There are 16 gorilla permits available in Mgahinga gorilla national park each day. Following the recent joining of Rwanda’s Hirwa gorilla family that migrated from Volcanoes National park into Mgahinga, the park is now home to 2 gorilla families each visited by a group of eight people as a day. Mgahinga Gorilla Park is one of the two destinations to trek mountain gorillas in Uganda. Each day, new tourists check into Mgahinga where silver meets with gold. At present, Mgahinga has 16-gorilla permits available every day. Since the start of gorilla tourism in Uganda, Nyakagyezi has been the one and only gorilla family in Mgahinga Gorilla national park. Thanks to the coming of Hirwa gorilla family into Mgahinga forest, which has added on the number of gorillas and so the available gorilla, permits. Unlike the sister Bwindi impenetrable forest National Park, which shelters over 500 mountain gorillas, Mgahinga national park shelters less than 100 mountain gorillas. The few gorilla visits in Mgahinga has kept it natural and less exploited offering you with an off beaten kind of experience. Of recent, Mgahinga has become a target gorilla destination for short time and budget travelers. The nearness of Mgahinga Park to Kigali international airport (roughly 4 hours drive) makes it easy to do Kigali to Uganda gorilla trekking. A 1-Day Mgahinga gorilla trek starts at 3:30 am with pick up from Kigali driving for four hours through Cyanika border to Mgahinga gorilla national park in Kisoro district. For those who want to do 2 days Uganda gorilla and golden monkey trek, you spend an overnight in the park. Mgahinga gorilla national park covers Uganda’s share of the Virunga conservation area.
About Nyakagyezi gorilla family
Headed by Mark as a dominant silverback, Nyakagyezi has for long been the only habituated gorilla group in Mgahinga Gorilla National park. Initially, the family would cross to the neighboring Virunga Park in Congo, which made gorilla tourism in Mgahinga unpredictable. Fortunately, in 2015, Nyakagyezi fully settled in Mgahinga promoting gorilla trekking tours in southwestern Uganda. The family is believed to have over 15 members, which include Rukundo, Bugingo, Nshuti, Mutagamba, and Nvuyekure among others. The family members comprise of silverbacks, adult females, juveniles and black backs and infants. For those who have visited Nyakagyezi gorilla family before, a close encounter with this group is unforgettable. Members are peaceful and friendly which gives travelers chances to capture nice photos and videos making the whole experience memorable.
Hirwa family in Mgahinga forest
In addition to the Nyakagyezi family, travelers to Mgahinga have got an added chance to trek Rwanda’s Hirwa gorilla family, which is currently living in Uganda. 50% of gorilla permit revenue earned from trekking Hirwa gorilla group goes back to Rwanda Development Board since they are the sole owners of Hirwa family. Hirwa family migrated to Mgahinga forest in October 2019.
How to trek Nyakagyezi gorilla family
Like in all other gorilla destinations, the trekking Nyakagyezi family starts at 7:00 am. Travelers gather at the Ntebeko visitor information center for registration and briefing on the rules and regulations of gorilla trekking. The trek to see gorillas lasts for 30 minutes to several hours depending on the location of gorillas and their speed of movements. On meeting gorillas, travelers are allowed strictly an hour with Nyakagyezi family to take pictures, capture videos and have fun.
How to book gorilla permits in Mgahinga forest
Uganda Wildlife Authority issues all gorilla trekking permits to Mgahinga and Bwindi Forest National parks. You can book direct with them or indirectly through Gorilla Trek Africa, the number of travel agent in Uganda and Rwanda. A single gorilla permit to trek gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National park costs $600 or foreign non-residents, $500 for foreign residents and UGX for East African citizens. These prices are set to increase to $700 for foreign non-residents and $600 for foreign residents with effect from 1st July 2020.
Other activities in Mgahinga gorilla national park
Besides gorilla trekking, Mgahinga gorilla national park offers you with a list of tourist activities, which include:
• Golden monkey trekking
• Batwa cultural trail
• Bird watching
• Forest/nature walks
• Mountain climbing (Mt Muhabura, Mt Gahinga, and Mt Sabyinyo) among others.
• Caldera walk
Trekking gorillas in Mgahinga gorilla national park should be your next must-do on a Uganda safari. Contact Gorilla Trek Africa, book a gorilla permit and visit the famous Nyakagyezi and Hirwa gorilla families in Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks.
