Best of Africa Tours and Safaris Limited

This small national park protects theUgandan portion of the Virungas, a chainof six extinct and three sporadically activevolcanoes which follows the borders withRwanda and the Democratic Republic ofCongo. Mgahinga was proclaimed with theprimary aim of providing sanctuary to therare mountain gorilla, some 300 of whichlive in the Virungas, and gorilla trackingremains the most popular activity here,though it is dependent on the seasonalmovements of the habituated groups.Mgahinga supports a diverse forest andmoorland fauna, notably the localisedgolden monkey and at least 12 birdspecies endemic to the Albertine Rift, butalso small populations of elephant,leopard, buffalo and black-and-whitecolobus monkey. The spectacular setting atthe base of the volcanoes, the tallest ofwhich reaches an elevation of 4,507m, isamong the most stirring in East Africa.

Size:
38.6 sq km

Location:
Far southwest, bordering Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo, 146 from Kisoro town.

Getting there:
One day drive from Kampala via Kabale. Public transport runs as Far as Kisoro, where taxis are available to the park gate

What to do:
Gorilla tracking depends on whether the gorillas are around (they sometimes - not often - move across the border). permits must be booked at the UWA in Kisoro or Kampala. Guided walks to the volcanic peaks require an early start. En route to Know lies lovely Lake Bunyonyi, hemmed in by steep mountains and studded with small islands.

When to visit:
Any time, but check that the gorillas are around.

Where to stay:
An upmarket lodge, community-run bandas and camping are available at the entrance gate. There is plenty of accommodation , in Kisoro.