87% Client Satisfaction Rating

+256 754 062 366

The Volcano and Hiking Adventure in Uganda

OVER VIEW

Discover the thrill of adventure in Mgahinga National Park and Echuya Forest. This 8-day itinerary features exhilarating volcano hikes on Mt. Sabinyo and Mt. Muhavura, golden monkey trekking, and an enriching cultural experience with the Batwa community in Echuya Forest.


SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS

  • Hike Mount Sabinyo (3,669m) – Enjoy breathtaking views at the tri-border summit of Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC.
  • Hike Mount Muhavura (4,127m) – Conquer one of Uganda's highest peaks for panoramic volcanic vistas.
  • Batwa Community Experience – Connect with the Batwa people and discover their unique cultural heritage.
  • Nature Walk in Echuya Forest – Explore lush trails teeming with diverse flora and birdlife.
  • Golden Monkey Tracking – Encounter rare golden monkeys in their enchanting bamboo habitat.


  • ITINERARY
  • WHAT TO PACK
  • INCLUDES
  • TRAVEL INFORMATION
  • REQUEST A QUOTE 
ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe Airport

Upon your arrival in Entebbe, a company representative will warmly welcome you and transfer you to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Meal Plan: Dinner depending on time of arrival.

Accommodation: Papyrus Guest House

Comfort Level: Mid-range

Day 2: Entebbe – Kisoro

Depart Kampala today for an exciting journey to Kisoro, a scenic town nestled in the stunning southwestern highlands of Uganda. Enjoy a leisurely drive through picturesque landscapes, with a delightful lunch stop along the way. Arrive in Kisoro in the evening, where the fresh mountain air and breathtaking views welcome you to this adventure-filled destination.


Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge.

Comfort Level: Mid-range


Day 3: Hiking Mountain Sabinyo (3669 meters) 

After breakfast drive 13km to the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park with a packed lunch and water, set off on a hiking expedition to one of the most challenging volcanoes in the park. The trail takes about 8 hours passing through lush forests and bamboo zones before reaching the rugged volcanic terrain near the summit.

The peak of Sabinyo offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes, including other volcanoes like Mount Gahinga and Mount Muhabura. On a clear day, you can also see stunning vistas of the Virunga Massif and even the nearby Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda.


Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge

Comfort Level: Mid-range

Day 4: Batwa Community Visit – Echuya Forest and Relaxation

After breakfast, you will head out for a nature walk in Echuya Forest Reserve where you get to learn about the Batwa’s history and the flora and fauna of Echuya. The hike has 2 options the longer trail 2 hours and the shorter trail 45 minutes.

A walk through the picturesque Rwamahano Batwa settlement, and have an interactive chat with the community. The community visit includes a traditional performance with bows and arrows, dancing, and singing. Later return to the lodge for relaxation and lunch


Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge

Comfort Level: Mid-range

Day 5: Day 5: Hike to Mountain Muhavura (4127 meters)

Today set off for the most challenging hike – Mt. Muhavura (also known as Mount Muhabura). The mountain stands at an elevation of 4,127 meters (13,540 feet). The hike typically takes about 8-10 hours to complete, depending on your fitness level and the pace of the group. The trail can be steep and challenging at times, but it offers stunning views throughout the ascent.

You will have energy rich snacks at the first rest stop before proceeding ahead to the sub-alpine zone. Then, the real hiking starts, with tougher footing and wooden ladders to scale more vertical cliffs. Upon reaching the summit of Muhavura, you’ll be rewarded with a small crater, and panoramic views of the Virunga Mountains, including the Rwenzori Mountains, Lake Bunyonyi, and the neighboring countries of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (Lunch at summit or midway). Later descend back to the base and head back.


Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge

Comfort Level: Mid-range

Day 6: Golden Monkey Trail and Relaxation

After breakfast, head to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during golden monkey trekking. Start trekking in the forest in search of the golden monkeys which takes about 30 minutes to 4 hours depending on where the golden monkeys are located because they like to move from one place to another in search of food.

Spend an hour with the golden monkeys and then trek back to the starting point where you meet up with your driver guide and drive to the lodge for relaxation.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge.

Comfort Level: Mid-range

Day 7: Transfer back to Entebbe

After an early breakfast, you'll set off for your journey back to Entebbe. Enjoy a scenic drive with lunch en route and a memorable stop at the Uganda Equator. Here, you'll witness a fascinating demonstration of how water flows differently in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Capture some photos at this iconic landmark before continuing your journey. You will arrive in Entebbe in the evening, where you can unwind and reflect on your incredible adventure.


Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Papyrus Guest House

Comfort Level: Mid-range


Day 8: Departure    

"After a delightful breakfast, your driver will transfer you to the airport for your onward flight back home. As your journey comes to an end, take a moment to reflect on the incredible experiences and unforgettable memories made during your time in Uganda. Safe travels and we hope to welcome you back for another adventure!"


Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch


WHAT TO PACK

• Comfortable hiking boots and lightweight clothing.

• Rain jacket and a warm sweater for cooler evenings.

• Insect repellent and sunscreen.

• Reusable water bottle.

• Binoculars and a good camera.

• Personal medications and a small first-aid kit.

• Nature blending clothes

INCLUDES

Included in the Itinerary

  • Ground transportation in a safari customized 4WD Toyota Landcruiser with gasoline/fuel
  • All Nature walks 
  • All Community Visits
  • Golden Monkey permit
  • Batwa Community Visit in Echuya Forest
  • Drinking water / refillable water bottle
  • English-speaking Birding Guide
  • Accommodation and Meals
  • All Park Entrance Fees.


Excluded in the Itinerary

  • International Airfares;
  • Visa Fees;
  • Drinks and Beverages
  • Tips, and Gratuities for your Driver/guide and hotel staff
  • Optional activities unless specified as included
  • Any other services not expressly shown in the itinerary or indicated as included.


TRAVEL INFORMATION

Uganda, deservedly dubbed the Pearl of Africa, is in the Great Lakes Region in central Africa and boasts an ecological diversity that rivals that of many larger countries. Here, the Eastern Savannah meets the West African jungle. Uganda offers visitors incredible diversity through its multitude of varying ecosystems. Bordered by the Rwenzori Mountains (often called the Mountains of the Moon, the third highest in Africa), the Virunga Mountains, and Africa's largest lake, Lake Victoria, it's a beautiful country bursting with birds and wildlife.

In no other African destination can one see a comparable variety of primates with so little effort - not just the great apes but also more than ten monkey species. And, if Uganda had primate enthusiasts grinning with satisfaction, it would have birdwatchers doing cartwheels. Uganda is, by far, the smallest of the four African countries in which more than 1,000 bird species have been recorded, and it is particularly rich in western rainforest specialists - undoubtedly the finest birdwatching in Africa.

For most, the highlight is found amongst the forests in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where facing endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is one of the most profound wildlife encounters you will ever experience. Discover tree-climbing lions around Ishasha in Queen Elizabeth National Park, trek chimps in Kibale Forest or Kyambura Gorge, or snatch massive Nile perch up north at Murchison Falls, where the mighty Nile cascades through a gap just seven meters wide. Adrenaline junkies will find Jinja simply exhilarating with its white-water rafting, kayaking, and bungee jumping activities. Jinja is rapidly emerging as East Africa's answer to the more southerly "adrenalin capital" Victoria Falls.

We invite you to explore Uganda, a diverse landscape with abundant wildlife, plenty to discover, and unique experiences. When recounting your time in this jewel of a country, you'll struggle to find the words that do justice to it.

Entry Requirements:

Your passport must have a minimum of at least two full clear pages for visas and stamps and be valid for more than 6 months from the date of entry into Uganda.

Please check visa requirements prior to travel with your booking agent or Bush Wander, as requirements are regularly changed with little notice.

Most passports require a single-entry visa (US$55). Visas cannot be obtained on arrival. You must apply and pay for them online at https://visas.immigration.go.ug at least two weeks before your arrival.

You must upload clear copies of your current passport, a yellow fever certificate, and a passport photo.

Only Visa and Mastercard cards are accepted for visa payments. Once payment is made, the system will process your application and send you a barcoded email. Print out this email and bring it with you to Uganda. Upon arrival, you should present the barcoded email to the immigration officer, who will scan the barcode, take your fingerprints and photo, and place a visa in your passport.

Alternatively, the Ugandan High Commissions may issue visas where such commissions are located.

Visa Exempt Countries:

The following nationalities do not require a visa to enter Uganda: all nationalities from East African countries (Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya, Burundi), all nationalities from COMESA countries (Angola, Eritrea, Malawi, Madagascar, Seychelles, Swaziland, Zambia, Comoros, Kenya, Mauritius, Zimbabwe), and passport holders from OTHERS (Antigua, Barbados, Fiji, Grenada, Lesotho, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, The Grenadines, Vanuatu, Cyprus, Bahamas, Belize, Gambia, Jamaica, Malta, Singapore, St. Vincent-Tonga and Ireland).

connect@bushwander.com www.bushwander.com

East Africa Tourist Visa:

If you are planning an East Africa trip to Uganda, Rwanda, and/or Kenya, it may be better to apply for a multiple-entry visa, which is valid for 90 days for tourists only. The cost is USD100 per visa. For more information go to: https://visas.immigration.go.ug/#/apply if you are entering Uganda first, or alternatively, the Government visa site for the East Africa country you will be first entering.

Banking and Currency:

US Dollars cash is widely accepted and, in most cases, preferred as the currency that travellers should use to EXCHANGE into UGX on arrival for spending money on the road e.g. for drinks, curios, tips. Please note that USD bills older than 2009 are not accepted. Ensure your USD bills are 2009 or younger. Small USD bills are difficult to change – use Uganda shillings for small tips.

Credit Cards:

Credit cards can be used at some lodges and hotels, but a transaction fee of up to 5% may be charged. Ask first.

Travel, Transport, and Getting Around Flights:

Note that baggage allowance on all domestic flights is max 15 kgs in soft bags

Health and Medical Information

Travellers require a Yellow Fever inoculation more than 10 days prior to your departure. The certificate will be checked on arrival in Uganda. If you have a history of liver disorders (hepatitis etc.), consult your physician first.

Tetanus and Cholera inoculations are recommended but not compulsory. Hepatitis inoculation is at the discretion of the traveler.

Malaria prophylactics are a must and can be purchased from your local pharmacy. Please consult your pharmacist/doctor.

Diarrhoea / Giardia - Bottled water is readily available throughout Uganda, however, it’s advisable to bring medicine just in case.

This is a guide only. Please check with your doctor or travel clinic for the latest information

REQUEST A QUOTE