Mountain hiking in Uganda offers you beautiful scenes as you take on established trails on the different mountains. Most of the hiking happens in protected areas but with other opportunities outside protected areas. In Uganda hiking for multi-day trips is done in Rwenzori mountains national park and Mt Elgon national park. The Virunga Volcanoes in Uganda offer 1-day hike. Other locations throughout Uganda offer short hiking opportunities that take a few hours like the Sipi falls.
The Rwenzori Mountains are Africa’s highest mountain ranges, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Uganda. They form a natural border between Uganda and DR Congo with the highest peak being Margherita on Mt Stanley at 5109m above sea level and is snow-capped throughout the year. It is the third highest peak in Africa after Kilimanjaro and Mt Kenya. Most hikers find it challenging they all accept that it offers great views and scenery than the two highest peaks in Africa. The round trip takes anything from 6days to 8days or more for a slower hiker.
Hiking Mt Elgon provides opportunities to explore water falls and caves created by moving lava. You cross through different vegetation cover whose characteristics are dictated by altitude and rainfall. Mt Elgon has the world’s largest caldera and its highest peak is at Wagagai standing at 4,321m.
Lies at 4127 m and is the highest peak in this park. The name is translated to mean “The Guide” in the local language. The top has a clear lake about 36 m wide and provides panoramic views into Rwanda and Uganda with amazing photographic moments. The hike takes about 8 hour’s round trip covering 12 km.
Mount Sabinyo lies at 3660 m with the second highest peak in the park. The name translated from the local language ‘Old Man’s Teeth’, because of the rugged summit divided by deep gorges. A climb up the mountain to the peak involves walking a ridge with striking drops into gorges in Rwanda and Uganda with the final hike having ladders. Once at the top you will be in Rwanda, the DR Congo, and Uganda at the same time. The journey takes about eight hours round-trip to cover the 14 km stretch.
Mount Gahinga lies at 3474 m a.s.l and is the smallest of the Virunga Volcanoes. The name translated from the local language means “Small Pile of Rocks”. A hike takes you about six hours round-trip, going through a pure Bamboo forest. Mt Gahinga once had a Crater Lake on top but it since transformed into a lush swamp.
