This 3-day Mgahinga gorilla trek and Lake Mutanda tour gives you a rare chance to meet mountain gorillas and enjoy the calm beauty of Lake Mutanda in southwestern Uganda. The trip starts and ends in Kampala or at Entebbe International Airport.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda’s smallest national park, is home to the famous Nyakagezi gorilla family. Apart from gorilla trekking, the park offers excellent nature walks and birding opportunities. It hosts several Albertine Rift endemic bird species such as the Rwenzori batis, Shelley’s crimsonwing, mountain masked apalis, regal sunbird, Grauer’s warbler, Archer’s robin-chat, and Kivu ground thrush. Visitors can also enjoy clear views of the Virunga Volcanoes, Lake Mutanda Islands, and surrounding hills.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pick up and transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Your driver will meet you either at Entebbe International Airport or at your hotel in Kampala. After a short briefing about your 3-day Mgahinga gorilla trek and Lake Mutanda tour, you will start your journey southwest toward Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
The drive covers about 500 kilometers and takes approximately 10 to 11 hours. You will stop at Kayabwe to take photos and perform a simple water experiment at the Equator crossing. Continue to Mbarara, where you will have an en route lunch, before proceeding to Kisoro.
Upon arrival, you will check in at your lodge near Lake Mutanda. The area offers excellent views of the Virunga Volcanoes, including Mount Muhabura, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Sabyinyo. Have dinner and an overnight stay at your lodge.
Day 2: Gorilla trekking and Lake Mutanda boat ride
Wake up early for breakfast and transfer to the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park headquarters for a briefing. The park ranger will explain the rules and guidelines for trekking the Nyakagezi gorilla group.
Accompanied by a ranger guide and armed escorts, you will start your trek through the thick forest to locate the gorillas. Once you find them, spend one hour observing their behavior and taking photos. The trek may take 2 to 6 hours depending on the gorillas’ movements.
Return to the trailhead, meet your driver, and head back to the lodge for lunch and rest. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat ride on Lake Mutanda, one of the most beautiful lakes in Uganda. The trip offers views of up to 15 small islands, birds, and clear reflections of the surrounding volcanoes. Take photos of the calm waters, islands, and the distant peaks before returning to your lodge for dinner and overnight rest.
Day 3: Return to Kampala or Entebbe International Airport
After breakfast, check out of your lodge and begin your drive back to Kampala. You will stop in Mbarara for lunch and continue through Masaka before reaching the city in the evening.
If you have a flight, your driver can drop you directly at Entebbe International Airport for departure. This marks the end of your 3-day Mgahinga gorilla trek and Lake Mutanda tour.
