9 Days Rwenzori Mountains Hiking Tour − DETAILED SAFARI ITINERARY

Day 1: Transfer from Kampala to the Rwenzori Mountains.

After breakfast at your place of stay in Kampala city or Entebbe at around 7.00 am, we embark on a 440km (7 – 8 hours) drive west to Kasese town on the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains. We pass through impressive rural landscapes of Uganda with a lush green cover, scattered human settlements except for the en-route towns, and impressive natural features such as the Inselbergs of Mubende.

We will reach the town of Fort Portal at around lunchtime. The fort that gave the town its name might not stand anymore, but this is a beautiful town in another scenic area of the country. We will enjoy lunch at one of the best restaurants in town. After lunch, we’ll continue our scenic drive to Kasese where you will be welcomed by the towering Rwenzori Mountains.

You retire for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

The highlight of the day: – The scenic drive through Uganda’s countryside.

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 of the day:-

• Chimpanzee tracking

Optional activities you can choose to do on this day:-

• Visit the Rwenzori Art Foundation, the only bronze casting center in Africa
• Ruboni Craft Village

Day 2: Hike Rwenzori Mountains from Nyakalengija at 1,615m to Nyabitaba Hut at 2,651m

You will have breakfast at around 6.30 am and then we transfer to the Rwenzori Mountains National Park offices at Nyakalengija at 1,615m where the Rwenzori Mountaineering Service in conjunction with the Uganda Wildlife Authority will give you an informative briefing about the Rwenzori Mountains climbing adventure.

At this point, you have the opportunity to hire mountaineering equipment if you didn’t have any.

After the briefing, you will start the hike from Nyakalengija, passing through the homesteads of the local Bakonzo people. You’ll gradually move up to the Rwenzori Mountains National Park gate where you will be registered before entering the park. You will start the Central Circuit route hike through montane elephant grass, dense bushes, and tropical rainforest.

The forest is inhabited by shy Forest elephants, Chimpanzees, Black-and-white colobus, Angola colobus, Blue monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, Bushbucks, Duikers, Hyrax, and unusual reptiles including the three-horned Chameleon, as well as a wealth of birds including the brilliant-winged Ruwenzori turacos, Rwenzori batis, Handsome francolin, Archer’s Robin-chat, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Strange Weaver, and various others, as well as various tree and plant species.

You will expect to see some of them. You will have dinner and overnight at Nyabitaba hut.

The highlight of the day: – Hiking through the pristine tropical montane rainforest with unique flora and fauna.

Accommodation:-

• Nyabitaba Hut.

 Hiking distance & 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: Climb from Nyabitaba Hut to John Matte Hut at 3,505m.

You will have your breakfast at around 7 am after which you will leave Nyabitaba hut. This is the most difficult and longest day’s hike. You will trek through thick shrubs and forest for about 30 minutes to the Kurt Shafer bright which is at the confluence of the Rivers Bujuku and Mubuku.

The trail is good for the first few hours but it gets steeper and very rocky as you take up the moorland zone, where heather plants are abundant. During this strenuous hike, you will also expect to see several fantastic bird species.

You will emerge at Nyamileju after about 5 hours, where the little-used hut is supplemented by a rock shelter, making for a good lunch stop. Nyamileju means “a place of beards”, referring to the lichen and moss draping trees nearby. At this point, you’ll have a view of Mount Stanley and Mount Speke if the weather is clear.

From Nyamileju, you will hike through a spectacular giant heather forest and then follow the Bujuku River for about 2 hours to John Matte hut which is in good condition and stands about 200 meters from Bujuku River.

You can take a bath in the river; the water is so cold but so refreshing as well. At this point, you will also have a view of the Margherita glacier which is on Mount Stanley between Alexandra and Margherita peaks. You’ll have dinner and an overnight stay at John Matte hut.

The highlight of the day: – Hiking through the moorland zone with unique heather pants, the views of Mount Stanley and Mount Speke, and Margherita glacier.

Accommodation:-

• John Matte Hut

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Hiking distance and time: – Approx. 2,651m -3,505m or 7-8 hours

Altitude gain: – 854m

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Activities and services:-

• Climbing from Nyabitaba hut to John Matte Hut

Day 4: Climb from John Matte Hut to Bujuku Hut at 3,962m.

After a hearty breakfast at the hut around 7 am; you’ll cross Bujuku River and hike through the forest to the lower Bigo bog, a swampy area in a valley that is home to the giant lobelias. This area used to be the hardest part of the Rwenzori since the area is so boggy and jumping from tussock to tussock was not easy for most hikers.

Currently, there is a walk board up to the end of the boggy area which makes the hike much easier.

From the lower Bigo bog, you will take a steep climb along a ridge which will lead you to the start of the upper Bigo bog. There is also a boardwalk up to Lake Bujuku. After the boardwalk, you’ll try to hike through the remaining small boggy area with no walk boards to Bujuku hut.

Lake Bujuku has a spectacular setting between Mounts Stanley, Baker, and Speke. The lake also acts as the beginning of an alpine zone of little vegetation. You’ll eventually arrive at Bujuku Hut standing at 3.962 m. You’ll have dinner and overnight at Bujuku Hut.

At this point, there starts the diversion trail heading to Mount Speke but for those interested in climbing Margherita and Alexandria Peaks, it makes sense to proceed and spend an overnight at Elena Hut.

The highlight of the day: – The breathtaking views of Lake Bujuku in the shadow of Mounts Stanley, Baker, and Speke

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 Hut to Kitandara Hut at 4,023m.

After breakfast at around 7.00 am, you will embark on the climb from Bujuku hut passing through Moss draped groundsel vegetation up to the 4,372m Scott Eliot pass which is the highest point on the loop trail. This path is notably rocky and steep at the Mount Baker foothills.

You gain impressive views of Margarita Peak, Savoia, and Elena glaciers not forgetting Mount Baker. You approach Lake Kitandara hut and the name Kitandara literally translated to a fresh field by passing through thick mud to the lower Lake Kitandara where the hut is located (4,023m).

The highlight of the day: – The impressive views of the groundsel vegetation, Margherita Peak, Savoia and Elena glaciers, as well as Mount Baker.

Accommodation:-

• Kitandara Hut

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Hiking distance and time: – Approx. 3,962m -4,023m or 3-4 hours

Altitude gain: – 61m

 Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 Activities and services:-

• Climbing from Bujuku Hut to Kitandara Hut

Day 6: Descend from Kitandara Hut to Guy Yeoman at 3,505m

You’ll have breakfast at around 7.00 am at Kitandara hut and then hike through the base of Mount Baker, which can be slippery so you’ll need to be so careful. The trail ascends steeply up the headwall, spreading out from the base of Mount Baker and continuing along the south side of the Rwenzori Mountain to Fresh field pass.

At this point, you can view the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west and Mount Stanley to the north.

From the pass, the long muddy descent continues, passing the rock shelter at Bujangolo, the base camp for the historic expedition by the Duke of Abruzzi in 1906. This will take you around 6-7 hours then reach Guy Yeoman hut which is located at the banks of Mubuku River. 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 7: Descend from Guy Yeoman to Nyabitaba Hut at 2,651m.

After breakfast at around 8.00 am, you will descend from Guy Yeoman descend 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 8: Descend from Nyabitaba Hut to Nyakalengija at 1,615m.

You will have your breakfast at around 7.30 am and then proceed on the descent back to Nyakalengija to mark the end of your Rwenzori Mountains climbing adventure. On arrival at Nyakalengija, you get to your vehicle and transfer to the lodge for relaxation and overnight.

Accommodation:-

Upmarket/Luxury: – Equator Snow Lodge

Moderate/Mid-range:- Sandton Hotel Kasese

Descent: – 1036m

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Activities & Services of the day:-

• Descend the mountain

Day 9: Transfer back to Kampala. Make a stop at Igongo Cultural Centre for Traditional Lunch & at Uganda Equator Crossing at Kayabwe.

After a relaxed breakfast at around 9.00 am, we’ll embark on a 440km (7-8 hours) drive back to Kampala. We’ll pass through Queen Elizabeth National Park with its impressive savannah and its game of 95 mammal species including the tree-climbing lions, the Bunyaruguru crater field, the lush Kalinzu forest the home of Chimpanzees, and Mbarara town before making a lunch stop at Igongo Cultural Center 12km from Mbarara for traditional lunch.

You 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.

From the Kayabwe, we’ll continue for 77km arriving in Kampala in the evening to mark the end of the 9-day Rwenzori Mountain climbing tour.

The highlight of the day: – The scenic drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park and the Uganda equator experience at Kayabwe.

Drive distance & time:-

Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

Activities & Services of the day:-

• Drive back to Kampala
• Traditional lunch stop at the Equator
• Photoshoots and water experience at the Uganda crossing

End of the 9 Days Rwenzori Mountain Climbing Safari Uganda Tour

9 Days Rwenzori Mountain Climbing Tour − SAFARI INCLUSIONS

  Full Board Accommodation on Safari

  Transportation in either 4X4 Safari Van or 4X4 Safari Land Cruiser all with Pop up roof & AC

  Fuel

  Professional English Speaking driver guide. Any other foreign language speaking guide can be arranged on request.

  Entrance fees to the tourist sites including Protected areas mentioned

  Activity fees of the tourist activities mentioned

  Bottled water while on safari

  Border crossing fees (for cross border safaris)

9 Days Rwenzori Mountain Climbing Tour − SAFARI EXCLUSIONS

  General tips for the driver guide, site guides and service staff at the lodges

  Laundry Services

  Other Beverages / drinks of personal nature like Alcohol

  International Flights (Arranged on request)

  Domestic Flights (Arranged on request)

  Visas

  Optional Activity fees

  Other extras not mentioned in the Itinerary

  Airport Transfer (Arranged on request)

  Accommodation in Kampala or Kigali unless it is part of the Itinerary (Arranged on request)

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