Mountain Hiking in Rwanda and Uganda — Mount Sabinyo and gahinga

Mountain Hiking in Rwanda and Uganda -Volcanoes natonal park and Mgahinga gorilla National park

Mountain hiking in Rwanda and Uganda – Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has three of the series of the Volcanoes that form the Virunga Area. These great ranges offer great scenery and opportunities for hiking for travellers visiting the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Whether you are a seasoned mountain climber or starter, a volcano hike is an experience that you will not forget.

An Illustration of the three Virunga Volcanoes that lie in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mount. Sabyinyo ‘Old man’s teeth’

Like an old man, time has eroded Mount. Sabyinyo’s crown. This volcano is 366 metres above sea level and it offers 3 challenging peaks to climb. A climb up the mountain takes one up a ridge along the Eastern side of the climb to the peak. If you are to continue, the climb to the second peak involves walking a ridge with breath-taking drops into gorges of Rwanda and Uganda, a dual experience you will achieve here.
Finally, the hike up to the third peak is steep with several ladders and mush scrambling. You are guaranteed to get your hands dirty en-route to the third peak. Once you are on top, you will be in Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda at the same time, what a triple experience this is. The journey takes about eight hours round trip to cover the 14kilometres stretch.

Mount. Gahinga

On your way to the National Park, look out for small piles of stones in the garden fields. The local people call such a pile a ‘Gahinga’.
Mount Gahinga is quite bigger than the average and it has got an elevation of 347 metres above sea level and it sits next to Mount Muhavura does make it look small. A hike, which takes you about, six hours round trip, goes through a good example of a pure Bamboo forest. Gahinga once had a Crater Lake on top but time has changed it into a Lush swamp.

Mount. Muhavura

Seen from all over Kisoro town, this volcano acts as a guide. The typical cone-shaped mountain provides some of the best views in the country. Much of the climb passes a rocky surface covered by grasses and small shrubs. Mount Muhavura is 4127 metres and once hikers get to the top they are rewarded with the view of the Virunga volcanoes, Lake Edward in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and the peaks of Rwenzori Mountain. The hike takes approximately 8 hours round trip covering 12kilometres.You are advised to camp at the Muhavura base camp the night before the site has no facilities so you need a tent, water, food and sleeping gear. Contact Great Adventure Safaris to inquire about mountain hiking in Rwanda and Uganda plus permits.