Looking for a simple but memorable volcano hiking experience? No worries, Mgahinga gorilla national park offers the simplest but wonderful hiking experiences. With 3 dormant volcanoes within its heart, Mgahinga gorilla national park is a center for short hiking adventures done in one day guided by Africa Adventure Safaris. Much as most people know the park for mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and Batwa experience, Uganda safaris to Mgahinga gorilla national park is much more than primates. A Uganda tour to this park goes beyond to hiking experiences. A hike to the summit of any Volcano in Mgahinga national park leaves with a lifetime experience.
Mt Gahinga
This is the easiest and lowest Virunga volcano in Mgahinga gorilla national park.
Mount Gahinga – Mgahinga National Park
The summit of Mount Gahinga elevates at 3474 meters above the seas level. Mt Gahinga is locally translated as a pile of rocks which are seen almost everywhere in Kisoro and Mgahinga region. Hiking to the summit of Mt Gahinga takes roughly 6-7 hours via the bamboo forest and different vegetation zones. Initially, the summit of Mt Gahinga housed a crater lake but has overtime disappeared into a swamp.
Mt Sabyinyo
Standing at 3669 meters above the sea level, Mt Sabyinyo is the second highest volcano in Mgahinga Gorilla national park.
Mt Sabyinyo – Mgahinga Gorilla National park
Sabyinyo is locally translated as “old man; teeth” due to its shape. The volcano has three peaks shared by Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. A hike to the summit of Mt Sabyinyo, therefore, give travelers the chance to step in Congo, Uganda an Rwanda at the same time. No visa, no passport no any travel document to be in the three counties, only a hike t the summit of Sabyinyo volcano is enough. The hike to the summit takes roughly 8 hours to and from. Travelers must be physically fit and emotionally stable to succeed with this strenuous but wonderful experience. Expect to pass via steep rugged terrain-crawling on hand made ladders which turn out to be slippery especially in rains. Much the summit of the volcano is shared by Rwanda, Uganda, and Congo; hiking is only de from Uganda. On a good day, you may meet the endangered golden monkeys, which live in the bamboo forest between 2400 – 2800m. Rwenzori Turaco may be spotted in the subalpine zone at 3200 meters above sea level. The summit offers you stunning views of Rwanda, Uganda, and Congo plus a whole chain of Virunga Volcanoes.
Mount Muhabura
Translated as “the guide”, Mt Muhabura is the tallest Volcano
The peak of Mount Muhabura in Mgahinga
in Mgahinga gorilla national park standing at 4127 meters above the sea level. Mt Muhabura can be seen from a far distance and that’s why it was called a guide. Hiking to the summit of Mt Muhabura takes roughly 10 hours via different vegetation zones on Mgahinga gorilla national park. Travelers are therefore reminded to reach the starting pint as early as 7:00 am to start up the hike. Hiking Mount Muhabura is undeniably strenuous but the excitement you get after reaching the summit is worth the effort. Muhabura volcano summit offers you exceptional views of other Virunga Volcanoes, Rwenzori mountain ranges, Queen Elizabeth National park, and Lake Edward.
Sabyinyo gorge trail
Be part of this 6 kilometers walk through thick rests at the bottom f Mount Sabyinyo. Above you will be the rugged peaks of Mount Sabyinyo. Expect to see numerous primates, which include the endangered golden monkeys, forest elephants, and duikers that live in the Afro-montane forest. Trails are normally wet and slippery, physical fitness and mental preparedness is a key to the success of this hike.
Volcano hiking tips, packing list
Before every hiking, travelers are taken through a session of briefing about the hiking guide, tips, and safety advice.
• You must wear hiking boots, DO NOT hike in sandals
• Hire porters, He /she carries your baggage making hiking easier for you
• Carry enough drinking water
• Carry enough energy snacks and packed lunch
• Wear gardening gloves
• Pace your self, hiking at a very high speed will exhaust you
• Pack as lightly as possible
• Do physical exercises before the trip
Other activities to do in Mgahinga gorilla national park
Besides volcano climbing, travelers to Mgahinga gorilla national park have a variety of travel activities to take part in. These include among others:
Mountain gorilla trekking
The national park is home to Nyakagyezi gorilla family available for trekking. Every day, Mgahinga has 8 gorilla permits for the first time comers to trek and spend time with the one and only Nyakagyezi gorilla family. Fortunately, a gorilla permit to visit Nyakagyezi family cost $600 which is quite cheap and affordable compared o $1500 in neighboring Rwanda.
Golden monkey trekking
Mgahinga gorilla national park is home to the highest population of the endangered golden monkeys. Enjoy a magical encounter with golden monkeys, which play tireless jumping across tree branches. A single permit to trek golden monkeys costs $100 affordable for all travelers even those on budget.
Batwa cultural trail
Join the Batwa cultural trail
Batwa Pygmies hunting in Mgahinga
to learn about Batwa pygmies’ traditional forest life. You will be guided into Mgahinga forest to hunt, pick medical hers, collect honey and visit Ngarama cave where Batwa pygmies performed the cultural ritual and offered sacrifices to their gods. Enjoy the traditional dances, songs and stories of Batwa which all tell about their forest life and how they lived harmoniously with wild animals.
To book a volcano-hiking trip, Contact Africa Adventure Safaris for a tailor-made volcano hiking package at affordable rates.
Related Tours
3 Days Uganda Gorilla Tour
Book a 3 Days Uganda gorilla trekking tour to Bwindi Impenetrable forest park home to half of the world’s mountain gorillas. The forest is the first center for Uganda gorilla safaris having over 15 gorilla families habituated for trekking. Bwindi is also home to 120 species of mammals, 348 species of birds, 220 species of butterflies, 27 species of frogs, chameleons, geckos, and many endangered species.Read More
3 Days Murchison Falls Np Tour
3 Days Murchison falls wildlife tour to for fantastic game viewing in search for African lion, herds of Elephant, Buffaloes, Giraffes, Antelopes, etc, and boat cruise to the bottom of the falls to see Hippos & huge crocodiles.Read More
3 Days Tour to Semuliki National park
Join a 3 Days Uganda tour to Semuliki valley national park fo game viewing, bird watching and visiting the hot springs. The park is one of Uganda’s least visited parks which give travelers with an off beaten kind of experience. Expect to see many birds and wildlife less exploited. Read More
7 Days Uganda Safari
Join a 7 Days Uganda Safari for game viewing and boat cruising at Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth, chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest and Mountain gorilla watching in Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park. You will also trek golden monkeys in Mgahinga gorilla national park as well as visiting various conservation projects in Bwindi and Mgahinga gorilla national parks. Read More
3 Days Rwanda Double Gorilla Trek
The 3 Days double gorilla trek in Rwanda offers travelers exceptional gorilla encounters in Volcanoes national park. The two involve trekking gorilla two times rewarding travelers with extended time with the gentle giants in the jungle. The tour starts and ends in Kigali Rwanda. Read More
