Hiking and nature walks in Mgahinga gorilla national park is one of the best ways to explore all activities and attractions in Mgahinga with no limitation. Nature walk or hiking activity gives you a big opportunity to see the attractions within the park whereby each trail takes you to a different attraction for example caves, waterfalls, swamps and among others. Nature walks and hiking also provide an opportunity to the visitors to meet several wild animals and enjoy their lifestyle such as endangered mountain gorillas, baboons, golden monkey, elephants, and bushbucks. You will see various bird species and they include Rwenzori Turaco, white necked raven, ibis, grey capped warbler, waxbills, pin –tailed whydah, paradise flycatcher, yellow vented bulbul, olive pigeon, Rwenzori nightjar, pin tailed whydah, black kite, speckled mouse birds and olive giant, duikers and many more. During this activity, Visitors also enjoy the amusing sound of birds singing up. The travelers are the ones who decide which trail to follow, physical fitness is needed because some trails require someone who is energetic. Some of the hiking trails in Mgahinga include Batwa trail, Sabinyo gorge walk and among others.

Sabinyo gorge walk

The walk lasts 5-6 hours as your walking to the lower slopes of Mt Sabyinyo which take you to various vegetation zones in the gorge.  Sabinyo gorge walk is hectic but enjoyable thus giving traveler’s wonderful views of Mgahinga forest, Bwindi, Virunga volcanoes and wildlife in the woodpecker among others. The trail begins from the bamboo forest and it goes further to the habitats of wild animals and birds. Ridges have helped to ease hiking and bridges have helped in crossing the water streams thus making it an enjoyable experience. Travelers are requested to come with enough energy giving snacks, hiking boots and drinking water so as to give them energy in the tiresome long hike.

Batwa trail.

This trial is among one of wonderful trails in Mgahinga whereby Batwa people give a chance to the visitors through showing them their forest lifestyle. This trail is mostly best when the visitor do it together with ancient Batwa in the forest while entertaining you with traditional songs and dances. Batwa practice their daily activities such as the way they gathering fruits and collecting hone, hunting, cooking, medicine even visitors have a choice to take part or watch. Batwa people also take visitors to the Ngarama cave, this is where they offer their sacrifices to their gods and also perform other rituals.  Batwa cultural trial costs USD 80 and this money collected here is used to support Batwa people. It will take you half a day to finish interacting with these indigenous forest dwellers and will give a traveler deep understanding of the Batwa, their former forest life and their histories at large.

Border trail

This trail is nearby to Uganda border with Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and this walk is carried out in the lower slopes of Mount Sabinyo. Walk to the border takes about 5 hours and passes you through a variety of vegetation types.  Visitors will get a chance of meeting wildlife and interacting with them like mountain gorillas, golden monkeys and among others, even bird lovers also have a chance to see a lot of bird species such as cape robin-chat, speckled mouse bird, African paradise flycatcher etc. The trail takes visitors to the caldera at the top of Gisozi hill and you will watch Mgahinga gorilla National Park plus its neighbor Bwindi forest, adjacent communities and Virunga volcanoes.

Hiking to the visitors information center

Hiking to the visitor’s information center is the shortest trail in Mgahinga since it is just few minutes from the park entrance point. This is where visitors will start their activities and this is where visitors will get all information about Mgahinga gorilla national park. Visitors are briefed about the parks facts like vegetation zones, wildlife, Virunga volcanoes, batwa pygmies and birdlife from here. You will see symbols being displayed and also art crafts displayed for sale. Some animals are seen when they are coming to the center thus easing hiking. You will also watch Virunga volcanoes like Sabinyo and farmlands and they provide you unforgettable experience.

Mountain gorilla trekking

Mgahinga hosts Nakageyzi gorilla family and is accessed for trekking. In the past Nyakagyezi gorilla family used to cross borders to DRC and Rwanda but it has of recent permanently settled in Mgahinga for trekking. As it is with Bwindi, Mgahinga gorilla trekking permit costs 700 USD and it takes 1 hour to interact with gorillas. The leader of the family is dominate silverback Mark and it is composed of 10 members like Rukundo, Mutagamba, Nshuti, Nvuyekure, Bugingo, mark and Mathew among others. The family is enlarging because new babies are being born in the family.

Golden monkey trekking.

This is also an exciting activity practiced in the Mgahinga gorilla National Park. The park is among the few 2 parks that host the endangered golden monkey species which are also hosted in the Volcanoes national Park. Golden monkey trekking is done at 100 USD and it is an activity worth the money. Golden monkeys are playful animals and lovely.  They can be distinguished from other monkey species because of their golden fur on the back.  These live in big groups of 60-80 member thus encountering them is such an enjoyable activity.

Hiking the Virunga volcanoes

Mgahinga is a home of 3 extinct volcanoes that is, Mount Gahinga, Mount Sabyinyo, and Mount Muhabura. Hiking to the top of the volcanoes is an amazing experience that rewards visitors stunning views of the neighboring communities, Virungas of DRC and Rwanda and also the rainforest of the national park.