
fast and if you need a rest. Feel free to stop and look
at birds or flowers, the guide will ensure that you don't
get left behind. Gorilla Tracking can be strenuous walk,
so go prepared.
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| Vegetation and Birdlife
in Mgahinga National Park |
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The summit of
Muhavura has a small crater lake and forms the highest
point (4127m) in the Park. The summit areas are dominated
by wort and dwarf heath vegetation. This emerges into
bamboo and broad leaved montane forest, down the mountains.The
lower slopes have high altitude savannah woodland
with lots of lichens and mosses. The Mountain |
Gorillas are the most awe-inspiring
animals to be found in Africa. Unfortunately, man has not
been merciful to them. Poachers have decimated them, and
man has destroyed their natural habitat. They have faced
extinction, but today sound conservation policies have slowed
down their decline, and in the Mgahinga Gorilla National
Park they are able to establish their family groups untroubled
by predatory man. Here on the slopes of the Virunga Mountains,
in south west Uganda, the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
(33.7 sq.km) has been established to provide a secure habitat
for these massive, but gentle creatures. Access to the families
is strictly controlled (and not always permitted) and small
groups of visitors are always accompanied by a trained ranger.
To keep disturbance to the animals to a minimum there are
limits to the number of tourists allowed in at any one time.
Here we are in the home of the animals and we must act as
the perfect guests.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is blessed with a unique
bird fauna; 79 bird species have thus far been recorded
within the park, including several species endemic to the
East Congo Montane region. For the Virunga Conservation
Area as a whole, over 295 species in the Virungas are endemic
to the Albertine Rift Afromontane region representing 59%
of the total of known endemic species. Remember to contact
the Park Management for a guide who will take around for
a good viewing of birds, do not forget your binoculars!!
Free birding along the edge of the park is now available
on request. The guides are happy to take you out from 5-6
p.m. if you book by 10 a.m. that morning. You can choose
where the walk will take you, or simply relax in the campground.
A stroll a long the buffalo wall toward the Congo takes
you through a wetland area where Ibis, Whydah, Speckled
Mousebird, and Fire Finch are found. Stonechat, Grey Capped
Warbler, Waxbills, and Yellow-Vented Bulbul are often seen
around the campground. Ask your guide where the best spots
are. Feel free to take your time and go at your own pace,
there is no hurry when birding. |
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| Guided
Walks and Cultural Perfomances |
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| Guided nature walks can take
you up to the boarder trail. A visa is not required.
The hike takes you through a trail that climbs up
the base of Sabinyo through fine montane forest before
turning towards the Congo. Upon reaching Congo, you
cut along the international boarder. The return leg
to the park headquarters is good for bird watchers
and there are possibilities of seeing |
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golden monkeys and elephants.
The guided walks can also take to a viewing platform,
800 metres from the park gate and once on top, the visitor
can have a good view of the park and the surrounding areas.
Traditional dances such as the emuya of the Naporra and
Nyangiya, ethnic groups. Lara karaka and Apiti dances
can be organized for you by the local community which
normally has cultural entertainers available on request.
More
>>>
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| Further
Information and Travel Planning |
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| A minimum of three
days are required to visit and track the gorilla in Mgahinga
Gorilla National Park. At AfriChoice!, we have a wide range
of carefully designed gorilla tours to Mgahinga Gorilla
National Park in Uganda that will give you a rewarding Uganda
wildlife safari or Gorilla Tracking Adventure. Your safari
consultant will always be at your assistance should you
need a tailor-made holiday to any of these locations within
Uganda. For more information regarding this topic, please
DO NOT hesitate to contact
us >>>. |
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