Virunga Volcanoes
Virunga Volcanoes
5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
5.0
20 reviews
Excellent
16
Very good
4
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
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Ben-Eric M
Kabale, Uganda2 contributions
Dec 2015 • Friends
The weather has been so favorable for both hikers and trekkers; as of the seasonal discount for gorilla permits, it has attracted a great number of bookings I suppose. Of course, the rain forest does have surprises for you, for every step taken. That is the most adventurous part of these Misty mountains that are hub to the most endangered "Gentle Giants"- the mountain gorillas.
Written December 31, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kermit_Fan
New York City, NY25 contributions
Aug 2015 • Family
Sabinyo is where the borders of Uganda, DRC and Rwanda meet, at the top. If you're fortunate, the views will be wonderful
Written September 15, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Simonidies
Sea Point, South Africa253 contributions
Feb 2014 • Friends
One of the greatest hikes I've ever done... culminates at a peak bordered by and with views of Rwanda, Uganda and the DRC. Spectacular.
Written March 8, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
13samuelw
Bristol, UK41 contributions
Nov 2018
I crossed the Kanaba Pass early in 1988, heading for Kisoro in the back of an old Land Rover with about ten other people, several sacks of grain and a barrel of oil on which we all stubbed out our cigarettes. Late in the afternoon we reached the summit and there was the whole glorious view of a line of volcanoes stretching away in the darkening sky, the nearest, Muhavura cut in half by a thick band of perfectly white cloud. Ahead the rough road wound down and disappeared into the already dark landscape punctuated by tiny pin pricks of light.
Breathtaking.
Breathtaking.
Written October 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pieter - AllrideAfrika
Herzele, Belgium216 contributions
Jul 2018 • Friends
Climbing the 3 peaks of volcano/mount Sabyinyo was my best outdoor experience during my 5 month stay in Uganda. 80 dollars to climb 3 peaks in one day is worth the money. Plus you can spot elephants, buffalo’s and even gorilla’s if lucky.
The walk is 8 hours and you need to provide food yourself. Cafe pot in Kisoro sells packed lunch.
Climbing and descending the ladders of the last peak gives an adrenaline kick! Do not do this when you are afraid of heights.
The walk is 8 hours and you need to provide food yourself. Cafe pot in Kisoro sells packed lunch.
Climbing and descending the ladders of the last peak gives an adrenaline kick! Do not do this when you are afraid of heights.
Written July 21, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rupert N
Mumbai69 contributions
Jun 2017 • Solo
I chose to climb Mount Sabyinyo as I wanted to put a foot into the Congo - for most of my life it appears to have been off limits and someone I spoke to near the border who just came back said it was "terrifying ". Anyway, that's another story.
Here's what you need to know:
1. You can turn up on the morning of a climb and sort of all out then, no need to pre-book
2. Sabyinyo is a full-on hike. The uphill is relentlessly uphill - there are no ridges where you get your breath back, it is up and up and up
3. We took 3 hours to get to Peak 1, another 20 mins to Peak 2 and the same again to Peak 3. So we were on the top by 11:15. But we were going quickly.
4. The ladders are less scary than they looked on at least one photo I saw in advance. None is really vertical, plus you will likely have cloud cover to make the drop look less scary if heights bother you.
5. I found the way down a slog, with tired legs the ladders are a pain
6. I read one review saying make sure you are up before 12 or the clouds will come in. That's not how Mountains work. The clouds will come in at any time. But going early is advisable. We had no view on the top but it cleared up a bit further down. We saw the Congo!
Enjoy! A friend did another of the peaks and had a great time, spending more of the journey looking at nature and he saw Golden Monkeys. None of that on this hike.
Here's what you need to know:
1. You can turn up on the morning of a climb and sort of all out then, no need to pre-book
2. Sabyinyo is a full-on hike. The uphill is relentlessly uphill - there are no ridges where you get your breath back, it is up and up and up
3. We took 3 hours to get to Peak 1, another 20 mins to Peak 2 and the same again to Peak 3. So we were on the top by 11:15. But we were going quickly.
4. The ladders are less scary than they looked on at least one photo I saw in advance. None is really vertical, plus you will likely have cloud cover to make the drop look less scary if heights bother you.
5. I found the way down a slog, with tired legs the ladders are a pain
6. I read one review saying make sure you are up before 12 or the clouds will come in. That's not how Mountains work. The clouds will come in at any time. But going early is advisable. We had no view on the top but it cleared up a bit further down. We saw the Congo!
Enjoy! A friend did another of the peaks and had a great time, spending more of the journey looking at nature and he saw Golden Monkeys. None of that on this hike.
Written July 4, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Colaco
Hannover, Germany69 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
We stayed here before and the day after we went to do a gorilla tracking. It takes 30/45 to get the tracking base. The people was very friendly and helpful. The price is good comparing to the charm hotels and is in the middle of the city. We went to the market to buy fruits spices and textiles. The people was all very friendly around. The food was ok. The breakfast is enough but here they should improve. they did a basket to take to the tracking and was not ready when we want to leave but they managed to do it and we wait a little nothing to kill no one. I went to dinner in the restaurant near the hotel and inside of the restaurant I saw a rat of the size of a rabbit... We can never forget that we are in the middle of Africa.
Written December 10, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chilli-Bite
Kabale, Uganda270 contributions
Dec 2015 • Family
I viewed the Virunga volcanic ranges from a distance when I visited Rushaga and Kisoro with family during the recent christmas break. The ranges are spectacular and offer a most amazing scenary from a distance. I plan on climbing these ranges next year but a must visit when you travel to the area. The three summits of all look spectacular from Kisoro. You have to make that trip if you visit south western Uganda. Amazing!!!!
Written December 28, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BobTravell
Toronto, Canada95 contributions
Oct 2014 • Friends
Visiting gorillas is an amazing eperience and worth every $750 for the privilege. Be prepared for a minimum of one hour hike through mud, steep slopes, and dense bamboo forest. Some of our friends went for an "easy" hike and they end up walking close to two hours each way. If you are not a fit walker, hire a porter that will help you along the way. A minimum $10 charge for a porter will be well spend.
We stayed at the Volcanoes lodge that is quite expensive; try cheaper accommodations in the vicinity. Mind you, we were quite satisfied with our stay at this lodge.
We stayed at the Volcanoes lodge that is quite expensive; try cheaper accommodations in the vicinity. Mind you, we were quite satisfied with our stay at this lodge.
Written October 22, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mfuwe
Isle of Man, UK49,140 contributions
Dec 2018 • Friends
Coming south on the main road from Kabale to Kisoro I eagerly await Kanaba pass when what I think is my favourite view in Africa opens up. There in front of you are the Viruunga volcanoes in a row from Mahavura in the east (the guide) to Karisimbe and even Nyrahagongo still smoking away.
If the altitude does not take your breath away then the view surely will.
Recommended.
If the altitude does not take your breath away then the view surely will.
Recommended.
Written January 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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