Mount Gahinga Hike | Uganda Virunga Volcano Adventure

Mount Gahinga is one of the eight Virunga massif volcanoes that stretch across Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. These mountains lie within three famous gorilla national parks: Virunga National Park, Volcanoes National Park, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Mount Gahinga is located in the southwestern part of Uganda, near the border with Rwanda. It lies between Mount Sabinyo and Mount Muhavura and rises to an elevation of 3,474 meters above sea level. At its summit is a large caldera, about 180 meters wide.

The name Gahinga comes from a local word meaning “a small pile of stones.” The mountain’s slopes are home to endangered mountain gorillas and are covered with bamboo and afro-montane vegetation.

The exact date of Mount Gahinga’s last eruption is not known, but it is believed to be the smallest of the eight Virunga volcanoes.

Mount Gahinga sits inside Mgahinga National Park, Uganda’s smallest national park, established in 1991. The park is home to 79 bird species and 39 mammal species, including mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, bushbucks, giant forest hogs, spotted hyenas, and duikers.

Hiking Mount Gahinga

The hike to Mount Gahinga takes about six hours and begins at Ntebeko. Along the way, you will encounter primates, birds, and other wildlife. At the top, there is a beautiful swamp, and from this point, you can enjoy clear views of the other Virunga volcanoes.

If you plan to hike Mount Gahinga, carry waterproof hiking boots, garden gloves, drinking water, insect repellent, energy snacks, sunglasses, raincoats, warm clothes, sunscreen, and other essentials. Porters are available to help carry your luggage for a small fee.

Mount Gahinga can be visited throughout the year, but the best time is from June to August and December to February, when the trails are dry and easier to hike.

Nature Walks

Nature-guided walks can be done around Mount Gahinga. You can walk to Rugezi Camp, where you will enjoy views of bamboo forests, farmlands, and the countryside. Along the trail, you may see different bird species and primates.

Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga National Park

A visit to Mount Gahinga is not complete without gorilla trekking. Mountain gorillas are closely related to humans, and meeting them in their natural habitat is a very special experience.

Mgahinga National Park is home to the Nyakagezi gorilla family, and only eight permits are available each day for trekking. A gorilla permit costs $700 per person per trek.

How to Get There

Mount Gahinga is about 510 kilometers from Kampala, Uganda’s capital, which takes 9–10 hours by road. You can also fly to Kisoro Airstrip from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield. Alternatively, travelers can fly into Rwanda and drive to the park, which takes about 4–5 hours.