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    • Engoobe Adventures

    4 Days Culture and Hiking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

     

    Day 1: Arrive for the Virunga Culture and Hiking Expedition

    Our professional guide will welcome you and transfer you to Kisoro Uganda at the base of the Virunga Volcanoes after a briefing on your trip. There will be a stopover at Igongo cultural centres to learn and experience more about the Banyankole culture.

    Day 2: The Batwa Culture Trail Experience

    Today you spend the day in Mgahinga gorilla national park experiencing the beautiful Batwa culture. The Batwa culture trail in the park gives you an opportunity to learn about their unique cultural heritage as the forest indigenous inhabitants. The Batwa Elders will accompany you and share amazing information about their culture and lifestyle while they lived in the forest – they will demonstrate their hunting skills and vast knowledge of medicinal plants. They will share how they co-existed with the animals in this forest before it was taken over by the cultivators and later gazetted to be a national park. The highlight of this experience is the Ngarama cave and traditional music and dance.

    Day 3: Hike the Muhabura, Sabyinyo or Gahinga Volcanoes

    Mgahinga gorilla national park is home to three of the Virunga volcanoes that have great hiking trails.

    Gahinga in the local dialect means ‘pile of stones’ offers a gentler hike compared to the other two through the bamboo forest and marshy craters at the peak. The lower slopes are rich with forest birds and the marshes near the summit are home to the bushbuck, buffaloes, forest elephants and elusive duiker.

    Muhabura is the most challenging peak in the park. In the local dialect it known as ‘Muhabura’ which means ‘the guide’. The hike will take most of the day, but the adventurous are rewarded with great sense of accomplishment and on a good day spectacular views of Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo.

    Sabyinyo volcano is a hike taken by those who are physically fit and quite adventurous. ‘Sabyinyo’ is translated ‘old man teeth’ because of its formation. It is a one day hike with its summit being the border of Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo. In fact once at the summit you will be in all three countries at one go offering great view of all three countries.

    Day 4: Departure flight

    Today after an experience exploring Mgahinga national gorilla park, you will be picked up by your driver guide to start the journey for your departure flight. Alternatively you can choose to extend your safari and take on a gorilla trek or golden monkey trek or visit another national park.

    FAQs

    Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa. It is bordered by Kenya in the East, South Sudan in the North, Democratic Republic of Congo in the West, Rwanda in Southwest and Tanzania in the South.
    The currency of Uganda is Ugandan shillings (UGX).
    Yes, you need a Visa to travel to Uganda. You should apply for it online prior to travel date. You must possess a valid passport as well.
    A yellow fever vaccination certificate is needed. This is usually presented for protection against yellow fever. Malaria is also prevalent in Uganda and therefore it is very important to take preventive measures such as taking antimalarial medication.
    Uganda has a tropical climate with two rainy seasons from March to May and October to November. The Dry season starts from December to February and June to September.
    Gorilla trekking is one of the best activities a tourist can get involved in, Uganda has ten National parks where tourists can go and get a chance to have the best Safari game drive experience, look at big five animals, birds and the rolling hills in a green environment. One can as well enjoy cultural tours around Uganda. These national parks include Kidepo Valley National park, Queen Elizabeth National park, Kibaale National park, Bwindi Impenetrable National park and Murchison falls National park.
    A 4x4 Wheel Drive Vehicle is the best for a Safari game drive in Uganda's National parks and it can be used to access all National Parks in Uganda. One can as well use Aircraft to access most of the national parks in Uganda.
    Uganda has numerous accommodation facilities like hotels, guest houses, motels lodges, boutiques among others. Some are located in different City centers around Uganda while others are located in National parks.
    The popular attractions around Uganda's capital Kampala include the Uganda Museum, Kasubi Tombs, Independence Monument, and the Ndere Cultural Centre.
    Visitors can get involved into Uganda's rich history and culture through traditional dance, music, and historical sites both within the capital city and other places around the country.
    Uganda is a safe place to travel to, local police provides security together with tourism police everywhere, including national parks and other recreation centers like hotels, beaches and lodges
    Tourists are able to get good English speaking guides in all attractions around Uganda. However one can be in position to get a local guide if the client understands the local language.
    Tourists on a Ugandan safari can enjoy a variety of local foods such as matooke (steamed and mashed green bananas), matooke stew (a stew made with beef or chicken and vegetables), chapati, and rolex (a popular street food made with eggs, vegetables, and chapati).

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