Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda’s smallest park, spans 33.7 km² on the slopes of the Virunga volcanoes. Despite its limited size, the park safeguards mountain gorillas and other wildlife, all set against the dramatic backdrop of three volcanoes. It hosts one habituated gorilla group and ranges from 2,227m at Ntebeko Park Headquarters to 4,127m at the summit of Mt. Muhavura. The park borders Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Congo’s Virunga National Park, forming part of the transboundary Virunga Conservation Area. The endangered mountain gorilla is its most famous inhabitant. Conservation efforts in the Virungas began in 1925 under Belgian protection, with Uganda declaring its section a game sanctuary in 1930 and later elevating it to national park status in 1991.

The three volcanoes bear meaningful local names: Gahinga, “small pile of stones”; Muhavura, “the guide”; and Sabinyo, “old man’s teeth,” referencing its jagged peaks. The Ntebeko Visitor Centre is the gateway for gorilla trekking, volcano climbs, and golden monkey tracking. Additionally, the Buffalo Wall trail, built to protect farmland, offers excellent birdwatching opportunities and stunning scenic views.