Mgahinga gorilla national park is located in the Virunga mountains. The park is surrounded by three inactive volcanoes namely; mount Muhabura, mount Gahinga and mount Sabyinyo. Mgahinga park is located in southwestern Uganda and is accessible by Road through Kisoro approximately 55 kilometers. The park is also accessable by air travel.
Mgahinga gorilla park has one fully habituated gorilla family for tourists to visit called Nyakagezi gorilla family. This is the only habituated family in Mgahinga Gorilla Park. The family is named after a place called Nyakagezi with a variety of fruits, that were attractive to gorillas and this is where the name Nyakagezi was driven.
The family comprises of 9 individuals that is to say 4 silverbacks, 2 females, 2 infants and 1 juvenile. In 2012 the Nyakagezi family finally settled in Mgahinga park. The tourists who come to Uganda for gorilla trekking experiences are assured of meeting this family in Mgahinga park.
The family members can easily be identified as Nyukagezi, Baby Rukundo, Nshuti, Mutagamba, Bugingo, Mark and Mathew. The family was under the leadership of Silverback Bugingo unfortunately Mark overthrew him. When a silverback is overthrown, he totally abandons the group like the case of Mubare gorilla family of Buhoma gorilla family in Bwindi Impenetrable national park.
However, Bugingo in Nyakagezi family who is estimated to be 53 years did not leave the family after he was overthrown. Bugingo stayed and thrived in the family. Under normal circumstances he would have abandoned the family and lived a lonely life as most silverbacks do.
Initially the Nyakagezi family used to move to the democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. However, the family finally settled in Mgahinga park which is in Uganda and tourists can trek them while in Uganda. This Gorilla family is known for its migratory behavior but is considered the easiest gorilla family to trek in Uganda. They are found in areas of lower altitude, they also prefer a small home range for nesting, variety of food which they feed on.
Besides gorilla trekking, this park gives tourists an opportunity to meet the golden monkeys in the forests. Tourists also have a chance to carry out other activities for example; birding, hiking the mountains and community encounters (Batwa) who are referred to as people of the forest.
Uganda as a country has a lot to offer to visitors, that is why it is called the pearl of Africa. Book your trip with Ganyana safaris and explore the beauty of Uganda.
