Mgahinga Gorilla National Park – Where Gold Meets Silver
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is small park covering just 38 sq km enjoys a magnificent setting on the northern slopes of the Virunga volcanoes. Two rare primates, mountain gorillas and golden monkeys can be tracked and one can climb the dormant volcanoes to stand simultaneously on the border of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This park offers a unique Batwa forest experience that gives one a glimpse of life through their eyes when they lived in the forest, including discovery of a cave and traditional home of the Batwa King complemented by cultural dances in the cave.
The Activities to do in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Batwa Trail and Garama Cave
The Batwa trail leads from the base of Muhavura to Garama Cave. This walk is conducted by Batwa guides who provide insights into their traditional forest life and culture. The 342m long Garama Cave lies beneath a plateau near the northern edge of the park, 3 km from Ntobeko.
It is set in the formed farmland zone but in earlier times, the cave lay deep in forest when it was occupied periodically by Batwa who used it as a council chamber and a retreat after raiding their Bafumbira neighbors. Today, the cave provides an atmospheric setting for a performance of Batwa music at the end of the Batwa Trail.
Buffalo wall & Bird Watching
Farmland along the northern edge of the park is guarded by a drystone wall that keeps Buffalo in the park and out of crops. The Trail along the wall is ideal for birding. Guides will escort you between 17:00 – 18:00 if you book by 10:00 that morning. A stroll towards the Democratic Republic of Congo takes you through a wetland area where Ibis, Speckled MouseBirds and firefinch are found.