On this 10 days Rwenzori hike and Uganda safari visitors are given an opportunity to hike the Rwenzori mountains for 2 days, in such an amazing short adventure. After the great ‘mountains of the moon’, you will get on a wildlife safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park, then a gorilla trekking tour in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You will then end with a safari to Lake Mburo National Park, which is an extension of the Tanzanian plains with big herds of zebras, impalas, elands, warthogs, buffaloes and other savannah species.
For birders, this is one of the best place to find the Rwenzori turaco, African Fin Foot, Papyrus and bush shrike among others. This 10 days Rwenzori hike and Uganda safari is so ideal for those seeking to see different species of wildlife in Uganda, as well as a couple of days hiking Rwenzori mountains.
Rwenzori Hike and Uganda Safari Itinerary:
Day 1: Kampala – Kasese
Arrival at Entebbe airport by morning flight. Transfer to Kasese via Mbarara for lunch at the Agip Motel in Mbarara town. From here, the landscape changes to a hilly and fertile area with tea and banana plantations.
Dinner and overnight stay at the Equator Snow Lodge. Meal Plan: Lunch and dinner.
Day 2: First Day Trek – Nyakalengija (1600m) – Nyabitaba Hut (2650m)
From the Rwenzori Mountains National Park headqarters at Nyakalengija, 1.646m, you will receive the briefing from the guides, with the possibility of hiring climbing equipment. The hike starts through the plantations and homes of the Bakonjo People, people of the mountain, gradually reaching garden plots and elephants grass. You will follow the Mobuku River and cross the Mahoma River.
The trail passes through an open bracken fern slopes and Podorcarpus Forest, up to Nyabitaba Hut, 2.652 m, which is the arrival point for the day. This will take from 5 to 6 hours. From this location, you are facing the North of the portal peaks, 4.627m, that is in front of Mount Kyniangoma. During the day, you might see monkeys, the Rwenzori Turaco and hear the sounds of chimpanzees.
Day 3: Descend Nyabitaba Hut – Nyakalengija To Queen Elizabeth National Park
From Nyabitaba Hut, you will head to the Nyakalengija road, that is about 2-hours. Descend steeply off the ridge and enter the warm rain forest. Here, you can look for tropical forest birds and various monkey species.
You will meet your guide and proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park, for an evening game drive, sightseeing and so much more rewarding experiences, en-route as you drive to your lodge.
Dinner and overnight stay at Enganzi Safari Lodge (mid-range facility). Meal Plan: B, L & D
Day 4: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Part of Rwenzori Hike
You will begin your day with a cup of coffee. Then get on an early morning game drive along Kasenyi and Queens’ Mile, which makes visitors encounter elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, warthogs, lions, Uganda Kobs and a variety of birds. You will then return to the lodge for breakfast and lunch.
After lunch, a two hour boat trip along the famous Kazinga channel is worthwhile and its an amazing opportunity to see hippos, buffaloes, giant African elephants and warthogs among others. This trip gives visitors a chance to see spectacular birds.
Dinner and overnight stay at Enganzi Safari Lodge (mid-range facility). Meal Plan: B, L & D.
Day 5: Queen Elizabeth Park – Ishasha
Dawn a game drive in Uganda’s best national park, where all the big game can be seen in abundance. Famous for giant African elephants and kobs, expect to see some rarer animals like giant forest hogs. There are more than 638 recorded bird species in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
You will later proceed to Ishasha sector, where you will take on yet another evening game drive in search for the tree climbing lions.
Dinner and overnight stay at Ishasha Jungle Lodge (mid-range facility). Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 6: Ishasha – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Get on an early morning guided bush walk for a closer interaction with nature, but the mid-morning will be spent on a game drive for the tree climbing lions. Thereafter, you will head to Bwindi, in a journey that takes about 5 hours, but driving through interesting features.
Arrive at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which is home of the rare mountain gorillas. Apart from gorillas, there are a wide variety of primates to see including the blue and red-tailed monkeys. The forest itself is lush and green with various streams running through it.
Dinner and overnight stay at Silver Back Lodge (mid-range facility). Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 7: Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Experience
Begin the day with breakfast as you get ready for a gorilla trekking tour, which begins at 8:00am with briefing from Uganda Wildlife Authority staff. Ensure that you carry along with you a rain jacket, drinking water, snacks and jungle boots among others.
Guides will lead you inside the jungle to see the shy primates for a group you have been booked for. Do not forget to take your lunch boxes and all the necessary gear to track the rare mountain gorilla, which is perhaps one of the most exciting wildlife experiences on earth. Tracking may take between 2 to 6 hours but it’s well worth the effort.
The afternoon is spent on a village walk, so the Buhoma Village Walk gives you a great opportunity to see how the people surrounding Bwindi Impenetrable Forest live. It is also a great way to support the local community in a direct way. The walk begins with your guide at Buhoma Community Rest Camp and is more informative and rewarding to visitors. It will amaze you how resourceful the local people are as you see and learn their ways.
Dinner and overnight stay at Silverback Lodge. Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 8: Bwindi – Lake Mburo National Park
After early breakfast, you will drive to Lake Mburo National Park via Igongo Cultural Village. This is the place where the future meets the past, so you can learn more about the Ankole culture from this cultural village. Proceed to the park with an en-route game drive as you go to check in at your lodge. Then engage in an afternoon boat ride amidst hippos, which is much rewarding and amazing.
Dinner and overnight stay at Rwakobo Safari Lodge/Lake Mburo Safari Lodge (mid-range facility). Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 9: Lake Mburo National Park – Part of Rwenzori Hike
Get on a morning game drive in the park which is an extension of the Tanzanian plains with big herds of zebras, impala, eland, warthogs, buffaloes and other savannah species. For birders, this is one of the best place to find the African Fin foot and Papyrus Bush Shrike among others. The evening is spent on a bush walk for wildlife viewing.
Dinner and overnight stay at Rwakobo Safari Lodge/Lake Mburo Safari Lodge (mid-range facility). Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 10: Lake Mburo – Entebbe Departure
After early breakfast, the morning is dedicated for sightseeing and relaxation. Thereafter, you will drive back to Entebbe at your convenience with a stopover at the Equator crossing with your lunch en-route, before driving back to Entebbe. Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Rwenzori Hike and Uganda Safari Inclusions and Exclusions:
Includes
- Accommodation and meals during the hike
- Accommodation in Mountain huts and camps/Hotels
- Transfers with 4wd vehicle
- Park Entrance fees
- Professional Guide fees
- Porters 25kg per person
- Professional cook
- Rescue fees in case of emergency rescue on Rwenzori Mountains
- Boat trip in Queen Elizabeth & Lake Mburo
- Bush walk in Ishasha sector & Lake Mburo
- One gorilla trekking permits per person to be secured and paid for in advance
- Community walk Bwindi
- Park entry fees
- Game drives
Excludes
- Flight fares
- Personal insurance
- Equipment for hiking
- Extra Luggage (extra 25kg per person)
- Any changes in the program itinerary while on Rwenzori
Important Information for Rwenzori Hike:
- Climbers must be prepared to walk for up to 8 hours every day via steep cliff and muddy paths.
- Climbers must bring along their own climbing gear or hire it at the base camp.
- Our porters carry 8 kg of personal climbing gear