HIKING SAFARI IN MGAHINGA GORILLA NATIONAL PARK

Hiking Safari in Mgahinga Gorilla National park

Hiking is one of the amazing and incredible activities one should engage in while on a Uganda safari tour and the mountains in Mgahinga Gorilla national park dare to offer the best hiking safari experience and a golden chance to be in the 3 countries of Rwanda, Uganda and Congo at the same time.

1. Mt. Muhabura (4127m) – ‘The Guide’

Seen from all over Kisoro, as the name describes, 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.

Once at its peak, hikers are rewarded with a 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 a distance of up to 12 km. You are advised to camp at the Muhabura base camp the night before; but this site has no facilities so travelers are required to carry own tents, water, food and sleeping gears.

2. Mt. Sabyinyo (3,645m) – ‘Old man’s teeth’

Like an old man, time has eroded Mt. Sabyinyo’s crown. This volcano 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 peak 11 involves walking a ridge with breath-taking views into gorges of Rwanda and Uganda, a dual experience you will achieve here. Finally, the hike up to the peak 111 is steep with several ladders and mush scrambling. You are guaranteed to get your hands dirty during this climb. Once on top, you will be in Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, what a triple experience this is!!! The journey takes about eight hours round trip to cover the 14km stretch.

3. Mt. Gahinga (3,474m)

On your way to the 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 ‘Gahinga’ but sitting next to Mount Muhabura does make it look small. A hike, which takes about 6 hours round trip, goes through a perfect example of a pure Bamboo forest. Gahinga once had a large Crater lake on top but time has changed it into a Lush wetland.

Border trail

This is a 5 hours hike which covers total distance of 10 km. It follows first towards Sabyinyo and climbs up the base of Sabyinyo for a while through fine montane forest before turning towards the Congo side. This trail guarantees great views of Mt. Sabyinyo’s gorge and all the peaks. When you get to the Congo side you get back along the international border, you can take a breath at this site to take some photos with your group. The route back to the Park Head Quarters is a great section for birding with a wide range of bird species, a golden opportunity for birders to view and photograph some birds of interest at no extra cost. There are two rest huts along the way that are good places for taking a break while spotting some wildlife like the golden monkeys and forest elephants that roam the place.