Tucked into Uganda’s far south-western tip, where three countries and three volcanoes meet, Mgahinga is Uganda’s smallest national park — and the only place in the country to trek the golden monkey, one of Africa’s most strikingly coloured and least-known primates.

Here’s a guide to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: the volcanoes, the golden monkeys, gorilla trekking here, and how it compares to Bwindi.

Mgahinga at a Glance

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park covers just 33.9 square kilometres — Uganda’s smallest park by a wide margin — in the far south-west corner of the country. It forms the Ugandan section of the Virunga Conservation Area, a chain of volcanoes shared with Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and DR Congo’s Virunga National Park. Three volcanoes rise within Mgahinga itself: Muhavura (4,127 m), Sabinyo (3,645 m), and Gahinga (3,474 m), all climbable for travellers who want a serious day hike alongside the primate trekking.

Image: Volcanic peaks of the Virunga range rising above Mgahinga's bamboo forest

Golden Monkey Trekking

Mgahinga is the only place in Ugandato trek the golden monkey — a small, endangered, and genuinely gorgeous primate with a bright orange-gold body and black limbs, found only in the bamboo zones of the Virunga volcanoes (shared with Rwanda’s population; nowhere else on earth). Golden monkeys are playful, highly active, and move quickly through the bamboo, making for a livelier, faster-paced trek than a gorilla family’s slow forage. It’s also considerably shorter and less physically demanding than gorilla trekking — a good option for travellers with limited time or fitness, or as an add-on for those who’ve already trekked gorillas elsewhere.

Gorilla Trekking at Mgahinga

Mgahinga also offers mountain gorilla trekking, though with far fewer habituated families than Bwindi — typically just one, meaning permits here can be harder to secure and availability is limited. The park’s gorilla population also moves freely across the border into Rwanda and Congo, so on any given day the resident family may be out of the park entirely, which is worth knowing before you plan around it. Most gorilla trekkers choose Bwindi for its greater number of habituated families; see our full Bwindi Impenetrable Forest guide for comparison.

Volcano Hiking

For travellers with an extra day and strong legs, climbing one of Mgahinga’s three volcanoes is a genuine highlight — Mount Sabinyo’s ridge famously lets you stand with one foot in Uganda, one in Rwanda, and one in DR Congo at its summit. These are full-day, strenuous hikes best suited to fit, well-prepared trekkers.

How Mgahinga Fits Into a Trip

Because it’s small and has limited gorilla permits, Mgahinga is usually visited primarily for golden monkey trekking, often paired with gorilla trekking in nearby Bwindi rather than instead of it. It also sits close to the Rwanda border, making it a natural link if you’re combining countries — see Uganda vs Rwanda gorilla trekking.

Mgahinga FAQ

What is Mgahinga famous for?Golden monkey trekking — it’s the only place in Uganda where it’s offered — and its three climbable Virunga volcanoes.

Can you trek gorillas at Mgahinga? Yes, though with far fewer permits and habituated families than Bwindi, and the resident family sometimes crosses into Rwanda or Congo.

Is golden monkey trekking easier than gorilla trekking? Generally yes — shorter and less physically demanding, making it a good option for less time or fitness.

Can I climb the volcanoes?Yes — Muhavura, Sabinyo, and Gahinga are all climbable as full-day, strenuous hikes.

Add Golden Monkeys to Your Trip

Mgahinga is an easy, rewarding add-on to a gorilla safari in the south-west. Tell us your dates and we’ll work golden monkey trekking into your itinerary alongside Bwindi.