Hiking volcanic mountains in Mgahinga National Park.

Hiking volcanic mountains in Mgahinga National Park-The Virunga Volcanoes are a chain of volcanic Mountains in East Africa where Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Uganda meet, there are total of 7 volcanoes in what is termed as the Virunga volcanoes they form part of the Virunga Ranges.

Day trips depart from the Mgahinga park headquarters to conquer the summit of these dormant volcanoes.

Volcanoes in East Africa are primarily formed due to the East African Rift Valley, a zone of intense tectonic activity where the Earth’s crust is splitting apart. This process, driven by plate tectonics, causes the Earth’s crust to thin and magma from the Earth’s mantle rises to the surface, erupting as volcanoes. 

The Volcanoes.

Mount Muhavura Volcano.

Mount Muhabura, also known as Mount Muhavura, is an inactive volcano in the Virunga Mountains on the Rwanda-Uganda border. At 4,127 meters

Mount Sabyinyo Volcano.

Mount Sabyinyo is an extinct volcano in eastern Africa in the Virunga Mountains. Mount Sabyinyo is the oldest volcano of the range. It is north-east of Lake Kivu at an elevation of 3,669 meters

Mount Gahinga Volcano.

Mount Gahinga is a dormant/extinct volcano in the Virunga Mountains on the Rwanda-Uganda border. Gahinga lies between Muhabura and Sabyinyo, but is the smallest of these three volcanoes at an elevation of 3,474 meters.

Best time to hike Virunga volcanoes in Uganda.

The best time to hike the Virunga volcanoes in Uganda, particularly Mount Muhavura, Mount Gahinga and Sabyinyo, is during the dry seasons, which are generally from June to September and December to February. When the trails are drier making the hike more easier, and there’s less chance of encountering rainy weather conditions. 

Volcano hiking Permits:

The volcano hiking permit for Virunga Volcanoes, specifically Mount Muhavura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo, costs between 100$-300$ for a day’s hike and includes park entrance fees.

Other Activities:

• Mountain Gorilla Trekking
• Golden Monkey Trekking
• Birding for Albertine Rift Endemics
• Batwa Trail Experience