Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla NP
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla NP
Mountain gorillas in Uganda live in two main national parks: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. These parks are home to more than half of the world’s mountain gorillas. The other gorilla populations live in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
Bwindi, a UNESCO World Heritage site is known for its great variety of animals and plants including colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, geckos and many types of birds. Mgahinga on the other hand is unique as it’s the only park in Uganda where golden monkeys and mountain gPorillas live together. This special harmony between the golden monkeys and gorillas is often described as “Mgahinga, where gold meets silver.”
Below are other key differences and similarities between gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi National Park:
1. Size
Mgahinga is much smaller than Bwindi covering only 33 sq. km while Bwindi is 331 sq. km. Both parks were created in the early 1990s and are separated by about 50 km of community farmlands.
2. Location
Mgahinga is located at the border of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Bwindi borders the DRC and three districts in Uganda: Kisoro, Rubanda, and Kanungu.
3. Habituated Gorilla Groups
Mgahinga has one habituated gorilla group (Nyakagezi) while Bwindi has up to 15 groups. Bwindi also has four main trekking entry points i.e. Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Rushaga. Many visitors especially those traveling through Kigali or Kisoro choose to trek from Rushaga or Nkuringo as these entry points are closer to the Rwandan border and easier to reach.
4. Trekking Experience
Trekking in Mgahinga is generally easier because the forest is less dense making it easier to see and photograph the gorillas. Bwindi’s terrain can be more challenging with more hills and valleys. However, the gorillas in both parks are the same species.
5. Safety and Security
Both parks are safe and secure for trekking.