Introduction
Mgahinga National Park is Uganda’s smallest National Park with an area cover of 33.9 square kilometers located in the southwestern region. Mgahinga National Park situated in the Virunga region encompassed by three out of the eight Virunga Mountains namely Mount Gahinga, Muhabura and Sabyinyo. Within the Virunga region, Mgahinga National Park is bordered by Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo. This National Park is renowned for housing the endangered mountain gorillas, golden monkeys and other mammals such as bushbucks, forest hogs, forest elephants and many more.
Mgahinga National Park boasts over 185 bird species including the 14 out of the 24 Albertine Rift endemics, afro-tropical highland biome and migratory bird species. Bird watching in Mgahinga National Park just like in any birding destination, it starts with a briefing about the dos and don’ts of this activity as well as what is expected during the birding expedition. Birdwatching is either done in the morning or in the evening with the guidance of an experienced bird guide who is knowledgeable about bird life and well conversant with the Park’s birding trails. The Park’s major birding trails include the Sabyinyo gorge trail, Buffalo wall trail, Bamboo trail and many more. Bird species to lookout for include Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori batis, Kivu ground thrush, pin-tailed whydah, Blue-headed sunbird, red-throated Alethe, purple-breasted sunbird, cinnamon-chested bee-eater, red-faced woodland warbler, African olive pigeon, Rwenzori nightjar, black-collared Apalis, common Bulbul, dusky crimson wing, speckled mousebird, African firefinch, olive thrush, handsome francolin, strange weaver, white-tailed blue flycatcher, bronze sunbird, regal sunbird, black-headed waxbill, western tinker bird, blue-headed coucal, Doherty’s bush-shrike, Archer’s robin-chart, grey-crowned crane, white necked raven, Brown crowned tchagra, olive woodpecker, dusky turtle dove, grey capped warbler, yellow-vented bulbul, scarlet-tufted malachite sunbird, cape robin-chat, lagden’s bush-shrike, moorland chat, alpine chat, Chubb’s cisticola, African hill babblers, buff-spotted fluff tail, streaky seed-eater, black kite, hadada ibis, firefinch stonechat, malachite sunbird, banded prinias, crowned hornbill, montane sooty babou, strip-breasted tit, yellow-billed kite, banded prinias to mention but a few.
The cost of birdwatching in Mgahinga National Park
Bird watching in Mgahinga National Park costs 40USD per person for foreign nonresidents, 30USD per person for foreign residents and 30,000Ug shillings for East African citizens. These birdwatching rates exclude entrance fees which are 40USD per person for foreign nonresidents, 30USD per person for foreign residents, 25USD per person rest of Africans and 20,000Ug shillings per person for East African citizens.
What to carry on a birdwatching safari in Mgahinga National Park
When planning for a birding safari to Mgahinga National Park, there are essential items one should carry along with and these include;
- Hiking shoes
- A pair of binoculars
- Insect repellants and first aid box
- Camera with extra batteries
- Long sleeved trousers and shirt
- Warm sweater
- Waterproof rain jacket
- Hat and sun glasses
- Energizing snacks and drinking water
- Backpack and many more
Best time for birdwatching in Mgahinga National Park
Birding in Mgahinga National Park can be done all year round though the best time is during the wet season in the months of April to May and October to November. During this period of the year, the Park receives huge populations of migratory bird species due to plenty of food supply. This period is also the main nesting period for bird species in the Park throughout the year which creates the best opportunities for viewing plenty of bird species. However there could be interruptions of birdwatching caused by heavy rainfall downpours which make roads impassable and hiking or birdwatching trails slippery. Bird watching can as well be done in the dry season in the months of June to September and December to February for those who are afraid of heavy rainfall downpours. During this season of the year, the birdwatching trails are dry and passable which makes birdwatching easy.