Hiking and Nature Walks in Uganda
Hiking Places and Nature Walks in Uganda
Uganda has many National parks, mountains and Forest Reserves where there are opportunities for hiking and nature walks. The Rwenzori Mountains, which are found at the border with the DRC, include the snowcapped Margherita Peak (5109 m), the highest Mountain Range in Africa and also one of the highest peaks. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park also includes three peaks, Mount Gahinga, Mount Sabyinyo, and Mount Muhavura, the highest peak in the national park. Mount Elgon, located in Eastern Uganda, can be used for hiking and climbing, and also has one of the largest calderas in the world of hiking and climbing enthusiasts can have an experience of a life time.
Sir Samuel Baker Trail:
The Sir Samuel Baker Trail is not yet fully developed due to the turbulence and civil war within South Sudan. In Uganda you can see portions of the trail in and outside of Murchison Falls Park.
Further north around Gulu including Fort Patiko and in the south in the Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve along Lake Albert.
Hiking can done down the Western Rift Escarpment in the Kabwoya Wildlife reserve and then further down to the lake itself which is a steep and challenging hike.
Mount Morumgole and ik people
Hike up Mount Morungole where you will find one of the smallest and unique tribes in Uganda the Ik people who leave in the remotest region of Karamoja and just outside one of the best parks in Africa, Kidepo Valley Park where there are also many hiking trails. The hike to the remote Ik people villages takes 8 hours and there are about 11,000 people that live there. There are no roads up the mountain, only the trail that you will be on. This is one of the best hikes in Uganda due to its remoteness few hiking enthusiasts come here, but those that do, are simply amazed.
Hiking Trails and Nature Walks in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest:
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is not only a great destination for Gorilla trekking, it is also a fantastic place for hiking. There are hikes in the park itself, that you will not discovery in other places.
And the most popular Trail is the hike through Bwindi and beyond to Lake Mutanda and Kisoro.
This park is perfect for the outdoor adventurist and birders who will be able to experience and see unique endemic species.
Meeting the Unique Batwa Pygmy Tribe:
The Batwa People were the original people of the forest in the southwest of Uganda. They lived in harmony with their environment leaving a small ecological footprint behind them. They were hunters and gatherers and depended on the forest for their existence.
During the 1990’s parks were created and these people were evicted from there places such as Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla Park.
Today their culture, ways and traditions are being kept alive through the interactive cultural Hikes in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Buhoma area, Buniga Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla Park. Hikes take two to five hours and are also enriched by learning their ancient ways of hunting, gathering and surviving in the rainforest.
Mgahinga Gorilla Park Hiking and Volcano
Mgahinga Gorilla Park is a small park, but when it comes to hikes and climbs it offers a lot for hikers and climbers.
You can climb three of the Volcanoes each taking a full day ranging from 6 to 9 hours, there are also hikes to the border trail and the Gorge Trail that take 3 to 5 hours but are definitely easier than the volcano climbs.
Queen Elizabeth Park Hiking Trails:
Hiking in the Queen Elizabeth National will take you through the Kyambura Gorge where you trek Chimpanzees which are not to be missed, Maramagambo Forest, Mweya Peninsula where you can go onto the Banded Mongoose Research hike and then south to the Ishasha River hiking trail which is a two hour hike along the River.
There are also other hiking trails outside of the park like the Rwenzori Mountains Foothills, Kalinzu Forest and in Kasyoha-Kitomi Forest where you will see Crater Lakes.
Kibale Forest Hiking Trails:
Hiking trails through the Kibale Forest will enable you go through the chimpanzees trek but also the nocturnal forest walk which is the 12 kilometer forest walk.
And Outside but near to the forest there are are a myriad of hiking trails including the top of the world hike, the Amabere Cave and crater lake walk to name just a few.You can also see the Bigodi Wetlands Swamp Hike which is a jungle swamp with a guide. Where there are hundreds of birds, primates, small mammals and hundreds of butterflies that you will see along the trail, most of the hike is on board like structures that keep you above the swamp.
Rwenzori Mountain Hikes:
Rwenzori Mountains in Uganda make up the highest mountain range on the African continent at over 16,000 feet.
The landscape also boasts extraordinary views of alpine valleys, diverse flora in the forests and valleys, high altitude ice glaciers, and even elephant sightings. Also referred to as Mountains of the Moon, this mountain range was long thought to be the source of the Nile.
Today, the eight- to ten-day route is challenging as it ascends on Mount Margherita, Africa’s third-highest mountain. And the highest elevation reaches 3000 meters which is found on the northern pass route and the views are fantastic. There are also hikes in the foothills out of the village of Rubon.
Semliki National Park Hiking Trails:
The hikes and nature walks through the Semliki can be from a few hours to an all-day hike. One should be dressed right such as boots, long sleeved shirt, light rain jacket, day-pack with lunch and bottled water for the activity. A hat is also a good idea.
Depending on which trail you take you will see many species of birds, primates, at time even forest elephants, along the Semliki River, hippos and crocodiles.
One of the things you do not want miss at the Semliki National Park are the two Hot Springs which are the male hot-spring Bitende which is about 12 meters in diameter and the female hot spring called Nyasimbi and is a boiling geyser which spurts out bubbling water and steam about 2 meters into the air.
Lake Mburo Hiking Trails:
What sets Lake Mburo Park apart from others is that Nature walks can be taken anywhere within the park with an armed Wildlife Guide at your side.
where you will encounter hyenas returning to their dens after a night of being on the prowl, hippos returning from grazing during the night, Zebras, Giraffes, Eland, Topi and other antelopes, buffaloes. birds, butterflies. The Trail will take you to the top of the hills where you will see Lake Mburo and beyond and you will have a vantage point to see 9 of the regional lakes found in the area.
Hiking at Mount Elgon and Sipi Falls:
Climbing Mount Elgon can be accomplished in 4 days, you will have porters and guides with you to guide you along and ease your load.
Tents are preferred and if you can buy freeze-dried meals in your country you are much better off, since local dried food selection are not plentiful.
Other lower elevation trails are there for you to hike on for half or full-day plus you should have packed lunch on you.
Sipi Falls give you from 1/2 day to full day hiking opportunities.
