Another national park where gorilla trekking takes place is Mgahinga national park which protects the Ugandan part of the Virunga Mountains and it is the smallest among the Uganda’s national parks. It is a wonderfully scenic national park with panoramic views stretching northwards as far as Bwindi hills and a southern skyline dominated by steep volcanic cones of Virungas, one of the most memorable sights in East Africa.
It is best known for tourists for gorilla tracking. Oddly enough, no gorillas live permanently with in the park, but a fair move freely between Uganda and the neighboring parc des vocans in Rwanda and one habituated troop frequently spend months at a stretch with in mgahinga. Possibly due to un certainty surrounding the presence of gorillas, mgahinga offers a far broader range of activities than any other of the mountain reserves. Caving, forest walks, and hikes to three volcanic peaks that lie partly with in Uganda
The national park office is in Kisoro always has current information regarding Mgahinga as well as sometimes stocking maps and pamphlets. So any body who enjoys challenging day hikes or has an interest in natural history could happily spend a week based at mgahinga without ever going gorilla tracking.
When you decide on renting a car, we advise against picking up the vehicle at the airport. After a long and tiring flight, probably without knowing where exactly you have to go, Kampala’s traffic is more than a challenge even for experienced drivers. So better take a taxi to your hotel or arrange a pick up from any reputable company.
We recommend only renting a car from one of the numerous large companies in the country like Self drive Uganda. Their cars are normally well maintained and they stick to agreed prices. Anyhow check your contract for hidden charges, insurance and extra mileage costs; and don’t forget to read the fine print. Some companies have strict limits where their cars are allowed to be driven. Advisable also to check your car on delivery: existing scratches and dents should be noted, a first aid kit is obligatory and just in case you need it, have a look at the spare tire and make sure it’s in good condition and fits. Some companies can extort you and give you a car that is not commensurate to what you paid for.
