Birding in Mgahinga National Park
Birding in Mgahinga National Park: The diverse ecosystems of Mgahinga Gorilla Park, which include lowlands, bamboo forests, marshes, moorland, and montane forests, sustain a multitude of bird species, including endemics from the Albertine Rift. The park boasts an incredible panorama on the northern slopes of 3 of the 6 extinct volcanoes in the Virunga Conservation Area. The park boasts amazing scenery. Many bird species, including migratory birds and endemics of the Albertine Rift, such as the stunning Rwenzori Turaco, Blue-headed Sunbird, Rwenzori Batis, Scarlet-tufted Malachite Sunbird, African Hill Babbler, White-necked Raven, and Regal Sunbird, among others.
Facts about birding in Mgahinga National Park
Mgahinga National Park spans 33.9 square kilometers in size and is situated in Southwestern Uganda in the Kisoro district. Besides bird species, these two parks, Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, are renowned for their abundant biodiversity and are home to the endangered mountain gorillas
The park was gazetted as a game reserve in 1930 and, in 1991, was established as a national park to protect the endangered mountain gorillas and preserve their natural habitat. It is home to over 184 bird species, including 17 that are unique to the Albertine Rift. The Sabyinyo Gorge Trail offers a great chance to see unique bird species such as the beautiful Archer’s Robin-chat, Rwenzori Batis, Rwenzori Turaco, Strange Weaver, and the Regal Sunbird. Expect to see migratory birds from November to April.
Mgahinga National Park offers great nature walks through forests, lakes, and mountains. One trail allows visitors to see village plantations and meet local people like the Batwa. The border trail on Mt. Sabyinyo takes about 5 hours and shows off different plants and animals, including golden monkeys. Gisozi Hill offers beautiful views of the park. Some trails, like Sabyinyo Gorge, are challenging and require good fitness. While walking, listen to birds and monkeys and watch for animals like antelopes and elephants.
Birds of Mgahinga National Park.
Following birding in Mgahinga National Park, the park has several bird species, and these include Shelly’s Dusky Crimson Wing, Striped-breasted Tit, White-necked Raven, Banded Prina, Regal Sunbird, Cape Robin-chat, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Yellow-vented Bulbul, Blue-headed Sunbird, Yellow-throated Long Claw, Rwenzori Turaco, Mountain Masked Apalis, White-starred Robin, Speckled Mouse Bird, Rwenzori Double-collared Sunbird, White-naped Raven, White Starred Streaky Seed-eater, Robin, Western Green Tinkerbird, Wax Bills, Thrush, Cinnamon Bracken Warbler, Stray Seed-eater, Stone Chat, Southern Red Bishop, Rwenzori Nightjar, Olive Pigeon, Rwenzori Batis, and others.
Other birds include the Rufous-chested Swallow, Red-throated Alethe, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Red-necked Spur Fowl, Pin-tailed Whydah, Paradise Flycatcher, Olive Woodpecker, Olive Thrush, Montane Nightjar, Malachite Sunbird, Fire Finch, Stonechat, Scarlet-tufted Sunbirds, Kivu-ground Thrush, Alpine Chat, Ibis, and Blue-headed Coucal. Brown Woodland Warbler, Archer’s Ground Robin, Handsome Francolin, Bronze Sunbird, Black Kite, Grauer’s Swamp Warbler, Grey-capped Warbler, Greater Double-collared Sunbird, Fly Eagle, Crowned Crane, Firefinch, Dusky Turtle Dove, Double-collared Sunbird, Doherty’s Bush-shrike, Crowned Hornbill, Collared Apalis, Chubb’s Cisticola, Cape Robin-chat, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Blue-headed Sunbird, Black-headed Waxbill, and Dusky Crimson Wing.
Top Attractions in the Park
Virunga Volcanoes (Massif)
Along the Albertine Rift Valley in East Africa, Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are home to the eight spectacular volcanoes that comprise the Virunga Mountains (Virunga Massif). Forest hogs, forest elephants, golden monkeys, endangered mountain gorillas, and other bird species can all be found in the catchment areas of these Virunga mountains. One of the eight Virunga volcanoes is shared by Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Virunga National Park; the other three are located in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The three hiking-friendly mountains in Mgahinga National Park are Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Muhabura, and Mount Gahinga.
The Endangered Mountain Gorillas
Besides birding in Mgahinga National Park, it is home to the only mountain gorilla family called Nyakagezi, making it the park with the fewest mountain gorillas in the world. These gorillas live in the Albertine Rift Afromontane forests on the Virunga hills. The park’s lush vegetation attracts many visitors. Mountain gorillas are endangered and can only be found in four parks, including Mgahinga Gorilla Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Uganda), Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda), and Virunga National Park (Democratic Republic of Congo).
The Rare Golden Monkeys
There is much more to Mgahinga Gorilla Park than mountain gorillas; the park is home to unique other primate species, including the golden monkeys. These monkeys get their name from having golden-orange backs and fur. They live in the montane bamboo forests on the Virunga volcanoes. A group is led by a dominant alpha, which is responsible for directing the group’s activities, such as feeding, nesting, and migration, depending on the availability of food and safety. They mainly feed on bamboo shoots, leaves, insects, fruits, and others.
The best time to visit Mgahinga Gorilla Park
Although Mgahinga National Park is open year-round, the dry season, which runs from June to August and December to February, is the best time to visit. Trekking and hiking experiences are supported by the drier trails available during these months. Additionally, because there is less rainfall, activities like golden monkey and gorilla trekking are more accessible and effective. The park is also accessible during the wet season, which is ideal for birdwatching from April to May and October to November. This is because these months receive a lot of rainfall, which helps to maintain the lush vegetation. Furthermore, migrating birds are prevalent throughout this time, and most species nest between November and April as a result of the heavy rains.
