MOUNT MUHABURA / MOUNT MUHABURA HIKE
Mount muhabura also known as mount muhabura is an extinct volcano among the Virunga mountains that can be seen in Mgahinga national park in Uganda or volcanoes national park in Rwanda standing at 4127 meters above sea level making it the third highest and the steepest among the Virunga mountains which is one of the reasons why hikers are interested in hiking Mount muhabura. The name muhabura means guide and this was derived probably from the fact that it was used as a means of direction by travellers that were making their way in the country. The slopes of the mountains are characterised with volcanic ash which has favoured the growth of shrubs and thickets that are a home to a number of wildlife.
Among the Virunga mountains namely mount gahinga, mount sabyinyo, mount Mikeno, mount bisoke, mount karisimbi, mount gahinga, mount Nyamuragira and mount Nyiragongo that can be found in volcanoes national park, Mgahinga national park in Uganda and Virunga national park, mount muhabura is the most challenging to hike because of its steep slopes therefore before you think of participating in mount muhabura hike, you should make sure you prepare yourself mentally and physically to have a comfortable experience while hiking mount muhabura.
Mount muhabura hike
Mount muhabura hike can be arranged in either Uganda or Rwanda because of the fact that it is shared by both countries therefore depending on your proximity in either Uganda or Rwanda you will be able to take part in the activity. Before participating in the hike, you should first obtain a hiking permit that you will present at the Ntebeko visitors centre in Uganda and in Rwanda you will present it at the Kinigi visitors centre where you will be taken through the briefing session of the expectation of the activity as you prepare to take part in the hike. After you are done with the briefing session you will be assigned to the ranger that will help to take you through your whole journey for a memorable experience during the activity. Because the mountain is the most difficult to hike, you can hire a porter at the reception area to help you carry your luggage to the summit with ease for you to have a memorable experience.
As you hike mount muhabura from Mgahinga national park, you will have two stops the first stop at 3,117 metres above sea level and the other at 3,860 metres above sea level this will help them to catch their breath, rest a bit and also eat some lunch because the hike is quite challenging. Many hikers do not make it past the first stop because of how difficult it is and when they do, they will have to endure the hardest part of the hike because it becomes so challenging to the summit, during the hike to the summit, hikers are likely to experience altitude sickness like a runny nose, injuries to their ankles that is why it is very important to be physically and mentally prepared for your activity in the park.
Some of the most rewarding attractions that you will get to see along the mountain include numerous bird species like the long-crested eagle handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Batis Dusky turtle love, paradise flycatcher, archer’s ground robin, African Rwenzori, double collared sunbird, marsh harrier, Ruwenzori turaco, common moorhen Ruwenzori night jar, grey throated tit, the dusky crimson wing, red-faced woodland warbler, primates like the black and white colobus monkey, vervet monkey, the dent’s monkey, l’hoest’s monkey, owl faced monkey, blue monkey and many other species, animal species like the forest elephants, buffaloes and at the summit you will get to see the crater lake that is a beautiful spot for taking pictures for the best memories in the park interesting is the fact that you can also swim in the lake however you should put in mind that it is very cold, you will also get to see rewarding views of the twin lakes in Rwanda lake Burera and lake Ruhondo and also get to see the rewarding views of lake kivu the largest fresh water lake in Rwanda for the best Rwanda safaris and Uganda safaris. Descending mount muhabura is also challenging because it is quite slippery and also the fact that because the mountain is very steep, it can cause body pains making descending difficult too but overall you will have the most amazing adventure hiking mount muhabura. Other activities you can take part in on mount muhabura include gorilla trekking in Rwanda because there are a number of habituated gorilla families in Rwanda that can be found along the slopes, gorilla trekking in Uganda because there are habituated gorilla families in Uganda that can be found along the slopes, participate in golden monkey trekking in volcanoes national park and golden monkey trekking in Uganda for the most rewarding experience in the countries.
