Mountain Hiking Uganda
Combine Wildlife Safari With The Mountain Hiking Experience
Mountain Hiking & Dramatic Wildlife of Uganda
Less crowdy, more private and scenically rewarding
The Pearl of Africa offers fantastic trekking opportunities to make your hiking and trekking trip a once-in-a-lifetime experience. While on a combined hiking, game drive, and walking safari, you will be up close and personal with the most remarkable wildlife and scenic landscapes on the continent.
Mt. Rwenzori, the fourth highest mountain in Africa, has peaks adorned with permanent glaciers. It provides an incredible array of snow-capped peaks right next to the equator. On the opposite side, Mt Elgon, bordering Kenya, offers fantastic scenery and is rich with culture, dense forests, and bamboo belts. The volcano is extinct with an enormous crater, surrounded by several jagged peaks. You will have the opportunity to explore ancient caves and zip past spectacular cliffs, with streams cascading and creating dramatic waterfalls.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Hike up to the snow-capped summits of Rwenzori Mountains, the highest point in Uganda, and see Africa from high above.
- Explore Mountain Elgon on the Uganda-Kenya border, which has the largest volcanic base in the world, and it is also the oldest and largest solitary volcanic mountain in East Africa.
- Hike the magnificent Virunga Volcanoes, Karisimbi (4,507m 14,790ft), Mikeno (4,437m 14,560ft), Muhabura (4,127m 13,540ft), Bisoke (3,711m 12,180ft), Sabyinyo (3,674m 12,050ft), Gahinga (3,474m 11,400ft), and Nyiragongo(3,470m 11,400ft). They all sit at the border of Rwanda, Uganda, DRC and meet the endangered inhabitants that occupy the mountain slopes.
- Hike into the protected jungles of Uganda’s rich forests and meet Mountain Gorillas, Chimpanzee troops, Golden Monkeys, and 14 other species of primates.
INCLUDED
- Transportation, local flights, and 4×4 vehicle transfers
- Accommodation and Meals as per itinerary
- English Speaking Guide
We will process the trekking permits on your behalf from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
Please carry a pack of N95 Facemask and hand sanitizer with you. You’ll be required to have a negative PCR COVID-19 test certificate issued within 72 hours of your arrival in the country, and keep your mask on when with animals and people crowds. You’re are requested to adhere to COVID Operating procedures to keep you safe during your trip.
Hiking Rwenzori Mountains
Highest of the six massifs is Mount Stanley elevated at 5,109 metres (16,762 ft))
Climbing Rwenzori Mountains Summits
Less crowdy, more private and scenically rewarding
Rwenzori is the highest peak in Uganda and the fourth highest in Africa. It consists of six massifs separated by deep gorges. The mountains that make up Rwenzori include Mount Stanley at 5,109 metres (16,762 ft), Mount Speke at 4,890 metres (16,040 ft), Mount Baker at 4,843 metres (15,889 ft), Mount Emin at 4,798 metres (15,741 ft), Mount Gessi at 4,715 metres (15,469 ft) and Mount Luigi di Savoia at 4,627 metres (15,180 ft) elevation.
When the peaks were first explored at the end of 1975 by Polish climbers, six separate massifs held glaciers on their flanks. Today, they are just three, with one of those having only tattered remnants of its earlier glaciation. The Rwenzori mountain peaks are not as shear or as individually spectacular as those seen in the Himalayas, the Andes, or even the Alps. However, there is something about the Rwenzori ranges: its perpetual mists, the wild plants that seem better suited for some otherworldly science fiction fantasy than anywhere that is actually real, the rime encrusted glaciers less than 50 kilometers from the equator, its long and fabled history or the few numbers of climbers that make this place one of the world’s greatest treasures. It was the place that I had wanted to visit above all others for many, many years.
The Ruwenzori mountains are known for their vegetation, ranging from tropical rainforest through alpine meadows to snow. The range supports its own species and varieties of giant groundsel and giant lobelia and even has a 6 m (20 ft) tall heather covered in moss that lives on one of its peaks. Rwenzori Mountains National Park is now a World Heritage Site. It is surrounded jointly by Rwenzori Mountains National Park in southwestern Uganda and the Virunga National Park in the eastern Congo.
The first traverse of the Ruwenzori’s six massifs was done in 1975, starting on 27 January and ending on 13 February. The summit climbing was done by Polish climbers Janusz Chalecki, Stanisław Cholewa, and Leszek Czarnecki, with Mirosław Kuraś accompanying them on the last half of the climb. Travelers follow different trails depending on their fitness level and the endpoint. The most commonly used Rwenzori hiking trails include; Central Circuit, which takes 8 days to Margherita (the longest), Muhoma Loop, which takes 3 days (the easier trail), Chimpanzee Trail, which takes one day; and Kilembe Trail, which also takes a single day
Mount Elgon Summit
The Highest Summit, Wagagai elevated at 4,321 metres (14,177 ft), in Uganda
Hiking Mount Elgon, Uganda
Less crowdy, more private and scenically rewarding
Mountain Elgon, named by the Maasai, Elgonyi, lies in eastern Uganda on the border with Kenya at 4321m, with its highest peak Wagagai situated on the Ugandan side. It was once the highest peak, but soil erosion reduced it and is now the 8th highest peak in Africa and the 4th in East Africa. Suam and Turkwel rivers tap the swamps on the caldera’s uneven floor.
The vegetation starts with the moorland zone, containing tree heaths, lobelias, and giant groundsels that extend down to 3,050 m, where bamboo forest than temperate deciduous forest cover it below an altitude of 2,550 m. The Bantu-speaking Gishu cultivators of coffee, bananas, millet, and maize occupy its western slopes.
Apart from climbing Mt. Elgon, one can enjoy the fascinating wildlife along the slopes, varied vegetation, water pools, falls, caves, community walks, and breathtaking scenery.
If interested in one of Nkuringo Walking Safaris’ Mount Elgon hiking challenges, pic one of the two major trails. Sasa trail or Budadiri trail, accessible from Mbale, is more direct to the peaks and goes through the bamboo forest. Piswa trail is more manageable to hike than the Sasa trail. Or take both hiking trails with the climb starting by ascending via the Sasa trail and then descend via the Piswa trail. This journey begins from Budadiri to the hiking trail that leads to Sasa River Camp, which may take approximately 2 hours. Climb to Sasa Patrol Hut for about two hours, then take a one-hour climb to Mude Cave campsite.
You may continue on a two-hour climb up to Jackson’s summit 4,192 m if you are a strong hiker. You then proceed to climb to Wagagai Peak (4,321 m). It takes approximately 4 hours. After some rest, return to Mude Cave for an overnight, then descend to the Caldera and hot springs and camp at the Hunter’s Cave. The hiking trail then heads to Piswa Patrol Hut. From there, connect to Kamnarkut and later trek to Kapchorwa, taking about 5-6 hours. You can also explorer the communities, visit the Sipi Falls, or conduct a coffee tour.
Virunga Mountains Chain
A total of 8 massifs on the border of Uganda, Rwanda & DRC
Hiking Virunga Volcano Mountains
Less crowdy, more private and scenically rewarding
The Virunga Mountains are a chain of volcanoes in Central & Eastern Africa, along the northern border of Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Uganda’s southwestern border. The Virunga Mountains range of eight volcanoes runs from east to central Africa, perpendicular to the Rift Valley in which Lakes Kivu (Rwanda) and Edward (Uganda) lie.
The Virunga Volcano Mountains include Mount Sabinyo 3,669 m (12,037 ft), Muhavura 4,127 m (13,540 ft), Gahinga 3,473 m (11,394 ft), Mikeno 4,437 m (14,557 ft), the active Mount Nyiragongo 3,470 m (11,380 ft), Nyamuragira 3,058 m (10,033 ft), Visoke 3,711 m (12,175 ft), and Mount Karisimbi 4,507 m (14,787 ft).
Uganda shares 3 of the Volcanoes offering excellent volcanoes hiking with lots of unique and rare wildlife that inhabit the slopes, for example, Mountain Gorillas, Golden Monkeys, endemic birds, and mountain vegetation. You can access the western volcanoes from Goma and Rutshuru in DRC, Kisoro in Uganda, and Ruhengeri and Gisenyi in Rwanda.
Rwanda hosts 5 of the 8 Virunga mountain volcanoes. The hiking Virunga volcano mountains adventures are accessible on each of the volcanoes apart from Mt Sabinyo, which has got so many craters proving difficult and dangerous to hike. However, it is easy to climb the Uganda side of Sabinyo since the terrain is accessible.
Trekking mountains Muhavura, Sabinyo, and Gahinga, is easier from Uganda. Visoke and Karisimbi are best climbed from Musanze, Rwanda. Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira are the youngest formed volcanoes and still active. Mikeno, Nyiragongo, and Nyamuragira are entirely in DRC, though you should reach them via Kigali, Rwanda’s capital.
Apart from Karisimbi and Mikeno, hikers can climb the other Virunga mountains on a single-day excursion. On Karisimbi, be sure to bring a tent and sleeping bag as the camping spot is at 3660m. On Mikeno, the Kabara hut at 3250m is no longer usable, so a tent is needed here. There are no reliable sources of drinking water despite all the rain.
Karamoja, Northeastern Uganda
Mount Moroto (3,083m), Mount Kadam(3,063m), Mount Morungole (2,749m)
Hiking in Karamoja Region
Less crowdy, more private and scenically rewarding
The Karamoja plateau is defined by a string of volcanic mountains starting from Mount Kadam (elevation 3,063m ), Mount Napak (elevation 2,538m), Mount Moroto (elevation 3,083m), and Mount Morungole (elevation 2,749m). The Karamoja Mountains are a great alternative to the more strenuous hikes on Rwenzori, Virunga, and Elgon, with a milder climate, lower elevation.
They require no special equipment or technical climbing experience. Our Karamoja hiking adventures are a mix of rich encounters with Uganda’s highland people, breathtaking views, and unique sights along the trails, and excellent campsites where you can enjoy the sunset, the stars, and sunrise over the planes of Karamoja.
Mount Moroto
Mount Moroto is the highest mountain in the Karamoja region, with the highest peak at 3,083m, and numerous other peaks. The mountain hike includes gigantic views over the valley’s endless plains from which the green majestic mountain ridges arise. You will explore this magical paradise with a bright and clear milky way.
Mount Kadam
Mountain Kadam is the second-highest volcanic mountain of the Karamoja region, with the highest peak at 3,063 meters. It is located just north of Mount Elgon, near the east border of Karamoja. Sailesh Kadam first climbed it.
It is home to many surrounding agricultural tribes living in small settlements, including Pokot, Karamojong, Gishu, Tepeth, Sebei, and the Kadama. You will enjoy front row seats of the sunset and sunrise and explore a high-altitude rain forest.
Mount Napak
Mount Napak is Karamoja’s third highest mountain at 2,538m. Known for its steepness and lush vegetation, Mount Napak is thought to be the most challenging mountain to climb.
Due to its unique location within the Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, you can see the Karamoja planes’ breathtaking views.
The Karamojong and Iteso people live at the fertile foot of the mountain because the mountain’s steepness makes it unfavorable for people to live on it.
Mount Morogule
Mount Morungole, also known as Ik-land, standing at 2750 meters, is located in Karamoja’s northern hills overlooking the park’s vast Kidepo and Narus plains. The unique, small tribe of Uganda, called the Ik tribe, lives here. The mountain hike could take you a full day from 7 am to 5 pm, where you will find stunningly beautiful breathtaking scenery the higher your climb.
The Kidepo and Narus rivers also cross the mountain. You may visit the traditional beekeepers to experience how they extract the honey from the community-owned beehives.
Narus Valley
Narus means muddy ground or soggy place in the Karamojong language. The natural terrain is defined by magnificent hills gently rolling towards the north setting of the Narus valley. The valley soils are sandy, and water does not easily seep through, thus retaining it and creating a permanent oasis for the Karamoja people who depend on it as a watering spot for their large herds of livestock.
The valley starts from Mt Morungole and traverses the Kidepo Valley National Park plains onto South Sudan. The vegetation cover provides a perfect beautiful African savanna with grasslands (guinea grass, thatching grass as dominant species), thorny acacias, sausage trees, desert dates, and other tree species scattered in all corners.
The valley has a clear game drive track like the Katurum track. The Katurum track is ideal for spotting lions, elephants, zebras, kudus, elephants, Uganda kob, Oryx, caracal, Bat-eared fox, hyenas, Cheetahs, giraffe, bushbucks, Jackson hartebeest, oribi, bush pig, side-striped jackals, warthogs, Reedbucks, waterbucks, Klipspringer, buffalo, the dik-dik, and many more. The Narus Dam and watering hole attract animals to quench their thirst in the hot scorching sun.
Namamukweny Valley
Namamukweny valley means a place with no birds, though the meaning of the word is not valid. Some bird species found here are Greenhood hoopoe, white-crested turaco, Abyssinian roller, and Eastern paradise whydah. The valley can be accessed on foot or by car when in Kidepo.
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Travel safely
Please make sure you have your facemask on when in contact with animals, especially the endangered creatures. Without a negative PCR Covid Test, you’ll not be allowed into the country. You’ll spend most of your time in open spaces away from human crowds, with that there’s minimal to no infections of the COVID virus.
Flexible booking terms
Your booking can be extended up to 12 months ahead with no extra fees, in case of any emergency (based on accommodation availability). Reservations are accepted after we receive a 30% deposit on the trip and the full payment for gorilla tracking and chimp tracking permits for each tour participant. For more details on our booking terms, please read our Terms and Conditions.