4 Day Uganda Gorilla Tracking and Volcano Hiking Safari

Overview

This 4 Day Gorilla Tracking and Volcano Hiking Tour Uganda is a great opportunity to combine an unforgettable encounter with Uganda’s Mountain Gorillas at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park with an exciting hike to the top of one of the Virunga Volcanoes.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located right at the border to Rwanda and part of the Virunga National Park situated between Rwanda, DRC, and Uganda. The small Mgahinga park is home to one big habituated gorilla family that is known to have three silverbacks as well as infants, which makes the gorilla tracking experience an absolutely fascinating experience. Last year in October the family received twin babies which is an extremely rare incident under mountain gorillas.

To make your tour to southern Uganda a real adventure, we combine the gorilla tracking with a hike up to one of the Virunga Volcanoes located on the Ugandan side.

The Virunga Volcanoes consist of eight volcanoes, all situated across the border of Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In Uganda, you can find Mt. Muhavura, Mt. Gahinga, and Mt. Sabinyo.

Mt. Muhavura (4,127 m) is the highest volcano of the Virunga Volcano Range. The cone-shaped volcano rises above its two brothers (Mt. Sabyinyo and Mt. Gahinga) and provides some of the best views of the country, including the Virunga Volcanoes, Lake Edward, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and the peaks of the Rwenzoris. On top of the volcano, we will find a 40 meters wide clear crater lake.

Mt. Gahinga (3,474m) is the lowest of the three Virunga volcanoes on the Ugandan side and is the one after the national park is named. On top, there is a swamp-filled crater covered with giant lobelia, scenario, and other plants – indeed, a beautiful sight. The environment of Mt. Gahinga is quite different compared to the other volcanoes in the park. It’s also the easiest to climb since it does not include as many ladders to scale as e.g. Mt. Sabyinyo.

Mt. Sabyinyo is also called: the old man’s teeth because of its untypical volcano shape which includes three peaks. Its special character is the location right at the border between Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. The hike is a real adventure, as trekkers have to climb the wooden ladder as they venture further up and reach all three peaks. Wooden stairs lead you to the first peak (3,380m), where we can look down to Rwanda. As you continue climbing to the second peak (3,540m), you will be walking on a sharp ridge with breathtaking drops into the gorges in Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC, before finally reaching the third and highest peak (3,669m). Once we reached the top, on a clear day, we can admire the views of all three countries and step into Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC and back without any visa required. Note: this volcano is the most challenging to climb and good physical condition is required.

This 4 day Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Volcano Hike Safari offers you exceptional experiences that are with distinct activities in the adrenaline capital of the world.

Safari Summary

  • Day 1: Transfer from Kampala/Entebbe to Southern Uganda with a Stopover at the Equator Line & Lunch En-route
  • Day 2: Gorilla Tracking at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
  • Day 3: Full-day Volcano Hiking: Hike one of the three Virunga Volcanoes on the Ugandan Side - Mt. Muhavura, Mt. Gahinga or Mt. Sabinyo
  • Day 4: Transfer from Southern Uganda back to Kampala/Entebbe

Itinerary

After your arrival at Entebbe Airport, you will meet our experienced Safari guide who will transfer you to Kisoro District in southern Uganda, where you will stay the next couple of days. Starting in Entebbe, it is a long but very interesting drive passing several big towns, small villages, fields, and plantations observing the daily life of Uganda's local communities. On the way, we shall make a stopover at the equator line for a photo. Once we reached the accommodation, we have time to relax and get ready to start our adventure on the following day.

Our Accommodation options for this 4 Day safari depend on your package type preference, We are happy to recommend top-notch lodging upon inquiry

Today we will have the amazing opportunity to observe the gorgeous scenery of Uganda's tropical rainforest and experience a breathtaking encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas. Today's schedule will take us to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, part of the Virunga National Park located between Rwanda, DRC, and Uganda. The small Mgahinga park is home to one big habituated gorilla family, that is known to have 3 silverbacks as well as infants. Last year in October a very rare incident happened, as the family received twin babies, which are knowledgeable about one year old. After an early breakfast, we will be heading to the briefing point, where we will meet the ranger guide. The time is taken to trek the gorilla family depends on their location, but once we have reached them, we have an hour's time to observe and admire these gentle giants - a surely fascinating experience. Afterward, we will return to the starting point and drive back to our accommodation where we can relax for the rest of the afternoon.

Today you shall summit one of the 3 Virunga Volcanoes on the Ugandan Side. You have the choice between Mt. Muhavura (4,127 m), Mt. Gahinga (3,474 m) and Mt. Sabinyo (3,669 m).
Mt. Muhavura (4,127 m) is the highest volcano of the Virunga Volcano Range. The cone-shaped volcano rises above its two brothers (Mt. Sabyinyo and Mt. Gahinga) and provides some of the best views of the country, including the Virunga Volcanoes, Lake Edward, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and the peaks of the Rwenzoris. On top of the volcano, we will find a 40 meters wide clear crater lake. In about 8 to 10 hours you shall ascend and descendd the volcano.
Mt. Gahinga (3,474 m) is the lowest of the three Virunga volcanoes on the Ugandan side and is the one after the national park is named. The climb first takes us past all kinds of vegetation including a long stretch of bamboo forest before we reach the slopes of the volcano. On top, there is a swamp-filled crater covered with giant lobelia, sencio, and other plants - indeed, a beautiful sight. The environment of Mt. Gahinga is quite different compared to the other volcanoes in the park. It's also the easiest to climb since it does not include as many ladders to scale as e.g. Mt. Sabyinyo. In about 6 to 8 hours you shall ascend and descend the volcano.
Mt. Sabyinyo is also called 'old man's teeth' because of its untypical volcano shape which includes three peaks and is located right at the border between Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. As you climb up to the first peak, you shall pass various vegetation zones. You will also have to climb several ladders as you venture further up. Wooden stairs lead you to the first peak (3,380 m), where you can look down to Rwanda. As you continue climbing to the second peak (3,540 m), you shall walk on a sharp ridge with breathtaking drops into the gorges in Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC, before you finally reach the third and highest peak (3,669 m). Once we reached the top, on a clear day, we can admire the views of all three countries and step into Rwanda, DRC, Uganda, and back without any visa required. Note: this volcano is the most challenging to climb and good physical condition is required.
Once we have descended, we will return to our accommodation in Kisoro, where we can enjoy a well-deserved cold Club or Nile beer.

After an exciting 4-day adventure in southern Uganda, encountering the endangered mountain gorillas at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and summiting one of Uganda's amazing volcanoes, it's now time to leave Kisoro district. Your guide will transfer you back to Kampala or Entebbe Airport for Your departure.

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