Birding Safaris in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park | Top Bird Species

Guide to birding safaris in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Explore more about the bird species in Mgahinga, trails, best time, when to visit, where to stay, packing, & accessibility alternatives. Located in Kisoro, Southwestern Uganda, Mgahinga is Uganda’s compact/smallest park. Mgahinga covers only 33.7 sq. km of the area and can be reached in a 9-10-hour drive. Birding safaris are a perfect addition to the numerous experiences offered in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Mgahinga National Park’s Top Bird Species

Over 180 bird species live in Mgahinga and include over 17 Albertine Rift species. At Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, expect to find birds such as scarlet-tufted malachite sunbirds, Rwenzori turacos, dusky crimson-winged sunbirds, Kivu ground thrush, Doherty’s bush-shrikes, Rwenzori batis, and handsome francolins.

Mgahinga National Park protects birds such as the Rwenzori nightjars, strange weavers, olive woodpeckers, Grauer’s swamp warblers, stripe-breasted tits, scarlet-tufted malachite sunbirds, and white-necked raven. Expect to also explore birds such as olive woodpeckers, moorland chat, and Alpine swift.

The Birding Trails/Sites in Mgahinga

At Mgahinga National Park, expect to explore different birding trails. Each birding trail offers amazing sightings of birds. The key trails to explore during the birding excursion in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park include the Gorge trail, which is available around Gahinga and Sabyinyo. Along the Gorge trail, birders can spot birds such as blue-headed sunbirds, olive thrush, cape robin-chat, Dusky turtle dove, streaky seed eaters, brown-crowned tchagra, and black-headed waxbill. Other birds to find along the Gorge trail include the Rwenzori batis, Bonze sunbirds, and more.

The bamboo belt, which is lying at an altitude of 2500m, is known for its enriching birding experiences. The birds you can find here include the Rwenzori turacos. The Uganda-Congo border trail and ground level/base area is an ideal place to find birds such as Doherty’s bush shrikes, banded prinia, red-faced woodland warblers, and Chubb’s cisticola.

The majority of bird habitats in Mgahinga comprise lowland forest, grasslands, swamps, alpine vegetation, bamboo forests, and more. These hold a diversity of bird species, including resident and Albertine rift endemic species, plus other wildlife.

When to Go for Birding in Mgahinga National Park

Dry Season for Mgahinga Birding Experience

Birding safaris in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are enjoyable at any time of the year. But the peak dry season offers the best of birding tours. The ground is often more accessible during the peak dry season compared to any period of the year. The peak dry month, as per Mgahinga’s travel calendar, extends from June to September or December to February.

During these peak dry months, there is low rainfall in Mgahinga National Park. Birders can enjoy easier walks while in search of birds in the scenic forest and other habitats. The minimal rainfall leaves Mgahinga National Park’s trails more accessible.

Off-peak/dry season (Rainy/Low season)

But birders who are more focused on migratory birds or observe birds as they nest or breed can consider traveling in March to April or October to November. A diverse population of migratory birds can be spotted around this period of the year.

Birding Experience in Mgahinga National Park    

The birding safari experience in Mgahinga can be best enjoyed with an expert from Uganda Wildlife Authority. Mgahinga National Park has trained park ranger guides with vast knowledge about the park’s bird species, their habits, habitats, sounds, and other characteristics. The bird guide assigned to you knows the trails to follow for you to explore your favorite birds.

Packing for your Mgahinga Birding Adventure

The list of essentials to carry for Mgahinga National Park birding tour include first aid kit, long-sleeved shirts, a pair of binoculars, a rain jacket, a birding guide book, waterproof hiking boots, a sweater, and safari hats.

Mgahinga Safaris beyond Birding

In addition to birding safaris, Mgahinga National Park also promises a range of exceptional experiences. They include mountain gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, Batwa or cultural experience, and golden monkey habituation.

Golden monkey tracking

Besides birding, Mgahinga also offers unforgettable golden monkey tracking experiences. The park shelters troops of habituated golden monkeys, which can be visited during guided hikes. The hikes begins from Ntebeko centre, and you can take between 2 and 4 hours. The exciting treks come with an hour of up close and personal encounter with golden monkeys.

Golden monkey habituation

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is an amazing destination to enjoy not only traditional hikes but also long golden monkey habituation adventures. The habituation mainly focuses on exploring the semi-habituated troops. Ntebeko is the starting point for your habituation experience. Expect to take a half day or full day while you explore the semi-habituated golden monkeys.

Gorilla trekking

Mgahinga is most famous for gorilla trekking. An addition to the birding safaris is a great chance to spice up your adventure in Mgahinga National Park. At Mgahinga, you can only visit one habituated group of gorillas –Nyakangezi group. First, you should secure a valid gorilla permit to be able to visit the Nyakagezi gorilla group, each costing US D800 per person.

Book a gorilla trekking trip with our expert, and we recommend that you secure your slot at least 2 to 3 months or more in advance. Booking for gorilla permits and gorilla safaris should be done in advance with the help of our reservation team.

Batwa cultural trail

Visit Mgahinga to engage not only in the treks with golden monkeys or gorillas, but also for you to embark on the Batwa cultural trail experience. Get to know more about the Batwa pygmies, including their ancient traditions, cultures, and practices like hunting or fruit hunting.

Where to Stay during Birding in Mgahinga

The ideal accommodation choices for you to book for an overnight stay during your birding tours include Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp, Mgahinga Gorilla Triangle Lodge, Lake Mulehe Lodge, Travellers Rest Hotel, Gahiza Island Retreat, Lake Chahafi Resort, Kisoro Tourist Hotel, and Mount Gahinga Lodge.

Visitors can opt to stay in some of the comfortable lodges in the Rushaga or Nkuringo trailheads. These trailheads are located close to the lush Mgahinga National Park, where you can enjoy guided birding safaris.

How to reach Mgahinga National Park for Birding

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can be reached from Kampala or Entebbe in a 4WD car. Getting to Mgahinga from Kampala/Entebbe requires approximately 9 to 10 hours of driving. The journey involves navigating through the southern or Kigezi rolling hillside and conquering the tough terrains. A 4×4 safari car is what we recommend to make your travel easier and safer.

Still, visitors can connect from Kigali via Chanika or Katuna border crossing to Mgahinga, and the entire journey involves driving for 4-5 hours. Using air travel, you can also set off from Entebbe International Airport or at Kajjansi Airfield and land at the Kisoro Airport. From the Kisoro Airport, meet the professional driver guide from Flawless Adventure Planners to take you to Mgahinga, where your birding expedition is expected to commence.

Conclusion: Book birding safaris in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park to explore your favorite species of birds. Get to know diverse bird species with their unique habits, sounds, and other distinct traits that the experts use to identify them in the jungle.

We are Flawless Adventure Planners Ltd, experts in organizing memorable birding safaris and also gorilla trekking tours in Uganda & Rwanda. Secure your dream birding safari with us to enjoy the best of your bird sightings in the lush African jungle in Mgahinga National Park.