Mount Muhabura/Muhavura is one of the inactive volcanoes within the Virunga Mountain region. This is a magnificent volcano lying between Uganda and Rwanda, rising high at an altitude of 4127m. It is Virunga Volcano’s 3rd tallest volcano of the 8 that make up the Virunga Massifs. Mount Muhabura is located between Uganda and Rwanda border, and it is often referred to as Muhavura volcano. Rising high at an altitude of 4127m, Mount Muhabura lies within the Virunga Region, and this is part of the Albertine Rift, the Western arm of the East African rift. This region is comprised of 3 leading mountain gorilla destinations, Volcanoes National Park in far Northwestern Rwanda, Virunga National Park in Congo, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda.
Mt. Muhabura features a beautiful small Crater Lake at its summits. It is believed to have had its last eruption in the Holocene although the date isn’t certain. This volcano lies partly in Volcanoes National Park and in Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
The word Muhabura is translated as “The Guide” in the Kinyarwanda language. Besides its spectacular Crater Lakes, a hike to the summits of Mt. Muhabura allows visitors to enjoy the view of its surrounding area. On its slopes, there is a higher chance of spotting a diversity of wildlife including buffaloes, elephants, and others. 
Climbing Mt. Muhabura
Hiking through Mount Muhabura is a great opportunity to explore the Virunga Massifs/Mountain ranges. This is a full-day trek to conquer the 4127m elevation and there are the steepest slopes to check on your fitness level. This is the 3rd highest peak among the 8 Virunga Mountain ranges. Mikeno volcano is the 2nd highest and the tallest of all is Karisimbi volcano at 4507m.
Mt. Muhabura lies on the Eastern side of the Virunga Massifs and its borders are shared by Uganda and Rwanda. It can take you a day to hike (about 6 to 8 hours) to the summit and descend back from the peak of Mount Muhabura. At the summits, expect an excellent view of the Twin Lakes -Lake Burera and Ruhondo plus other Virunga Volcanoes. There is also a Crater Lake lying right next to the summit and as you ascend, enjoy the view of the distinct vegetation zones.
Hikes to Mt. Muhabura Volcano begin early in the morning at 7:00 am with a briefing at the Kinigi offices of Volcanoes National Park or Ntebeko offices at Mgahinga National Park in Uganda. Climbers with heavy luggage may make the best advantage of the porter services at the park offices.
After the officials have briefed you, proceed to the trailhead where the actual trek will commence. An experienced park guide will accompany you through the long day hike to conquer the summits of Mt. Muhabura. Being the long day excursion, the first stop will be made at 3116m altitude, and you will make it to the peak and back to the base.
How much is hiking Mt. Muhabura
In Uganda, hiking safaris to Mount Muhabura costs US75 per person. The cost covers the hiking experience and park guide services. It excludes costs for hiring porters in Uganda to assist carry your luggage, accommodation, transportation, and other activities or other expenses.
The process of hiking to the peak of Mount Muhabura is similar in Uganda and Rwanda, East Africa. Before you set off for an actual trek through Muhabura volcano, ensure that you have the right gear and other essentials to make your hike memorable. These include snacks, lunch, bottled water, waterproof hiking boots, a long-sleeved shirt, long trousers, a walking stick, a camera, a first aid kit, sunscreen, a safari hat, and more.
Other attractions to explore besides Mount Muhabura. In both Uganda and Rwanda, there are plentiful attractions to explore other than Muhavura volcano, including mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, birds, and many others. 
Gorilla trekking is another key activity and a special attraction in both Uganda and Rwanda. In Uganda, you can add gorilla trekking in Mgahinga to your hiking safari package or cross to Volcanoes National Park to enjoy Muhavura volcano climbing and mountain gorilla trekking.
Birding: A variety of Albertine rift endemic bird species can be spotted at Virunga Areas of Mgahinga and Volcanoes National Park besides trekking Mount Muhabura. The interesting birds to identify while at Virunga Region include dusky crimson wing, African olive pigeon, Rwenzori batis, Kivu ground thrush, blue-headed coucal, Alpine swift, Rwenzori nightjars, scarlet tufted malachite sunbird, olive woodpeckers, moorland chat, Archer’s robin chat, red-faced woodland warblers, strange weaver birds, Rwenzori turacos, collared apalis and more.
Cave exploration – at Mgahinga National Park, you can visit Garama caves 14m deep and 342m long cave. Musanze cave is the nearby cave that tourists can visit while at Volcanoes National Park.
You can also hike through other Virunga volcanoes in Uganda and Rwanda including Gahinga, Karisimbi volcano, Sabyinyo, and Bisoke.
Where to stay
Accommodation in Mgahinga National Park Uganda for an overnight stay before or after hiking Muhabura volcano; Mount Gahinga Lodge, Traveler’s Rest Hotel in Kisoro, Mucha Hotel Kisoro, Mutanda Lake Resort, Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp, Kisoro Tourist Hotel, Mgahinga Rest Camp and others.
Accommodation in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda for an overnight stay after/before hiking. They include Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Bisate Lodge, Gorilla Mountain View Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Virunga Lodge, Mountain Gorillas’ Nest Lodge, Garden Place Hotel, Kinigi Guesthouse, Muhabura Hotel, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Solution Lodge and more.
How to get there
Access to Mount Muhabura is possible by road and from Kampala, expect your journey to last for 8-9 hours. Starting your trip from Kampala to Kisoro and then to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park to hike through Mount Muhabura is amazing, first, you have a chance to make a stopover at the Equator crossing. Or fly from Entebbe Airport in Uganda to Kisoro airfield and this can cut down on the long hours you could have spent driving on road.
Access to Rwanda’s Volcanoes N/Park from Kigali capital/airport takes about 2 to 3 hours, and this is the most accessible destination compared to all the 3 Virunga Conservation Areas (VCA).
