Mount Muhavura is the tallest of the Ugandan Virunga Volcanoes at 4127m above sea level. Translated Muhavura means "The Guide", and it's easy to see why. It's a very distinct volcano and the eastern flanks form the border between Rwanda and Uganda. It's also part of the Mgahinga National Park, and occasionally sees visits from mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. At the summit, that is shared with neighbouring Rwanda, there's a small crater lake. If the weather is good the views towards Lake Mutanda and the other Virunga Volcanoes are incredible.
The day hike starts at the Muhavura Gate near Buzeyi at an altitude of 2300m. Like most stratovolcanoes, the incline gets steeper as you get at higher altitudes. Parts are equipped with (somewhat rickety) ladders. Muhavura is over 4000 metres high and you will notice the lack of oxygen in the air. Nowadays it's possible to stay half-way to the summit at around 3200 metres. This is highly recommended for two reasons. One, it's almost 1800 metres of ascent and descent in a single day, which is very tough. Two, clouds build up as the day progresses. If you're already high up the mountain there a greater chance to have views from the summit.
Private car
From Entebbe and Kampala it is roughly 9 hours driving to Kisoro, the main town close to the Ugandan Virunga Volcanoes. The quickest route is via Mbarara and Kabale. From Kisoro you drive on the unpaved road (that can be rough in rainy season) in about half an hour to the UWA Muhavura Gate.
Public transport/taxi
There are several bus companies that have direct services from Kampala to Kisoro. These are Jaguar, Trinity, Bismarkan, Horizon and Post. It costs $15-$20 (50k-75k UGX) one-way and takes approximately 10-11 hours. From Kisoro there are two ways to get to the Muhavura Gate. The cheapest option is a boda (moto-taxi) for around $5 (20k UGX). You could also take a taxi for $10-$15 (37k-50k UGX). Prices for both depend on your negatiation skills.
Note that the hikes on Mount Muhavura start early and you may have to spend the night in the area to make it on time. Kisoro has plenty of (budget) places to stay. There is the Mgahinga Gorilla Triangle Lodge near Nyagihenge where you can spend the night, just 2km from the gate.
Normally you don't need to book the hiking tour for Muhavura. Arrangements can be organised quickly on the spot. You do need to show up at the Muhavura Gate on time, so the Uganda Wildlife Authority can round up the ranger guides to take you to the top. For more information see here for the UWA website. Hiking Uganda can organise this tour for you with one of our partners, see our inquiry form below.
Mount Muhavura is the hardest of the Virunga Volcanoes. If you do it in a single day you will climb almost 1800 metres in less than 12km. So needless to say you have to be fit to do it. It is pretty steep in places. This hike not suitable for people with vertigo, as some sections of the trail have some exposure. For safety reasons, UWA installed a number of ladders in the steepest places, but these are in some places in a poor shape, with broken cross bars. Take care when ascending these stairs. There are always UWA rangers with you to assist.
You can climb Mount Muhavura year-round. It's tropical and temperatures are overall mild. However, higher up the mountain it can get chilly, especially when there's a lot of wind. If you spend the night half-way, it's good to bring a warm jacket. There are two dry seasons and two wet seasons. The dry seasons are June-September and January-February. This doesn't mean there is no rainfall during this time. The chances of fair weather is higher, but (especially on the mountain) it can still rain substantially. During wet months it rains more, but you can still have nice days. April and May are the wettest month of the year. All this said, weather patterns have become unpredictable in recent years.
This hike can be done as a day hike and an overnight hike. There is a big difference in altitude and terrain, which should be taken into account when packing your bags. The weather is changeable. Rain and wind can have a big influence on how cold it feels on higher grounds. This is a comprehensive list of what to wear and what to put in your pack with a added items for an overnight stay.
Day hike
- Quick drying (not cotton) t-shirt
- Long sleeve thermal shirt
- Hiking boots
- Pair of long trouwers
- Breathable rain jacket (like Gore-Tex)
- Waterproof trousers (optional)
- Hiking socks
- Walking poles
- Day pack (20-30 litres)
- Small first aid kit
- Smartphone / photo camera
- Lunch and snacks
- Water bottle (2 litres minimum)
- Sunscreen/hat/sunglasses
- Light gloves (optional)
- Wooly hat for the summit ridge (optional)
Extra items for an overnight stay
Warm (down) jacket
Sleeping bag with comfort temperature 5 degrees Celsius
Toiletries
Headlamp
More snacks