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The Virunga volcanoes are a chain of eight major volcanoes along the borders of Uganda, Rwanda and Congo, in the western branch of the East African Rift. Six are dormant or extinct and covered in forest, bamboo and alpine vegetation that shelter about half of the world’s mountain gorillas; two, Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira in Congo, are among Africa’s most active volcanoes. Uganda’s share is protected in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which covers the slopes of Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabinyo.
The volcanoes
The highest is Karisimbi, at about 4,507 metres, on the Rwanda–Congo border. Muhabura, about 4,127 metres, rises as a near-perfect cone on the Uganda–Rwanda border, with a small crater lake at its summit. Gahinga is lower, with a swampy crater, and Sabinyo, whose name is often translated as “old man’s teeth”, has a jagged eroded summit where Uganda, Rwanda and Congo meet. Bisoke has a beautiful crater lake on the Rwanda side, and Mikeno is an eroded peak in Congo.
Active volcanoes
Nyiragongo, near Goma in Congo, has one of the world’s largest lava lakes and fast-flowing lava; eruptions in 2002 and 2021 reached parts of Goma. Nyamuragira, nearby, erupts frequently. The volcanoes on the Uganda and Rwanda side have been inactive for a long time and are safe to climb. See our guide to the Albertine Rift.
Volcanoes and gorillas
The volcanic soils are very fertile, which is why the surrounding land is densely farmed right up to park boundaries, and why the gorillas’ habitat is limited to the slopes. On the mountains, vegetation changes with altitude, from bamboo, where golden monkeys feed, to Hagenia woodland rich in the herbs gorillas eat, and to giant lobelias and groundsels near the summits. See our guides to mountain gorilla habitat and Mgahinga.
Climbing in Uganda
From Mgahinga, guided day hikes climb Muhabura, Gahinga or Sabinyo, each a long, steep day; Sabinyo involves ladders near the top. Hikes need a ranger and a park fee, and start early. The Nyakagezi gorilla family is also trekked from Mgahinga, with permits at US$800, or US$600 in April, May and November. See our guide to the 3-day Mgahinga trip.
Frequently asked questions
Eight major volcanoes.
Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabinyo, shared with Rwanda and, for Sabinyo, Congo.
Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira in Congo are; the others are dormant or extinct.
Yes, guided day hikes from Mgahinga climb Muhabura, Gahinga or Sabinyo.
