Category: Hiking the Virungas
Our Stories:
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Who Holds the Speed Record on Mount Karisimbi?
The gorilla national parks of Rwanda, Uganda and DR Congo are superb hiking destinations, with the Virunga volcanoes as the centrepiece. The highest peak is Mt Karisimbi (4,507m/14,787ft), usually conquered over two days. But some exceptionally fit people manage the climb in a single day. Rangers at Volcanoes National Park whisper about seven hours being…
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Primates in the Mist: Climbing Mount Bisoke in the Rainy Season
The Virungas are currently in the rainy season, and hiking the volcanoes feels completely different compared to the drier months. Two brave team members decided to take on the challenge of climbing Mt Bisoke (3,711 m/ 12,175 ft): our Greek volunteer, Sifis, and Rwandan office manager, Sasha. At the park headquarters we were paired with…
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Mt Gahinga, the Volcano for Families & Beginners
If there’s a neglected child in the Virunga family of volcanoes, it’s Mt Gahinga. This “pile of stones” — as its name translates — is an ancient offshoot of Mt Muhabura, dating back some 100,000 years. At 3,474 metres (11,398 feet), it’s a proper mountain by any measure. But Gahinga sees remarkably few hikers. It…
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Do You Know How You Can Visit All the Countries of Our Region at the Same Time?
Mt Sabinyo (or, as our Rwandan brothers call it, Sabyinyo) is the answer! Its highest peak proudly stands at 3,669m/12,037ft, lies in Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo at the same time, and is absolutely the preferred volcano for hiking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. We have previously presented Mt Gahinga and Mt Muhabura with ample…
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Personal Take: Hikes in Gorilla Parks of Rwanda and Uganda
Marcus’s introduction to our series of walking articles reminded me of my unique position: I must be one of the few who have done (almost) everything in all mountain gorilla parks of Uganda and Rwanda. I am also a lover of walking trips and it’s kinda my duty to share with others like me! Then…
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I Tasted the Brand New 2-Day Muhabura Hike
Dear readers of the Daily Dose, In my first report from Mgahinga Gorilla National Park I told you that we were preparing to make hiking Mt Muhabura (4,127 m/ 13,540 ft) more accessible. The highest of the three volcanic mountains that our park boasts, it is the preferred climb by seasoned climbers who summit and…
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Fire, Death and Rebirth
50mm, 1.6s, f/4.5, ISO1600 We — humans, that is — seem to be irresistibly drawn to fire, as much for its beauty as for its destructive power. The sheer force of it can be mesmerising. The lava lake atop Mt Nyiragongo is one of my favourite places on Earth. I inevitably find myself enthralled by…
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Dawn at the Edge of the Region
26mm, 0.6s, f/8, ISO640 I may be colourblind, but I still love colourful photography. I have many close-ups from Mt Nyiragongo, and I’m sure I’ll share several of them with you, but this is probably my favourite photograph from the top. Taken just before dawn, it required a tripod, but I kept the shutter speed…
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Top of the World
24mm, f/13, 1/250s, ISO100 The purpose of travel photography is often not just to make people wish they were there, but to give them an opportunity to truly picture it. Having a landscape like this helps, of course, and those of you who read my previous posts might recognise a half-hearted adherence to the rule…
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