Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a unique and important destination for nature lovers, located in the remote southwestern district of Kisoro in Uganda. Covering an area of 33.7 square kilometers, the park sits at an altitude of between 2227 and 4127 meters above sea level and is an important habitat for the critically endangered mountain gorillas.
Mgahinga forms part of the larger Virunga Conservation Area, which includes parks in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and is home to three of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga Massif: Mount Gahinga, Mount Sabinyo, and Mount Muhavura.
In addition to being home to the mountain gorillas, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is also home to 39 animal species, including the golden monkeys. It is a great destination for birdwatchers, with over 115 bird species, including 14 of the 24 bird species that are endemic to the Albertine Rift Mountains.
The park is also home to the Batwa people, a minority group that was originally reliant on the forests of the mountain for food, shelter, and medicine. For conservation purposes, the Batwa people were relocated from the forests and now live within the environs of the park.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a must-visit destination for those interested in nature and conservation, offering the opportunity to see the critically endangered mountain gorillas and a diverse range of other animal and plant species.