Mountain Gorillas in Volcanoes Move to Mgahinga National Park
One gorilla family in Volcanoes national park Rwanda moves to Mgahinga gorilla national park Uganda. Hirwa gorilla family with 20 members from Volcanoes National Park Rwanda reportedly moved to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Uganda and have stayed there for the past week.
Client on Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Uganda
The Mountain Gorillas in Volcanoes Move to Mgahinga
This was confirmed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s website executive and photographer, Paddy Musiime Muramura who confirmed that the gorillas have been in Uganda for a few weeks and are being managed alongside the gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
This is done under the guidelines of the International Gorilla Conservation Program (IGCP). Volcanoes National Park is the only Rwanda Gorilla safari park since it’s the only park in the country where Mountain Gorillas can trek.
The park is located within the Virunga massif which is a chain of 8 volcanoes that span the three countries of Rwanda, Uganda, and Congo. Within the Virunga massif is where Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is also found therefore sharing the same region with Volcanoes National Park.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is in southwestern Uganda whereas Volcanoes National Park is in the northern part of Rwanda. Both parks are managed by the respective countries with the Uganda Wildlife Authority in Uganda whereas the Rwanda Development Board takes care of Rwanda’s gorilla park. Rwanda Mountain Gorillas Mountain Gorillas move freely past these borders and can cross Rwanda, Uganda, and Congo. This has happened before within the Virunga massif.
The fate of whether the gorillas will stay in Uganda or return to Rwanda is upon the gorillas themselves.
The movement by mountain gorillas within the Virunga massif is not only because they know no borders in this area but also because pressure from intergroup competition for food and reproduction could be the reason for gorilla transboundary movement.
What is Next after 20 Mountain Gorillas in Volcanoes Move to Mgahinga
Rwanda has commented on the matter as normal and should be taken as a usual incident.
As stated by the Rwanda Development Board Chief Executive Officer, Rwanda has historically hosted the most gorillas crossing from neighboring countries.
Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda Move to Uganda
With the history of Gorillas crossing borders, the Greater Virunga and a revenue-sharing scheme when Gorillas cross was formed.
The Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration (GVTC), was established in 2015 between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, and Uganda, as a framework of programs, plans, and activities to conserve a network of transboundary protected Areas in Greater Virunga Landscape (GVL).
In the Greater Virunga Transboundary Programme revenue is shared 50-50 between the two countries when the Gorillas are tracked across either border.
The scheme also applies to any other species within the Virunga massif including the Golden monkeys that are endemic to this region.
Therefore, the two countries will harmoniously continue to conserve the elusive species. Only a single gorilla family moved from Rwanda therefore Gorilla trekking in Rwanda will continue as usual with the other gorillas. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park will also continue with its gorilla trekking activities in the park.
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About Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park just as its name states was created to protect the elusive Mountain gorillas in this area.
The park is tucked within the Virunga massif rising to an altitude of 2,227 to 4,127 m (7,306 to 13,540 ft). The park covers 33.7 square kilometers making it the smallest of Uganda’s national parks.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park contributes to the big number of Mountain gorilla in Uganda as it hosts 1 gorilla family known as Nyakagezi. The park is within the Virunga ranges adjacent to Virunga National Park in Congo and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
Uganda gorilla safaris are the top activity in the park as many travelers go on the search for this amazing gorilla family that has 5 silverbacks all living in harmony. The group is peaceful and displays characters that are more different from other gorilla families. Trekking gorillas in Mgahinga can be a short safari of 3 days from Uganda or even day days from Rwanda.
Birding in Mgahinga is another rewarding activity aside from gorilla trekking. About 180 bird species have been recorded within the park including the Albertine rift endemics like the Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori Batis, Rwenzori Nightjar, and many others.
How much does it cost to go Gorilla trekking in Uganda?
Mountain gorilla trekking is one of the most expensive activities in Uganda. The cost for gorilla trekking tours in Uganda is applicable for both Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Gorilla trekking costs in Uganda are as follows;
| Foreign non-residents | Foreign residents | East African citizens | |
| 2019 -1st July 2020 | 600 USD | 500 USD | 250,000 UGX |
| 1st July 2020 onwards | 700 USD | 600 USD | 250,000 UGX |
