There are eight virunga volcanoes in total, centered around the triple border of Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. Here in Uganda, the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is home to three of these impressive giants. From 'left to right': Mt. Muhabura, Mt. Gahinga and Mt. Sabinyo.

Mt. Muhabura  (4127 meters / 13540 feet)

Meaning 'The Guide' in our language, the majestic Muhabura can be seen from all over and does live up to its name. Its towering height fits several types of forests and species of flowers each on their own respective altitudes. From the edge of its ancient crater, which rainfall has turned into a lake, one can on a clear day spot the Rwenzori mountains and the lakes of Queen Elisabeth National Park to the north and of Rwanda to the south. The border between Uganda and Rwanda goes right across this crater lake. For reasonably fit hikers, it takes about ten hours to scale: six hours up and four hours down.

Mt. Gahinga (3474 meters / 11398 feet)

Rising from the same ridge as Muhabura, this wide-mouthed volcano looks as a little brother to its taller sibling. Perhaps that is why our name for it simply means 'Pile of Rocks' like those we stack as we till our fields. The crater at its peak has become a swamp over the years, with many unusual flowers such as the Giant Lobelia thriving in its microclimate. Its slopes are covered in bamboo forests enjoyed by many birds and by the endemic, endangered golden monkey. It is a more comfortable climb than Muhabura and reasonably fit hikers should get up and down the mountain in around eight hours.

Mt. Sabinyo (3669 meters / 12037 feet)

Hiking this jagged volcano, named 'Old Man's Teeth' for its distinctive look, brings one up three different peaks. The path climbs upwards along the ridge of a lush gorge which is favoured by many birds and is a worthy hike in itself. After the first peak, the path continues on narrow ridges, going down and then up in connecting to the second peak. Ladders become necessary for the third. A hiker is treated with spectacular views from above of Rwanda to the south and of Congo and Uganda to the north. Giant lobelia grow on either side of the narrow path. Across the very tallest point of the mountain, on its third peak, the borders of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo come together. The entire trek would take about nine hours for reasonably fit hikers.