The northern border of Rwanda, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo are the three countries that share eight volcanic mountain ranges nicknamed the Virunga massif. They are also known as Mufumbiro ranges. This mountain collection is a blessing to the countries where they are located, as they highly support the lives of endangered mountain gorillas that dwell on their slopes. Most of the mountains in this chain are dormant, apart from Mount. Nyamuragira and Mount. Nyiragongo situated in eastern D.R. Congo and last erupted in 2021.
These volcanoes were named after their geographical appearance like Mount. Sabyinyo which is named old man’s teeth due to its three peaks that are arranged as teeth in a jawline. Uganda is blessed by taking a bird’s eye view to glance at all the 8 volcanoes on the Kanaba gap along Kisoro-Kabale Road.
- Mountain Karisimbi.
This is a stratovolcano mountain that was formed by the volcanic eruption to raise above them all up to a stand of 4507m. This is the highest of all the eight volcanoes and it straddles between the country of a thousand hills and DR. Congo. In Rwanda, the mountain is found in one of the famous parks – Volcanoes National Park. The word Karisimbi means white shell in Kinyarwanda because the mountain is snow-capped during the dry season.
Hiking Mountain Karisimbi.
Hiking Mountain Karisimbi is an adventurous activity that takes two days. This provides an opportunity for hikers to spend a night in the space of wondrous wilderness. Hiking this mountain starts at 8:00am in the morning and takes around 5-10 to reach the summit depending on the fitness level of hikers.
Permits for hiking this mountain can be obtained three days in advance through a tour company. Each permit costs $400 for a single hiker and $350 for two or more hikers. The fee excludes other services like food, hiking equipment and porters.
This mountain surprises hikers with the two craters that are found on its summit –Mutanga and Branca Calderas.
The peak mount. Karisimbi is covered by snow during dry season therefore the value of the two hike journeys to the summit is achieved because visitors get to spot snow on the summit of this mountain.
Tourists embarking on this hike get a chance of spotting Dian Fossey grave and learn more about the wonderful activities she engaged in to protect the lives of mountain gorillas.
Visitors can spot a variety of wildlife species like golden monkeys and on a lucky day one can even meet a group of mountain gorillas.
- Mountain Mikeno in D.R. Congo.
This is the second highest mountain of all Virunga volcanoes and raises up to 4,437m high to the sky, making it the highest mountain in DR. Congo and 13th highest in Africa. Its magma went out because it last erupted in the Pleistocene era. The mountain is found in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and it entirely rests in Virunga national park. The slopes of this mountain offer comfort to the endangered mountain gorillas however not friendly for human habitation.
Hiking mountain Mikeno.
Traveler eager about challenging hikes should thirst hiking this mountain because it is considered among all the other mountains witnessed from the name it was given. A hike to this mountain takes two days and roughly 8 hours for hikers to reach the first camp for overnight stay.
The hike sets off from Bukima patrol post to Kabara campsite and a hike to the summit is done on the following day.
The mountain offers tourists with spectacular views of a lava lake that is found at its peak. Hikers also get bird’s eye view of the entire amazing great western rift valley, perfect to take endless photography of the epic scenery.
Travelers also chance sighting incredible views of wildlife like mountain gorillas, the lush green vegetation zones, massive coffee plantations and glittering waterfalls among others.
- Muhabura – Rwanda and Uganda.
Muhabura mountain is as dull as ditchwater because it is a dormant volcano with its last eruption occurring in the Holocene period. Also referred to as Mount. Muhavura in Rwanda, this mountain sprawls between the Pearl of Africa and the country of a thousand hills.
Standing at 4,127m above sea level, it is the third highest mountain among all eight mountains that compose Virunga massif. Muhabura simply means the guide because travelers in the ancient times used this mountain and followed it for guidance during their expeditions. There is no exact period in which the mountain last erupted but it’s assumed to have last erupted in the Holocene period.
Hiking Muhabura mountain.
Hiking this mountain in Uganda starts from Mgahinga national park from Ntebeko ranger station and from Rwanda’s Volcanoes national park from Kinigi. The whole process starts as early as 7:00am and visitors are given briefing about the activity they are going to engage in, grouped and assigned to different professional guides.
Hiking Muhabura is a one-day activity that takes 7-9 hours of trekking up and descending back but the award of completing this activity is a life time memory. Hiking this mountain in Uganda costs $80 and $90 in Rwanda.
The active volcanic eruptions from ancient years left a marvelous cone like shape that has volcanic ash in it. This provides stunning views since this can’t be met anywhere else on other mountains.
The mountain is beautified by a crater lake that is found at its summit hence tourists get gratifying views of twinkling waters at its peak.
- Bisoke.
The western branch of Eastern Rift valley boasts Mountain Bisoke also called Visoke that straddles between Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo and brags towering 3696m above sea level.
Straddling between Virunga national park and Volcanoes national park, the mountain is entirely found in Rwanda hence trekking this mountain ensues in the country of thousand hills. It is an active volcano with its last eruption happening in 1957. Bisoke means soaked with water and this mountain obtained this name after the two crater lakes that it possesses.
Hiking Bisoke mountain.
Hiking Bisoke mountain is demanding just as any other hike but manageable by even less experienced hikers. The starting point of the hike is in Kinigi where hikers set out to hit the harsh landscape through ragged vegetation, lush plantations among others.
Hiking Bisoke mountain is an adventure that lasts over 6 hours ascending to the summit and two hours descending to the park headquarters hence it’s a 1 – day expedition. It costs $75 dollars per person to undertake this hike.
Volcanic eruption that happened on Bisoke mountain awoke the waters underneath creating two awe-inspiring crater lakes that are the main attractions to this mountain.
There are a variety of notable wildlife that can be spotted while hiking like mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, monkeys among others.
- Sabyinyo.
This sky-shooting mountain happens to be in the trio countries that are globally known for habiting the threatened mountain gorillas. With the height of 3669m and is also a stratovolcano with its last eruptions happening in the Pleistocene era hence its volcanic activities are as dead as a dodo. The Sabyinyo name was picked from the Kinyarwanda word called Iryinyo meaning tooth because the summit has serrated summits that appear as teeth in a jawline.
Hiking Mount. Sabyinyo.
The best hiking adventures from this mountain can only be met with in Uganda because there are no hiking trails created in the ridges on the Rwanda and DR. Congo sides. As early as 8:00am the tourists are ready at the headquarters of Mgahinga in a briefing prior the heart- pumping exercise that is so rewarding.
Travelers usually use five minutes to reach the summit of the Sabyinyo and can use the rope ladders on the hiking trails to cross over to other peaks that can be reached while in Uganda. The activity usually is an 8 hours journey where the tourists use 5 hours to ascend and three hours to slope down to the park headquarters.
This is the oldest mountain among all the eight mountains that are found in the Virungas. Tourists enjoy the gold that comes of age as they take guided hikes over the parent of all the mountains in the Virungas.
It is the only mountain that straddles among all the three countries that are graced with the endangered mountain gorillas. One leg in Uganda, the arm in Rwanda and another leg in DR. Congo gives a chance to tourists who climb this mountain to be in three countries at the same time.
The hike to this mountain offers the tourists with an amazing journey that is totally different from the usual conical shape offered by other mountains. Therefore, hikers get to glimpse on all the five serrated summits of this mountain.
- Mountain Gahinga – Uganda and Rwanda.
At the boundaries of Uganda and Rwanda, Mountain Gahinga bestrides between these two countries at the height of 3473m and it also happens to be between Mount Muhabura and Sabyinyo. It was named Gahinga which means a small pile of stones due to the presence of the caldera swamp found on its summit. The mountain is accessed through Mgahinga national park while in Uganda and the Volcanoes from Rwanda. The mountain is a dormant volcano and the whereabouts of its last eruption are unknown.
Hiking Mountain Gahinga.
Hiking Mountain Gahinga can be done from both Uganda and Rwanda and it costs $75 per person. As soon as the sun is out at 7:00am, visitors are already having their first session of the activity at the headquarters. The briefing gives an insight about the formation, history of the mountain before the real struggle of jumping thickets begins. The hike to this mountain takes around 6 hours ascending and descending but it all depends on the physical fitness of the hikers.
It offers tourists with a grand view of the caldera swamp that is found at its summit that has unique sub- alpine plants that are pleasant to tourist views.
It is one of the easiest hikes, therefore anyone can undertake it even the unexperienced mountain climbers.
Tourists get to appreciate the nature as they are climbing the mountain and get a chance to peep at the spectacular mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and birds among others.
- Mountain Nyiragongo.
Mount. Nyiragongo is an active stratovolcano that is found in Democratic Republic of Congo. This mountain rises 3175m and its last eruption happened on 22 May 2021.
Hiking Nyiragongo mountain.
Hiking this mountain starts at 9:00am and sets off with a briefing session. The expedition has 5 wowing segments where the first is a manageable area on low altitude leading hikers to the small loose lava rocks met at the second segment.
The hike becomes challenging as climbers go through the various segments as the higher, they climb, the steeper and colder it becomes but only to offer interesting views of the lava lake at the summit of the lake. Hiking this mountain costs $ 300 per person and its vital for tourists interested in embarking on this inspiring expedition to book in advance to avoid disappointments.
It is one of the largest active volcanoes and has a huge lava lake at its summit. Hiking to this mountain offers tourists the chance to watch lava at its summit.
Travelers get to have a peek at the black rock that came as a result of temperatures of the lava cooling which offers dazzling views.
- Mountain Nyamuragira.
Nyamuragira is an active volcano with its recent eruptions occurring in April 2018 and it stands at an elevation of 3058m. The mountain is entirely found in the Democratic Republic of Uganda. The name of the mountain means herds of cows derived from the Kinyarwanda word “kuragira inga”.
Hiking this mountain.
Similar to all other hikes, this activity starts off with a briefing and then embark on climbing the ragged landscape of mount. Nyamuragira that usually takes 5-6 hours up and back. Tourists are blessed with fantastic views of other volcanic ranges, primates, Goma city among others.
