Climbing and Trekking
Do you want to do mountain climbing adventure in Uganda? The pearl of Africa is a best place to do mountaineering blessed with various mountains and volcanoes rewarding you with a memorable hiking experience. Though many have known Uganda for gorilla safaris, the experience goes beyond to mountain climbing in different corners of the country.
Regardless of your fitness, Uganda has both short and long hiking spots to meet you expectations. Interestingly, Uganda’s popular volcanoes/ mountains are situated in national parks such as Rwenzori national park, Mt Elgon national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park. This is an added advantage for travelers to encounter various wild animals such as Gorilla in Mgahinga among others in other national parks.
Packing List
You must have a right packing list if your mountaineering experience is to be enjoyable and successful. Ensure to carry hiking boots for stepping on slippery surfaces and lose rocks. More still remember to carry enough drinking water and energy giving snacks to keep you strong in the hiking process.
If you have a long hike such as Mount Rwenzori, carry a safe sleeping bas, warm jackets and sweaters to deal with the night coldness. Conclusively therefore, the pearl of Africa is the best place for mountain climbing. Be part of a Uganda safari, hike any volcano and you will enjoy a memorable mountaineering experience.
The summit of each mountain/ Volcano reward travelers with spectacular views of nearby communities, wildlife and other attractions in the neighborhood. Uganda’s popular mountaineering spots include:
Mount Rwenzori
Also known as the “Mountains of the moon”, Rwenzori is the highest peak in Uganda and the third highest in the whole world. Mount Rwenzori is situated in Kasese district on the borders of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Hiking to the summit of mount Rwenzori is a long trek which last for roughly 8 days to reach Margerita the highest peak standing at an altitude of 5,109 meters above the sea level.
At the summit of Mount Rwenzori is a permanent snow, which often melts into various, rives flowing to the lowland areas such as river Nyamwamba and River Mubuku. Interestingly, various ranges have been formed which together form the Rwenzori chain of mountains. At the base of the mountain is Mount Rwenzori national park covered with tropical rain forests and a home to various animals.
Mount Elgon
Situated in the eastern Uganda in the borders of Uganda and Kenya, Mt Elgon is yet another interesting mountain to hike. The mountain stands at 4321m above sea level and is the 8th highest peak in Africa yet the 4th highest in East Africa. Mt Elgon was at once one of Africa’s highest peaks but the continuous erosions have reduced its height to its current.
Wagagai is the highest peak of Mount Elgon whose summit shelters the world’s largest caldera measuring approximately 50 by 80 kilometers. Being a national park, Mt Elgon is a home to a variety of animals such as Elephants, forest monkeys, Buffalos and other small antelopes among others. An encounter with these animals is an added advantage for the hikers. On the slopes are caves of different sizes, waterfalls and various water polls among others.
Virunga Volcanoes
These are three conical extinct volcanic mountains in Mgahinga gorilla national park sharing borders with the neighboring Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. They are part of the 8 volcanoes, which make up a chain of the Virunga volcanoes. Mont Muhabura is the highest peak standing at 4,127 meters above sea level, which take roughly 5 hours to reach the summit.
Also known as mount Muhabura translated as “guide” in Kinyarwanda, the volcano is the third highest after karisimbi in Rwanda and Mikeno in the Democratic Republic of Congo. At the summit is a crater lake surrounded by a swamp rewarding you with spectacular views of adjacent karisimbi and Mikeno.
Mount Sabinyo is shared in the borders of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Much as the three countries share it, Mount Sabyinyo is best hiked from Uganda. The rugged terrain and the many crater lakes on the sides of Rwanda and Congo make it difficulty to hike in these countries. The volcano has three peaks one in Uganda and the other two in Rwanda and DRCongo respectively but hiking to the summit is difficult. The name Sabyinyo is a Kinyarwanda word translated as “old man’s teeth” due to the shape of the peak in form of three spaced teeth of an old man. The slopes of the mountain are covered in the alpine forest a home to famous golden monkeys providing travelers with a chance to see these endangered species and other wildlife tat inhabit there.
Sipi Falls
Situated in kapchorwa district Eastern Uganda just in the foothills of Mount Elgon, Sipi falls is worth hiking. The fall is a composition of three stunning waterfalls, which originate from the hot springs at the summit of Mount Elgon in the border of Uganda and Kenya. Sipi falls fall roughly 85 meters over the cliff continuing with its course through farmlands and local communities over small rocks to form rapids.
The second waterfall is formed after the first fall plunges 65 meters over a big cliff forming a natural shower. Behind the fall is a man made cave in which travelers always take photos as well enjoying the cool breezes from the falls as they appreciate the beauty nature offers. The tops of Sipi falls provide travelers with spectacular views of the nearby communities and wildlife in Mt Elgon national park.