10 Days Rwenzori Mountains Climbing Safari −DETAILED ITINERARY 

Day 1: Transfer From Kampala To the Rwenzori Mountains

At around 6.00 am, after breakfast at your place of stay in Kampala, we will embark on a 440km (7-8hours) drive to the legendary Rwenzori Mountains. We will pass through impressive rural landscapes of Uganda with a lush green cover, scattered human settlements, towns, and markets where you will see people going on with their daily life.

Here you can make a stop and take a photo or buy a snack. You will also see several impressive natural features such as the Inselbergs of Mubende and the scenic views of the Fort Portal area before being welcomed by the towering Rwenzori Mountains. You retire for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation:-

Upmarket/Luxury: – Equator Snow Lodge

Moderate/Mid-range:- Sandton Hotel Kasese

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Drive distance & time: Approx. 440km or 7-8hours

Activities & Services:-

• Transfer to the Rwenzori Mountains

Day 2: Climb From Nyakalengija (1,615m) To Nyabitaba Hut (2,651m)

At around 6.30 am, you set off from the Rwenzori Mountains National Park Headquarters at Nyakalengija standing at 1,615m following briefing from the Rwenzori Mountaineering services in conjunction with Uganda Wildlife Authority.

At this point, you have the opportunity to hire the mountaineering equipment if you didn’t have any. The hike commences with an encounter of the Bakonzo farmlands – the famous mountain people traversing their garden plots and the elephant grass.

You will then pass through the forest which hosts several animal species such as Elephants, Chimpanzees, Angola colobus, Black-and-white colobus, blue monkeys, bushbucks, and unusual reptiles such as the three-horned chameleon.

It is also home to some of the bird species including Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori turaco, strange weaver, Archers’ Robin-chat, and Rwenzori batis, and several others as well as various tree and plant species.

You will expect to see some of them.

It’s about 10km from the trailhead at Nyakalengija to Nyabitaba hut at 2,651m. You will have dinner and overnight at Nyabitaba hut.

Accommodation:-

• Nyabitaba Hut. There is piped water supply at the hut.

Hiking distance and time: – Approx. 1615m -2651m or 5 hours

Altitude gain: – 1,036m

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Activities and services:-

• Hiking from Nyakalengija to Nyabitaba hut

Day 3: Hike From Nyabitaba Hut (2,651m) To John Matte Hut (3,505m).

At around 7 am after breakfast, depart Nyabitaba hut. This is the longest and most strenuous day’s hike. From Nyabitaba hut, you will the hiking trail descends through the forest for a short time before it crosses the Bujuku River at Kurt Shaffer Bridge.

Between the bridge and Nyamileju hut, the path is good for the first couple of hours, but it becomes steeper and very rocky as you enter the moorland zone where the impressive heather plants are prolific.

After about 5 hours you will emerge at Nyamileju where the little-used hut is supplemented by a rock shelter, and we will have a lunch stop here. From Nyamileju, we will hike through a giant heather forest and follow the Bujuku River for 2 hours to John Matte Hut which is in good condition and stands about 200 meters from Bujuku River, where water can be collected.

Here you will have a view of the Margherita glacier which is on mount Stanley between Alexandra and Margherita peaks. You will have dinner and overnight stay at John Matte hut.

Accommodation:-

• John Matte Hut

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Hiking distance and time: –

Approx. 2,651m -3,505m or 7hours

Altitude gain: – 854m

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Activities and services:-

• Climbing from Nyabitaba hut to John Matte Hut

Day 4: Hike From John Matte Hut (3,505m) To Bujuku Hut (3,962m).

At around 7 am, after breakfast at John Matte Hut you will cross river Bujuku and hike through forest to the lower Bigo bog. This used to be the hardest part for the Rwenzori since the area is so boggy. Currently, there is a walk board up to the end of the boggy area which makes the walk much easier for hikers. As you move you will expect to see giant lobelias, everlasting flowers, and groundsels.

You will then take a steep hike along a ridge which will lead you to the start of the upper Bigo bog. There is also a boardwalk up to Lake Bujuku. Lake Bujuku has a magnificent setting between mounts Stanley, Speke, and Baker.

The lake also acts as the beginning of the alpine savannah zone of little vegetation. You will eventually arrive at Bujuku Hut standing at 3.962 m. You will have dinner and overnight at Bujuku Hut

Accommodation:-

• Bujuku Hut

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Hiking distance and time:

– Approx. 3,505m – 3,962m or 5 hours

-Altitude gain: – 457m

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Activities and services:-

• Climbing from John Matte Hut to Bujuku Hut

Day 5: Hike From Bujuku (3,962m) To Elena Hut (4,430m).

After breakfast at around 7 am, you will depart Bujuku and continue with the hike to Elena hut, which takes about 5-7 hours. You will hike through the sides of the upper Bigo bog then through the steep slopes of Lake Bujuku.

As you climb Lake Bujuku’s steep slopes on the west, the trail ascends the 4,372m Scott-Elliot pass and you will pass through more swamps and the thrilling ground gully. You will go over a steep section at the top of the gully using a metal ladder.

The trail is then divided into two. The two trails, the left trail leads to Scott-Elliot pass descending to Kitandara Lakes while the right trail heads to the Elena Hut and on a steep trail above large boulders to Mt Stanley.

Elena hut is at the rocky part of Mount Stanley and the area is too cold. At this point, you are at the highest mountain of the Rwenzori and you will have a direct view of Mount Baker and Mount Speke. You will have dinner and an overnight stay at Elena hut.

Accommodation:-

• Elena Hut

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Hiking distance and time:

– Approx. 3,962m-4,430m or 5-7hours

-Altitude gain: – 468m

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Activities and services:-

• Climbing from Bujuku Hut to Elena hut

Day 6: Summit The Margarita Peak (5,109m) And Descend To Lake Kitandara Hut (4,023m).

On this day you will have to wake up as early as 2 am, have breakfast at Elena hut, be ready in your warmest gear, put on your harness, warm hand gloves, and head sock, have your headlamps and helmets and make sure you have sunglasses in the day pack on. Hike to the top of Mount Stanley, Margherita peak, through the Stanley plateau.

On steep rocky areas, you will use the ropes to help you move. The guide will teach you how to use the equipment while on the ice.

After moving for a couple of hours after the Stanley plateau glacier, you will reach the bottom of the Margherita glacier. This is the most challenging part of the entire hiking Rwenzori experience. You will hike through this glacier up to the top of Mount Stanley, Margherita peak (5109m).

At the top, you will have a view of Ireen Lake, mount Speke, and the surrounding environment. Then descend to Elena Hut for Lunch and later proceed to descend to Kitandara. You will have dinner and an overnight stay at Kitandara hut.

Accommodation:-

• Kitandara hut

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Ascent distance and time:

– Approx. 4,430m – 5,109m or 7-8 hours

-Altitude gain: – 679m

Descent distance and time:

5,109m – 4,023m or 2-3 hours

Decent: – 1086m

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Activities and services:-

• Summiting Margherita peak
• Descending to Lake Kitandara hut

Day 7: Descending From Kitandara Hut (4,023m) To Guy Yeoman Hut (3,505m)

After breakfast at around 7: 30 am, depart Lake Kitandara Hut to climb the fresh field pass standing at 4,282m traversing the extended flat of high alpine mossy glades before descending the circuit among the boggy and rocky areas. The panorama is greatly covered by the glaciers of Mount Baker and Mount Stanley.

The muddy trail takes you to Bujongolo, Akendahi, and Kabamba rock shelters where the Kabamba valley starts heading down to Guy Yeoman Hut standing at 3.261 m. The Guy Yeoman Hut is surrounded by impressive vegetation, mountains, and rivers. You will have dinner and overnight stay at Guy Yeoman hut.

Accommodation:-

• Kitandara hut

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Descent distance and time:

Approx. 4,023m – 3,505m or 6-7 hours

Decent: – 518m

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Activities and services:-

• Descending from Kitandara Hut to Guy Yeoman Hut

Day 8: Descend From Guy Yeoman Hut (3,505m) Back To Nyabitaba Hut At (2,651m).

From Guy Yeoman descend back to Nyabitaba Hut through the bamboo forests. The path down can be slippery and muddy with little to hold on to and requires careful balancing over the vertical mud or steep rock. After about 5 hours of trekking you will reach Nyabitaba hut for relaxation and overnight.

Accommodation:-

• Nyabitaba Hut

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Descent distance and time:

Approx. 3,505m − 2,651m or 5 hours

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Activities and services:-

• Guy Yeoman Hut to Nyabitaba Hut

Day 9: Descend From Nyabitaba (2,651m) To Nyakalengija (1,615m).

Here, you proceed on the descent back to Nyakalengija to mark the end of your experience. Upon arriving at Nyakalengija, you get to your vehicle and transfer to the lodge for relaxation and overnight. You will then continue to descend for more 3 hours to Nyakalengija.

Accommodation

Upmarket/Luxury: Equator Snow Lodge

Moderate/Mid-range: Ihamba Safari Lodge

Basic/Budget: Ruboni Community Camp

Descent distance and time:

Approx. 2,651m – 1,615m or 3 hours

Descent: – 1036m

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Activities & Services

• Descend the mountain

Day 10: Transfer Back To Kampala

After a relaxed breakfast, embark on the transfer back to Kampala. Drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park with its impressive savannah and its game such as Elephants, Buffalos, Warthogs, antelopes, and several bird species, the Bunyaruguru crater field, the lush Kalinzu forest, Mbarara town before making a lunch stop at Igongo Cultural Center 12km from Mbarara for traditional lunch.

We will make another stop at Uganda Equator crossing Kayabwe for amazing photo shoots, the water experiments to evidence the divide between the north and south spheres, and the purchase of memorabilia from any of the gift shops at the site. Continue for 77km arriving in Kampala in the evening to mark the end of the safari.

Meal plan: – Breakfast and lunch

Drive distance and time:

Approx. 440km or 7-8 hours

Activities and services

• Transfer back to Kampala
• Photo shoots at the Equator

End of the 10 Days Rwenzori Mountains Hiking Safari Tour

4 Days Rwenzori Mountains Climbing Safari−SAFARI INCLUSIONS

  Full time English professional safari driver guide

  4×4 safari van/ 4×4 Safari land cruiser with poop up roof for game viewing with functional A/C

  Full board accommodation

  Wi-Fi Internet on board the safari vehicle

  Bottled water

4 Days Rwenzori Mountains Trekking Safari − SAFARI EXCLUSIONS

  International &domestic flight fees

  Visa fees

  Laundry services

  Items of personal nature

  Gratuities and tips

  Other beverages/ drinks

  Other extras not mentioned in the itinerary above

Getting There

Transport Means to Your Safari Destinations

Accommodations/ Safari Lodges/ Safari Hotels to Your Safari Destinations

RELATED 10 DAYS RWENZORI MOUNTAINS HIKING SAFARI ∣ 10 DAYS RWENZORI MOUNTAINS CLIMBING – Tour Packages