A bit of hiking is always part of the experience in Uganda.
You can see a lot of Uganda in car. But if you want to reach some of the most beautiful places, you sometimes have to get out and walk. Some of Uganda’s best activities can only be done on foot; think of gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, and golden monkey trekking.
That does not mean Uganda is difficult to visit if you have reduced mobility. We can still put together a wonderful tour for you. In fact, much of the country can be explored by car or boat. And for the sections you have to walk, there is always assistance from a porter.
If you are physically fit, your safari in Uganda will be more complete and beautiful if you leave the car from time to time. You do not always have to experience wildlife from a vehicle either. You can, for example, take a game walk in Lake Mburo National Parkor Kidepo Valley National Park.
On foot, you notice tracks, plants, birds and small details that are easy to miss from a vehicle. You have time to stop, look and listen, while your ranger shares details you wouldn’t hear if you were speeding through the park in a car.
Uganda is the ultimate place for avid hikers
If you want to add a solid physical challenge to your safari, Uganda gives you plenty of options. You can start with a one-day hike up Mount Sabyinyo, one of the country’s striking volcanoes. Or take it much further and spend a full week trekking through the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains, Africa’s highest mountain range. Would you like an impression of the hikes you can do? We have compiled a top seven for you.
1. Mount Sabyinyo
Mount Sabyinyo is a beautiful volcano in Mgahinga National Park – the area where the endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, among other animals. If you would like a challenge and fabulous views, then this one-day hike is for you.
You start at an altitude of around 2,000 meters, then climb another 1,600 meters further up. You make it to the peak and back in a single day. You hike through a stunning landscape with deep gorges and lichen draped forests. You will see the vegetation around you change. And let’s be honest, where in Africa can you peer into three countries from the summit of a major mountain?
At the top, you stand at the tri-border point of Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo, and the effort is richly rewarded. Here you can enjoy the view of the misty valleys and Virunga volcanoes stretching endlessly on the horizon. In clear weather, you can also see the fairytale-like Mutanda Lake.
2. Rwenzori Mountains
In the Rwenzori Mountains National Park, you will find the largest mountain range in Africa, also known as ‘Mountains of the Moon’. You are in the tropics near the equator, yet you see snow on top of the mountain (5109m); the contrast couldn’t be greater. The hike to the summit takes a week, so you need to be well-trained to do this hike. But you don’t necessarily have to go to the top. You can also do one-, two-, three-, or five-day hikes there.
3. Kyambura Gorge
This a truly magnificent hike! The Kyambura Gorge is an 11 km crack in the Earth’s crust inside the famous Queen Elizabeth National Park in western Uganda. From the dry savanna you drop 100 meters down in a subterranean Eden that contains a beautiful stretch of tropical rainforest, rivers, and crater lakes. The rainforest is home to chimpanzees, monkeys, and other animal species.
Local guides make it a sport to spot the chimps, but the chance of seeing them is about 50%, somewhat lower than in Kibale Forest National Park. But the hike through the gorge is unique. Enjoy the hike itself, as it is one of the most beautiful hikes you can take in this country. It is an adventurous hike involving scrambling and climbing.
4. Buhoma to Nkuringo
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is home to half of the world’s mountain gorilla population. For travellers who want something special to add to their gorilla trekking adventure, there is a longer 10km hike through the forest. This trail connects Buhoma sector in the north and Nkuringo sector in the south. You start at the park headquarters in Buhoma.
From there, you walk deep into the park with rangers and porters. You cross rivers. You pass waterfalls. You hike through untouched forest. You see many bird species, primates, reptiles, and butterflies hiding in the forest. And if you are lucky, you might have an unexpected encounter with the King of the Jungle, that is the mountain gorilla!
At the end of the trail, you arrive in Nkuringo. A vehicle picks you up there. This hike is done by very few visitors. It is quiet. It is immersive. It is perfect if you want to spend more time in Bwindi and truly feel the forest.
5. Sipi Falls
If you have a little more time to spare and want to experience ‘the real’ Uganda, Sipi Falls is a fantastic stop in the little-visited East of Uganda! The area consists of three waterfalls that you can combine during a hike. The highest waterfall drops approximately 100 meters.
During the hikes, you see not only a lot of nature but also of daily life. You walk through local coffee farms, banana plantations, streams, beautiful vegetation, and colorful flowers. You pass small communities. It is fun to swim in one of the streams and even take a refreshing shower under a waterfall. So, you can bring your swimwear and towel! Because few tourists come here, it still feels like pure Africa! A volcano that is often climbed in Sipi area is Mount Elgon.
Tip: combine this with Jinja and you have the ultimate extension in East Uganda!
6. Mount Moroto
This is a less crowded Karamoja region in northeastern Uganda – the area where the Karamojong People, among others, live. Hiking on Mount Moroto (3083m) is the perfect way to enjoy nature and casually learn more about the lives of the locals. You walk to the natural pool that flows over the steep mountain ridge along the plains of Karamojaland.
From the end of this hike, you have a wonderful view of the Karamojong valley. You will also encounter several manyattas (villages) of the Tepeth tribe, the indigenous hunters-gatherers community of Northeastern Uganda. They are considered the original inhabitants of the Karamoja plains but were pushed high up the mountain by the current settlers.
The 10 km trail starts directly from Moroto and ascends the mountain via a steep path. The hike is classified as moderately difficult.
7. Fort Portal
A beautiful hike is not always about climbing as many vertical meters as possible. Fort Portal are near Kibale Forest National Park is proof of that; a spectacular area full of crater lakes. Here, your tour driver guide can drop you off and a local guide takes you on foot to a number of crater lakes. He introduces you to the landscapes, history and culture.
You can follow this approach in many places in Uganda. You can park your car anywhere and say: I want to hike here. That is why we always say: never cram your trip too full. Leave some room to relax for part of the day. Then you can always go for a spontaneous hike.
Want to experience Uganda actively?
More and more people want to experience Uganda actively. And the country indeed offers that chance – much more than neighboring countries Tanzania and Kenya, where the focus is mainly on traditional safaris in savannah game parks. Due to the landscape of Uganda, it is much easier to give your tour an active character. If your physical condition permits, we recommend hiking as much as possible. That is when you experience Uganda at its best. Want to know more in preparation for your trip? Feel free to contact us.
