Also known as the Mufumbiro, the Virunga mountains are a chain of volcanoes in East Africa stretching in three countries – Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. The mountains are 8 in number and in Uganda, they can be hiked from the western part of Mgahinga gorilla national park. In Rwanda, they are found in the northwestern part of Volcanoes national park then in Democratic Republic of Congo, they cover the eastern region of Virunga national park. The word Virunga was got from the Kinyarwanda dialect “Ibirunga” which means mountains.
The Virunga mountains include Mount Karisimbi 4,507 m (14,787 ft) which is the highest Mountain, Mikeno 4,437 m (14,557 ft), Mount Muhavura 4,127 m (13,540 ft), Mount Visoke / Mount Bisoke 3,711 m (12,175 ft), Mount Sabinyo 3,669 m (12,037 ft), Mount Gahinga 3,473 m (11,394 ft), Mount Nyiragongo 3,470 m (11,380 ft), and Nyamuragira 3,058 m (10,033 ft) which is the lowest. All the Virunga Massif have had Volcanic activities over the past years however only Mount Nyiragongo and Mount Nyamulagira are still currently active and are still having Volcanic eruptions with Mount Nyiragongo which last experience a Volcanic eruption in May 2021. During your safari to these Virunga mountains, one can take part in several activities like trekking the gentle giants that are found on the slopes of the mountains, golden monkey tracking, community visits, bird watching, nature walks and hiking experiences.
For one to enjoy all these mentioned adventure activities, he or she must visit the Virunga mountains during the favorable and suitable climatic conditions. In this article, we bring you the best time to visit these mountains that are located in different countries;
Best time to visit the Virunga volcanoes/mountains
Virunga mountains can be visited all year round but the best time is during the dry seasons. This is because the trails are less muddy and the weather is more stable, providing better hiking conditions and clearer views. The dry season is always in the months of;
Mid-December to early March: This is one of the driest periods of the year, making it the best time for climbing the volcanoes. There is less rainfall, and the skies are generally clearer.
June to mid-September: This is another excellent period for hiking. The dry season during these months offers favorable conditions for trekking with minimal rain and good visibility for mountain views.
For those who are okay with hiking in the rainy season, this happens in the months of;
Late March to May: This is the long rainy season, where trails can be muddy and slippery. The climbs are still possible but more challenging, and you may encounter dense fog or heavy rains.
October to mid-December: The short rainy season is less intense than the long rainy season but still involves frequent showers. Trails can become difficult to navigate, though the rain is often lighter than in the main rainy season.
Reasons as why one should visit in the dry season
Better trail conditions: During the dry season, the paths are less muddy, which reduces the risk of slipping and makes the climb more manageable.
Clear views: While in the dry season, you are likely to get better views of the surrounding landscapes, including the volcano peaks, forests, and wildlife.
Wildlife viewing: The dry season is also a good time for wildlife watching, including mountain gorilla tracking in nearby Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda) and Mgahinga gorilla national park of Uganda.
If you are looking for an excellent visit in Virunga mountains, consider visiting in the dry season which is always in the months shown above.