The Virunga Gorilla Marathon Is Eleven Days Away. Here’s What You’re Actually Running Through.
Published by Bystays · Southwest Uganda Travel Guide
In This Guide
The Virunga Gorilla Marathon is not your average road race. There are no flat city boulevards here, no industrial event tents in a parking lot. You start at the Mayor’s Gardens in Kisoro, and within the first few kilometres the road begins to climb. By the time the full 42km runners are deep into the Kigezi highlands, they are passing through communities that border one of the last remaining mountain gorilla habitats on the planet ,with direct views of Lake Mutanda and the volcanic peaks of the Virunga massif rising on the horizon.
That backdrop is the whole point.
What Virunga Actually Is
Most people hear “Virunga” and think of the gorillas in the DRC. And they’re right Virunga National Park, established in 1925 and Africa’s oldest national park, sits in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and is home to over 200 mountain gorillas across eight habituated families. It covers 7,800 square kilometres and sits inside the Albertine Rift Valley, where it shares ecological borders with Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.
But Virunga is also a mountain range, a chain of eight volcanoes straddling the borders of Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC. Muhabura. Gahinga. Sabinyo. Nyiragongo. Nyamulagira. These are the peaks that frame southwestern Uganda’s skyline and give Kisoro its extraordinary visual character.
When theVirunga Gorilla Marathon’s route winds past communities bordering Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, that’s not a figure of speech. You are literally running through gorilla country.
The gorillas themselves share 98% of their DNA with humans. A silverback can weigh up to 220kg and leads a family of anywhere between 10 and 30 individuals. In Uganda’s Mgahinga National Park, just outside Kisoro, the Nyakagezi group is the resident family available for trekking.
The Third Edition of the Virunga Gorilla Marathon : What’s New in 2026
The Virunga Gorilla Marathon has grown fast. The first edition of the Virunga Gorilla Marathon drew a modest crowd. The second edition of Virunga Gorilla Marathon in 2025 attracted close to 1,000 runners from Uganda and the wider region, with Stanbic Bank, Tusker Lite, Uganda Wildlife Authority, and the Uganda Tourism Board coming on board as partners. The energy was enough that organisers spent the following months building a bigger platform.
This third edition of Virunga Gorilla Marathon is happening on May 30, 2026 , targeting 3,000 runners. Here is what the programme looks like:
- 6km race — entry point, open to community runners and beginners
- 10km race — competitive short distance, popular with recreational athletes
- Half marathon (21km) — the sweet spot for most regional runners
- Full marathon (42km) — the classic
- 112km Ultra Run — the new addition, introduced this year to bring trail running into the fold
Registration is Shs 70,000 for East African citizens and $30 (approx. Shs 120,000) for international runners. Payment code is Airtel Money 4405438. The Virunga Gorilla Marathon event starts and finishes at Shaza Grounds, Kisoro.
The marathon’s theme is Running for Conservation and Climate Action. A portion of proceeds goes toward community tree-planting, with a goal of 10,000 trees for this edition, co-organised with Stanbic Bank. See the full race preview here.
What the Route Actually Feels Like During the Virunga Gorilla Marathon .
Kisoro sits at roughly 1,900 metres above sea level. The air is cooler than anywhere else in Uganda, and thinner than runners training in Kampala will be used to. The landscape is a series of steep terraced hills ,banana plantations on ridges, crater lakes in the valleys, volcanic peaks never entirely out of sight.
TheVirunga Gorilla Marathon route moves through this terrain with purpose. Runners pass through villages where community members come out to the roadside, through sections of trail where the Virunga volcanoes fill the skyline, and along stretches where Lake Mutanda appears below — one of the most quietly beautiful lakes in Uganda, sitting at the base of Mount Muhavura.
It is not a fast course. It is a course that earns its scenery.
Beyond the Virungas: More Ugandan Footprints & Adventure Guides
Beyond the Race: What Kisoro Has for the Rest of the Weekend
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is Uganda’s smallest national park, but it holds one habituated gorilla family — the Nyakagezi group — and the permit costs $800 per person. The park also offers golden monkey tracking, a three-volcano hike across Muhabura, Gahinga, and Sabinyo, and birding through the Afromontane forest zone.Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is Uganda’s smallest national park, but it holds the Nyakagezi gorilla group and costs $800 per trekking permit. The park also offers golden monkey tracking, a three-volcano hike across Muhabura, Gahinga, and Sabinyo, and birding through Afromontane forest.
Lake Mutanda sits just outside Kisoro town and can be explored by dugout canoe. The views from the water ,Virunga volcanoes reflected on the surface, hills on every bank are worth the time. You will have already run past it. Going back by canoe is a different thing entirely.
Bunagana border crossing is 30 minutes from Kisoro and is Uganda’s access point into Virunga National Park in the DRC, where a gorilla permit is $400. From Bunagana, it is about an hour to Bukima, the park headquarters. You need a valid passport, yellow fever certificate, and a Congo visa arranged at least two weeks in advance ($100).
Where to Stay: Kisoro on Bystays
You don’t need to drive to Kabale for good accommodation. Kisoro itself and its immediate surrounds, from the Nkuringo sector of Bwindi to the shores of Lake Mutanda has a strong range of stays at every price point. All bookable directly at bystays.com. Book early for during the marathon weekend stays fill up very fast.
Budget — Under Shs 200,000/night
Gahiza Island Retreat
An island hotel in the middle of Lake Mutanda, close to Kisoro town. Reached by boat. Ideal for travellers going to Mgahinga or Bwindi the setting gives you the stillness of the lake before a full day in the forest. Activities on site include canoeing, boat rides, and ziplining.
Imbogo Diners & Lounge
In the village of Nshora Nyarusiza, Kisoro. A rustic lodge whose hand-crafted volcanic stone walls tell a story of how Bafumbira built homes in another era. Executive suites available. The kind of place that doesn’t try to be anything other than what it is and is better for it.
Gorilla Closeup Lodge
Budget lodge on Nkuringo Road that shares a boundary with Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. If you are trekking gorillas from the Rushaga or Nkuringo sectors, this is as close as you get without sleeping inside the park itself.
Mid-Range — Shs 200,000 to 400,000/night
Bwindi Orugano Lodge
A 10-minute walk from the Nkuringo Wildlife Authority offices ; meaning your race-day logistics and your gorilla trek logistics can run from the same base. The lodge has direct views of both Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the five peaks of the Virunga range. A birder’s paradise, and genuinely one of the best value-for-view properties in the region.
Mondi Lodge Kisoro
On Bunagana Road, just beyond Kisoro Hospital. Panoramic views of the Sabinyo, Mgahinga, and Muhabura volcanoes from the terrace. A peaceful eco-lodge with well-appointed suites, deluxe rooms, and camping options all with private terraces and hot water. One of the best-positioned properties for the marathon since Shaza Grounds is a short drive.
Premium — Shs 900,000 and above/night
Lake Mutanda Glampsite Porch
A stunning eco-lodge on a peninsula along the shores of Lake Mutanda, with panoramic views of the Virunga Mountain Ranges. This is the property you come to when the race is over and you need the landscape to do the talking. Canoeing, birdwatching, cultural visits, sundowner boat excursions, and direct access to both Bwindi and Mgahinga are all available from the property.
Santaviva Hotel
On Mutanda Road, Kisoro. The full-home option for groups or families who want full privacy and space. Strong value per head when split across a group.
Practical Notes for the Marathon Weekend
The drive from Kampala to Kisoro takes approximately 8 hours by road, passing through Mbarara and Kabale. Bus operators including Bismarkan, Post Bus, Jaguar, and Horizon serve the Kampala–Kisoro route. By private car, the drive is comfortable in a day.
If you are combining the marathon with a Virunga DRC gorilla trek, allow at least three nights in the region. Your Congo visa ($100) should be arranged at least two weeks in advance. Bring your yellow fever certificate and valid passport — these are non-negotiable at the Bunagana border.
The best months for gorilla trekking in the broader Virunga ecosystem (across Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC) are the drier seasons: June–September and December–February. May sits at the tail end of the long rains, which means the highland trails are wet and the vegetation intensely green. Gorillas are still out. The race still runs. Come prepared with trail-grip shoes and a waterproof layer.
Frequently asked Questions About the Marathon.
What are the different race categories for the 2026 edition?
he event offers five distinct trail distances catering to all fitness levels:
6km Community Run: Perfect for families, absolute beginners, and connecting with local residents.
10km Run: A fast but hilly short distance popular with recreational athletes.
21km Half Marathon: The sweet spot for regional runners looking for a solid challenge.
42km Full Marathon: The classic, grueling distance through the Kigezi highlands.
112km Ultra Run: The brutal new addition for hardcore trail runners, navigating ancient lava fields and rainforest boundaries.
What is the terrain actually like? Is it a road race?
No, this is a true experiential trail and highland course. While some short sections pass through town trading centers on paved roads, the vast majority of the route moves along dirt paths, volcanic rock trails, and rural paths skirting terraced hillsides and forest borders. It is a demanding course that rewards you with incredible views rather than fast, flat personal records.
What is the best way to travel to Kisoro from Kampala?
You have three primary options depending on your budget and timeline:
By Private Car / Self-Drive: A comfortable but long 8-to-10-hour drive (approx. 510km) via Masaka, Mbarara, and Kabale. The roads are entirely paved but feature sharp, winding corners through the mountains between Kabale and Kisoro.
By Public Bus: Reliable operators like Bismarkan Coaches, Post Bus, and Jaguar service the Kampala-Kisoro route daily. Tickets cost between Shs 50,000 and Shs 70,000, usually departing early morning or night.
By Domestic Flight: For a faster trip, operators like AeroLink run scheduled morning flights from Entebbe International Airport directly to the Kisoro Airstrip (approx. 1 hour and 15 minutes).
What should I pack for a late-May race weekend in Kisoro?
May sits at the very tail end of the long rainy season. The landscape will be intensely green, but the highland trails will be wet and muddy. You should pack:
Trail-running or hiking shoes with deep, aggressive grip.
A lightweight, waterproof jacket or windbreaker.
Warm fleece layers for the mornings and evenings (temperatures routinely drop to 10–13°C).
Insect repellent, sunscreen, and a reusable water bottle.
Book Your Kabale Stay
Browse and book all Kisoro accommodation including all properties listed above directly at https://bystays.com/virunga-gorilla-marathon-accommodation-where-to-stay-in-kisoro/
Prices are verified, booking is secure, and the listings cover everything from lakeside eco-lodges to town-centre hotels. Whether you are coming for the marathon, the gorillas, or just the Kigezi highlands in general — the region rewards the trip. Book early. Marathon weekend fills up.
Bystays is Uganda’s hotel booking platform with local knowledge, verified rates, fast and secure checkout.
If you are going for this year’s edition, the best booking platform for a stay is BYSTAYS.COM . Reserve yourself a room and a void the hustle when you should be fully focused on the race/marathon