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Published by Acacia Safari on November 4, 2020

Hiking & Mountain Climbing in Uganda – Best Hiking Trails

Hiking or Mountain climbing is one of the Uganda safari activities that all kinds of trekkers can get involved in. Uganda is surely an all-inclusive destination as it has high hiking trails. Some trails are at a lower altitude to accommodate those who can’t undertake the very strenuous hikes.

The highest point in Uganda is at the Rwenzori Mountains at 5,109 m above sea level. The Rwenzori is the highest mountain range in East Africa. The top destinations for hiking in Uganda are the Rwenzori Mountains, Mount Elgon, Virunga volcanoes, and the Sipi Falls hike. There are also several other hiking spots in the country.

Hiking & Mountain Climbing in Uganda – Best Hiking Trails

Hiking the Rwenzori Mountains

The Rwenzori Mountains also known as Ruwenzori are a range of mountains located along the border of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The highest peak on the Rwenzori Mountains reaches 5,109 meters (16,762 ft.) above sea level with the range’s upper peaks snow-capped and glaciated.

The Rwenzori Mountains formed about three million years ago in the late Pliocene epoch and are a result of an uplifted block of crystalline rocks. The uplift created three of the present-day African Great Lakes which are Lake Albert, Lake Edward, and Lake George.

These are Africa’s highest mountain ranges with six massifs separated by deep gorges. The massifs include Mount Stanley (5,109 meters), Mount Speke (4,890 m), Mount Baker (4,843 m), Mount Emin (4,798), Mount Gessi (4,715 m), and Mount Luigi di Savoia (4,627 m).

Mount Stanley

Mount Stanley has the highest peak on the ranges known as the Margherita Peak. Most of the ranges are now a World Heritage Site run by Rwenzori Mountains National Park in southwestern Uganda and Virunga National Park in eastern Congo.

Hiking the Rwenzori Mountains, hikers climb through different vegetation types ranging from tropical rainforest through alpine meadows to snow. There are a variety of vegetation species supported by the ranges and these include giant groundsel, giant lobelia, and heather as tall as 6 meters (20 ft.) covered in moss. However, there is an ongoing concern as the effects of climate change are reducing the Ruwenzori glaciers.

The Rwenzori Mountains are a popular spot for hikers in Africa and those on Uganda hiking safaris. Hikers can have short or long trips depending on one’s interests with an even day tour possible. For hikes to the Margherita peak, hikers are recommended to undertake the 6-day Mountain Rwenzori hiking trip.

Though not the highest in Africa, the Rwenzori Mountains are unique from the single-standing Mountain Kilimanjaro or Mount Kenya. Hiking the mountain ranges offers a much more beautiful experience. it’s more diverse than hiking through to the peak of a single mountain.

Mount Elgon Hiking – hiking in Uganda

The mountain is not difficult to climb as it is at a lower altitude and therefore favorable for hikers that are inexperienced in the activity. During the hike, hikers can also check out the vast caves, waterfalls, cliffs, and gorges. The wide caldera is surrounded by several hot springs that are a welcome delight for any climbers who get to reach that high.

Hiking around Sipi Falls offers stunning views of the high Kapchorwa-raised land and the Karamoja and Teso plains below. Most hiking routes start from the Sipi Falls area. The most popular hiking route starts in Budadiri and follows the Sasa trail to the summit and then descends to the Sipi trail back into the Sipi Falls.

Volcano Hiking Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has an elevation ranging from 2227 to 4127 meters above sea level making it a great hiking destination.

The park is formed by three volcanoes which are Mount Sabinyo, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Muhavura. Each of these names is a word translated from the local dialect, Sabinyo refers to old man’s teeth, Gahinga means a pile of stones and Muhavura means a guide.

These are part of the 8 volcanoes that form the Virunga that traverses Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. The landscape is amazing and one cannot miss out.

Mount Muhavura is the highest of all the three ranges . It offers opportunities to see all the other Virunga mountains from the peak.

Mount Sabinyo

Mount Sabinyo is unique among all the peaks as it is a gateway to Rwanda and Congo and when at the peak geographically you step into all three countries.

You can hike all three volcanoes of Gahinga, Sabinyo, and Muhavura.

To go hiking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park volcanoes, one should dress up appropriately for the hike since it goes through mushy vegetation and bamboo.

These top hiking in Uganda trails are the most popular and offer great experiences, however, tourists can also have simple hikes in places like Murchison Falls National Park to the top of the falls, Mount Moroto in northeastern Uganda, and Kagulu Hill in eastern Uganda.

Hiking in Uganda is family-friendly and families can choose to undertake the low hiking trails. The country is also popular for activities like Uganda gorilla safaris, Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda, bird watching, wildlife tours, cultural trips, and adventure tours.

For those interested in very challenging hiking trips, take on the challenge at Mount Kilimanjaro or Mount Kenya during a Tanzania safari or Kenya safari respectively.

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3 Day Uganda gorilla trekking safari, – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Role of Female Gorillas in a Family

This ancient rainforest is one of the few in Africa to have flourished and is home to half of the world’s endangered population of mountain gorillas.

Looking into the expressive brown eyes of these giants is surely the most exciting and poignant wildlife encounter Uganda has to offer! Apart from the gorilla trekking Tour, the park boasts 90 mammal species, including 11 primates and prominent bird species.