Trekking and Climbing in Uganda

While for many travellers, their experience of walking in Uganda may not extend beyond a half-day gorilla safari, keen mountaineers will find much to discover in the country. Most notably, Uganda is home to the Rwenzori Mountains, which offer some of the most beautiful – and challenging – mountain terrain in all of Africa. Elsewhere, Mt Elgon, in the far east of the country on the border with Kenya, and the Virunga Mountains on the south-western border with Rwanda, offer trekking routes suitable for experienced and novice mountaineers alike.

Rwenzori Mountains
The mythical “Mountains of the Moon”, the Rwenzoris straddle the Uganda-Congo border in the far west of Uganda. Though stunningly beautiful, this remote range attracts relatively few trekkers, and has long been considered inhospitable and unapproachable. This is changing, however, as the past decade has seen new trails being cut to the high peaks, including iconic Mt Stanley, and growing opportunities for accessible hikes of 3-5 days.

At Gane and Marshall, we have been offering trekking and climbing holidays in the Rwenzoris since 2011, and are amongst the only international operators with experience of the region. We have an excellent knowledge of the main trails and peaks, including Mts Stanley, Baker and Weismann, as well as shorter treks suitable for less experienced trekkers. For more detail and sample itineraries, visit our Rwenzori Mountains page or get in touch with our staff on 01822 600 600.

The Virunga Mountains
The Virungas are a chain of eight volcanoes – most dormant but some still active – formed from the Albertine Rift, an extension of the Great Rift Valley. Though more closely associated with Rwanda, several of the Virunga peaks can be accessed from the Ugandan side of the border, including Mts Sabinyo and Muhavura. Though both can be completed in a single day without the need to camp, Sabinyo and especially Muhavura are challenging climbs and should not be approached as casual day hikes!

The Virungas can be incorporated into an itinerary by including time in Kisoro or one of the many comfortable lodges on the shores of Lake Mutanda and Lake Bunyonyi, from where it’s also possible to access Mgahinga and the southern sectors of Bwindi for gorilla tracking.

Mt Elgon
Perched on the Uganda-Kenya border, Mt Elgon can be climbed from Kenya or Uganda via separate trails, with each route having its relative advantages. Those seeking to climb on the Ugandan side access Elgon from Mbale (or sometimes opt to stay in Jinja instead, where the accommodation options are generally better). Short hikes to Elgon’s summit are frequently promoted, but we recommend 6 days on the mountain for a safe acclimatisation profile. Please note that G&M staff have only climbed Elgon via the Kenyan side, and our knowledge of the Ugandan trails is more limited.