Hiking Mount Muhabura
Hiking Mount Muhabura : Mount Muhabura is one of the three extinct volcano mountains found in Mgahinga gorilla national park which is the smallest protected area in Uganda. The national park is located in kisoro and it borders the Volcanoes National Park and Virunga National Park in the Democratic republic of Congo. Mount Muhabura is the steepest of the 8 Virunga mountains and the third highest after mount karisimbi and mount Mikeno.
The Extinct Mountain stands at an altitude of 4,127 meters above the sea level and part of the mountain is as well found in the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Muhabura is a local word that means the guide because it was used as a guide by many tourists.
The hike of mount Muhabura in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park starts early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations as well as expectations at the park headquarters. After the briefing, you will be allocated an experienced park guide, armed park rangers and drive to the trail head at the base of the mountain where you will start hiking in the forest and it takes 5 to 7 hours round trip depending on the level of fitness by the tourists. While on the trek, you will have stopovers as well as enjoy great views of animals, various bird species, primates, plants among others and once you reach the summit, you will be rewarded by the stunning views of the Crater Lake, other volcanic mountains, beautiful scenery, views of the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo among others
COST OF HIKING MOUNT MUHABURA
Hiking mountain muhabura in Mgahinga National Park costs 80 USD per person for foreign nonresidents, 70 USD per person for foreign residents and 50,000 UGX per person for East African citizens. The fee is per day and it includes park entrance fees and excludes tent and porter fees.
BEST TIME TO HIKE MOUNT MUHABURA
Hiking mountain Muhabura can be done all throughout the year though the best period is during the dry season in the months of June to September and December to February because during this time there is less rainfall within the park and thus the hiking trails are dry and passable compared to the rainy season when the hiking trails are muddy and slippery which makes it difficult to hike.
WHAT TO CARRY FOR YOUR MOUNTAIN HIKE
When going for mountain hiking experience in Mgahinga national park, there are a number of items that one should carry and these include hiking shoes, water proof rain jacket, energy giving foods and drinking water, first aid kit, garden gloves, walking stick, camera and extra batteries, a pair of binoculars, back pack among others. These item make the hiking experience the best and a memorable one.
Besides hiking Mount Muhabura, tourists can as well engage in other activities within the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park while on their safari such as gorilla trekking where one gets to spend an hour with the endangered mountain gorillas, golden monkey trekking, bird watching, batwa cultural trail experience and nature walks among others for a memorable and amazing safari.
