Hiking & Climbing Mount Gahinga – Mgahinga gorilla National Park
Hiking & climbing mount Gahinga – We are proud to welcome you to hiking mount gahinga volcano that is situated at the virunga massiff bordering muhabura and sabyinyo mountains.
Mount gahinga general information.
Most hikers usually go for mount. gahinga hike which is as high as 3,474m. this hike takes about six hours to both ascend and descend, once at the top you will find the crater filled with swamp and giant lobelia. those who are lucky will be able to see the golden monkeys as they walk through that thick bamboo forest.
the hike starts from the mgahinga gorilla national park visitor’s centre, located about a 10 minute drive from kisoro town. the centre features rock paths that meaner through the vegetation to the building. beautiful rain chains conserve rainwater for gardening around the centre and under a high beamed log ceiling interactive displays and maps line the walls. staffed by exceptionally knowledgeable ugandan wildlife authority ranger guides you will first enter the main room for registration and decide your trail. there are a number of different types of hikes that can be done depending on your ability, desire and speed.
the gahinga trail starts in recently reclaimed farm land and winds up to the edge of virgin forest. the hike is steep in places but not uncomfortably so and while it didn’t rain it get damp as fog rolled in and out over the mountain. the scenery was both breath-taking and intriguing. giant bamboo looms large over the trail, jungle elephant footprints cross the trail sunk deep in squidgy mud, earthworms as long as your forearm living above ground in the dark, wet environment and more birds that you could possibly catalogue.
there are 3 volcanoes in mgahinga that you can access from mgahinga gorilla national park therefore the choice is always yours depending to the fitness and the amount of time you have. hiking the virunga volcanoes in mgahinga can be fun and really rewarding because there are lots of attractions you will meet during your hike.
if you like hiking in some of the most pristine forests africa has to offer mgahinga hike shouldn’t be missed. there are lots of tours available to park. if you are just doing a day hike and are a moderately fit hiker you should try the gahinga trail which will take you about six hours and climbs the base of mount gahinga. the border trail can also be done in a day and climbs the base of mount sabinyo and runs you right along the democratic republic of congo border. there is also the cave trail where you learn a bit more about the batwa people (pygmies) who lived there and you get to investigate some caves.
What to Bring for hiking & climbing mount gahinga volcano
These items should be on your hiking checklist:
- Hiking backpack
- Weather-appropriate clothing (thick moisture-wicking and layers)
- Hiking boots or shoes
- Plenty of energy giving food
- Plenty of water
- Navigation tools such as a map and compass
- First-aid kit
- Knife or multi-tool
The rest of the above essentials are appropriate for your hike
While you are packing, use this handy day hiking checklist to make sure you don’t forget anything important. Here are some notes on how to best use this list:
Items that are part of the Ten Essentials are marked by an asterisk. The exact items you take can be tailored to your trip based on considerations such as weather, difficulty, duration and distance from help.
This checklist is deliberately comprehensive and intended for day hikes in the backcountry where being self-sufficient is important to your well-being. It includes many more items than you’re likely to need for short treks in or near developed areas, like city parks, though you can adapt it to your needs for these trips.
