Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga is a national park of 33.7 km² in Kisoro District, in the far southwest of Uganda. It became a national park in 1991 and covers a band of land from 2,227 m up to 4,127 m on the slopes of the Virunga volcanoes. It is a separate park from Bwindi, with its own gate, its own rules and different activities.
Most visitors combine it with Bwindi. If your main goal is the gorillas, start with gorilla trekking in Bwindi and add Mgahinga for golden monkeys or a volcano hike. The two parks need separate permits and separate days.
Our pick: a Mgahinga trek
A day trip to Mgahinga rather than Bwindi, with the permit in the price.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Gorilla trekking and day trips near Kisoro
Guided trips to Mgahinga and the Virunga area. Check each listing for what is included.
What you can do in Mgahinga
Activities and fees from the UWA tariff, July 2024 to December 2026.
Gorilla trekking
One habituated family lives in Mgahinga, known as Nyakagezi. The group crosses the border into the neighbouring park. About 8 permits are available a day. Where the group is on a given day is not known in advance.
Golden monkey tracking
Golden monkeys live in the Gahinga bamboo forest. The visit allows 1 hour of contact. Foreign non-residents pay $60, foreign residents $50 and East African citizens UGX 40,000, park entry not included. Book in advance.
Golden monkey habituation
A longer activity alongside researchers costs $100, $80 or UGX 100,000 in the same three categories. Park entry is not included. Book in advance.
Volcano hikes
Three volcanoes can be climbed as day trips: Muhabura (4,127 m), Sabyinyo (about 3,650 to 3,670 m) and Gahinga (3,474 m). A hike costs $100, $80 or UGX 50,000 per day with entry included. Sabyinyo has steep ladder sections. Check the trail condition with the park before you plan around a summit.
Park entry for Mgahinga is the same as for Bwindi: $40 for foreign non-residents per 24 hours, UGX 20,000 for East African citizens. Check the current amounts before booking.
Kisoro: the town next to the park
Kisoro is the main town near Mgahinga. From Kampala the drive takes about 9 hours. The park activities start at Ntebeko, 14 km from Kisoro on a rough, steep road. Kisoro is also the nearer base for the southern Bwindi sectors: Kisoro to Nkuringo is 35 km, about 1 to 1.5 hours.
You can also fly from Entebbe to Kisoro. See the travel guide from Entebbe for the flight options, and the road guide for the drive.
Batwa trail and the visitor centre
Mgahinga also has a Batwa trail, managed with the Batwa community. It costs $80 for foreign non-residents, $70 for residents or UGX 50,000, with park entry included, and needs advance booking. Read the page on the Batwa first for the history behind it.
Before you go
Travel advice and Mgahinga neighbours.
The German Federal Foreign Office asked for particular caution in Bwindi, Mgahinga and around the volcanoes in October 2026 and advises against non-essential travel in the 20 km border zone with DR Congo. The British FCDO notes that security escorts on gorilla tours are common. Check your own government's advice before you book.
Gorilla permits
Prices, how booking works and what is included.
Lake Bunyonyi
Islands, canoe trips and a calm stop near Kabale.
Mountain gorillas
Counts, families and rules for staying with them.
Gorillas on the Rwandan side of the Virunga massif are covered in the guide to Volcanoes National Park.
Mgahinga: frequently asked questions
Where is Mgahinga?
In Kisoro District in the far southwest of Uganda, in the Virunga volcano range. The park covers 33.7 km².
Can I see gorillas in Mgahinga?
Yes, there is one habituated family and about 8 permits a day. Where the group is on your day is not known in advance, so nobody can promise how long the walk will be.
What are golden monkeys?
Golden monkeys are primates that live in the Gahinga bamboo forest. Tracking them costs $60 for foreign non-residents, park entry extra.
Can I climb the volcanoes in a day?
Yes, all three volcanoes are day hikes. Sabyinyo has steep ladder sections. Check the trail condition with the park.
How far is Mgahinga from Bwindi?
They are separate parks. Kisoro is 35 km from Nkuringo, about 1 to 1.5 hours, and the park activities start at Ntebeko, 14 km from Kisoro.
How much is park entry at Mgahinga?
$40 for foreign non-residents per 24 hours and UGX 20,000 for East African citizens, as in Bwindi. Check the current amounts before you book.