Uganda Hiking Safaris & Mountaineering Excursions in Uganda
Apart from its reputation with mountain gorillas, the Pearl of Africa is an exceptional vacation spot to revel in Mountain hiking safaris tour excursions, and adventure with various mountains and volcanoes located in exclusive country corners. There are short and long Uganda hiking safaris tour excursions spots to meet your talent, health, and expectancies situated in international historical past sites including the Rwenzori Mountains countrywide Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and Mt Elgon countrywide Park. The mountain climbing spots praise hikers with dazzling perspectives of close-by groups, the natural world, and different community attractions.
The Rwenzori mountains, additionally called the “Mountains of the moon,” are observed along the border of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo during the Uganda Hiking Safaris. Rwenzori is the very best peak in Uganda and the 1/3 highest in the entire world. Mt. Stanley/ Margherita, the very best top, stands at 5109m and is also one of the best 3 on the continent with permanently snow-capped peaks, which often soften into rivers flowing to the lowland river Nyamwamba and River Mubuku. At the bottom of the mountain is Mount Rwenzori National Park, which was turned into a gazette in 1991, it offers the best Uganda Hiking Safaris. The Rwenzori assist an array of uncommon and endemic flora and fauna, tropical rainforests, lovely glaciers, beautiful waterfalls, rivers, and lakes.
Trending Uganda Mountain Hiking Safaris – Mountaineering Tours to Uganda
3 Days Mount Elgon Tour Uganda
This 3 Days Mount Elgon Tour Uganda takes you through Ssezibwa Falls for a culture of Uganda, a chance to see Mabira forest, pass via Jinja to explore the source of the river Nile before heading to the eastern region of Uganda.
4 Days Mount Elgon Hiking Safari Uganda
Mount Elgon is a 4,321m high extinct volcano that in prehistoric time stood taller than Mt. Kilimanjaro does today. Although the mountain straddles at the Kenya border on its loftiest peak, Wagagai lies within Uganda and is best ascended.
5 Days Uganda Mount Climbing Tour
5 Days Uganda Mount Climbing Tour – Mountain Elgon Hiking Safari in Mountain Elgon National Park. If you are searching for a satisfying climb that doesn’t require expert skills or equipment and is closer to home, look no further.
6 Days Hiking Mountain Elgon Tour
6 Days Hiking Mountain Elgon Tour Uganda to the peak of Mount Elgon, an extinct volcano in Eastern Uganda. Mount Elgon is a 4,321m high extinct volcano that in prehistoric times stood taller than Kilimanjaro does today.
6 Days Uganda Mountain Climbing Tour
The 6 Days Uganda Mountain Climbing Tour takes you to Mount Elgon national park, which is a prime trekking mountain in East Africa. Elgon is a huge volcano with the largest crater of the major peaks in Africa. The caldera.
7 Days Uganda Mountain Hiking Tour
Piswa is one of the less strenuous trails to opt for on a Mount Elgon hike of 7 Days Uganda Mountain Hiking Tour covering a distance of about 49km, starting from Kabwata gate at 2,190m on the far Eastside near Suam at the border.
On this 7 Days Eastern Uganda Tour you will go off the beaten track to explore the East! You will visit the source of the Nile in Jinja, participate in the adventurous whitewater rafting experience and have a go at quad biking.
8 Days Uganda Mountain Climbing Tour
8 Days Uganda Mountain Climbing Tour Trek to Mt Baker 4,860m Rwenzori Mountains Tour Uganda. Never before has this part of the park been developed or open to tourists, although it is often described in the guidebooks.
Where to go for Mountain Hiking Tours in Uganda – Mountaineering Excursions
Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Rwenzori Mountains National Park is a perfect destination for hikers to embark on challenging hiking/mountaineering adventure safari. The park is home to mystical Rwenzori Mountain ranges (Mountains of the Moon) and is situated in Western Uganda, close to the Congo border about 120kms South of Lake Albert and North of Lake Edward. Rwenzori Mountains National Park was designated as a national park in 1991 and in 1994, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This park is reachable about 5-6 hours from Kampala capital city.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park sits on an area of about 996sq.km, comprising mainly of mystical Rwenzori Mountain ranges-which consists of 6 peaks-the Margherita peaks at 5109meters on Mount Stanley; Mount Gessi, Emin, Luigi da Savoia; montane forest consisting of bamboo, hagenia, alpine moorland, and tree heath. This park straddles altitudes of 1700 and 5109 meters with Margherita peak being the highest peak. Read More Here
Wildlife in Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Over 70 mammal species thrive within Rwenzori Mountains National Park and they include among others the Angolan colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, blue monkeys, giant forest hogs, buffaloes, golden cats, elephants, black and white colobus monkeys, leopard although rarely spotted, bushbucks, duikers, Rwenzori otters.
Birdlife in Rwenzori Mountains National Park
About 217 distinct bird species can be identified on Uganda safari in Rwenzori Mountains National Park. They include 19 Albertine rift endemic species. The birds to identify on birding tour in this park include Lagden’s bush shrike, red faced woodland warblers, cinnamon chested bee-eater, golden winged sunbird, long eared owl, archer’s robin chat, Rwenzori turacos, white starred robin, slender billed starling, Shelley’s crimson wings, strange weavers, red throated alethe, Kivu ground thrush, montane masked and collared apalis, stripe breast tit, purple breasted sunbirds, western green tinkerbird, grey chested illadopsis, olive woodpeckers, red thighed sparrow hawk, oriole finch.
Other attractions in Mt. Rwenzori National park
There are over 20 scenic lakes are within Rwenzori Mountains National Park including Lake Mahoma which is the most reachable. Lake Bajuku is along the valley of Mount Stanley, Speke and Baker.
Activities to do in Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Mountaineering
What sets Rwenzori Mountains National Park apart from the rest of Uganda’s parks is its thrilling and lifechanging mountaineering experiences. Climbing Mount Rwenzori is by far the most exceptional safari experience offered to visitors in Rwenzori Mountains National Park. The 2 trails to hike to the summit of Rwenzori Mountain ranges include the Central circuit trail and Kilembe trail which is ascending trail on the Southern foothills of Rwenzori Mountains.
Bird watching
With over 217 distinct bird species, Rwenzori Mountains National Park is of no doubt an incredible birding safari destination visitor on Uganda safari should consider visiting. The birds to identify on birding tour in this park include red faced woodland warblers, cinnamon chested bee-eater, golden winged sunbird, long eared owl, archer’s robin chat, Rwenzori turacos, white starred robin, slender billed starling, Shelley’s crimson wings, strange weavers, red throated alethe, Kivu ground thrush, montane masked and collared apalis, stripe breast tit, purple breasted sunbirds, western green tinkerbird, grey chested illadopsis, olive woodpeckers, red thighed sparrow hawk.
Nature walks
Nature walks are an exceptional way to discover in and around Rwenzori Mountains National Park. The best spots to explore on nature walk in this park are Lake Muhooma via Buraro chimp forest, Karangura ridge then connect to Kichwamba Communities. You can also embark on guided forest walks via Ruhoni communities, proceed about 2300 meters which comes with amazing view of margherita peak. On guided nature walks, expect to see vervet monkeys, birds, chameleon to mention but a few.
Cultural encounters
Enhance your experience in Rwenzori Mountains National Park by embarking on cultural tour in Bakonzo community just at the base of Rwenzori Mountain ranges. On cultural tour, pay a visit to the traditional healer, basket weavers, black smith or enjoy stories as they are told by Bakonzo.
Best time to visit Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Visits to Rwenzori Mountains National Park can be done at any time of the year. However, the July, August and January, February are considered as the best months to visit this park.
How to access Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Rwenzori Mountains National Park can be accessed by road or by air. By road, it consists of a drive from Entebbe or Kampala through Fort Portal or through Mbarara. Alternatively, flight services are available from Entebbe Airport to Kasese airfield from where one connects to Rwenzori Mountains National Park.
In conclusion, for a thrilling adventurous safari experience in Uganda, a hike to Rwenzori Mountains National Park is truly a rewarding experience.
Hiking the Virunga Volcanoes – Uganda Hiking Safaris
Besides the Rwenzori Mountains, Uganda is also home to the Virunga Mountains – a series of dormant volcanoes that stretch on the borders of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Virunga Mountains are 8 in number bat Uganda host only three of them with the rest found in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Virunga volcanoes in Uganda include; Mount Muhabura (4,127 meters), Mount Sabinyo (3,645 meters), and Mount Gahinga (3,474 meters).
Mount Muhabura also the highest among the three standing at 4,127 meters is the most popular climbing & Hiking destination in the region – known for offering a moderate hike to its summit. Depending on the pace you will use, a hike to the summit of mount Muhabura can take about 6 to 8 hours. The trek to the summit of Muhabura takes you through different vegetation zones and terrain before reaching the summit – at the summit, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the surrounding valleys, forests, and nearby mountains.
The other place to explore is the Mount Sabinyo. Mount Sabinyo is also known for its unique “three-country summit” – making it also a popular hiking destination in Uganda. Mount Sabinyo is located at the intersection of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo – a climb to its summit offers a rare opportunity to witness the beauty of these three countries at once. Although Mount Sabinyo is not higher than Mount Muhabura, it is challenging to climb. A Hike to the summit of this mountain takes you through steep ascents and rocky ridges that require careful maneuvering. At the summit, you’ll be rewarded with the stunning views of the surrounding landscapes, including views of Lake Edward and other the Virunga Volcanoes.
Mount Elgon – Hiking Mount Elgon
Another great Mountaineering/Climbing & Hiking Destination in Uganda is Mount Elgon – located in the eastern side of the country, on the border between Uganda and Kenya. This mountain has the second-highest peak in Uganda making it a great destination for trekking and hiking adventures. Mount Elgon is known for its large caldera, unique geological features, and rich biodiversity. The highest point at Mount Elgon, Wagagai Peak stands at 4,321 meters (14,177 feet) – making it the second highest in Uganda & fourth highest in East Africa. A hike to the top of the mountain takes you through varied landscapes exploring from lush rainforests to high-altitude moorlands – with opportunities to uncover the mountain unique features of this mountain and wildlife.