This 11 days hiking Rwenzori and Gorilla trekking combines a hike to the central circuit of the great Rwenzori Mountains. This starts from Nyakalengija; the base camp on the mountain slopes where the park quarters are situated. The trail then follows the Mobuku river valley, sloping around Mount Baker, where the final trail to climb to Mount Stanley with Margherita Peak is found.
This hiking Rwenzori and gorilla trekking tour further takes you to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for a unique gorilla trekking tour. If you are a great mountain climber who is seeking to combine hiking Rwenzori Mountains and tracking mountain gorillas, this is your ideal safari choice.
Hiking Rwenzori and Gorilla Trekking Itinerary:
Day 1: Kampala – Mbarara – Kasese
Our driver-guide picks you up from your hotel or place of residence in Kampala, then transfer you to Kasese via Mbarara with lunch at Agip Motel in Mbarara. You may make a first stop over at the Equator crossing for snacks and photography, before proceeding.
The journey takes you along the Lake Victoria on a good road to Mbarara. From here, the landscape changes to a hilly and fertile area with various tea and banana plantations.
Dinner and overnight stay at the Equator Snow Lodge (luxury facility). Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner.
Day 2: First Day Trek – Kasese – Nyakalengija 1,600m – Nybitaba Hut 2,650m
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, (2,652m), 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: Second Day Trek – Nyabitaba Hut 2,650m – John Matte Hut 3,380m
Descend the ridge to the Mubuku River then climb through bamboo forest toward John Matte Hut (3,380m). The afternoon is tiring boulder hopping ascending along the north side of the Bujuku river, through the giant heather forest (4.1/2-5.1/2 hours).
Day 4: Third Day Trek – John Matte Hut (3,380m) – Bujuku Hut 3,972m
Trek from John Matte Hut (3380m) to Bujuku Hut (3,977m). We encounter the first of notorious bogs for which the Uganda approach to the peaks is famous. Traverse around Bigo Bog and Lake Bujuku. Look for the ‘everlasting flower’ known to remain on the plants for 40 years.
Day 5: Fourth Day Trek – Bujuku Hut 3900m- Elena Hut 4541m
From Bujuku Hut you will climb through moss draped groundsel vegetation, to Scott Elliot Pass (4,372 m), between Mt. Baker and Stanley. Here you will divert to Elena Hut (4,540m), to spend the night, before climbing to Mt. Stanley.
Day 6: Fifth Day Trek – Mt. Stanley/Margherita Peak – 5,109m
Elena Hut (4,541m) – Punta Margherita (5,109m) – Elena Hut (4,541m) – Kitandara Hut (4,023m). Elena Hut to Margherita Peak (5,109m) then down to Elena Hut (4,541m). Early morning traverse of the Elena glacier to the Stanley Plateau where crampons may be required.
You will then cross through NW direction and follow the Margherita glacier to the col and then to the summit, within 3 hours. You will then descend to Elena Hut and then to Upper Lake Kitandara and through the thick mud, to Lower Lake Kitandara where Kitandara Hut (4,023m) is located. Time to complete this hike is about 3 hours.
From Kitandara Hut, you can proceed to climb Mount Baker or Mount Luigi di Savoia and the peak of Vittorio Sella. As a result, you will enjoy the view of Mt. Luigi di Savoia, from this point.
Day 7: Sixth Day Trek – Kitandara Hut – Guy Yeoman Hut – 3.261m
From Lake Kitandara, you will climb to Freshfield Pass (4,282m), along the flat high alpine mossy glades, before descending the circuit among rocky and boggy areas. The panorama view here is dominated by glaciers of Mount Stanley, Baker and Savoy.
A muddy trail leads to Akendahi, Bujongolo and Kabamba rock shelters, where you will descend the Kabamba valley down to Guy Yeoman Hut (3,261m). This can take up to 6 hours, but worth it because the hut is surrounded by a beautiful views of landscape of mountains, vegetation and rivers.
Day 8: Seventh Day Trek – Guy Yeoman Hut – Nyabitaba hut
From Guy Yeoman Hut you will head to Nyabitaba hut. Drop very steeply alongside the Mubuku River, past Kichuchu, another rocky shelter and join our original route near the confluence of the Bujuku River (3.1/2 hours).
Day 9: Hiking Rwenzori and Gorilla Trekking Eighth Day Trek – Nyabitaba – Nyakalengija
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.
On arrival at the base of the mountain, you will be transferred to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This is the lushest highland rain forest on earth, filled with primates and exotic birds, valleys, hilltops and papyrus swamps.
Dinner and overnight stay at Buhoma Lodge (mid-range facility). Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Day 10: Bwindi Gorilla Trekking – Part of Hiking Rwenzori and Gorilla Trekking
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 11: Bwindi – Kampala (Travel Time +9 hrs)
After your morning breakfast, you will drive back to Kampala with lunch en-route in Mbarara, and a stopover a t the Equator crossing line in Masaka for photography. Continue to Kampala or Entebbe for your onward flight back or to your next destination. Meal Plan: B & L
You can also opt to fly from Bwindi direct to Entebbe in just 2hrs at an additional fee of US$ 270.00 per person.
Hiking Rwenzori and Gorilla Trekking Inclusions and Exclusions:
Includes
- Accommodation and meals during the hike
- Accommodation in Mountain huts and camps/Hotels
- Transfers from Kampala and return
- Park Entrance fees
- Professional Guide fees
- Porters 25kg per person
- Professional 2cook
- Gas fees for cooking
- Rescue fees in case of emergency rescue on Rwenzori Mountains
- One Gorilla permit per person
- Lunches enroute
- Igongo Cultural Centre visit
- Community walk in Bwindi
Excludes
- Flight fares
- Personal insurance
- Equipment for the hike
- Extra Luggage (extra 25kg per person)
- Any changes in the program itinerary while in the Rwenzori
- Expenses of personal nature like: drinks, laundry, tips, telephone, cigars, etc
Important to Climbers on Hiking Rwenzori and Gorilla Trekking:
- 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