Great Hiking Trails and Nature Walks in Uganda.
Hitting the Trails – Best Experiential Hiking Trails in Uganda- including Volcano Climbs
Hitting the Trails – The Best Experiential Hiking Trails in Uganda. A collection of some of the best Hiking 
Trails found in Uganda.
Hike up the Virunga Volcanoes, the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon, the savanna with its wildlife, Rainforests in both Uganda and Rwanda, Jungle Hikes, and one of the most unusual hikes up the Morungole Mountains in the remote Karamoja region to Visit the Ik People.
Any of the Hiking Trails can be included in your Safari in the heart of Africa. Places, unlike others where you have hiked, climbed, or taken a Nature Walk.
It is time to hit the Trails – to see Uganda off of the beaten tourist track, discovering the undiscovered – we would love to give you more information about Hiking in Africa and Uganda in particular.
Hitting the Trails – Best Experiential Hiking Trails in Uganda
Hiking Trails – Nature Walks – Climbs – in Uganda
The Sir Samuel and Lady Florence Baker Trail:
The Baker Trail is not yet entirely in place due to the turbulence within South Sudan. In Uganda, you can hit portions of the Trail, such as in and outside of Murchison Falls Park.
Further north around Gulu, including Fort Patiko and in the south in the Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve along with Lake Albert.
You can hike down the Western Rift Escarpment in the Kabwoya Wildlife reserve and then even further down to the lake itself, which is a steep and challenging hike.
We arrange hikes along the Baker Trail presently – hopefully, soon, the Trail will be fully functional.
National Geographic called it one of the 20 Hiking Trails in the world, sadly as we approach 2019, outside of a few signs, you will need a knowledgeable about the Trail tour operator to hike a portion of it in Uganda.
Mount Morungole Climb – a visit to the Ik People:
The hiking trail up Mount Morungole where you visit the Ik people is a one of a kind hike in East Africa. It takes place in the remote region of Karamoja and just outside one of the best parks in Africa, Kidepo Valley Park, where there are also many hiking trails within Canada.
It is an 8-hour hike to the remote Ik People Villages. There are about 11,000 people that live there. There are no roads up the mountain, only the Trail that you will be on.
In our opinion, it is one of the best hikes in Uganda, and you will not meet any other visitors to the region on the Trail, it is that remote. Few hiking enthusiasts come here, those that do, are utterly amazed.
The Hike up Mount Morungole is one of the different hikes in Uganda – and once again, it is off of the beaten path.
Hiking Trails – Nature Walks in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest:
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is not only an excellent destination for gorilla trekking. It is a fantastic place for hiking. There are hikes in the park itself, through the park, that you will find it a place of discovery like no other.
Do not let the word Impenetrable shy you away. Many trails are in and near the park.
The most popular Trail is the Hike through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and beyond to Lake Mutanda and Kisoro.
This park is perfect for the outdoor adventurist – the hikes found here are most rewarding – birders will find it a unique experience with many endemic species that are found in the ancient Bwindi Forest. One can easily spend 4 to 5 days in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, gorilla trekking, and hiking.
Hitting the trails with the 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 – depended on the forest for their existence.
During the 1990s, parks were created, and the Batwa people were evicted from places such as Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla Park. They were a people without land, losing their cultural values.
Today, their culture, ways, and traditions are being kept alive through interactive cultural Hikes in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – Buhoma area – Buniga Forest and in Mgahinga Gorilla Park. Hikes are from two hours plus to 5 hours or longer. You are enriched by learning their ancient ways of hunting, gathering, and surviving in the rainforest.
Mgahinga Gorilla Park Hiking Trails and Volcano Climbs:
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 one takes a full day ranging from 6 to 9 hours depending on your stamina.
There are also other hikes such as the border trail and the Gorge Trail that take 3 to 5 hours but are more comfortable than the volcano climbs.
Mgahinga Gorilla Park may be small in size, but one can hit some great hiking trails here plus climb the volcanoes that are within the park.
This park is a Hiker’s Paradise.
Queen Elizabeth Park Hiking Trails:
Queen Elizabeth Park has some great hiking trails right inside the park.
There is the Kyambura Gorge exploration as you trek Chimpanzees, and that is not to be missed.
Maramagambo Forest with its hiking trails, the Mweya Peninsula where you can go onto the Banded Mongoose Research hike, and in the south, there is the Ishasha River hiking trail, which is a two-hour hike along the River.
Just beyond the park, there are other hiking trails outside of the park like the Rwenzori Mountains Foothills, Kalinzu Forest, and in Kasyoha-Kitomi Forest – where you have some great Crater Lake Trails.
One Hike we wish would be created is along the Explosion Crater Drive – a trail of Scenic Wonders would be fantastic.
Kalinzu Forest Hiking;
There are some great hiking trails that you will discover here along the ridges and valleys of the Western Rift Escarpment. The scenic views, including those of the Rwenzori Mountains, make it even better.
You can track chimpanzees here, great for birding enthusiasts, and there four hiking trails that you can go on with knowledgeable guides.
Kalinzu forest scenic guided walks along the ridges and valleys of the Western Rift Valley escarpment. From the forest trails, one can see Rwenzori Mountains, Lake Edward, the Kazinga Channel, and even the Congo.
Learn about the local legends and mysteries from your guide while you enjoy another day of hitting the trails in Uganda.
You can hit the hiking trails around Kibale Forest both within the forest when you trek chimpanzees, but there is also the nocturnal forest walk – the 12-kilometer forest walk.
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.
One hiking trail not to miss is the Bigodi Wetlands Swamp Hike -imagine hiking through a jungle swamp with a guide. It is a 3-hour hike that is not be missed. The vegetation alone is worth the Hike, but there are hundreds of birds, primates, small mammals, hundreds of butterflies that you will see along the TrailTrail, most of it is on the boardwalk like structures that keep you above the swamp as you like here.
The Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon Foothill Hikes:
Think of a transforming hike in Africa, and Mount Kilimanjaro will likely pop into mind. But the lesser-known (some say Africa’s best-kept secret) the 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 a ten-day route is challenging as it ascends on Mount Margherita, Africa’s third-highest mountain. We specialize in hiking trails such as the Mini-Hike, which takes one day, and you reach elevations of over 3000 meters – it is the northern pass route, and the views are fantastic. We also do day-hikes in the foothills out of the village of Ruboni, which we incorporate into our hiking safaris through Uganda.
Numerous Hiking and Nature Trails are guided, depending on your preferences as to want to do and see such as hippos, crocodiles, birds, monkeys, for example.
The length of hikes and nature walks can be from a few hours to an all-day hike. One of the things on any hike is to be dressed right, such as boots, long-sleeved shirts, light rain jackets, a 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 also see many species of birds, primates, at times even forest elephants, along the Semliki River there hippos and crocodiles.
One of the things you do not want to miss at Semliki National Park are the two Hot Springs. There is the male hot-spring Bitende about 12 meters in diameter, the female hot spring is called Nyasimbi and is a boiling geyser which spurts out bubbling water and steam about 2 meters into the air. It is a 3-hour hike.
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 Uganda Wildlife Authority Guide at your side.
On an early morning guided walk, you often encounter hyenas who are returning to their dens after a night of being on the prowl. At the same time, you can often see hippos returning from grazing during the night and returning to Lake Mburo to keep cool during the day and protect their sensitive skin from the sun.
On a nature walk, you will often see Zebras, Giraffes, Eland, Topi, and other antelopes, buffaloes. Birds, butterflies.
Take the Trail to the top of the hills and see Lake Mburo and beyond, from this vantage point you have a great view of 9 of the regional lakes found in the area.
Not to miss A hike in Rubango Forest and the Saltlick Hike. We have to obtain permission before entering Rubango Forest for your hiking safari.
You can go on Nature Walks without guides here, however, for the best experience in the forest. We recommend that you use the resident guides that can give you the best forest experience.
Forest walks for any fitness level can be done here, including children on a family safari with us, from a long and adventurous trek into the backcountry to a gentle meandering stroll through our well-maintained trails.
It’s difficult not to run into one of the three species of monkeys native to the forest.
You will also see many birds and butterflies, along with giant, ancient trees.
We do not offer Mabira Forest as a stand-alone day trip but as part of a Safari add-on, and we usually suggest an overnight stay at the Rainforest Lodge.
Hiking and Climbing Mount Elgon – Sipi Falls:
Climbing Mount Elgon can be accomplished in 4 days – most climbers are fit enough, and it is a medium difficulty climb. You 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, taking a packed lunch from your lodge.
Sipi Falls give you from 1/2 day to full day hiking opportunities.
Beyond that is Mount Elgon, with its numerous Hikes and paths that you can spend days. The Sipi Falls area is off-of the Beaten Tourist Path.
Kibiro Salt Garden and Fishing Village Hike:
It is another one of those off of the beaten track hikes. It is a three-hour hike or longer seeing the salt gardens that have supplied salt for hundreds of years.
The fishing village is down the Western Rift escarpment with fabulous views along the Hike. The fishing village, for the most part, is isolated with no road access except during the dry season.
Everything from sodas to food supplies is carried down, and the salt is brought up along with fish from Lake Albert.
The village is near Hoima, and you can take it in a while driving from Murchison Falls or the other way around.
It is an authentic experience since the village. The salt gardens are there because of what has been done for hundreds of years. Tourists just come to visit and see how life is in this remote village.
Hiking in Murchison 
Falls Park:
One can go on a variety of nature walks and hikes in Murchison Falls National Park and choose from a variety of areas to do so.
There is Rabongo Forest a birders paradise and also an area where you can spot chimpanzee and other primates as you walk along with your guide.
Budongo Forest is one of the best areas to hike when it comes to Murchison Falls National Park, and you can see a variety of wildlife, monkeys, and birds. You can also go on guided walks in the Chobe area of the park.
The new Baker Trail will also go through the park as you can hike from South Sudan to Lake Albert and follow the Trail of the Discoverers Samuel and Florence Baker. If you an avid hike, take a look at our hiking advice and tips for Africa.
The most famous Hike is to the top of the falls, and you can also hike in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
Hiking the Cycad Trail in the Mpanga River Gorge:
See the ancient Cycad Plants along the Cycad Trails in the Mpanga River Gorge. This is a one-of-a-kind-trail in Uganda that takes you back to the age of the Dinosaurs. It is Uganda’s mini-version of Jurassic Park.
You will see the large, endangered plants along the Trail. It is a relatively new trail and in portions, it is still under development, however it is well worth the hike.
The trail is near Queen Elizabeth Park and is one of Uganda’s beaten tourist track site. It is however close to both Kibale Forest and Queen Elizabeth Park.
Overnight lodging is not available, however you can stay overnight at a midrange or luxury large 45-minutes driving distance from the trail.
Hiking Tips and Advice:
Hiking and Nature Walk in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest takes some preparation, wearing the right clothing, boots, shoes more.
Preparing for a hike or nature walk will make it a lot more rewarding for you. We can also help you if you have any questions. We would also love to help you in creating an itinerary that not only includes gorilla tracking, but other activities such as outlines above and a hike in or through the forest just might be right for you.
Hiking in Uganda merely is different from what you may be used to – many hikes are in the many rainforests – the altitude is higher, and in many cases, it will not be hot due to the elevation of the park.
Best Hiking Safaris in Uganda:
You can spend several weeks hiking through Uganda alone, and we do offer a two-week hiking safari through Uganda.
Here you will find some choice spots for the hiking enthusiast in the Pearl of Africa – Uganda.
It includes hikes in the Savannah Parks, Hikes in Tropical Rainforests, exploring the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon, including a three-day hike into the Rwenzoris called the Mahoma Trail.
Take a look at mi-range and luxury hiking Safaris that we offer in Uganda. They are gaining in popularity as more and more want to get out of the Vehicle in the African Wild.
For security reasons, we do not offer camping safaris.
Hitting Hiking and Walking Trails in Uganda are an exciting way to explore Uganda experientially -Getting out of the Safari Vehicle and explore the African Wilderness in all of its natural splendor.
We will work with you in every way possible to make your Hiking Safari in Uganda a success -we hope that our Walking – Hiking Safari Advice and Tips were of help to you. We can also arrange a Nature Walking Safari for you in one of the parks in both Uganda and Rwanda.
It is time to start planning the time of your life experience on a hiking climbing, experiential Safari in the heart of Africa – Uganda.
We look forward to hearing from you and assisting you in planning a hiking safari in Uganda that you will not soon forget.
Hitting the Trails – Plan your Hiking Safari
