Volcanoes in Uganda: The Virunga Peaks, Mount Elgon and Crater Fields

Uganda's volcanoes are ancient or dormant. In the south-west, Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo are the Ugandan part of the Virunga volcano chain in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. In the east, Mount Elgon is an extinct volcano with a large caldera. Around Fort Portal and Kasese lie fields of explosion craters, now often holding lakes.

The active Virunga volcanoes Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira are across the border in the DR Congo, and Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park shares the same chain. See Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Fort Portal and crater lakes.

This guide is part of our Uganda facts and travel information guide. When you are ready to plan, see our Uganda safari packages or the Uganda safari holidays with Ameera Africa Safaris.

Hiking the Virunga Volcanoes

You can climb Muhabura, Sabyinyo and Gahinga with a ranger. The tariff is in the UWA tariff guide.

Crater Lakes and Volcanic Soils

Volcanic soils make western Uganda fertile for tea and coffee. Crater lakes are a highlight of the Fort Portal region; see Fort Portal and crater lakes.

Active Volcanoes Nearby

See Mount Nyiragongo and the Virunga volcanoes for the active volcanoes in DR Congo and Rwanda.

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Related Tours, Guides and Resources

• Ameera Africa Safaris homepage: Uganda safaris, tours and holidays
• Uganda safari packages
• Uganda travel guide
• How to book a Uganda safari
• Plan your safari with our team