- info@oruganosafaris.com
- +256-701-230-309
- +256 77481023
More than 20% of Uganda’s land area is dedicated to protected national parks and wildlife reserves. For many visitors, a Uganda hiking tour is the best way to truly enjoy the country’s beautiful rainforests, wild animals, and stunning landscapes. Hiking in Uganda can be as easy as a short nature walk or as hard as a multiday climbing adventure to the snowy mountain peaks. Orugano Safaris Experts can help plan your perfect trip for your fitness level and interests. Going on a guided hike is a great way to explore the outdoors and enjoy Uganda’s natural beauty. There are many hiking spots to choose from, each with its own special charm. Hiking experiences in Uganda range from easy to difficult, so there’s something for everyone. Here are the top choices most travelers love.
The ‘Mountains of the Moon’, better known as the Rwenzori Mountains, is the largest mountain range in Africa. They are so special that they have been added to the World Heritage Sites. This 120 km long mountain range is full of unique plants like Giant Lobelias and bright tropical flowers.
You’ll also find mountain lakes, waterfalls, and amazing views over valleys – and on a clear day, you can even see into Congo! Hiking in the Rwenzori Mountains is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. There are six tall peaks, all over 5,000m high, and they’re always covered in snow. Along the way, you’ll walk past glaciers, through moorlands, and see stunning mountain landscapes.
The tallest mountain here is Mount Stanley, and its highest point is called Margherita Peak, which stands at 5,109m. Climbing the Rwenzori Mountains is cheaper than hiking Mount Kilimanjaro, and it’s also much less crowded. But be ready—it’s a tough and muddy hike, and the high altitude can make it even harder. If you’re not used to tough mountain climbing, don’t worry! There are easier, shorter hikes that still offer great views and beautiful nature.
Mount Elgon is a great choice if you’re looking for a fun and easier mountain treks in East Africa. This huge, extinct volcano sits on the border between Uganda and Kenya. A long time ago, Mount Elgon was even taller than Mount Kilimanjaro! But over the years, erosion wore it down to its current height of 4,321 m. Today, it’s the eighth tallest mountain in Africa and the fourth tallest in East Africa.
Elgon is also East Africa’s oldest volcanic mountain. It first erupted about 24 million years ago and last erupted 10 million years ago. It’s now the largest extinct volcano in the world, with a massive base that covers 4,000km2. The mountain rises slowly with gentle slopes and some cliffs, leading up to its highest point—Wagagai Peak—on the Ugandan side.
The lower parts of the mountain are covered in lush tropical forest and thick bamboo. As you climb higher, you’ll enter a beautiful Afro-Alpine zone with open moorlands. At the top, there’s a giant crater—called a caldera—that’s about 40km2 wide, the biggest mountain crater in the world! If you’re up for the adventure, the Sasa Route is the quickest way to the top. It takes about four days roundtrip, and the first day is the toughest. Be ready for rain and cold nights!
The day hike to the top of Mount Sabinyo is perfect for real adventurers. Mount Sabinyo is part of the Virunga Volcanoes, which stretch across Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. These mountains are home to rare animals like mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.
In Uganda, this area is protected as Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Mount Sabinyo has three tough peaks to climb. The trail starts on the east side of the first peak. After reaching it, you can choose to stop or keep going to the second peak. Getting to the second peak means walking along a narrow ridge, but the views of Uganda and Rwanda are breathtaking!
The real challenge comes with the climb to the third and highest peak. At the very top—3,669 meters high—you’ll be standing in three countries at once: Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo! It’s a special moment you won’t forget. Along the way, you might also spot golden monkeys and enjoy lots of beautiful mountain scenery.
Also found in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Mount Muhavura is the only mountain in Uganda over 4,000 meters that you can hike in just one day—if you’re up for the challenge! It’s the toughest day hike in Uganda, so don’t expect it to be easy. The trail gets steeper as you go higher, and the thin air near the top can make you feel very really tired. But the hard work is worth it!
From the summit, you’ll see amazing views of the Virunga Volcanoes stretching out to the west, Rwanda’s green hills to the south, and Lake Mutanda shining in the north. If you want to take your time, there’s good news—the Uganda Wildlife Authority has built a simple hut around 3,000 meters where you can sleep overnight. This way, you can rest and enjoy the hike at a slower pace.
The last mountain on our list of five top mountain hikes in Uganda is one that not many people know about—Mount Moroto. This old, extinct volcano is found in the Karamoja region and stands 3,083 meters tall. It’s home to about 40,000 Tepeth people, who may be the first people to ever live in this area.
Climbing to the top takes two to three days, but the journey is full of special sights. You’ll see ancient cave paintings, waterfalls, and many different kinds of birds. If a long hike sounds too much, don’t worry! You can take a short and peaceful walk instead. This shorter walk takes you to meet the Tepeth tribe, where you can learn about their culture, beliefs, and the sacred places in their mountains.
If you prefer relaxing strolls or easier walks, keep reading to discover some of Uganda’s most beautiful and peaceful nature walks.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to almost half of all the mountain gorillas in the world. While big part of the forest is indeed rather impenetrable —there are a few exciting natures walk trails that go through it. One of the best trails is the Ivy River Trail, which is 10 km long and partly follows the Ivy River.
It starts at the Nkuringo gate near Orugano Bwindi Lodge and goes steeply downhill into the cloud forest and Ivy Valley. This part of the hike can be tough, with muddy and overgrown paths. But once you reach the bridge over the river, the walk gets much easier. From there, you can enjoy the sights and sounds of the beautiful rainforest. And if you’re lucky, you might even spot a mountain gorilla along the way! The trail ends at Buhoma, Uganda’s gorilla capital.
Lake Mburo National Park is one of the best places in Uganda for walking safaris and is definitely worth a visit! The park has beautiful acacia woodlands and many small lakes scattered across the land. It’s the smallest savannah park in Uganda, but don’t let that fool you—it’s full of life! There are around 350 types of birds and 68 different kinds of animals, including zebras, giraffes, impalas, elands, buffalos, leopards, hippos, hyenas, and Defassa waterbucks. You can explore the park in many fun ways: on foot, by boat, on horseback, by bike, or on a game drive.
Kyambura Gorge is a deep crack in the Earth’s crust inside the famous Queen Elizabeth National Park in southwest Uganda It’s also called the “Valley of Apes” because a small group of chimpanzees lives there. From the open grassy plains of the park, you drop about 100 meters down into a green, hidden paradise full of wildlife. The hike through the gorge can be long or short, depending on where the chimpanzees are that day. Since not many people visit, you might have to push through some bushes along the way. It’s a quiet and wild place, perfect for adventure and nature lovers.
Sipi Waterfalls is one of the best places for nature walks in Uganda. It’s located on the slopes of Mt Elgon. Three beautiful waterfalls flow down from the green rainforest on the mountain. Starting from the quiet Sipi Village, trails lead you up to the first waterfall. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can get close enough to almost stand under the water and feel its power!
The path then goes down to the second waterfall, which has a cool cave behind it. The best part is the last and biggest waterfall, which drops 99 meters into a deep gorge. You can walk through the gorge to see this amazing waterfall up close. If you’re really brave, you can even try abseiling (rappelling) next to it! To visit some of these special spots, you’ll need a local guide—this helps support the people who live there and care for the land.
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s oldest and largest national park. It covers a huge area of almost 4000 square kilometers with savannah, forests, and wetlands. The historic Nile River runs through the park, cutting through rocky land. The park is named after Murchison Falls, which was named by British explorers long ago after Roderick Murchison, who was the head of the Royal Geographical Society.
If you walk to the top of the waterfall, you will see the amazing power of nature! This is the strongest waterfall in the world. Millions of liters of water rush through a narrow 6-meter gap, making a loud roar. About 360,000 liters of water flow over the falls every second. From the top, you get a fantastic view of the waterfall and the wild area around it.
Next to the primate-filled Kibale Forest National Park is the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a special area cared for by the local community. Here, you can take a guided walk on wooden paths through thick papyrus reeds, palm trees, and beautiful orchids. This walk is calm and slow, different from walking in the forest, making it great for spotting colorful birds like the great blue turaco. Along the way, you’ll also learn about traditional herbal plants and how the local people protect and take care of this vital ecosystem.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Nkuringo Sector- Uganda
+256-701-230-309
info@oruganosafaris.com
