Changes

* The population trend is increasing.

* The population trend is increasing.

* The site has a total size of 33.7 km².

* The site has a total size of 33.7 km².

* Key threats to  gorillas are habitat encroachment

* Key threats to  gorillas are hunting and habitat encroachment due to farming activities.

* Conservation activities have focused on  

* Conservation activities have focused on eco-tourism, demarcation and reinforcement of the park’s boundaries, education activities and patrols.

= Site characteristics = <!-- A paragraph summary of physical and geographic aspects of the site, and a table of key information -->

= Site characteristics = <!-- A paragraph summary of physical and geographic aspects of the site, and a table of key information -->

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in the southwestern corner of Uganda, bordering Rwanda to the south and DRC to the west. The park derives its name from "Gahinga," a local term referring to the volcanic stones cleared from farmland at the base of the volcanoes. Originally declared a game sanctuary by the British administration in 1930, it was officially designated as a National Park in 1991 ([https://ugandawildlife.org/national-parks/mgahinga-gorilla-national-park/ Uganda Wildlife Authority]).

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in the southwestern corner of Uganda, bordering Rwanda to the south and DRC to the west. The park derives its name from "Gahinga," a local term referring to the volcanic stones cleared from farmland at the base of the volcanoes. Originally declared a game sanctuary by the British administration in 1930, it was officially designated as a National Park in 1991 ([https://ugandawildlife.org/national-parks/mgahinga-gorilla-national-park/ Uganda Wildlife Authority]).

The park is home to a single habituated transboundary gorilla group. Situated at altitudes ranging from 2,227m to 4,127m, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park was established primarily to safeguard the mountain gorillas. It also serves as a critical habitat for the endangered golden monkey. In addition to its wildlife significance, the park holds immense cultural importance, particularly for the indigenous Batwa people ([https://ugandawildlife.org/national-parks/mgahinga-gorilla-national-park/ Uganda Wildlife Authority]).

The park is home to a single habituated transboundary gorilla group. Situated at altitudes ranging from 2,227m to 4,127m, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park was established primarily to safeguard the mountain gorillas. It also serves as a critical habitat for the endangered golden monkey. In addition to its wildlife significance, the park holds immense cultural importance, particularly for the indigenous Batwa people ([https://ugandawildlife.org/national-parks/mgahinga-gorilla-national-park/ Uganda Wildlife Authority]).

Mgahinga's most prominent features are its three conical, extinct volcanoes, a part of the breathtaking Virunga Range. As part of the larger Virunga Conservation Area, encompassing neighboring parks in these countries, the slopes of these volcanoes host diverse ecosystems and a rich array of biodiversity (). Over 76 mammal species, including elephants, giant forest hogs, bush pigs, bushbucks, buffalos, and leopards are found in the site. The park also boasts a bird checklist of over 180 species, including 14 endemic to the Albertine Rift, notably the Kivu ground thrush and turaco ([https://ugandawildlife.org/national-parks/mgahinga-gorilla-national-park/ Uganda Wildlife Authority]).

Mgahinga's most prominent features are its three conical, extinct volcanoes, a part of the breathtaking Virunga Range. As part of the larger Virunga Conservation Area, encompassing neighboring parks in these countries, the slopes of these volcanoes host diverse ecosystems and a rich array of biodiversity (). Over 76 mammal species, including elephants, giant forest hogs, bush pigs, bushbucks, buffalos, and leopards are found in the site. The park also boasts a bird checklist of over 180 species, including 14 endemic to the Albertine Rift, notably the Kivu ground thrush and turaco ([https://ugandawildlife.org/national-parks/mgahinga-gorilla-national-park/ Uganda Wildlife Authority]).

In December 1989, a conservation initiative focusing on gorillas and nature was initiated in the site. Biologist Klaus-Jürgen Sucker spearheaded the development of this project, receiving support from organizations such as the German Society for the Protection of Animals (Deutscher Tierschutzbund), the Berggorilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe, and subsequently, from the Center for International Migration (CIM) (Karlowski 2004).  

In December 1989, a conservation initiative focusing on gorillas and nature was initiated in the site. Biologist Klaus-Jürgen Sucker spearheaded the development of this project, receiving support from organizations such as the German Society for the Protection of Animals (Deutscher Tierschutzbund), the Berggorilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe, and subsequently, from the Center for International Migration (CIM) (Karlowski 2004).  

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park was gazetted in 1991; the park’s infrastructure was established in 1993. This included relocating the guard post to the park's new boundary and demarcating the northern boundary with 180 cement cairns spread across 14 kilometers. While these cairns clearly defined the boundary, they left adjacent fields vulnerable to grazing by wildlife. To address this issue, a hedge of Erythrina abyssinica was planted along the park's boundary (Karlowski 2004).  

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park was gazetted in 1991; the park’s infrastructure was established in 1993. This included relocating the guard post to the park's new boundary and demarcating the northern boundary with 180 cement cairns spread across 14 kilometers. While these cairns clearly defined the boundary, they left adjacent fields vulnerable to grazing by wildlife. To address this issue, a hedge of Erythrina abyssinica was planted along the park's boundary (Karlowski 2004).  

More recently, approximately 38,100 Erythrina trees were planted along the stone wall in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, spanning a distance of 12.7 kilometers from the Rwanda border to points along the border with DRC. This effort, led by IGCP’s Water4Virungas project in partnership with local communities and the Uganda Wildlife Authority, aimed to mitigate conflicts caused by problem animals such as buffalos. The project sought to enhance park-community relations while reducing crop raids (Nakayima 2021).

More recently, approximately 38,100 Erythrina trees were planted along the stone wall in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, spanning a distance of 12.7 kilometers from the Rwanda border to points along the border with DRC. This effort, led by IGCP’s Water4Virungas project in partnership with local communities and the Uganda Wildlife Authority, aimed to mitigate conflicts caused by problem animals such as buffalos. The project sought to enhance park-community relations while reducing crop raids (Nakayima 2021).

Eco-tourism was inaugurated in August 1993, initially offering activities such as mountain trekking, cave exploration, and hiking along nature trails. The range of tourist activities expanded in 1994, with the introduction of visits to the Nyakagezi group, a gorilla population known for migrating between the Ugandan and Congolese sectors of the Virunga Conservation Area (Karlowski 2004).  

Eco-tourism was inaugurated in August 1993, initially offering activities such as mountain trekking, cave exploration, and hiking along nature trails. The range of tourist activities expanded in 1994, with the introduction of visits to the Nyakagezi group, a gorilla population known for migrating between the Ugandan and Congolese sectors of the Virunga Conservation Area (Karlowski 2004).  

Even before official gorilla tourism commenced in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, a revenue-sharing system was established for communities residing near the park. Under this system, 20% of the income generated from park entrance fees was earmarked for community projects, such as the construction of schools or storage facilities. This approach has since become a fundamental aspect of Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) policies for all reserves across the country (Karlowski 2004).  

Even before official gorilla tourism commenced in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, a revenue-sharing system was established for communities residing near the park. Under this system, 20% of the income generated from park entrance fees was earmarked for community projects, such as the construction of schools or storage facilities. This approach has since become a fundamental aspect of Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) policies for all reserves across the country (Karlowski 2004).