The 6 days Rwenzori hike and gorilla trekking in Bwindi is the best and ideal for tourists seeking hard adventure while on a Uganda safari. Get to hike Mountain Rwenzori up to Samalira Camp and then descend to the bottom of the mountain. Proceed with a transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for yet another Uganda gorilla trekking safari experience that every visitor looks up to.
The Rwenzori hike and gorilla trekking in Bwindi will give you an amazing safari experience that you will live on for a lifetime. Are you looking at combining the two adventures of hiking mountain Rwenzori and also take on gorilla trekking in Bwindi, then better book this tour.
Rwenzori Hike and Gorilla Trekking Itinerary:
Day 1: Kampala – Kasese
You will be picked up from Kampala from your hotel or place of residence and then transfer to Kasese via Mbarara for lunch at the Agip Motel in Mbarara. The journey takes you along Lake Victoria on a good road to Mbarara, where the landscape changes to a hilly and fertile area with tea and banana plantations.
Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Margherita. Meal Plan: Lunch and dinner
Day 2: Start of the Hike
The trek starts at Hotel Margherita and then drive from Kasese via Kilembe mines. It is better to start by 8.30am but can leave not later than 10:00am. After meeting your guides and briefing, you will walk for 2.2km to the Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers post at 1,727 meters. Here, the rangers brief you on the day’s activities and rules of the Rwenzori Mountains National Park.
Today’s walk of about 8.6km is expected to take between 5 to 6 hours, starting at the height of 1,667 meters, then climbing to 3,171 meters. During the first few kilometers you will climb steadily through pristine montane forest, with tall trees thick undergrowth and a multitude of different species of birds and primates. Then you will continue on a fairly strenuous climb up a main ridge with few rocks and firm footing to your first night at Samalira Camp, except if you trek immediately after a heavy downpour.
As you leave the rangers’ post you walk along a path through tall grassland and ferns which gives way to magnificent pristine forests. Because this is a new route, the forests are untouched and carry a wide variety of trees and plants. Many species of birds can be heard whistling and seen in this rich environment.
The first few kilometres climb steadily crossing several small streams and rivers then you will start climbing the ridge. As you climb, the trees become taller and straighter. At this point it is common to see and hear many types of primates, most especially troupes of chimpanzees echoing around the valleys. Particularly, around the spot at 2,570m it is possible to see troupes of 15 to 20 black and white colobus monkeys or blue monkeys as they dash through the trees.
After lunch, you will continue to climb steadily passing a rocky shelter (2,785m) previously used by poachers to hunt primates and duikers (small antelopes).
After this rocky shelter, the climb then enters the bamboo zone where it becomes steeper. As you near the top, you will break out of the bamboo to fantastic views of valleys and hills below looking across to Lake George and Queen Elizabeth National Park in the distance. The equator lies just north of Lake George.
Samalira Camp is at 3,147 metres, which means the lookout offer great views of the surrounding landscape and Kasese town. (Note: mobile network is available at this camp).
Day 3: Second Day on Rwenzori Hike and Gorilla Trekking
After a hearty breakfast you will commence today’s walking at about 8:15am. You will initially climb steadily then cross a small stream, where the climb becomes steep for about 200 metres up a narrow moss covered ridge. The thick moss covering the ground and rocks under the giant heather trees is spectacular, so we ask you to help preserve this pristine environment by keeping to the pathway.
The views here give us the impression that we could fly as we look across the many ridges and valleys far below. You can see Kilembe village deep in the valley and across Lake George.
After a relatively short climb the trail becomes less steep as we reach Chavumba which means heaven, at 3,316m. You will then walk down to a small valley where you may see Giant lobelias (‘lobelia gibberoa‘). From here, you will continue climbing passing through trees covered with deep green moss and a host of plants which thrive in the ever misty environment at 3,515 metres. Take a left turn on a path leading to trail to Kalalama.
At Kalalama Camp you will prepare your evening meals while overlooking Kasese and Lake George from a different perspective. To the south is the rugged cliff faces of Rwatamaguta and Karasimbi rising far above and creating the wonder of the diversity of the Rwenzori Mountains.
Day 4: Descend the Hike
On the fourth day you will slowly descend down through the bamboo forests. Here, the bamboo zone is much wetter than the climb up to Samalira Camp because the trail is on the southern windward side of the mountain that gets much more rain.
At around 2,600 metres the bamboo gives way to afro-montane forests that you pass just above Sine Rock Shelter. This rock shelter was the home to a gentleman called Sine who spent over thirty years in the mountains poaching animals.
When you reach the bottom of the ridge you will cross a rather large fast flowing stem on Musenge rock shelter. Here, you will have lunch and a short break before you walk your final 6km through thick mountain montane forest to the rangers post.
After a short debriefing, you sign off and walk for about 1.2km to the parking where your car will be waiting.
Get your morning breakfast and proceed to Bwindi. You will drive along the deep and wide dry craters that are occupied by savanna grasses and acacia. This drive takes you through the unique western rift valley escarpment and the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Ishasha sector. Here, you will take on a game drive in search of tree climbing lions before proceeding to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
This journey takes about 5 hours but driving through interesting features, before arriving to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the evening. This park is home to the rare mountain gorillas, but 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 streams running through it.
Dinner and overnight stay at Sliverback Lodge. Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking Bwindi – Part of Rwenzori Hike 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 6: Bwindi – Kampala/Entebbe
Return to Kampala and then to Entebbe, with lunch en-route and a stopover at Igongo Cultural Centre to explore the lifestyle of the Ankole and Bahima culture. Thereafter, proceed to the Uganda Equator crossing before your evening departure back home or to your next destination. Meal Plan: B & L.
Rwenzori Hike and Gorilla Trekking Inclusions and Exclusions:
Includes
- Accommodation and meals during the hike
- All ground transfers with 4wd vehicle as per the itinerary
- Park Entrance fees
- Professional Guide fees
- Porters 25kg per person
- Professional cook
- Rescue fees in case of emergency rescue on Rwenzori Mountains
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
Important to Climbers on Rwenzori Hike 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