Mgahinga vs Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Mgahinga vs Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks: There are only two national parks in Uganda where gorilla trekking is possible: Mgahinga and Bwindi. Both national parks are located near the Katuna and Cyanika borders in southwest Uganda. The Virunga National Park in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and Volcanoes National Park in Northwestern Rwanda share borders with Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
After the Batwa, the previous forest squatters, were relocated, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park was gazetted as a national park in 1991. It is Uganda‘s smallest protected area, spanning approximately 33.7 square kilometers and encompassing all three Virunga Conservation Areas. Mount Muhavura, which is 4,127 meters high, Mount Sabyinyo, which is 3,645 meters high, and Mgahinga, which is 3,474 meters high, are three of the magnificent Virunga Mountains that are protected by Mgahinga National Park, which is located between 2,227 and 4,127 meters above sea level. While Sabyinyo means “old man’s teeth,” and Muhavura means “guide,” Mgahinga gets its name from the Kinyarwanda word Gahinga, which means “pile of volcanic Lava stone heaps where cultivation is conducted.”
Mgahinga National Park, which was gazetted to safeguard the critically endangered mountain gorillas and the rare golden monkeys, is unquestionably one of Uganda‘s most breathtaking sites, particularly for primates safaris. More than 39 different kinds of mammals call it home, including the endangered mountain gorilla, golden monkey, elephant, buffalo, and many more. It is one of the most amazing protected regions for your safaris and tours in Uganda because it is home to over 76 bird species, giant forest pigs, leopards, spotted hyenas, black-fronted duikers, and many more.
Trekking with mountain gorillas is one of the most popular activities in Uganda and around Africa. Since mountain gorillas are found in just three African nations—Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo—they have been dubbed the world’s most critically endangered primates. A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs $700 per person for both Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Because Mgahinga National Park only has one gorilla family—the Nyakagezi family—with seven to fourteen members for tourists to monitor, it draws fewer visitors than Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Due of the small number of families, visitors want to follow the Nyakagezi group in Mgahinga National Park. Since members of the Nyakagezi habituated group typically migrate to the Congo side of the Virunga National Park or to the Rwanda side of Volcanoes National Park, the Uganda Wildlife Authority generally does not advise paying them in advance.
The Nyakagezi family of gorillas has repeatedly shown itself to be highly mobile, which has scared off most tourists who are unsure of their chances of seeing these creatures in Mgahinga National Park. They have been tightly monitored for the past two years, though, which has kept them steady and prevented them from crossing into Rwanda or the Congo. It is the only habituated gorilla group in Mgahinga National Park, thus visitors are hesitant to make reservations there because there isn’t another gorilla family to choose from. This is in contrast to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Part, which offers four gorilla trekking sectors, more than fifteen habituated gorilla groups for tourism, and a few families for research. As a result, visitors have a variety of options for seeing mountain gorillas while in the Bwindi forest.
The benefit of gorilla trekking in Mgahinga as opposed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is that the former is more tranquil and less crowded than the latter. Since many tourists avoid Mgahinga National Park in favor of Bwindi National Park, gorilla trekking there is the ideal choice if you’re anxious around big crowds. Because you don’t have to battle crowds of people when engaging in activities other than gorilla trekking, this location is considerably more suited for introverts, with smaller, more intimate groups being the norm even during peak season.
The Mgahinga National Park is situated on the border between Rwanda and Uganda as well as between Uganda and the Congo. The ideal experience for any traveler is to visit Mgahinga National Park while mountain climbing. Mount Muhabura is a 12-kilometer hike that takes around eight hours to complete. To get there, you’ll need to use pathways that pass through bushes, rock formations, and tiny grasses, among other things. Enjoy amazing views of the Rwenzori peaks, Virunga volcanoes, Bwindi forest, and Lake Edward at Queen Elizabeth National Park while atop Muhavura Mountain. Although highly interesting, hiking Mount Sabinyo is quite difficult. Hiking up Mount Sabinyo requires wearing hiking boots because the trails are covered in mushy vegetation. At the summit of the mountain, you will be simultaneously in three different countries: Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Mount Gahinga is 8 kilometers long and 3,474 meters high. Hiking through a bamboo forest will lead you to the top of Gahinga Mountain, where you will see a 180-meter-wide crater filled with wetland and stone heaps in the gardens. Your safari in Uganda will be unforgettable since climbing the three mountains offers rewarding views of many bird species, animals like elephants, and golden monkeys, among others.
The Golden Monkeys can also be seen at Mgahinga National Park. Thus, on a four-day gorilla and golden monkey trekking trip, tourists can combine their experiences with gorilla trekking. There are roughly six habituated golden monkey trekking families in Mgahinga National Park, and each family can have up to six trekkers. Visitors can spend an hour with the family, taking pictures, making movies, and watching the golden monkeys in the trees. It takes one to four hours to walk through the bamboo forest, and golden monkey trekking is best done in the morning.While exploring the woods of Mgahinga National Park in pursuit of its mountain gorillas, you will have the chance to observe the golden monkey, another incredibly unusual animal. The golden monkeys are easy to locate because, in contrast to mountain gorillas, they stay largely still in relation to their nest. You won’t need to go to bed at 9 p.m. the night before to get adequate sleep because your hike starts at the more sensible 8 a.m.
Due to their proximity to Kisoro, the Nkuringo and Rushaga sector gorilla populations from the southern side of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park pose a greater threat to Mgahinga National Park. These areas are located in the Kisoro region alongside Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Due to its proximity to Bwindi’s Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors, there is a greater probability of visiting Mgahinga for gorilla trekking. Compared to viewing the gorilla groups in the Southern Bwindi forest, gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park is the most accessible option for tourists traveling from Kigali, Rwanda, or even Kampala.
Even though Mgahinga National Park offers more benefits for gorilla trekking than Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Bwindi Forest prioritizes gorilla trekking for tourists who wish to see more mountain gorillas in Uganda for the following reasons:
About half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas live in the impassable national park of Bwindi. If you are excited to view mountain gorillas on a Uganda vacation safari, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the place to go. The forest offers a 99% chance of seeing the animals. With more than 400 gorillas split up into 11 habituated bands, rangers are sure they can find these primates. You will almost certainly see a troop of these friendly critters at some time during your expedition, even if you have to go through a humid, wet jungle for a little longer than you had anticipated.
There are more lodging alternatives in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park than in Mgahinga National Park. Although Mgahinga National Park is a more sedate destination, there aren’t many excellent lodging options due to the low volume of visitors. To be clear, there are plenty of options that are secure, pleasant, and clean, but those looking for an exceptional experience might not be satisfied with what they discover. In contrast to Bwindi Forest, where there are numerous lodges both inside and outside the park boundaries, offering lodging alternatives for every budget, Gahinga Lodge offers a luxury form of hospitality when you visit Mgahinga National Park. Backpackers will appreciate Bwindi Backpackers Lodge’s excellent value for their money.
The greatest choice for those seeking lengthier hikes is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It is unclear how much trekking, climbing, and scrambling you will need to do as you set out to locate the gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The finest area for more challenging trekking adventures is Nkuringo.
In conclusion, there is just one habituated gorilla troop available to tourists for gorilla trekking safaris in Mgahinga National Park. In Mgahinga National Park, this group is presently steady and easy to follow for curious tourists. Permits are typically reserved by tourists during the busiest months of June, July, August, and September, when groups are completely booked in the Rwanda Volcanoes National Park and the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.