Virunga Gorilla Marathon puts Mgahinga in plans on 21 November
Published on 10/24/2026 at 13:57 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSRace plans and park access
- The Virunga team schedules its marathon in Kisoro for 21 November 2026.
- Mgahinga National Park is presented as a post-race destination requiring Uganda Wildlife Authority permits.
- Uganda Wildlife Authority records the park at 33.7 km2 and names Kisoro district as its location.
- The official race page lists Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Gahinga and Mount Muhabura for nearby hiking.
Mgahinga National Park is included in the travel plans for the Virunga Gorilla Marathon in Kisoro on 21 November 2026. The race gives visitors a dated reason to consider the Ugandan park alongside the wider programme of mountain running, conservation and regional tourism.
Virunga Gorilla Marathon brings a November date to Kisoro
The marathon is scheduled for Saturday, 21 November 2026, in Kisoro, Uganda. Its official travel page presents the race as a base for exploring south-western Uganda, with the park listed among the experiences available beyond the finish line.
The same page identifies gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking and hikes on Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Gahinga and Mount Muhabura. It also says that advance permits are required for gorilla trekking and that guided park activities need advance planning. The official marathon programme places those activities in the context of a Kisoro visit rather than presenting the national park as the race venue.
The date is also supported by reporting from The Independent, which says the third edition will take place in Kisoro on 21 November 2026. The report describes the event as connected with conservation in the Kisoro area and records race options of 6km, 10km, 21km and 42km, plus a new 112-kilometre ultra-run.
Mgahinga National Park adds volcanoes and forest trails
Uganda Wildlife Authority places the park in Kisoro district and records an area of 33.7 square kilometres. It is Uganda’s smallest national park, and the authority says the area was gazetted as a national park in 1991 after having been declared a game sanctuary in 1930.
The park rises from 2,227 metres to 4,127 metres and protects mountain gorillas as well as endangered golden monkeys. Three extinct volcanoes form its defining landscape: Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Gahinga and Mount Muhabura. The official park profile from UWA also identifies the site as part of the wider Virunga Conservation Area along the borders of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
That geography gives the marathon’s Kisoro setting a practical link to the park: the race route is described through natural terrain, while the official travel information directs visitors towards forest, volcano and wildlife experiences after race day. The connection is therefore regional, with the town serving as the event base and the park supplying nearby activities.
What the November programme means for visitors
The event is not announced as a closure or a change to park rules. Instead, the available programme keeps the usual permit requirement for gorilla trekking and places the park among optional activities for visitors travelling to Kisoro for the race.
For travellers from Western Europe, the combination matters because a race date alone does not provide access to gorilla trekking. A separate Uganda Wildlife Authority permit is required, and the marathon page advises arranging it in advance. The park’s high altitude and steep volcanic terrain also make the listed hikes materially different from attending the race in town.
Visiting Mgahinga National Park: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- The Virunga Gorilla Marathon takes place in Kisoro on 21 November 2026; the park is presented as a nearby experience beyond the finish line.
- Gorilla trekking requires an advance Uganda Wildlife Authority permit, while the marathon page also advises advance planning for guided park activities.
- Uganda Wildlife Authority locates the park in Kisoro district, and its access information directs road travellers through Kabale before transferring from Kisoro towards the park boundary.
- The terrain reaches 4,127 metres and includes the slopes of Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Gahinga and Mount Muhabura.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
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Frequently asked questions about Mgahinga National Park
When does the Virunga Gorilla Marathon take place near Mgahinga National Park?
The marathon is scheduled for 21 November 2026 in Kisoro, Uganda, with the park listed among nearby post-race experiences.
What is Mgahinga National Park?
It is a 33.7-square-kilometre Ugandan national park in Kisoro district protecting mountain gorillas, golden monkeys and three Virunga volcanoes.
Where is Mgahinga National Park and how do you get there?
It is in south-western Uganda near Kisoro. Uganda Wildlife Authority describes road access through Kabale and a transfer from Kisoro towards the park boundary.
