About Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga is Uganda's share of the Virunga volcanic range, shared with Rwanda and the DR Congo — three dormant volcanoes, Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabinyo, rising straight out of the plain. One gorilla family ranges across the Ugandan side, so trekking here is a genuine alternative to Bwindi with far fewer visitors, alongside a habituated troop of golden monkeys found only in the Virunga forests.
The Sabinyo volcano hike is the park's other headline outing: a ridge walk to the peak where Uganda, Rwanda and the DR Congo meet, with the crater floors of all three volcanoes visible from the top on a clear day.
Because gorilla permits here are smaller in number and less sought-after than Bwindi's, Mgahinga suits travellers who want the trek without the crowds — and the golden monkey tracking, on the lower volcano slopes, is a good half-day addition either way.
