Mt Gahinga, the Volcano for Families & Beginners
If there’s a neglected child in the Virunga family of volcanoes, it’s Mt Gahinga. This “pile of stones” — as its name translates — is an ancient offshoot of Mt Muhabura, dating back some 100,000 years. At 3,474 metres (11,398 feet), it’s a proper mountain by any measure.
But Gahinga sees remarkably few hikers. It can only be climbed from Uganda, and honestly, it’s easy to see why it often gets passed over. When the alternatives include a crater lake (Mt Muhabura) or the tripoint summit where Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo meet (Mt Sabyinyo), a swamp at the top might not sound like the most enticing reward.
Let’s look closer — and do some numbers. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park doesn’t break down visitor stats by volcano, but here’s the total number of climbers in 2025 so far:
April 2025: 72
March 2025: 130
February 2025: 174
January 2025: 154
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TOTAL: 530
Officials estimate that Gahinga receives only 10–15% of those hikers. That means no more than 80 people have climbed it this year — and it could be fewer than 50. In practice, that’s less than three per week!
So, if solitude on a mountain trail sounds like bliss, here’s why Mt Gahinga deserves your consideration:
1. A Gentler Challenge
With a moderate 6–8 hour round trip and just five ladders to climb, Gahinga is the easiest of the three Ugandan volcanoes. If steep slopes or heights aren’t your thing, this is the one for you.
2. The Bamboo Gold
One of the mountain’s highlights is its stretch of bamboo forest, about 2 km (1.3 mi) of a wondrous environment to explore. This is the home range of the golden monkeys, so there is a chance to come across them while on the hiking trail. No permit or extra payment required — they’re just part of the experience.
3. The Swamp Surprise
Yes, there’s “only” a swamp at the top, but it’s far more beautiful than it sounds. Our expert Yonah Okoth recalls leading a group of German hikers up Gahinga once upon a time. When two of them asked to explore beyond the usual turnaround point, he guided them into the heart of the former crater lake, now a marshy plateau. Some of his photos now accompany this piece, and they speak for themselves.
Yonah, who’s summited Gahinga many times in the line of park ranger duty, has spotted black-fronted duikers at the top and even found signs of serval cats hunting them. On the lower slopes, lucky hikers might catch sight of bushbucks as well.
And, if you’re still not convinced, we could ask someone who’s done it all. A few years ago, an Ugandan adventurer Herman Kimbugu climbed all three peaks in just two days — a rare feat. His verdict?
“Gahinga is perfect for families and generally people new to mountaineering. It is beautiful, and yet it is not as tough as the other two.”
featured photo by Blasio Byekwaso
