The Virunga Mountain (Volcano) loom across the valley in your view as you wind your way down towards Kisoro district. Many visitors in the region are drawn due to the famous gorillas trekking in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest with the highest number of habituated gorilla families and the highest population of the mountain gorillas and Mgahinga National Parks. However, Bwindi tends to be favoured since the gorilla family in Mgahinga tends to split their time in neighbouring Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) but they have currently settled in Mgahinga and can be tracked from Uganda or from Rwanda since the distance is quite small compared to from Uganda’s capital Kampala. However, there’s more than just gorillas on offer in Mgahinga and the park should be tried for some of the best views of the renowned beauty of southwest Uganda.

The hike starts from the Mgahinga National Park visitor’s centre, located about a 10-minute drive from Kisoro. On arrival, you’ll first enter the main room and pay your fees and decide your trail You will be briefed by an experienced Ugandan Wildlife Authority (UWA) guide.  There are a number of different types of hikes that can be done based on your ability, desire and speed. Mountain hiking, requires one’s physical fitness and ability to hike up the steep slopes.

Hiking Trails

Welcome to Uganda the Pearl Of Africa, you can never get enough of Uganda there are lots of places to visit with stunning attractions and a wide variety of activities to be done in various national parks in the country. If you planning to take on a hiking safari, Uganda is also one of the top destinations where hiking can be done with Mgahinga being the top places you should not miss. visiting Mgahinga, gives you an opportunity to access the three Virunga Mountain (volcano), to hike the mountain, the choice is entirely yours depending on the fitness and the amount of time you have, you can hike all the three mountains in one day it requires one physical ability. Hiking the Virunga Volcano in Mgahinga can be fun and really rewarding because there are lots of attractions to see as you hike to the top.

There are lots of tourist attractions available in the 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 DRC border.  There is also the cave trail where the Batwa people live, this is the indigenous group of people who have lived and survived and the forest for years, there are also known as the hunter gatherers the trail to the caves will give knowledge and the history of the cave people.
The two trails that is Mount Sabyinyo and Mount Muhavura require more than a day covering 14km and 12 km respectively, they are also much steeper compared to mount Gahinga and may require more than one day to climb each of these volcanoes. Arriving at the top, the views here cannot be beat. On the Sabinyo hike you get to stand in the three countries at the same time, (Uganda, DRC and Rwanda).

During the Hike, you will report to the park headquarters for briefing, you’ll want to have sturdy hiking boots and tuck your trousers into your socks to avoid safari ants, A raincoat is advisable if travelling during the rainy seasons and a bottle of water is necessary as they hike may get tougher and you feel dehydrated. Bring a packed lunch is necessary matter the day hike you choose. You may also need some personal essentials like insect repellent, Sunscreen, a hat to protect you from the sun’s rays. Mountain hiking, can also be tailored with other attractions like wildlife viewing, bird watching among others depending on your interest and time. You will be guided through by experienced guide who is well versed with the trails and mountain Hiking.

Hiking fees

Hiking fees cost $80 for foreign nationals, $70 for foreign residence and UGX50,000 for East African Community, all fees are paid per person taking part in the country.

Mount Gahinga Hike

The hike begins in the morning with the briefing at 7:00am and the ranger guide will lead you through the trail, this hike should be less strenuous compared to Sabinyo and Muhavura. Mt. Gahinga measures a hight of 3,474m and takes about six hours to both ascend and descend, the hike takes you up the top where you will find a crater filled with swamp and giant lobelia, on a lucky day, you will encounter some of the golden monkeys as they walk through thick bamboo forest. Many hikers in the park have opted to hike Mount Gahinga.

Mount Sabinyo Hike

Mount Sabinyo measures about 3,669m and the distance from the bottom to top and vice versa is 14km respectively

The other option is hiking Mt. Sabinyo which is 3,669m and to get to the top of this mountain requires eight hours since the distance from the base to the top is about 14km long round trip. As you hike, you will have to follow the route along the steep ridge up until you get to the peak.

Hiking to the sabinyo is 6 kilometre long and it goes along an amazing mountain stream which meanders through that very dense forest covered by mainly the African-Montane kind of vegetation all the way to the gorge. This is a very rewarding nature walk, the hike may be tiring to a number of hikers but at the end of the trail, you will be amazed. On a very clear day, you will have a clear view of those ragged peaks of Sabinyo.

This hike usually takes about 8 hours because the truth is it is relatively hard to hike but what is more attractive about this hike is the fact that on many occasions hikers get to meet primates like the Golden Monkeys, small antelopes like Duikers and many other mammals. The bird watchers will really enjoy this nature walk as they will be able to see a number bird species and the commonest is the Rwenzori Turaco specie which is one of the commonest species therefore one of the many that you can never miss seeing.

The Sabyinyo gorge hike will take you through this really thick forest until you get to this really deep Sabinyo Gorge, it helps reveal the real height of Mt. Sabyinyo and it’s a really great destination for birding therefore chances of finding the Rwenzori Turaco are really high. You will go through Rugezi Swamp- also a great destination for those interested in bird watching.

Mount Muhabura

Mt. Muhavura is the third option available for the hikers. This is the highest peak of all and it lies at 4,127m high and the hike is planned for the same amount of time as Sabyinyo which is eight hours. This means, you need to be fit enough to catch up with the fast hiking exercise. When you reach the top, you will have a beautiful view of the Virunga Volcanoes, there is a clear view of Lake Edward, the great Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and also the Rwenzori peaks.

Nature walks in Mgahinga goes together with hiking because of the fact that this is a very hilly area and hiking is something that you can hardly avoid. There are several amazing places that you can always visit during your trip to Mgahinga national park. These are always guide nature walks, armed escorts are provided to walk along with you during your nature walk and so will the help of your guide, you will visit and see the scenery as well as the different tourism attractions in the area.