Mount Muhabura - Gorilla Uganda Safaris

Visit Mount. Muhabura

Muhabura is one of the eight Virunga mountains in East Africa shared by both Uganda and Rwanda. This picturesque area is located in the southwestern part of Uganda and elevates up to 4,127 meters above sea level. This extinct volcano area gives beautiful views of the mountain connecting with the skies which is such a good moment for sightseeing and photography.

The mountain is made up of stunning vegetation covering its slopes and it is home to a variety of primates making it a favorable spot for travelers all over the world. This picturesque mountain lies in the western arm of the East African Rift Valley and this explains its attractive look.

This mountain has beautiful unique features that make it stand out from the rest of the mountains in the Virunga massif.

The mountain has a captivating crater lake at the summit which gives stunning views to the travelers who hike up to the top. They get the opportunity to take beautiful photographs at the crater lake and record videos which are very crucial memoirs for the exhilarating adventure they had while at the mountain. The crater lake is also an important sightseeing activity due to the breathtaking views.

Mount Muhabura is steeper than other mountains in the Virunga ranges and therefore gives a different hiking experience although it can be hiked in a day. This further sets it apart from the rest of the mountains in the massif.

This mountain also stands out as the most exciting of the 8 Virunga volcanoes due to the great views of the twin lakes it unveils at a distance. Tourists get to view the Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo which is incredible.

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Hiking experience of Mount Muhabura.

Hiking Mount Muhabura is an enjoyable experience that visitors excitingly indulge in due to the health benefits and breathtaking views it unveils. The hiking adventure usually takes a full day with stopovers on the way at favorable spots and moments of rest for the team of hikers.

The hiking journey usually starts with a briefing at sunrise where the guides inform the visitors about what they should expect while on the adventure and also the rules and regulations governing the activity.

This is the time visitors should use to evaluate whether they have the necessary gear for an uninterrupted hike. This involves things to do with hiking boots that are favorable to maneuver through the steep slopes, hiking sticks for support while on the steep slopes and tourists’ have to carry the essentials such as drinking water and snacks.

There are stopovers for lunch in the afternoon and the most favorable stopovers are at elevations of 3,116 meters, 3,855 meters up to the highest peak which is at 4,127 meters above sea level. At the summit, this is where celebrations of the hiking milestone take place and the fact that visitors get to view the stunning twin lakes, the crater lake and the breathtaking vicinity makes it worthwhile.

How much does hiking Mount Muhabura cost?

The experience of hiking the stunning Mount Muhabura costs $80 per person per trek.

Other attractions at the mountain

Mount Muhabura is a favorable spot for viewing other volcanoes in the Virunga massif. It stands out as a viewpoint for the rest of the mountains since it’s the highest and therefore provides good views.

There’s a crater lake near the summit of the mountain which is an attraction that cannot be missed when it gets to things that excite travelers.

The views of Lake Edward and George in Queen Elizabeth National Park that are unveiled at the top make the mountain more attractive. It is also important to note that while at the top, travelers get to view the forest of Bwindi.

Activities carried out at Mount Muhabura

This magnificent mountain also supports other activities especially;

Golden Monkey tracking.

This is possible because the mountain is home to various primates including the golden monkeys that can be trekked at the base of the mountain and on the steep slopes in the bamboo forests.

Nature walks.

These are usually conducted by the rangers with the aim of making the tourists appreciate the beauty of the Virunga massif and also helping them connect with nature. The sounds of the animals and the birds in the natural areas make nature walking more rewarding.

Batwa trails.

The indigenous Batwa people reside in the vicinity of the mountain and they can as well be visited after an interesting hike to ensure that the experience is sublime. These beautiful people have inhabited the beautiful forest not for just centuries but millennia. They can therefore tell stories about the area from the times of their ancestors and how they survived in the forest which is such an interesting story to hear.

Bird watching.

This activity is supported in the area because the slopes of the mountain are inhabited by beautiful bird species that can be observed by travelers when they visit. The famous birds that are normally viewed are endemic to the Albertine Region such as Ruwenzori turaco, chaplyns flycatcher, Grauer’s warbler and spur winged lapwing.

When to hike Mount Muhabura.

The most favorable time to hike the mountain is during the dry seasons and this usually occurs in phases such as the long and the short seasons. The long dry season occurs from early June to mid-September and the short dry seasons take place from December to late February.

How much is a gorilla permit per visitor?

There is no standard price for Uganda, Rwanda or Congo gorilla permit –each country has its rates. In Uganda, the charges vary depending on the visitor category. The foreign non-residents are charged USD 700 to have their gorilla permits booked, USD 600 for foreign residents and Ugandans (East Africa citizens) pay shs. 250,000 per person. To have a gorilla permit secured/booked, you need USD 1500 for Rwanda and this is most ideal for luxury/high-end travelers interested in visiting the endangered mountain gorillas.

Which are the best Gorilla safari destinations?

When booking a gorilla permit, it is also a good thing to have a destination of your desire in mind. The key places to consider a must-visit on gorilla tour include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park –these are gorilla trekking destinations for tourists on a tour in Uganda. In Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park is where you can locate habituated mountain gorilla families and crossing the D.R. Congo, you can explore Virunga National Park.

When is the best time to book your gorilla permit?

It is a good thing to also understand when best to book your gorilla permits to avoid having issues on actual date of gorilla trekking. Considering our experience, we always recommend our clients to have their permits booked early enough at least 2-4 months. This can save you from last minute stress, especially if you plan to travel during the dry season also considered to be the peak season. The peak months of the year fall around June, July, August to September, and December, January to February.

How can I book a gorilla Permit?

Gorilla permits are among the relevant documents visitors must have to be allowed to track gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Not any gorilla permit should be presented on actual gorilla trekking adventure but a valid one. Booking gorilla permits is part of making the entire gorilla trip complete and should be done early enough before the actual visit to see mountain gorillas or eastern lowland gorillas.

To have your gorilla permit booked, there is a process one should undergo through and is generally tedious. Considering your tight schedule back home, you may wonder how easier you can have your permit booked in advance to avoid last minute stress.

The easiest way to secure your gorilla permit in Uganda or Rwanda is by dealing with a recognized tour operator/company on the ground. This is where our reservation team comes in. As part of your gorilla safari requirement, our team being on ground will ensure that your permit is booked early enough and everything else that is needed for gorilla trekking is put together.

The beauty about dealing with local safari company such as ours is that we have knowledge on the different gorilla groups and surrounding communities plus various accommodation facilities for your night stay. This is in addition to making the entire gorilla permit booking process easier on behalf of our clients.

There is also an option of booking the permit directly through the reservation team of respective park authorities. But the challenge is that you must undergo through the long process to have your permit booked and this may not favor you depending on your schedule. Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) is an organ in charge not only for conservation of wildlife in the Pearl of Africa but also sets prices for tourism activities in the parks including gorilla permits. In Rwanda, you can contact Rwanda Tourism Board/Rwanda Development Board to have your permit booked.

What is the East African tourist visa?

The East African tourist visa is a joint visa that permits one to travel to specific countries within East Africa, namely Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda only. A joint tourist visa can be used several times for various purposes as long as it’s not overdue.

Tourists should therefore find it important to always remember that the tourist visa lasts for only 90 days. Processing the tourist visa takes a maximum period of two working days. It is also important to note that the tourist visa prohibits employment.

How to apply for an East African Tourist Visa?

The process of applying for a tourist visa has been made easier since it can be done with the help of a tour operator or by the individual themselves online through the Ministry of Internal Affairs immigration portal. Visitors are required to log in to the portal, go ahead and accept the terms and conditions for the tourist visa, select the Visa / permit type, the subcategory and category, complete the application form and upload the required documents.

A reference number will be generated and sent to you through your email, submit it and proceed to payment. It’s important to note that the payment can be made using Visa cards. An approval letter will be sent to your email after the above process.

Report at the immigration office or border post for the biometric capture with all the necessary documents, receipt of payment, approval letter and your passport. Visitors should regard it as important to enter through the home country issuing the visa.

How much does the East African tourist visa cost?

The East African tourist visa costs a fee of $100 only, meaning that it can be obtained by all travelers ranging from the budget to luxurious ones.

What are some of the Gorilla trekking rules and regulations