Mount Muhabura in the Virunga Mountains between Uganda and Rwanda
Mount Muhabura is an extinct volcano found in the Virunga Mountains on the border between Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). At 4,127 metres or 13,540 feet, Muhabura is the third highest of the eight major mountains of the mountain range, which is a portion of the Albertine Rift. This rift is the western branch of the East African Rift. Muhabura is half way in the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda and in the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Muhabura is derived from the local Kinyarwanda word, Muhabura, ‘The Guide’ in the local language.
This extinct Mount Muhabura is the sharpest of all the 8 Volcanoes, the second highest mountain in Rwanda. It is also the 3rd highest among the 8 Virunga Mountains after Mount Mikeno in the DR Congo. Mikeno is the second highest at 14,560 feet or 4,437 meters above see level plus Mount Karisimbi, the highest 14,790 feet or 4,507 meters located within Rwanda and DR Congo. Muhabura is in the extreme east of all the volcanoes in the Virunga. It shares its boundaries between Mgahinga National Park in Uganda and the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Muhabura means “the guide” in the local language and was coined maybe because it was used by distant travelers as a guide during their movements.
Mount Muhabura is the second tallest in Rwanda but more tiresome to hike than Mount Karisimbi since it is very steep. But, it can be climbed in one day. While at the Peak of this extinct volcano, sightseers are pleased with the magnificent observations of the other Volcanoes plus the amazing twin lakes in Rwanda, Lake Ruhondo and Lake Burera, the amazing twin lakes in Rwanda. Another amazing feature about Muhabura is its Crater Lake being near its summit. And the vegetation is always arid than other areas of the Volcanoes National Park. Muhabura is linked to Mount Gahinga in the West with a Crater Lake of around 40 meters at its peak. Mount Muhabura is a neighbor to to Mount Sabyinyo.
The adventure of Muhabura can be accompanied with gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda or Volcanoes National Patk in Rwanda.