Mount. Muhabura
Mount Muhabura located in Kisoro district in the southwestern part of Uganda is the highest mountain among the mountains that fall in Virunga mountain ranges standing at an altitude of about 4,127 meters above sea level.
Mount Muhabura got its name from the Kinyarwanda word Muhabura which means to guide. The mountain is also known as Mount Muhabura by the locals of the area. The mountain borders with the country of Rwanda in the southwest.
Mount Muhabura, an extinct volcanic mountain, is part of the Virunga Mountain ranges that start from the Virunga Mountain of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Hiking in Mount Muhabura
Mount Muhabura is a popular destination for hikers and tourists who are interested in adventure. Mount Muhabura is the tallest among the eight ranges of the Virunga mountain. Hiking is the main activity carried out in Mount Muhabura because of the steep terrain of the mount it poses a great challenge to the hikers.
The top of Mount Muhabura is a volcanic cone formed as a result of the magma that once flowed from the vents at the top. The rocks at the top of the mountain are dark and light in weight and there is hardly or little vegetation cover.
Hiking in Mount Muhabura is a challenging, fun, and adventurous activity to do. The process of hiking Mount Muhabura begins from the headquarters of the Ntebeko Visitor Center. After a briefing, you will check your hiking gear and get potters to carry your bags while hiking.
Hiking takes about 7-8 hours of both climbing to the top and coming back down to the base of the mount. The highest point on Mount Muhabura stands at an altitude of about 3,217 meters above sea level.
Mount Muhabura can be hiked both from the side of Rwanda and Uganda. It is the steepest of the Virunga mountain ranges and in Rwanda, it is the second highest point in the country after Volcanoes Mountain.
Climbing the slopes of Mount Muhabura in Uganda is a challenge but it can also give the hikers epic and amazing views of the landscape and vegetation once at the top. The crater lakes of Ruhondo and Burera offer impressive scenic views.
The slopes of the mountain are also equipped with the endangered mountain gorillas that stretch down to the base in Mgahinga. The montane climate and mixed vegetation of shrubs, bamboo trees, and other trees offer the best place to house these primates. Golden monkeys can also be seen especially on the base of the Mountain.
While hiking Mount Muhabura, you will have different rest points on your way to the top of the mountain. This is done to rest your body and avoid overworking it. 3,116 meters above sea level will be the first resting point and 3,855 meters is the second. Not all the hikers that start the hiking process reach the top. Some of the hikers tend to stop at the first and others at the second. This shows how challenging taking on a hiking safari on Mount Muhabura is.
Those who persist until the end are rewarded with scenic views of the crater lakes and the beautiful vegetation cover at the volcanic cone at the top of Mount Muhabura.
What are some of the things to see and do in Mount Muhabura? Attractions and Activities.
Mount Muhabura given its location in the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, the mount offers a wide range of different attractions and they include the following.
Mountain Gorillas
Given the position of Mount Muhabura’s location in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, it is a natural habitat for these primates. The slopes of Mount Muhabura have mixed vegetation of bamboo and scrubs thus harboring the endangered mountain gorillas. Mountain gorillas in Uganda can only be found in two places in Uganda that is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Batwa Cultural tours
The Batwa pygmies are the early inhabitants of mount Muhabura and the areas of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. They lived in this area for a long time before they were gazetted as tourism sites. The Batwa pygmies were forced to move out to the surrounding areas. While on a hiking safari in Mount Muhabura, you can visit the Batwa communities and interact with them.
Bird species
The mountain is home to the endemic bird species of the Albertine region. These birds can be spotted as you hike to the top of Mount Muhabura or on a birding safari in Uganda. Some of the bird species in the park in order include the African fish eagle, black kite, Ruwenzori turaco, speckled mousebirds, alpine whydah, blue-headed coucal, and Chaplyns flycatcher, to mention but a few.
Garama Cave
This cave is located at the base of Mount Muhabura and is 342 meters long and 14 meters deep. The Garama caves were homes to the Batwa pygmies who lived in the area before it was gazette. During the ethnic wars, the Batwa warriors used to hide in the caves and make surprise attacks on their neighbors. The caves have now been home to hundreds of bats.
Gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking is an activity of walking the forest in search of endangered mountain gorillas. The slopes of Mount Muhabura have a mixed vegetation type of scrubs, forest and bamboo. Trekking can start from the headquarters of Mgahinga National Park after a briefing. The visitors are then divided into groups of eight and each group treks one gorilla family for one hour.
What to carry when going hiking at Mount Muhabura?
Mount Muhabura is a must do for many hike and adventure enthusiasts that come to Uganda. This challenging adventure requires you to be fully prepared for it and packing well-equipped gear will help you to have a safe and raise your chances of reaching the top of the mountain. Some of the things to pack or carry are;
- Hiking boots: These are very important because they help you move across the challenging steep terrain of Mount Muhabura.
- Rain jacket: Raincoat or jacket is essential because of the unpredictability of the weather in Uganda. Weather can change from a bright shining sun to chilly and pouring showers. The top of the mountain also tends to be chill, misty and cold so the rain jacket protects you from the weather.
- Energy-giving snacks: Food is a necessary part of a successful hike to the top of the mountain. Packing energy-giving snacks will give you plenty of energy to embark on the climbing challenge to the top of the mountain.
- Walking stick: A walking stick acts as support while on your hiking adventure.
- Reusable water bottle: Just like food, water is an essential factor of life. It is important to hydrate to keep your body healthy until the top of the mountain.
Where can you stay while in Mount Muhabura?
There are several accommodation facilities around the mountain and they range from luxury, midrange to budget. When hiking the mountain from the side of Uganda in Mgahinga starting from the Ntebeko Visitors Center several facilities include the following Ntebeko Homestay, Muhabura Mountain Lodge, Mount Gahinga Lodge, Muga Eco Village, Mucha Riverside Lodge among others.
What is the best time to visit Mount Muhabura?
Mount Muhabura can be visited and hiked any time of the year but the dry season is the best time to visit and hike. This is because during the dry season, the terrain is dry and navigable and also the vegetation is thin. The wet season poses a huge challenge at hand since the terrain is very slippery and muddy therefore making it hard to hike.
