Kampala to Mgahinga

Depart from Kampala and drive south west all the way to Kisoro with en route lunch in Mbarara. Enjoy the beautiful scenery as you sit back and admire the Kigezi highlands, the sloppy terraces of Kisoro, thousands of plantations on the road side, views of the Virunga ranges and various lakes. Mgahinga is part of the Virunga Mountains having 3 major peaks Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabinyo. Though this is the smallest park in Uganda it is richly endowed with a great photogenic scene, various primate species mainly the mountain gorillas, golden monkeys among others plus over 115 bird species including local forest Albertine species. Dine and lodge at Mount Gahinga Rest Camp (luxury)/ Mgahinga Community Campground (budget)

Gorilla Tracking in Mgahinga

Gorillas are normally present in Mgahinga from October – May and the rest of the year in Rwanda. On a day of tracking wake up early and go in search of the mountain gorillas. It takes about 3 or 5 hours as given the small size of the park. Spend an hour or two with these highly endangered species as you learn a few things about them. Return to Mount Gahinga Rest Camp/ Mgahinga Community Campground.

Golden Monkey Tracking

You may go for golden monkey tracking alongside other primates or you can go hiking on any of the volcanic peaks of your choice. This requires fitness and an early start. Go for a least stressing hike on Gahinga which also offers a chance of spotting golden monkeys and forest birds. Or you can hike Muhabura the highest peak in about nine hours. Another option is the Batwa trail – enjoy their cultural dance and drama. Relax and dine at Mount Gahinga Rest Camp/ Mgahinga Community Campground.

Transfer to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park

In the morning, have breakfast, check out of the lodge and Connect from Kibale to Bwindi impenetrable national park. Bwindi is known as a centre for gorillas and therefore a key feature for Uganda’s tourism. Bwindi national park, Mgahinga National Park alongside Rwanda’s Volcanoes Park and Congo’s Virunga Volcanoes are habitats to the only endangered mountain gorillas left in the whole world. Sleep and dine at Gorilla Forest Camp/Gorilla resort/Buhoma community Bandas/ Buhoma Homestead.

Gorilla Trekking

Take an early morning breakfast, head to the park office headquarters with packed lunch for an inevitable briefing ready to trek for the gorillas in the thick impenetrable forests. You get to spend an hour with the gorillas after having trekked for about 3-5 hours. If you are not so worn out in the evening, head for a brief nature walk to the Batwa community. Also available are curio shops, drinking joints, a children’s school among others. You can try the other option being Munyanja river trail, where you can see the waterfalls and an array of bird life or the Muzabajiro/ Ruhija trails which offer forest and grassland bird species plus more primates. Return to Gorilla Forest Camp/ Gorilla Resort/ Buhoma community Bandas/ Buhoma Homestead.

Return to Kampala

Enjoy breakfast and drive to back to Kampala. Stop for lunch in Mbarara on your way. This marks the end of this trip.

Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla Trekking