Bird watching experience in Mgahinga gorilla national park; Mgahinga gorilla national park is the smallest protected area located in southwestern part of Uganda bordering with Virunga national park in Congo and Volcanoes national park in Rwanda. Mgahinga gorilla national park was gazetted in 1991 and its known for harboring the endangered mountain gorillas, unique golden monkeys, other primates like chimpanzees, red tailed monkeys, animals like bush elephants, buffaloes, bushbucks, giant forest hogs, bush pigs, duikers among others.
Mgahinga gorilla national park is a home of over 180 recorded bird species including 14 of the 24 Albertine rift valley endemics, forest birds and migratory bird species which make it one of the best bird watching destinations in Uganda. Bird watching in Mgahinga gorilla national park can either be done very early in the morning or in the evening following different birding trails like the George trail and bamboo trail. During your bird watching experience, you will be accompanied by an experienced bird guide who will help you to spot different bird species including Scarlet-tufted Malachite Sunbird, Black Kite, African Paradise Flycatcher, Cape Robin-chat, Speckled Mousebird, Ruwenzori Nightjar, Archers Robin-chat, Dusky Crimsonwing, Ruwenzori Turaco, Kivu Ground Thrush, Ruwenzori Batis, Olive Woodpecker, Blue-headed Coucal, Alpine Swift, Red Faced Woodland Warbler, Banded Prinias, Chubb’s Cisticola, Black-headed Waxbill, Bronze Sunbird, Streaky Seedeater, Regal Sunbird, Dusky Turtle Dove, Paradise Flycatcher, Yellow-vented Bulbul, Olive Pigeon, Double-collared Sunbird, Fire Finch Stonechat, Crowned Hornbill, Pin-tailed Whydah, Alpine chat, Ibis, Handsome Francolin, Red Throated Alethe, Grey-capped Warbler, montane sooty baubou, western green tinker bird among others.
Best time to go for your bird watching experience in Mgahinga gorilla national park
Bird watching in Mgahinga gorilla national park can be done all year round though the best time is during the wet season in the months of march to May and October to November because that’s breeding season where you will be able to view colorful bird species, there will be plenty of food for bird which makes bird viewing easy and you will be able to view migratory bird species between November to April.
Bird watching in Mgahinga gorilla national park can also be done in the dry season during the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February because during this period there is less rainfall in the forest therefore bird watching trails will be dry and passable.
What to pack for your bird watching safari in Mgahinga gorilla national park
When going for your bird watching safari, there are a number of items that you should carry including field book, camera and extra batteries to take photos, hiking boots to keep your feet dry, waterproof rain jacket, energy snacks and drinking water to keep you hydrated, insect repellent to protect your body from biting insects, a pair of binoculars, long sleeved shirt and trouser, back pack among others.
How to get to Mgahinga gorilla national park
Mgahinga gorilla national park is located in southwestern part of Uganda and can be accessed by both road and air transport means.
When using road transport means, you will drive from Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale, Kisoro and then to the park headquarters which takes about 9 to 10 hours’ drive.
You can also access Mgahinga gorilla national park from Kigali Rwanda whereby you will fly to Kigali international airport and then connect to Mgahinga gorilla national park via Cyanika border.
When using air transport means, you will book scheduled or charter flights with Aero link Uganda and Bar aviation from Entebbe international airport to Kisoro airstrip and then connect to the park headquarters by road.
Where to stay in Mgahinga gorilla national park during your bird watching safari
There are accommodation facilities in Mgahinga gorilla national park where you can stay during your bird watching safari. The accommodations range from budget, midrange and luxury including Mount Gahinga lodge, Ntebeko River camp, Amajambere Iwacu community camp, Mucha lodge, Muhabura Motel, Mubano Hotel, Kisoro Travelers Lodge, Mgahinga Safari Lodge, Mount Gahinga Rest Camp, Kisoro Tourist Hotel, Travlers Rest Hotel, Mutanda Lake Resort, Lake Mulehe safari lodge among others.
Other activities in Mgahinga gorilla national park
Mgahinga gorilla national park offers other interesting activities that visitors can engage in after your bird watching safari including gorilla trekking where visitors will be able to spend one hour with the endangered mountain gorillas, golden monkeys trekking, Batwa cultural experience where visitors will be able to interact with the Batwa people, nature walk, volcano climbing where you will be able to hike the three Virunga volcanoes namely Mount Gahinga, Mount Muhabura and Mount Sabinyo.
For more information about bird watching in Mgahinga gorilla national park, you can contact us at Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website to book an affordable Uganda safari package.
