7 Days Uganda Hiking Tour (Mgahinga)

Set off from Kampala to Mgahinga National Park via the Masaka-Mbarara-Kisoro route. It will be a 9-10 hours road trip in a 4x4 safari car and expect to have en route stopover at the Equator crossing at Kayabwe for photography. Lunch will be enjoyed on arrival at the Igongo Cultural Centre and later, you will continue to Kisoro on a scenic journey featuring breathtaking views of the countryside misty hills, and vast banana plantations.

Accommodation options 

• Luxury: Mount Gahinga Lodge.
• Midrange: Travelers’ Rest Hotel.
• Budget: Golden Monkey Guesthouse.

Have a delicious breakfast at the lodge and after, depart for briefing. Meet the officials in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park to take you on dos and don’ts for hiking Mount Sabyinyo (3669m). After the briefing, expect to embark on the 8-hour round hiking adventure on Mount Sabyinyo. The beauty of hiking Mt. Sabyinyo is that you will have a chance to enjoy views of the 3 countries that is Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

After a great moment at the summits of the Sabyinyo Volcano, expect to descend back to the base. From the base of Mt. Sabyinyo, you will connect back to your respective lodges for relaxation and overnight stay.

Accommodation options 

• Luxury: Mount Gahinga Lodge.
• Midrange: Travelers’ Rest Hotel.
• Budget: Golden Monkey Guesthouse.

Enjoy a hefty breakfast and after, you will have another memorable hiking expedition in Mgahinga National Park. Today’s Virunga Volcano hiking excursion will involve exploring the Gahinga Volcano (3474m). Before you depart, ensure that you have a packed lunch and enough drinking water. The hike to the summits of Gahinga Volcano involves navigating via the bamboo trail and expect enjoy uninterrupted views of the nearby swamp (formerly a Crater Lake) at the summit. Descend back to the base and transfer to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight stay.

Accommodation options 

• Luxury: Mount Gahinga Lodge.
• Midrange: Travelers’ Rest Hotel.
• Budget: Golden Monkey Guesthouse.

Enjoy a delicious cup of tea/coffee and after, report to Ntebeko for a briefing about gorilla trekking rules and regulations. After briefing and allocation of the park ranger guide, you will embark on the actual walk through the natural forest in Mgahinga to search for the Nyakagezi gorilla group. This gorilla group takes a maximum of 8 (eight) visitors per day and you will spend at least 2-6 hours which include an hour for up close and personal encounters with mountain gorillas. 

After the thrilling encounter with mountain gorillas, you will walk back to the Ntebeko Visitor Center. Get your gorilla trekking certificate and after, you will connect back to your respective accommodation for relaxation, dinner, and overnight stay.

Accommodation options 

• Luxury: Mount Gahinga Lodge.
• Midrange: Travelers’ Rest Hotel.
• Budget: Golden Monkey Guesthouse.

Enjoy a hefty breakfast. Later, you will be expected at the Ntebeko Visitor Centre, where you will meet the park officials once again. Today’s meeting with the Mgahinga Park official will be for you to get a briefing about golden monkey tracking regulations and the allocation of park ranger guides. 

Expect to start your golden monkey trek at around 8:00 a.m. It will take about 2-4 hours, including an hour for up-close and personal encounters with golden monkeys and photography. The rest of the evening, when you return, you will be chilling at the lodge.

Accommodation options 

• Luxury: Mount Gahinga Lodge.
• Midrange: Travelers’ Rest Hotel.
• Budget: Golden Monkey Guesthouse.

At leisure, enjoy a delicious cup of tea/coffee in your respective lodges. After breakfast, you will be embarking on a guided Batwa trail experience. This is a unique cultural experience and mainly involves exploring more about the Batwa pygmies and their cultures. The Batwa have a long history of living in the forest as hunters and gatherers. You will be led by an experienced cultural guide preferably from the Batwa community. 

Accommodation options 

• Luxury: Mount Gahinga Lodge.
• Midrange: Travelers’ Rest Hotel.
• Budget: Golden Monkey Guesthouse.

After a relaxed breakfast, you will check out of the lodge and today, expect to depart for Kampala/Entebbe. Drop off at the hotel or airport and today marks the end of 7 days tour in Uganda. 

End of tour