Volcano hiking and gorilla tracking in Uganda and Rwanda

Combining volcano hiking and gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda is the best safari one can organize in both countries. Volcano hiking and mountain are one of the most popular activities that are carried out in Uganda and Rwanda offering tourists a unique experience while on their safari. Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is home to the Mountain gorillas and tourists get a chance to hike the five dormant volcanoes that are found in the park. In Uganda, gorilla trekking is done in Bwindi and Mgahinga and Volcano hiking is done in Mgahinga National Park.

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Rwanda

Volcano hiking in Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park/Parc De National Volcans in Rwanda is the best destination for Volcanoes hiking and gorilla tracking groups. The Volcano Mountains are part of the 8 chain volcanoes which are found along the border of Rwanda, and these include Mount Bisoke, Mount Karisimbi, Mount Muhavura, Mount Sabinyo and Mount Gahinga. The Virunga ranges are beautiful mountains that have different vegetation zones, beautiful crater Lakes, breathtaking scenery and are home to various wildlife species. Hiking in Volcanoes National Park is carried out on the 4 ranges but on Mount Sabinyo, and this is because it has very large craters and sharp ridges that make it hard to access the peak. It has been declared unsafe to hike by the government of Rwanda until a safe trail is identified for use. If you want to hike Mount Sabinyo, you can do it from the Ugandan side which has safe trek trails to use. Volcano hiking in Rwanda is done along several mountains some of which include:

Mount Bisoke: Mount Bisoke, found at the border of the Democratic Republic of Congo with Rwanda, is at a height of 3711 meters above sea level. It is a known dormant volcano with a massive crater lake along the peak measuring about 400 meters. The most popular hike trail for hiking along Bisoke is known as the Mount Bisoke Crater Lake trail. When you get to the peak, you have great views of the Virunga chains and can even get a glimpse of Mount Mikeno Peak, which is located in DRC. It will take you 6 hours to ascend and descend Mount Bisoke. The hike can be termed as difficult but with good views and you need to have some good fitness to be able to enjoy the hike. You can also use the Lake Ngezi trail to get to the peak of Mount Bisoke, and this can take between 4 to 5 hours, depending on the level of fitness.

Mount Karisimbi: Mount Karisimbi is the highest Volcano in Volcanoes National Park and it takes the 5^th position among the highest mountains in Africa at a height of 4507 meters above sea level. Mount Karisimbi is the best volcano hike for tourists who love long and challenging hikes, and one of the few phenomenal things that you should know about Mount Karisimbi is that it receives snow in some months even when it's close to the equator. The hike along Mount Karisimbi can take 2 days with camping along the mountain for the night.

Mount Gahinga: Rising to a height of 3474 meters above sea level, it is considered to be the shortest volcano mountain among the Virunga ranges in Volcanoes National Park. For hikers who have never hiked or seasonal hikers, this is the best mountain to start with and note that it is the least hiked mountain in the national park.

Mount Muhavura: At a height of 4127 meters above sea level, Mount Muhavura can be hiked from both Rwanda and Uganda and is either located at the start or the end of the Volcano chain, taking into consideration your location. The round hike, ascending and descending along Mount Muhavura is between 6 to 8 hours, and it offers beautiful views of the landscape and the twin Lakes of Ruhondo and Burera.

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda

Gorilla trekking is the main and most participated activity that is carried out in Rwanda in the Volcanoes National Park. Mountain gorillas are an endangered species, and because of this, the government of Rwanda put measures like issuing gorilla permits and providing security around the national park to ensure that the gorillas are well protected. Rwanda has over 400 Mountain gorillas with 10 habituated gorilla families for trekking, and the chances of seeing the Mountain gorillas in Rwanda during a trek is 99%. The different gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park include the Susa gorilla family, Amahoro gorilla family, Sabinyo gorilla family, Kwitonda gorilla family, Agashya gorilla family, Bwenge gorilla family, Hirwa gorilla family, Ugenda gorilla family, Umubano gorilla family and Karisimbi gorilla family.

Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes starts early morning at around 7:00 am at the park headquarters at Kingi with a briefing about the rules and guidelines needed to follow while trekking and all tourists need to follow these dos and don’ts. Gorilla trekking can take 30 minutes to 6 hours depending on your physical fitness and the location of the Mountain gorillas. To go for gorilla tracking in Rwanda, you must have a gorilla permit, which costs $1500 for foreign non-residents, and this gives you an hour with the primates after locating them. Foreign residents have to pay $500 for the permit and East African citizens pay $200.

Gorilla trekking can only be carried out in Volcanoes National Park with an experienced guide because they have extensive knowledge about the national park and the mountain gorillas within the national park.

Uganda

Volcano hiking in Uganda

Volcano hiking in Uganda is done in Mgahinga National Park and on three volcano mountains in the national park that tourists can hike. The hikes start at the Mgahinga National Park Centre which is about 10 minutes’ drive from Kisoro town. Tourists interested in Volcano hiking can do this along Mount Muhavura, Mount Sabinyo and Mount Gahinga. To be able to hike the volcanoes in Mgahinga National Park, you need to first pay the park entrance fees, which cost $35 for foreign non-residents, UGX10, 000 for EAC citizens, UGX5,000 for children, and $25 for foreign residents. The different volcanoes that can be hiked in Uganda specifically in Mgahinga National Park include:

Mount Gahinga: Mount Gahinga rises to a height of 3474 meters above sea level.  The ascent and descent on Gahinga take 6 hours, depending on your physical fitness, and once you get to the top of the mountain, the reward is beautiful scenery with a Crater Lake. You will also be able to spot some golden monkeys on your way up and down although this is not a guarantee. The trail up Mount Gahinga starts at the edge of the forest, which was formerly reclaimed land from the farmers, and although as you head up, some of the edges are steep, it is not too uncomfortable, and the reward with the beautiful scenery makes it up for the difficult hike.

Mount Muhavura: Mount Muhavura, sometimes also known as Muhabura, is available for hiking when you visit Mgahinga National Park. The Mountain is at 4127 meters above sea level, and the planned time for the hike is about 8 hours, this means that you have to be physically fit to be able to participate in the hike. When you get to the top of the mountain, you have great views of the surrounding areas, the Virunga chains, clear views of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Rwenzori Peaks and Lake Edward.

Mount Sabinyo: There is also the option of hiking Mount Sabinyo, which is about 3669 meters above sea level, requiring about 8 hours from the mountain base to the top of the mountain. The best route to use is the one that goes around the steep ridge and this will take you around till you get to the peak. The hike is a hard one, but the hikers are rewarded with the best views of the golden monkeys, wildlife species like antelopes, duikers and several bird species, among others. There is a hike along Sabinyo Mountain that goes through the thick forests till you get to the Sabinyo Gorge and this helps with determining the right height of the mount Sabinyo. It is a great adventure which will also take you through the Rugezi Swamp, which is a great birding destination.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda

Uganda is a good and recommended gorilla trekking destination in the world with half the population of the remaining Mountain gorillas. The two safari destinations for gorilla tracking in Uganda and these are Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Mgahinga National Park has one habituated gorilla family, the Nyakagezi gorilla family, and Bwindi has 19 habituated gorilla families that are open for trekking all year round. The 19 habituated gorilla families are found in the 4 sectors of Bwindi where gorilla trekking is done, and these are Rushaga, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Buhoma. Gorilla trekking is an activity that will give you an insight into how mountain gorillas are researched and how their conservation has been met through tourism.

All tourists need to first purchase the gorilla trek permit before gaining access to the gorillas in Bwindi and Mgahinga and the cost of the permit differs depending on which category of tourists you belong to. Some foreign non-residents pay $800, foreign residents pay $700, and EAC citizens pay UGX 300,000, and each of these gets an hour with the gorillas after finding the assigned gorilla family.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda starts with a briefing from the guides about the rules and regulations that need to be followed during the trek and after locating the Mountain gorillas. It starts as early as 7:00 am and you need to keep time when it comes to gorilla trekking. Follow all the rules and regulations that are provided as this helps with the conservation of the gorillas. Tourists who want to spend more time with the gorillas have the option of going for gorilla habituation where tourists get 4 hours with the gorillas and foreign non-residents have to pay $1500 which is slightly higher than the standard rate of $800, foreign residents: $1000, Africans with citizenship from other African countries pay $1000 and EAC citizens: UGX750, 000 for the habituation permit.

What to bring for volcano hiking and gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda

There is no right or wrong thing to carry for your volcano hike and gorilla safari to Uganda and Rwanda, but below is a list of things that we believe are essential when planning your safari.

• Waterproof comfortable hike boots
• Lightweight trousers in a neutral colour
• Long-sleeved shirts also in a neutral colour
• Strong pairs of stockings
• Waterproof rain jacket
• Waterproof backpack
• Sweaters, ponchos, scarves and other rain gadgets.
• A camera and binoculars
• Insect repellent and sunscreen
• A refillable and foldable water bottle
• Snacks and lunch box if possible
• First aid kit
• Walking stick

When to go for volcano hiking and gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda

Gorilla tracking and Volcano hike safaris in Uganda and Rwanda are done in the dry and rainy seasons all year round. The dry season is the time when both countries receive little or no rainfall and more sun and this is from June to August and December to January. The dry season is the best time to hike and gorilla trek because the hike trails up the mountains and gorilla trek trails are dry and easier to use. The rainy months of March to May and October to November have frequent rains, unlike the dry season, sometimes making it hard to trek the mountain gorillas and also hike up the volcano mountains. However, note that the wet season offers some of the best and beautiful sceneries and it is an affordable time to travel due to the discounts offered during the rainy season.

Volcano hiking and gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda is one of the many safari activities that Encounter Africa Safaris can help you plan. Get in touch with us to learn more about volcano hiking and gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda.