Mount Muhabura

Mount Muhabura (Mt. Muhavura) is one of the 8 Virunga Volcanoes (Mountain Massifs) where volcano hikes can be conducted on Uganda safaris or Rwanda tour. Muhavura Volcano is an extinct Virunga Mountain and is lying on the border area between Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Muhavura Volcano is at a height of 4127 meters and is the 3rd highest of the 8 Virunga Volcanoes. Mount Muhabura forms part of the Albertine Rift –the western branch of the East African Rift. Muhabura Volcano summits features a scenic smaller Crater Lake. It is believed to have erupted around the Holocene period although the exact date is not known.

Mount Muhabura is part of the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. It takes its name from Muhabura, a Kinyarwanda word translated as the ‘Guide.’

Mount Muhabura Quick Facts

• Height: 4127m
• Mountain Type: Stratovolcano
• Eruption: Holocene period

Muhabura Volcano Hiking & Climbing

Mount Muhabura hike involves conquering the 4127-meter summits and the beauty about it is that you can hike it on the Ugandan or Rwanda side. Muhabura Volcano features a cone-like shape and volcanic ash plus other related materials which exist along its slopes or foothills. Muhabura Volcanic ash supports the growth of thickets and shrubs along the slopes.

The scenic Kabiranyuma River or Swamp is what separates Mount Muhabura from Mt. Gahinga. Muhabura Volcano is strategically located in protected areas where other faunal and avifaunal species thrive including elephants, mountain gorillas, and buffaloes.

Mt. Muhabura climbing adventure involves conquering the steep slopes with an expert. The hike to the summit of Mt. Muhabura starts with a briefing by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). The briefing is done at Ntebeko where the park official will take climbers/hikers on guidelines to follow during their trek to the summits of Mt. Muhabura.

Climbers with an interest in conquering the Muhabura Volcano in Rwanda can assemble at Kinigi for briefing. Overall, the briefing begins around 7:00 am and climbers can spend about 5 to 7 hours to have a round climbing adventure.

Location of Mount Muhabura in Uganda and Rwanda

There are only two places to explore Mount Muhabura on Uganda safari or Rwanda safari. In Uganda, Muhabura is found in the southwestern part of the country specifically in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. At Mgahinga National Park, Muhabura features on the list of the park’s 3 Virunga Volcanoes. Besides Muhabura, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park also protects volcanoes like Gahinga and Sabyinyo Volcanoes.

In Rwanda, Muhabura Volcano is lying in Volcanoes National Park Ruhengeri.

What to take for Mount Muhabura climbing adventure

Essentials to take for your Mt. Muhabura Volcano hike include adequate bottled drinking water, waterproof hiking boots, a pack of lunch or energy-giving snacks, comfortable clothes, and a walking stick. You may also need insect repellent, a daypack, a camera, and a first aid kit.

Cost of Mount Muhabura hiking

Mountain climbing in Mgahinga National Park cost USD 100 per person. The cost of hiking Muhabura covers guide fees and the climbing experience. You can cater for the cost of hiring the porter and other additional expenses.

The best time to travel to explore Mount Muhabura

Mount Muhabura can be visited at any time of the year but the most preferred period is during the peak dry season. The peak dry season is experienced from June to September then December to February as per the Ugandan travel calendar. Visiting Mgahinga Gorilla National Park to explore Muhabura Volcano around these months guarantees climbers memorable hiking expeditions with less disruption from the muddy or slippery steep slopes.

Where to stay

The available lodges and camps to consider for overnight stays after or before hiking Muhabura Volcano range from budget to luxury. The leading accommodation options to book include Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp, Traveler’s Rest Hotel, Mount Gahinga Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Mutanda Lake Resort, and others.

How to get there

Mount Muhabura is accessible by road and air. By road transportation, you can easily drive from Kampala or Entebbe through Masaka-Mbarara to Kabale/Kisoro. From Kampala to Mgahinga National Park where Mount Muhabura is found takes about 9-10 hours’ drive.

Visitors can also drive from Kigali which is 4-5 hours away to Mgahinga National Park. Driving to Muhabura Volcano involves crossing the border area of Chanika border area and by air, you can take a flight from Entebbe Airport to Kisoro Airfield.

Other Activities to do

Birding

Bird watching is one of the exciting experiences that await you on a tour in Mgahinga National Park. During the birding tour in Mgahinga, expect to come across bird species such as the black kite, African paradise flycatchers, yellow-billed kite, Double-collared sunbird, grey-capped warblers, speckled mouse bird, Malachite sunbird, Alpine chat, Hadada ibis, and pin-tailed whydah, etc.

Golden monkey tracking

Golden monkey trekking involves unearthing in depth about the distinct behaviors of golden monkeys in their natural habitat. The trek to explore golden monkeys can begin from the Ntebeko region and expect to spend about 2-4 hours which include an hour for up close and personal encounters with golden monkeys.

Batwa trail experience

The Batwa trail experience offers a thrilling Batwa cultural encounter. Visitors on Batwa cultural tour embark on a journey to interact with the Batwa pygmies, the ancient occupants of the Bwindi and Mgahinga forest. The Batwa were evicted to allow the establishment of Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi in 1991. Today, they are among the marginalized groups living adjacent to the two gorilla trekking parks in Uganda.

Cave exploration

Cave excursions can be enjoyed in Mgahinga and involves exploring caves such as Garama Cave. The Garama caves are among the oldest caves and hold a unique history. They are 342 meters beneath the plateau located on the northern side of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The caves are about 3 km away from Ntebeko.

On Rwandan side, you can conquer the Musanze caves located adjacent to Volcanoes National Park. Rwanda caving expeditions can be combined with volcano climbing adventures.