Mgahinga National park

Mgahinga National park was gazetted in 1991 and is the smallest National park with just 34 sq km, located 10 km south of Kisoro Southwestern Uganda. The park is bordered by Volcanoes National park in the south and Virunga National park in the west. The protected area is a part of Virunga massif a chain of 8 volcanic mountains that are shared by Rwanda, DR. Congo. Mgahinga National park covers the northern slopes of the three Virunga volcanoes. These include Mount Sabinyo (3645 m), Mount Gahinga (3474 m) and Mount Muhabura (4127 m). The Virunga area is known to be a famous habitat for the mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.

Wildlife in Mgahinga National park

Mgahinga National park is home to one group of Mountain gorillas called Nyakagezi group. This group moved from Rwanda in 2005 to Uganda. The group has five silverbacks, juveniles and adult females. The park also harbors golden monkeys, olive baboons, L’Hoest monkeys, black and white colobus, and velvet monkeys. Mgahinga also has 115 bird species which include the; golden monkeys among other species like; l’hoest monkeys, olive baboons, velvet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys. Mgahinga is home  to  115  bird species including, the  critically endangered shelley’s crimsonwing, Kivu ground thrush, montane double collared sunbird,  Regal sunbird, strange weaver, and Rwenzori turaco. There are also mammals in the park, for instance bush pigs, bushbucks, forest buffaloes, giant forest hogs, black fronted duikers, and spotted hyena. These animals are commonly found around Mount Muhabura.  

Vegetation in Mgahinga national park

Mgahinga national park has different types of vegetation that range from afro alpine to bamboo and montane forests. The bamboo forests cover 60% of the park’s vegetation where the gorillas and the other herbivores feed. Also the neighboring community uses this vegetation to keep their beehives, and in making ropes.