This 4 Day Gorilla Tracking and Volcanoes Hiking Tour Uganda is a great opportunity to combine an unforgettable encounter with Uganda's Mountain Gorillas at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park with an exciting hike to the top of one of the Virunga Volcanoes. 

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located right at the border to Rwanda and part of the Virunga National Park situated between Rwanda, DRC and Uganda. The small Mgahinga park is home to one big habituated gorilla family that is known to have three silverbacks as well as infants, which make the gorilla tracking experience to an absolutely fascinating experience. Last year in October the family recived twin babies which is an extremely rare incident under mountain gorillas.

To make your tour to southern Uganda to a real adventure, we combine the gorilla tracking with a hike up to one of the Virunga Volcanoes located on the Ugandan side. All these will make your 4 Day Gorilla Tracking and Volcanoe Hiking Tour Uganda memorable. 

The Virunga Volcanoes consist of eight volcanoes, all situated across the border of Rwanda, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo. In Uganda, you can find Mt. Muhavura, Mt. Gahinga and Mt. Sabinyo. 

Mt. Muhavura (4,127 m) is the highest volcano of the Virunga Volcano Range. The cone-shaped volcano rises above its two brothers (Mt. Sabyinyo and Mt. Gahinga) and provides some of the best views of the country, including the Virunga Volcanoes, Lake Edward, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and the peaks of the Rwenzoris. On top of the volcano we will find a 40 meters wide clear crater lake. 

Mt. Gahinga (3,474m) is the lowest of the three Virunga volcanoes on the Ugandan side and is the one after the national park is named. On top, there is a swamp-filled crater covered with giant lobelia, sencio and other plants - indeed, a beautiful sight. The environment of Mt. Gahinga is quite different compared to the other volcanoes in the park. It's also the easiest to climb since it does not include as many ladders to scale as e.g. Mt. Sabyinyo. 

Mt. Sabyinyo is also called: the old man's teeth because of its untypical volcano shape which includes three peaks. Its special character is the location right at the border between Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. The hike is a real adventure, as trekkers have to climb wooden ladder as they venture further up and reach all three peaks. Wooden stairs lead you to the first peak (3,380m), where we can look down to Rwanda. As you continue climbing to the second peak (3,540m), you will be walking on a sharp ridge with breathtaking drops into the gorges in Uganda, Rwanda and DRC, before finally reaching the third and highest peak (3,669m). Once we reached the top, on a clear day, we can admire the views of all three countries and step into Uganda, Rwanda and DRC and back without any visa required. Note: this volcano is the most challenging to climb and good physical condition is required.

This 4 day Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Volcano Hike Safari offers you exceptional experiences that are with distinct activities in the adrenaline capital of the world. 

Activities

  1. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
  2. Virunga Volcanoes

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1

Uganda Equator

Transfer from Kampala/Entebbe to Southern Uganda with a Stopover at the Equator Line & Lunch En-route

  • Journey Time: 9 - 10 hours
  • Accommodation: Mount Gahinga Lodge (Luxury), Travellers Rest (Midrange), Hotel Mucha (Budget)
  • Meal Plan: Lunch (en-route), Dinner


  • After your arrival at Entebbe Airport you will meet our experienced Safari guide who will transfer you to Kisoro District in southern Uganda, where you will stay the next couple of days. Starting in Entebbe, it is a long but very interesting drive passing several big towns, small villages, fields and plantations observing the daily life of Uganda's local communities. On the way, we shall make a stopover at the equator Line for a photo. Once we reached the accommodation, we have time to relax and get ready to start our adventure on the following day.

Day 2

Gorilla Tracking

Gorilla Tracking at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park & Rest of the Day at Leisure at the Lodge   

  • Accommodation: Mount Gahinga Lodge (Luxury), Travellers Rest (Midrange), Hotel Mucha (Budget)
  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch (packed), Dinner


  • Today we will have the amazing opportunity to observe the gorgeous scenery of Uganda's tropical rainforest and experience a breathtaking encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas. Todays schedule will take us to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, part of the Virunga National Park located between Rwanda, DRC and Uganda. The small Mgahinga park is home to one big habituated gorilla family, that is known to have 3 silverbacks as well as infants. Last year in October a very rare incident happened, as the family received twin babies, which are know about one year old. After an early breakfast, we will be heading to the briefing point, where we will meet the ranger guide. The time taken to trek the gorilla family depends on their location, but once we have reached them, we have an hour time to observe and admire these gentle giants - a surely fascinating experience. Afterwards we will return to the starting point and drive back to our accommodation where we can relax for the rest of the afternoon.

Day 3

Volcano Hiking

Full-day Volcano Hiking: Hike one of the three Virunga Volcanoes on the Ugandan Side - Mt. Muhavura, Mt. Gahinga or Mt. Sabinyo

  • Accommodation: Mount Gahinga Lodge (Luxury), Travellers Rest (Midrange), Hotel Mucha (Budget)
  • Meal Plan: Lunch (packed), Dinner


  • Today you shall summit one of the 3 Virunga Volcanoes on the Ugandan Side. You have the choice between Mt. Muhavura (4,127 m), Mt. Gahinga (3,474 m) and Mt. Sabinyo (3,669 m).
    Mt. Muhavura (4,127 m) is the highest volcano of the Virunga Volcano Range. The cone-shaped volcano rises above its two brothers (Mt. Sabyinyo and Mt. Gahinga) and provides some of the best views of the country, including the Virunga Volcanoes, Lake Edward, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and the peaks of the Rwenzoris. On top of the volcano we will find a 40 meters wide clear crater lake. In about 8 to 10 hours you shall ascent and descent the volcano.
    Mt. Gahinga (3,474 m) is the lowest of the three Virunga volcanoes on the Ugandan side and is the one after the national park is named. The climb first takes us past all kinds of vegetation including a long stretch of bamboo forest before we reach the slopes of the volcano. On top, there is a swamp-filled crater covered with giant lobelia, sencio and other plants - indeed, a beautiful sight. The environment of Mt. Gahinga is quite different compared to the other volcanoes in the park. It's also the easiest to climb since it does not include as many ladders to scale as e.g. Mt. Sabyinyo. In about 6 to 8 hours you shall ascent and descent the volcano.
    Mt. Sabyinyo is also called 'old man's teeth' because of its untypical volcano shape which includes three peaks and is located right at the border between Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. As you climb up to the first peak, you shall pass various vegetation zones. You will also have to climb several  ladder as you venture further up. Wooden stairs lead you to the first peak (3,380 m), where you can look down to Rwanda. As you continue climbing to the second peak (3,540 m), you shall walk on a sharp ridge with breathtaking drops into the gorges in Uganda, Rwanda and DRC, before you finally reach the third and highest peak (3,669 m). Once we reached the top, on a clear day, we can admire the views of all three countries and step into Rwanda, DRC, Uganda and back without any visa required. Note: this volcano is the most challenging to climb and good physical condition is required.
    Once we have descended, we will return to our accommodation in Kisoro, where we can enjoy a well-deserved cold Club or Nile beer.

Day 4

Uganda Equator

Transfer from Southern Uganda back to Kampala/Entebbe with another optional Stopover at the Equator Line at Client's Discretion

  • Journey Time: 9 - 10 hours
  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch (packed) 


  • After an exciting 4-day adventure in southern Uganda, encountering the endangered mountain gorillas at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and summiting one of Uganda's amazing volcanoes, it's now time to leave Kisoro district. Your guide will transfer you back to Kampala or Entebbe Airport for Your departure.
    We also arrange transfers from and to Kigali International Airport. Please contact us and request for an itinerary proposal.

General Tips:

  • Please note the age limit of 15 years and above for gorilla tracking.
  • Book your permits well in advance as only 8 permits are issued per gorilla group in a day. There are 14 habituated gorilla groups in Bwindi.
  • You should be free from infectious diseases such as Flue which can be passed to the gorillas since humans share 98% DNA with gorillas. If you are found to carry an infectious disease you will not be allowed to track.
  • Every participant has the chance to hire a trekking assistance (porter) who will help carrying the bags and support whenever it is needed. For the trekking assistant an additional fee of US$ 15 is charged.
  • Note that the volcano hiking is done in one day and requires a good physical fitness.

What to bring:

  • Walking boots, long trousers and rain gears as you will be hiking through Bwindi Forest.
  • Sun screen is recommended.
  • Mosquito repellant is advisable.
  • At least 1-2 liters of drinking water per person during the trekking.

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