Mountain Muhabura Hike is done in Mgahinga National Park, the mountain is a part of the 8 series of the Virunga volcanoes, shared between Rwanda and Uganda. The hike is done in either Uganda or Rwandan side depending on where the guest is coming from. On the Ugandan side, Muhabura is in the smallest of national parks of the country, it is tucked in the southwestern corner of Uganda between Rwanda and some parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The conservation area is not only for the mountain gorillas and golden monkeys but also for the dormant volcanoes naturally placed in the national park. The name Mountain “Muhabura” locally means the guide, the Batwa community used to look for this mountain to help them navigate through the forest, it is the third highest mountain of the volcanoes standing 4127 meters above sea level and highest in the Mgahinga national park, it is one of the best challenges to take on while on your Ugandan safari.
Mountain Muhabura Hike is a not-so-easy hike, it requires physical fitness to be able to make it to the summit, it is a challenging course taken by many travellers, Muhabura can be hiked for 5-6 days to reach the summit when thinking of hiking the mountain, it is important to have proper hiking gears, like proper waterproof hiking boots, hand gloves, waterproof covers for phones and cameras, long-sleeved shirts and trousers, backpacks, walking stick and any other items of personal nature mostly supplies like water, food and navigating maps.
The walks are led by an experienced guide from the Uganda Wildlife Authority beginning at the park headquarters in the Ntebeko visitor centre through the well-distributed trails, the hike usually begins at 7:00 am East African time, along the walk you will have brief stops to catch your breath snack and proceed, one has to reach the top in one day, if hikers get tired before reaching they return downhill for safety reasons. The differed vegetation rotation is so beautiful ranging from the local farmland, moving upwards to the lobelias, flowers, and amazing undergrowth, the hike gets steeper as you go higher on a clear day you will see the beautiful views of Lake Bunyonyi and the other side of Rwanda. During the walk, you will be able to see animals like mountain duikers, forest elephants, and giant forest hogs to mention a few, and a variety of bird species some of which are endemics to the Albertine Rift Valley region.
Hiking Mountain Muhabura is a demanding activity that requires one to prepare for it both physically and mentally to be able to do the steep climb, hikers are driven to the starting point to begin the activity, and some of the hikers have difficulty reaching the first top, it is at this point where you decide on whether to return of proceed because, by the time you reach the second hut, there is no turning back, as the summit is so close. Upon reaching the top you will be rewarded with excellent views of the surrounding environment including other series like Nyirangogo, Sabinyo, and Ghahinga.
Hikes in Mgahinga National Park are paid to the Uganda Wildlife Authority $80 for foreign nonresidents and $70 for Foreign residents, the park can be accessed from both sides in Uganda it takes 9 hours to drive to the conservation area while in Rwanda 6 hours drive to the national park.