Uganda is blessed with a variety of attractions. Other than wildlife, Uganda also prides itself as home to numerous magnificent mountain ranges. This makes it one of the most visited for mountaineering destinations in Africa. Guests visiting Uganda for wildlife/game viewing combine wildlife tours or gorilla safaris with mountaineering or mountain hiking/climbing adventures to several mountains distributed throughout the country.
Mountains in Uganda
The Rwenzori Mountains
Mount Rwenzori is the most famous mountain range that makes Uganda a treasured mountaineering destination. Climbing through the Rwenzori Mountains is a lifetime opportunity to conquer its highest peak- Margherita which rises at an altitude of 5109m.
Unlike most mountains in Uganda, the Rwenzori Mountain ranges are block mountains with permanent snow-cap and glaciers. This is one factor that makes this mountain range unique regardless of being block mountains. It has 6 peaks/mountain ranges including Mount Stanley at 5109m, Mt. Speke 4890m, Mount Gessi 4715m, Mt. Baker 4843m, Mt. Luigi di Savoia 4627m and Mount Emin 4798m.
The Rwenzori Mountains also referred to as the Mountains of the Moon lie within the Rwenzori Mountains National Park in Western Uganda. These block mountain ranges straddle along the Uganda borders with the D.R. Congo. The Rwenzori Mountains Park is a designated UNESCO Site in Uganda and climbing/mountaineering tours are prime experiences adventures come to enjoy here.
To conquer the peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains, there are two designated routes to follow- the Southern circuit -the Kilembe trail, or the Central circuit. The Kilembe trail is most popular for its breathtaking views of the Rwenzori Mountains, the glaciers, and spectacular Lakes.
Mount Elgon
Lying in Eastern Uganda at the border with Kenya, Mt. Elgon is a remarkable volcanic mountain any enthusiastic adventure seeker shouldn’t miss exploring on Uganda safaris. This is an extinct volcano, rising tall at an altitude of 4321 and it is ranked as Africa’s 8th highest mountain. Wagagai peak is Mt. Elgon’s highest peak, and numerous trails leading to this volcano’s summits are also available. The splendid Mount Elgon National Park gets its from Mount Elgon, and at the base, there are two tribes also worth interacting with -Bagisu and Sabiny.
Other than Wagagai peak, Mount Elgon also has other peaks including Sudek peak (4302m), Masaba peak (4161m), and Mubiyi peak (4211m). On a hiking tour at Mt. Elgon, it is possible to explore other unique features such as calderas, caves, and more.
Mount Muhabura
Mount Muhabura/Muhavura is an extinct volcano lying at the border between Rwanda and Uganda. Rising at 4127m, Muhavura volcano is ranked 3rd highest of the 8 Virunga Massifs/Volcanoes. This is part of the volcano mountains found along the Albertine rift, the Western arm of the East African rift.
At the summit of Muhavura, there is a small Crater Lake. Unlike Nyiragongo, Muhabura volcano is believed to have experienced its last eruption in the Holocene era. It straddles the 2 parks in the Virunga Conservation Area- Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Southwestern Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in the Ruhengeri region. This volcano derives its name from the Kinyarwanda word – Muhabura translated as “The Guide.”
Muhabura Volcano is one of the hard-trek volcanoes, taking about one day for climbers to complete their hike to the summits. Hikes through Muhabura Volcano from the Uganda side is done at Mgahinga and in Rwanda at Volcanoes N. Park starting at Kinigi Visitor Center.
Mount Sabyinyo
Mt. Sabyinyo takes its name from the Kinyarwanda word -iryinyo” meaning “tooth.” This is an extinct volcano located in Eastern Africa within the Virunga Conservation Area. It is one of the oldest volcanoes and it lies Northeast of Lake Kivu and rises at an elevation up to 3669m. It is what marks the intersection border of 3 countries in the Virunga Region- Uganda, Congo, and Rwanda.
Gahinga Volcano
Gahinga Volcano (3474m) is a dormant volcano located within the Virunga Conservation Area (VCA), East Africa. It straddles on the border between Uganda and Rwanda. It is located between Mt. Sabyinyo and Muhabura volcano. It derives its name from the Kinyarwanda word Gahinga translated as “a small pile of stones.” Hiking to the top of Gahinga Volcano is possible on Uganda safaris in Mgahinga National Park.
Other mountains in Uganda
- Mount Moroto
- Mount Morungole
- Mount Kadam
- Mount Zulia
MOUNTAINS IN UGANDA
Uganda is blessed with a variety of attractions. Other than wildlife, Uganda also prides itself as home to numerous magnificent mountain ranges. This makes it one of the most visited for mountaineering destinations in Africa. Guests visiting Uganda for wildlife/game viewing combine wildlife tours or gorilla safaris with mountaineering or mountain hiking/climbing adventures to several mountains distributed throughout the country.
Mountains in Uganda
The Rwenzori Mountains
Mount Rwenzori is the most famous mountain range that makes Uganda a treasured mountaineering destination. Climbing through the Rwenzori Mountains is a lifetime opportunity to conquer its highest peak- Margherita which rises at an altitude of 5109m.
Unlike most mountains in Uganda, the Rwenzori Mountain ranges are block mountains with permanent snow-cap and glaciers. This is one factor that makes this mountain range unique regardless of being block mountains. It has 6 peaks/mountain ranges including Mount Stanley at 5109m, Mt. Speke 4890m, Mount Gessi 4715m, Mt. Baker 4843m, Mt. Luigi di Savoia 4627m and Mount Emin 4798m.
The Rwenzori Mountains also referred to as the Mountains of the Moon lie within the Rwenzori Mountains National Park in Western Uganda. These block mountain ranges straddle along the Uganda borders with the D.R. Congo. The Rwenzori Mountains Park is a designated UNESCO Site in Uganda and climbing/mountaineering tours are prime experiences adventures come to enjoy here.
To conquer the peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains, there are two designated routes to follow- the Southern circuit -the Kilembe trail, or the Central circuit. The Kilembe trail is most popular for its breathtaking views of the Rwenzori Mountains, the glaciers, and spectacular Lakes.
Mount Elgon
Lying in Eastern Uganda at the border with Kenya, Mt. Elgon is a remarkable volcanic mountain any enthusiastic adventure seeker shouldn’t miss exploring on Uganda safaris. This is an extinct volcano, rising tall at an altitude of 4321 and it is ranked as Africa’s 8th highest mountain. Wagagai peak is Mt. Elgon’s highest peak, and numerous trails leading to this volcano’s summits are also available. The splendid Mount Elgon National Park gets its from Mount Elgon, and at the base, there are two tribes also worth interacting with -Bagisu and Sabiny.
Other than Wagagai peak, Mount Elgon also has other peaks including Sudek peak (4302m), Masaba peak (4161m), and Mubiyi peak (4211m). On a hiking tour at Mt. Elgon, it is possible to explore other unique features such as calderas, caves, and more.
Mount Muhabura
Mount Muhabura/Muhavura is an extinct volcano lying at the border between Rwanda and Uganda. Rising at 4127m, Muhavura volcano is ranked 3rd highest of the 8 Virunga Massifs/Volcanoes. This is part of the volcano mountains found along the Albertine rift, the Western arm of the East African rift.
At the summit of Muhavura, there is a small Crater Lake. Unlike Nyiragongo, Muhabura volcano is believed to have experienced its last eruption in the Holocene era. It straddles the 2 parks in the Virunga Conservation Area- Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Southwestern Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in the Ruhengeri region. This volcano derives its name from the Kinyarwanda word – Muhabura translated as “The Guide.”
Muhabura Volcano is one of the hard-trek volcanoes, taking about one day for climbers to complete their hike to the summits. Hikes through Muhabura Volcano from the Uganda side is done at Mgahinga and in Rwanda at Volcanoes N. Park starting at Kinigi Visitor Center.
Mount Sabyinyo
Mt. Sabyinyo takes its name from the Kinyarwanda word -iryinyo” meaning “tooth.” This is an extinct volcano located in Eastern Africa within the Virunga Conservation Area. It is one of the oldest volcanoes and it lies Northeast of Lake Kivu and rises at an elevation up to 3669m. It is what marks the intersection border of 3 countries in the Virunga Region- Uganda, Congo, and Rwanda.
Gahinga Volcano
Gahinga Volcano (3474m) is a dormant volcano located within the Virunga Conservation Area (VCA), East Africa. It straddles on the border between Uganda and Rwanda. It is located between Mt. Sabyinyo and Muhabura volcano. It derives its name from the Kinyarwanda word Gahinga translated as “a small pile of stones.” Hiking to the top of Gahinga Volcano is possible on Uganda safaris in Mgahinga National Park.
Other mountains in Uganda
- Mount Moroto
- Mount Morungole
- Mount Kadam
- Mount Zulia
