Combining gorilla trekking and mountain hiking in the Virunga ranges of Africa

Combining gorilla trekking and mountain hiking in the Virunga ranges of Africa is a rewarding activity that offers the best blend of wildlife encounters and the scenic hikes on the Virunga ranges. The Virunga ranges are in three countries, and these are Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. They have a total of 8 volcanic mountains, with only 7 open for hiking. Mount Nyamuragira is extremely active and this is why it is not part of the massifs that are hiked within the Virunga ranges.

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At Encounter Africa Safaris, we specialise in organising well-planned itineraries that bring comfort and unforgettable safari experiences. In this article, we are going to look at a combination of gorilla trekking with mountain hiking within the Virunga ranges on the African continent, what to expect and how to plan, among others.

1. In Rwanda

Gorilla trekking and mountain hiking in the Virunga ranges of Africa in Rwanda is done in Volcanoes National Park. This is a top tourist activity that is carried out in Rwanda, and a combination of gorilla trekking and mountain hiking is the best combination since they both can be done in the same national park.

Gorilla trekking: Tourists will need a gorilla trek permit to be able to participate in the trek and this can be purchased through an operator like Encounter Africa Safaris or from the Rwanda Development Board website. The gorilla permits will give you a one-on-one chance with the mountain gorillas, and the cost is $1500 for foreign non-residents, $500 for foreign residents and citizens from other African countries and $200 for East African citizens. No one can trek mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park without a permit.

Get in touch with us at Encounter Africa Safaris to help you with the booking and purchase of the gorilla permits.

Mountain hiking: Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is home to five Virunga peaks which include Bisoke, Gahinga, Sabinyo, Muhabura and Karisimbi.

• Mount Bisoke, standing at 3711 meters above sea level, is a stunning mountain with a crater Lake at the summit, and it takes 5 to 7 hours for the round trip. The trail up the mountain is moderately challenging although you do not necessarily require prior hiking knowledge to hike up this peak.
• Mount Karisimbi, being the tallest of the five massifs, is a strenuous hike which takes almost two days for the round trip, and it rises to a height of 4507 meters above sea level. The peak provides a panoramic view of the rest of the Volcano ranges in the Virunga region.
• Mount Muhabura rises to 4127 meters above sea level, takes 6 to 8 hours for a round trip, and is along the border of Uganda and Rwanda. This is the 3^rd tallest among the Virunga ranges with a caldera summit that has over 40 meters of crater-filled Lake. Muhabura has a challenging terrain and is only ideal for intermediate hikers. The round-trip hike can take the whole day.
• Mount Gahinga is the 6th-tallest mountain in the Virunga range, with an elevation of 3474 meters above sea level. It lies along the Rwanda-Uganda border with the northern part of the mountain found in Uganda and the southern part in Rwanda.
• Mount Sabinyo is the only Virunga peak that is shared among the three countries of Uganda, Rwanda and DRC. Mount Sabinyo is at an elevation of 3605 meters above sea level, and there are different hiking routes leading to the peak. The climb along Sabinyo is challenging because of the terrain, but the scenery when you get to the peak is worth it.

2. In Uganda

Combining gorilla trekking with mountain hiking in Uganda is the perfect combination, which is best carried out in Mgahinga National Park, home to the Nyakagezi gorilla family and these three volcanic mountains that are part of the eight Virunga ranges. This combination allows you to encounter the mountain gorillas one-on-one while taking on the hike in the Virunga ranges.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is carried out in Bwindi and Mgahinga National Park. The hike involves trekking through the rainforest of the national parks in search of the mountain gorillas and you will need a gorilla permit to have access to the endangered giants. The permit cost is $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign residents and UGX300,000 for East African citizens. Get in touch with us and we will be able to help you organise gorilla trekking, starting with booking and purchase of the gorilla permits, organising transport and accommodation to make sure that you have a smooth and the best experience from start to finish of the safari.

Mountain hiking on the three Virunga ranges in Mgahinga National Park is an exciting experience. The hiking is done on Mount Gahinga, Sabinyo and Muhabura. The hike starts early morning with a brief meeting with the guides, and thereafter, you start with the hike, and the time spent depends on which mountain you plan on hiking.

• Mount Gahinga: Rising to an elevation of 3474 meters above sea level, Mount Gahinga is the easiest hike in Mgahinga with the easiest trek routes that will take you through the different climatic zones before getting to the summit. For a round trip, the hike can take 6 hours, and it provides beautiful views of the lava-dammed lakes that are found in Kisoro district, Lake Mulehe and Lake Mutanda, among others.
• Mount Muhabura: Mount Muhabura rises to an elevation of 4127 meters above sea level making it the tallest within Mgahinga National Park. Just like Mount Gahinga, it is easier to hike than Mount Sabinyo, and the hike is usually 8 hours for a round trip. The hike starts early in the morning, and as you get to the peak, you get great views of Crater Lake and the surrounding areas.
• Mount Sabinyo: Sabinyo means Old Man’s Teeth in the Kinyarwanda dialect, and the mountain was named Sabinyo because of its rugged nature. This is the oldest Virunga massif at an elevation of 3669 meters above sea level. The Sabinyo hike is one of the most challenging taking 6 to 8 hours. Tourists get to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Lake Mutanda and Lake Mulehe, Sagitwe Caldera and Bunagana town among others. Note that there are ladders that will help you to get to the peak of Mount Sabinyo.

3. In DRC

Having a combined gorilla trek and mountain hiking in DRC is done in Virunga National Park, which offers a unique adventure with a combination of the two. Virunga National Park is the only place in the country where you can meet the mountain gorillas face to face while taking on the Nyiragongo Volcano.

You will need a gorilla trekking permit to be able to participate in the exercise, and the cost is $400 for foreign non-residents, making it the lowest compared to Uganda and Rwanda. For gorilla permit purchase, get in touch with us for more information.

Mountain hiking: The mountain hike in DRC within the Virunga ranges is done along the Nyiragongo Volcano, which is an active volcano located in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is possible for tourists to climb to the top through a path that is considered to be difficult but when you get to the peak/summit, you have the chance of taking photos of the hot cauldron. Note that this hike can only be carried out with an experienced guide.

The hike starts early in the morning and takes 6 to 7 hours to get to the top. The professional guides do not guarantee the safety of the climbers but have a lot of information for the hikers about the mountain and the surrounding areas.

NB: Note that DRC is not safe at the moment and gorilla trekking and mountain hiking within the country have been put on hold.

The cost of the combined gorilla trekking and mountain hiking in the Virunga ranges in Africa

The combined gorilla trekking and mountain hiking in the Virunga ranges of Africa is not the same, and this is because it is affected by several factors in the three countries where gorilla trekking is carried out. The different factors that affect the cost of the combined safari include the following:

The length of the safari: The length of the safari (number of days spent on the safari) affects the cost in a way that the longer the safari, the higher the cost of the safari and the shorter the safari, the lower the cost of the combined safari.

When to visit: Tourists who plan the combined safari in the peak/dry season often spend more as compared to tourists visiting during the wet/low season from October to November and March to May.

Additional activities: The more activities added to the safari itinerary, the higher the cost of the combined safari and the fewer activities added to the safari itinerary, the lower the cost of the safari. This is because each activity is paid for differently increasing the cost per activity added.

Personal purchases: Personal purchases on a combined gorilla and mountain hike include the purchase of souvenirs, extra snacks, premium drinks, tips, and items needed for the safari. These increase the cost of the safari.

Accommodation: The accommodation chosen for the combined safari in the national parks affects the cost of the safari. The accommodation facilities range from budget, mid-range and luxury accommodation facilities. The choice you make will determine whether you are to have a budget-friendly or a luxury combined safari.

The mode of transport chosen: Driving to the national parks is affordable compared to flying to the gorilla trekking and mountain hiking destinations.

The size of the group: The larger the size of the safari group, the lower the cost of the safari, as the costs are shared among the trekkers, which is not the case when it comes to individual travellers.

How to plan a combined gorilla trekking and mountain hiking safari in the Virunga ranges of Africa

As you plan a combined gorilla trek and mountain hike in the Virunga ranges, below are some of the tips you can follow when planning this type of safari.

Choosing a tour operator: this is a very crucial part in planning a combined safari. An experienced guide will make sure that you have a successful safari by purchasing the gorilla permits, organising accommodation and transport and other logistics that are needed for the safari. Make sure that you do extensive research on the company before you make the choice to avoid scammers.

Choose when to go: Gorilla trekking and mountain hiking are all-year-round activities; however, the best time is during the dry months of December to February and June to September, when the trek and hike routes are easier to use and the gorillas are easier to spot. Note that the dry season is the busiest, and this is why you need to plan in advance, especially for the purchase of the gorilla permits.

Prepare for the safari: Preparation for the permit includes packing right for the safari and getting fit because you will be trekking and hiking for longer hours and you need to be ready. Note that no one will be allowed to trek if they are not fit enough or feel sick.

What to pack

Some of the things that we recommend tourists pack for the combined safari include long-sleeved shirts, light-weight trousers, sweaters, scarves, strong and comfortable hike boots, insect repellent, sunscreen, refillable water bottle, snacks, waterproof backpack, walking stick, camera, binoculars, cash for tipping, first aid kit, garden gloves, sunhat, waterproof rain jacket, gaiters and toiletries among others.

The best time to go for the combined gorilla trekking and mountain hiking in the Virunga ranges of Africa

The dry season, which is from June to September and December to February, is the best time to go for this combined safari; however, the activity can be carried out throughout the year. The trek permits during the dry season are in high demand and sell out fast, but the trek routes are dry and easy to use, unlike the wet season when they are slippery and muddy. The dry season is also the best time to go mountain hiking because it's easier to hike up the mountain without the slippery trails and rain hindering your vision.

The rainy season, on the other hand, is crucial and the best for tourists travelling on a low budget. During this period, costs on some of the services, like accommodation, are reduced, making it an affordable time to travel.

Contact our team for more information.