National park · Uganda
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Enter Mgahinga for a gorilla trek (US$700 permit) or a volcano hike (US$60 guide) – start early, bring warm layers and a 4×4 vehicle.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
33 km² (13 sq mi)13 sq mi (33 km²)
approximate
Established
1991
Best months
Jun–Aug, Dec
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 12Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Uganda ↗Get the Uganda e-visa or East Africa Tourist Visa on the official immigration portal before flying, and carry a yellow fever certificate: Uganda asks all arriving travellers for one.
- Uganda ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead for malaria prevention, and check current outbreak notices: Ebola and Marburg outbreaks have occurred in the region, most recently in 2026.
- Uganda ↗Book gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits before you fix dates; the lodge booking follows the permit, not the other way round.
- Uganda ↗Domestic light aircraft to the parks have strict baggage limits, usually soft-sided bags only and a low total weight (often around 15 kg); confirm the limit with your operator.
- Western Uganda ↗Gorilla permits are sold per person per trek and must be booked through a licensed operator; carry the printed permit and your passport to the trailhead.
- Western Uganda ↗Uganda checks a yellow fever certificate on arrival for all travellers.
- Western Uganda ↗Carry cash in Ugandan shillings for park gates, fuel and village stops; card machines fail outside the bigger towns.
At a glance
- Country
- Uganda
- Area
- 33 km² (13 sq mi)13 sq mi (33 km²)
- Mgahinga is Uganda's smallest national park, covering the Ugandan portion of three Virunga volcanoes.
- Established
- 1991
- Best months
- Jun–Aug, Dec
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Kisoro
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park protects Uganda's share of the Virunga Mountains: bamboo forests, three climbable volcanoes, and the Nyakagezi mountain gorilla family. It is the quietest of the three gorilla parks in the region, with golden monkey trekking and Batwa cultural trails as alternatives to the US$700 permit.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2023Part of the Virunga Conservation Area.
Size and age
33 km² (13 sq mi)13 sq mi (33 km²) · national park since 1991
Mgahinga is Uganda's smallest national park, covering the Ugandan portion of three Virunga volcanoes.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Kisoro.
Why go
- Gorilla tracking with the Nyakagezi family, less crowded than Bwindi.
- Golden monkey trekking in bamboo forests.
- Climb three volcanoes for panoramic views of three countries.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepCaution
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecBest
- JanCool, dry
- FebCool, dry
- MarStart of rains, trails muddy
- AprRainy, leeches
- MayRainy, slippery
- JunDry, clear for volcanoes
- JulDry, good for trekking
- AugDry, stable weather
- SepRain returns
- OctRainy, mud
- NovRainy, leeches
- DecDry, cool
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain gorillaAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Golden monkeyAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Albertine Rift birds (Rwenzori turaco, Kivu ground thrush)Mar–May | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| LeechesMay–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Ntebeko Gate | Entry, visitor centre, park office, basic supplies | Open with ticket |
| Gorilla tracking area | Forest sector for gorilla habituation groups | Permit required, ranger‑accompanied |
| Volcano trailheads | Start points for Mount Sabyinyo, Muhabura, Gahinga | Guide required |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre points for orientation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (Ntebeko gate) | UGX 30,000–50,000 | person | Check latest rate |
| Gorilla permit (foreign non‑resident) | US$700 | person | Book via licensed operator |
| Volcano guide (per hike) | US$60 | person | Includes guide and mandatory guard |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Gorilla tracking permit permit or guide
Volcano hike guide permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- UGX 30,000–50,000
- US$700
- US$60
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Mgahinga Gorilla National Park – official website before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for gorilla trekking and all volcano hikes
- Permits
- Entry, gorilla, and volcano guide permits must be shown on arrival
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; no open fires
- Wildlife distance
- Maintain ≥7 m from gorillas; no feeding
- Trail use
- Stay on marked paths; off‑trail walking prohibited
Where to stay
Near the park
Kisoro town
Hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, ATMs
In the park
Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp
Budget dorms/bandas at park entrance
Safety
Altitude & cold medium
Rainy season mud medium
Malaria low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Gate area reachable by car; short walks to visitor centre.
- Volcano summits involve steep, uneven terrain – not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Support Batwa community projects; buy crafts from village stalls.
- Avoid single‑use plastics; carry reusable water bottle.
- Use permitted boat routes for any lake excursions.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Mgahinga Gorilla National Park?
Entry is about 30 000–50 000 UGX per person; gorilla permits cost US$700 per person; volcano guide fees are US$60 per hike (check latest rates).
What are the best hikes in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park?
Climb Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Muhabura or Mount Gahinga with a guide (6–8 h each). Golden monkey trek in the bamboo zone is a short easy walk. Gorilla trekking is a guided forest walk of 3–4 h.
When is the best time to visit Mgahinga Gorilla National Park?
Dry months June–August and December–February give clear trails and good visibility on the volcanoes; the rainy seasons March–May and September–November are wetter and muddier.
Do I need a guide for volcano hikes?
Yes – a licensed guide and a guard are mandatory for all volcano climbs.
Can I stay inside the park?
The only accommodation inside is Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp at the gate; most visitors stay in Kisoro town.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
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