Uganda's smallest park, on the slopes of three Virunga volcanoes. One gorilla family, golden monkeys, the Batwa trail and summit hikes, 'where gold meets silver'.
Mgahinga covers just 33.7 km² in Uganda's far south-west corner, but it is dramatic. It is the Ugandan part of the Virunga Conservation Area, shared with Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park and the DR Congo's Virunga. Three extinct volcanoes rise inside it: Muhavura (4,127 m), Sabyinyo (3,669 m) and Gahinga (3,474 m). The park's motto, "where gold meets silver", refers to its two headline primates: the golden monkey and the silverback gorilla.
| Location | Kisoro district, south-west Uganda, bordering Rwanda and the DR Congo |
| Size | About 33.7 km², Uganda's smallest national park |
| Established | 1991 |
| Altitude | 2,227–4,127 m |
| Volcanoes | Muhavura (4,127 m), Sabyinyo (3,669 m), Gahinga (3,474 m) |
| Famous for | The Nyakagezi gorilla family, golden monkeys, the Batwa trail |
| Nearest town | Kisoro, 14 km away, with an airstrip |
Mgahinga has one habituated family, Nyakagezi, which has settled on the Ugandan side after years of crossing borders. Permits cost the same as in Bwindi (US$800 in 2026) and are often easier to get at short notice. Treks start from Ntebeko gate and move through bamboo and montane forest, usually on gentler slopes than Bwindi's southern sectors. See Bwindi vs Mgahinga.
Golden monkeys are an endangered, bamboo-dwelling subspecies with a bright orange back, found only in the Virunga region. Mgahinga's habituated troop is tracked in the bamboo zone. The walk is usually short, and the monkeys are active and playful, which makes for fast, rewarding photography. It is a good activity for anyone too young to trek gorillas.
This half-day walk is guided by Batwa, the former forest hunter-gatherers of the Virunga. It shows how they hunted, gathered medicinal plants and honey, and lived in the forest, and it ends in Garama Cave, a 340 m-long lava tube once used as a refuge. Fees go to the Batwa community. See the Batwa of Uganda.
Mgahinga is 14 km from Kisoro town. Kisoro has scheduled flights from Entebbe, and it is about 9–10 hours by road. From Kigali, it is 3 hours via the Cyanika border. That makes Mgahinga an easy addition to Rwanda-based trips.
Nyakagezi is famous for its multiple silverbacks and for historically crossing between Uganda, Rwanda and the DR Congo. After years of wandering, it has remained on the Ugandan side for a long period, which made regular trekking possible. Groups of up to eight visitors track it daily from Ntebeko, and the rules are the same as in Bwindi: one hour, a 7-metre distance, no flash, and a minimum age of 15. The terrain is often more open than Bwindi's, with bamboo forest and volcanic slopes, and treks are usually of moderate difficulty.
The golden monkey is a subspecies of the blue monkey, with a brilliant golden-orange back and flanks, found only in the Virunga volcanoes and nearby forests. It feeds largely on bamboo shoots and leaves, and is listed as endangered. Mgahinga's habituated troop is tracked in the bamboo zone near Ntebeko. Tracking is usually a relatively gentle walk, and the monkeys are lively, jumping through the bamboo in groups, which makes for rewarding photographs. It is an ideal activity for travellers under 15, who cannot trek gorillas. Compare with golden monkey trekking in Rwanda.
Beyond gorillas and golden monkeys, Mgahinga holds buffalo, bushbuck, black-fronted duiker, forest elephants (which move across the Virunga range) and golden cats, plus about 115 bird species, including the Rwenzori turaco, handsome francolin and Kivu ground thrush.
| Plan | Route |
|---|---|
| 3 days from Kigali | Kigali – Kisoro (3 hours), gorilla trek in Mgahinga, golden monkeys or the Batwa trail, then return. |
| 4 days with Bwindi | Gorillas in Bwindi's Rushaga or Nkuringo, golden monkeys in Mgahinga, and a night at Lake Mutanda. |
| 5 days, Uganda and Rwanda | Mgahinga golden monkeys and gorillas, crossing at Cyanika to Volcanoes National Park. |
Bwindi has more gorilla families, more permits and more lodges, and it is set in dense rainforest. Mgahinga has one family, open volcanic scenery, golden monkeys and summit hikes, and it is often easier to get a permit at short notice. Many travellers choose Mgahinga when combining with Rwanda, or add a day there after trekking in Bwindi's southern sectors. See Bwindi vs Mgahinga and Uganda gorilla trekking.
June to August and December to February are the driest months, which is best for trekking and volcano hikes. March to May and October to November bring more rain, but gorillas and golden monkeys can be tracked all year. Summit hikes are best in dry weather for safer footing and clear views.
From Kisoro town, the park's Ntebeko gate is 14 km away on a rough murram road, about 30–45 minutes in a 4x4. Kisoro is 9–10 hours by road from Entebbe via Mbarara and Kabale, or about an hour by scheduled flight from Entebbe. From Kigali, the drive to Kisoro via the Cyanika border takes about 3 hours, which makes Mgahinga one of the most accessible gorilla parks for travellers flying into Rwanda. From Bwindi's Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors it is 1–1½ hours.
The lowest and easiest summit, about 6 hours return, through bamboo to a swampy crater at the top. Good for acclimatising before bigger climbs.
About 8 hours return. The last stretch uses wooden ladders along jagged ridges to the summit, where three countries meet: you can stand in Uganda, Rwanda and the DR Congo at once.
The highest summit, about 8–10 hours return, a steady, steep climb to a small crater lake. Clear-day views stretch to the Rwenzori, Lake Bunyonyi and Lake Edward.
All hikes are guided by UWA rangers and need good fitness, warm clothes and rain gear. See hiking safaris.
A gorilla permit in Mgahinga costs the same as in Bwindi: US$800 for foreign non-residents in 2026, and US$600 in April, May and November. Golden monkey tracking, volcano hikes and the Batwa trail have separate fees. On our tours, fees for listed activities are included. See gorilla permits.
Related reading: explore Mgahinga and the Batwa of Uganda.
When Mgahinga became a national park in 1991, the Batwa lost access to the forest that had been their home, and farming families were resettled outside the boundary. The Batwa trail was developed with the community so that the Batwa themselves tell their history and earn income from it. Revenue sharing from park fees supports neighbouring villages, and community lodges at the park gate employ local staff. Visitors who take the Batwa trail, hire porters and stay at community lodges help make conservation work for the people who live beside the park.
One habituated family, Nyakagezi, which can be trekked daily by up to eight visitors.
It is set by UWA and much cheaper than a gorilla permit. We confirm the current rate when quoting.
Yes. Volcanoes National Park is about 1½ hours away via Cyanika.
Usually moderate. The slopes are often more open than in Bwindi, but at altitude, so a reasonable level of fitness helps.
Golden monkey tracking is a good alternative for younger travellers who cannot join gorilla treks. We confirm the current age rule with UWA when booking.
The same UWA rates apply as in Bwindi, including the US$600 low-season rate in April, May and November.
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