Uganda is one of the best hiking countries in East Africa. Hiking in Uganda is a very popular activity for both international and local tourists.
There are many mountains in Uganda that tourists can hike, and these are spread all over the country. The best places to go hiking in Uganda are Mount Rwenzori, Mount Elgon and the Virunga Volcanoes in Mgahinga National Park.
With popular mountains like Rwenzori, Elgon, Muhabura, Sabinyo and Gahinga, hiking in Uganda is a rewarding activity. The dense vegetation on the mountain slopes, water sources, wildlife, and rock formations allow hikers to experience beyond a wildlife safari in Uganda.
Below, we look at the best places to go hiking in Uganda.
Here’s an overview:
Discover the Best Hiking Areas in Uganda
Rwenzori Mountains
Mt. Rwenzori is one of the most hiked mountains in Uganda. This is because it’s the highest in the country, rising up to 5109 meters above sea level.
Hikers from different parts of the world really want to hike Mount Rwenzori to get to the summit and be on top of Uganda since Margherita Peak is the highest point in the country.
Mount Rwenzori is located in the Mountain Rwenzori National Park on the border of Uganda and DR Congo. The mountain is shared by both countries, but Uganda takes the highest part of it. Hikers looking for the best places to hike in Uganda should try Mountain Rwenzori.
To hike Mt. Rwenzori, hikers need 8 to 9 days to complete the entire hike. The ascent to Margherita takes 6 days, while the descent takes 2 to 3 days, depending on the trail and the weather conditions.
Mountain Rwenzori has 6 peaks, including Mount Stanley, where Margherita, the highest peak in Uganda, is located, Mount Baker, Mount Speke, Mount Gessi, Mount Baker and Mount Luigi di Savoia.
While hiking to Margherita Peak, hikers get to see some of the mountains like Speke and Baker.
Mountain Elgon
Mountain Elgon is located in the eastern side of Uganda in Mbale district. The mountain is about 80 km wide and extends to the neighboring country of Kenya.
This mountain is the second highest in Uganda rising up to 4321 meters above sea level. The highest peak is called Wgagai and every hiker who successfully reaches it will be on the top of the second highest peak in Uganda.
Mount Elgon is located in Mount Elgon National Park, from which it takes its name. Tourists access the mountain by visiting the park, which is located on the eastern side.
To hike Mount Elgon, you just need to be fit enough, as the trails can be challenging. The Elgon trek takes 5 to 7 days to complete, and the time taken depends on the trail used.
Several trails on Mount Elgon, such as the Piswa Trail, Sipi Trail and Sasa Trail, can be used by tourists to reach the summit. Each trail has its advantages and challenges, but hikers eventually reach the summit.
Trekkers should know that trekking Mt. Elgon is not as difficult as trekking Mt. Rwenzori.
Virunga Mountains
Mgahinga National Park is not only a place for mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, but also for mountains.
The national park is home to three of the Virunga Mountains on different sides of the park. Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Gahinga and Mount Muhabura are the three mountains in Mgahinga National Park.
Tourists who are looking for the best places to hike can try these mountains of Mgahinga National Park.
Hiking these mountains can be done in one day which means that they are very easy to hike. The mountains are hiked by hikers who want a less challenging hike and those who have limited time on a safari.
Like any other mountain, hiking in Mgahinga National Park starts with a briefing by the park rangers. The activity is led by armed ranger guides and for hikers with excess luggage, porters are available for a small fee.
It takes:
- 6 hours to hike Mount Gahinga
- 7 hours to hike Muhabura
- 8 hours to hike Sabyinyo
Africa Adventure Vacations
This is the perfect spot for unforgettable African safaris that will blow your mind!
They’re a fantastic safari company located in Uganda that provides incredible tours. Whether you’re passionate about wildlife, culture, birding, luxury gorilla safaris, or hiking in Uganda, they have it all.
They can customize all their tours to match your travel tastes, budget, and timetable.
Get in touch with Africa Adventure Vacations by using the form below!
What is Hiking Like in Uganda?
On every mountain in Uganda, hiking starts with a briefing in the morning hours on the trails to be used.
There are service providers on each mountain who provide hikers with food, accommodation and porters during the hike.
At the start of the trek, each hiker is given a walking stick to help them keep their balance and negotiate difficult terrain.
Hiking in Uganda involves rangers whose job is to protect the hikers from anything that could be dangerous and also to guide them during the hike. Each day there is 6 to 8 hours of hiking on these mountains and the night is for resting.
As the hikers climb the mountain, they get a chance to see the attractions on the mountain and also the beautiful surroundings.
Is it Difficult to Hike in Uganda?
Hiking in Uganda is never as easy as people expect because each mountain has its own challenges due to the nature of the trails.
Hiking the Rwenzori is quite difficult compared to other mountains in Uganda because of the glaciers. The same mountain is not easy to hike because reaching the summit takes some good days like 6 or even 7 depending on the speed of the hikers.
Other mountains like Mount Elgon and the Virunga Volcanoes in Mgahinga National Park are not as challenging as the highest mountain in Uganda. They take a couple of days to hike and the trails are fairly easy.
For hikers who want to find hiking in Uganda easy, we usually advise them to start training at home for at least 3 to 4 months before traveling. Exercise can be done in the gym or hikers can walk up and down the hills in their home areas.
Exercise prepares the body for challenging hikes and walking through these difficult terrains will not be as hard as those who haven’t trained will feel.
Related read: How Fit Should You Be for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
When to Go Hiking in Uganda
Hikers can go hiking in Uganda at any time of the year, but the driest months of the year are the best time to visit.
Dry season
These months are June to September and December to February, when the country receives little rain and plenty of sunshine. The good weather in the mountainous areas keeps the trails dry and easy for hikers to traverse.
During the dry season months, the vegetation on the slopes of the mountains dries up and becomes short, giving tourists the opportunity to have a clear view of most of the attractions on the slopes and the mountain and surrounding areas.
Access to the mountainous areas during the dry season is easy because the roads are dry and passable.
Low season
Budget hikers and those who hate crowded places can visit Uganda to hike during the low season.
March to May and October to November are the months when the country receives heavy rainfall, and few people choose to travel.
Tourists should be prepared for muddy and slippery trails.
The rainy season promotes the growth of vegetation on the mountain’s slopes and in the surrounding areas, providing a clearer view of the park’s attractions.
Finally, during the rainy season, the roads leading to the mountains are muddy and slippery, which makes tourists travel for longer hours. But it’s also a bigger adventure and a unique experience.
When it comes to your hiking experience in Uganda, contact Africa Adventure Vacations:
