Mountain Climbing and Hiking Safaris in Uganda : Some greater experiences in Uganda require you to have some level of physical fitness because at some point during a safari, you may take a nature walk or a hiking expedition or possibly do a village walk and, in the process, you will have to overcome a hill or two. How physically fit are you prior to visiting Uganda? Well, most borders in Uganda with neighboring countries are either surrounded by a water body or a mountain or hill which are so exploration-wise so tempting and demandingly call for every visitor to go and visit them for instance Mountain Rwenzori; the highest block mountain in Africa, the Gahinga mountain; the place where the mountain gorillas and the rare species of golden monkeys call home, not forgetting Mount Elgon; the world’s largest mountain caldera. All these destinations provide an opportunity to hike. Much as the Uganda hiking Safari experience may not favour all kinds of visitors especially the elderly and very young ones, it is however one of the best activities which allows you to have a spectacular aerial view of the surrounding environment and also gives you a feel of being on a new planet. Generally, hiking will leave you wowed just like it did to the few visitors who have done it before.
There are limited tourists activities in Uganda that won’t challenge you to hike but some like Uganda gorilla trekking safaris in the two national parks of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park, nature walks, village walks, and several others which involve walking will force you to overcome at least an anthill or any other feature with a relatively higher altitude. There are several destinations where you can do this activity and few tour operators arrange them in Uganda. Jewel Safaris Limited will help you choose a destination that suits your hiking interests. Contact us through info@jewelsafaris.com to get a taste of overlapping mountain climbing/hiking experiences and much more as listed below.
Mountain Climbing in Rwenzori Mountains National Park.
Visitors intending to hike Mount Rwenzori should be ready to hike over 5000 meters above sea level, a hike which will take you a couple of days to get to the highest peak; Margherita. This mountain climbing or hiking activity is carried out in one of the ten national parks in Uganda which is also rich in wildlife, birds, and other key plant species conserved from the possible risk of depletion.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park is located in the western part of Uganda, at the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. The mountain climbing safari can be arranged to this park at any time of your choice. While on the move from the start point to the top of the mountain, consider having a light stomach, a light dressing is recommended, preferably cotton-made clothes, carry cotton gloves, cotton stockings, hiking boots, and waterproof jacket or coat because rain falls at any time. Also prior to the hiking date, consider doing some physical fitness maintaining routines like jogging to avert muscles pull incidences during the hike. After conquering climbing this mountain to the top, you will be left speechless by the unwavering beauty embedded on the top most part of Mountain Rwenzori National Park. The beauty at the top of the mountain is unmatched and a selfie taken up there feels like you are on another planet. Even before reaching the top, there are several attractions and resting points along the trails, you will come across peculiar birds and animals and the beauty of the view brought in by every new height conquered can not be described. You will go through different types of mountain vegetation that you could have never seen before. Make you’re your camera and phone batteries are fully charged so as not to miss any photographic moment. For more information about mountain climbing to the highest horst mountain in the African continent; Rwenzori Mountains which also doubles as national park, please contact us through info@jewelsafaris.com.
Elgon Mountain National Park
Mount Elgon National Park is located in the eastern part of the country, along with the Uganda – Kenyan border and was gazetted as a national park based on its natural endowments that needed to be conserved and guarded from the risk of misuse and eventually depletion. Mount Elgon National Park is where the world’s largest mountain caldera is found. Mountain climbing or hiking experience to its Wagagai peak is an unbeatable experience that will give you an opportunity to spot different animals, birds, vegetation types on your way to the top and when at the peak, you will be amazed by the beauty of Uganda. This will also avail you with an opportunity to be in two countries of Kenya and Uganda at the same time. Prior reaching to this mountain, you will go through the source of the Nile in Jinja, Mabira Forest Reserve, and several other enroute destinations before finally reaching Bamasaba land. The romantic Sipi falls is also adjacent to this national park so you may opt to reach there too and hike the three falls. For any additional information about the mountain climbing or hiking activity on Mount Elgon National Park, please let us know by sending your inquiries and bookings through info@jewelsafaris.com.
Mountain sabinyo, Muhavura and Gahinga.
These three mountains are found in the southwestern part of the country along the Uganda – Rwanda border with the highest being mount Muhavura; having the highest peak of 4,127 meters above sea level, followed by Mount Sabyinyo with an elevation of over 3,645 meters above sea level and finally Gahinga with 3,474 meters above sea level. Now you can see how there is a lot for you to climb/ hike once you are in the Pearl of Africa. All these mountains are located within the Virunga part which is shared by the three countries of Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda, implying that if you reached to the top of any of these mountains, you would definitely be in three countries without paying visa fees. What a privilege!
While on your way to the top of any of these mountains on a lucky day, you may encounter mountain gorillas searching for food and worry not as no Uganda Wildlife Authority official will ask for your gorilla trekking permit guaranteeing you to have time with gorillas since it’s just a coincidental encounter. Each of these mountains can be climbed in the day so get ready to explore them in three days and view the three countries from one point.
You can blend up the mountain climbing safari in Uganda by visiting the “Medley of Wonders” and view the big 5 animals, have a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel which joins Lake Edward to Lake George and is rich in bird and animal species. You can also visit the most vigorously flowing waterfalls in the region; the mighty Murchison falls in Murchison Falls National Park, Take a visit to trek chimpanzees in “The Primate Capital of the World”– Kibale National Park and be among the few that have been to the primate capital where half of the world population of chimpanzees are found or visit the gentle giants in the thick and forested Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and get an unbeatable thrill of one hour encounter with the mountain gorillas. If you did visit all the above three destinations and did hiking, you will be among the champions of the few who partially tried to explore half of Uganda’s beauty. Kindly contact us via info@jewelsafaris.com and we shall plan your hiking safari for the best experience. Welcome to East Africa!
