This 7 days Rwenzori hike and gorilla trek combines the experiences of hiking mountain Rwenzori in Uganda and gorilla safari tour to Uganda’s most popular Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It is so amazing visiting the great Rwenzori mountains for such a unique experience in Africa.
The hike starts through the plantations and homes of the Bakonjo people, the people of the mountain, gradually reaching garden plots and elephant grass. You will then follow the Mobuku River until you cross the Mahoma River.
The trail passes through an open bracken fern slope and Podocarpus forest, up to Nyabitaba Hut (2,652m) and John Matte (3,330m). You will then descend back to Nyakalengija, steeply off the ridge, and enter the warm rainforest heading to the home of mountain gorillas, Bwindi Forest for your amazing gorilla tracking safari while staying at Silverback Lodge.
Take on this Rwenzori hike and gorilla trek for a different safari in Africa.
Rwenzori Hike and Gorilla Trek Itinerary:
Day 1: Kampala – Mbarara – Kasese
Our driver guide will pick you up from your hotel or place of residence in Kampala and then transfer you to Kasese via Fort Portal. Enjoy the winding scenery just under the Rwenzori Mountains. Lunch en-route at any local restaurant. You will arrive in the afternoon for an overnight stay and dinner at the Snow Heights Lodge. Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Nyakalengija 1,600m – Nyabitaba Hut 2,650m
From the Rwenzori Mountains National Park headquarters at Nyakalengija (1,646m), you will receive a 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 elephant grass. You will follow the Mobuku River and cross the Mahoma River.
The trail passes through an open bracken fern slope 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, and the Rwenzori Turaco, and hear the sounds of chimpanzees.
Day 3: 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: John Matte Hut (3,380m) – Nyakalengija
Trek from John Matte Hut (3,380m) as you descend back to Nyakalengija. Descend steeply off the ridge as you notice the warm rainforest. While here, look out for the tropical forest bird species and monkeys.
Dinner and overnight stay at Margherita Hotel. Meal Plan: F/B
Day 5: Kasese – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Get early morning breakfast and then proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You will drive along the deep and wide dry craters that are occupied by savanna grasses and acacia. The drive takes you through the unique western rift valley escarpment and Ishasha, the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Here, you will take on a short game drive searching for the tree-climbing lions before proceeding to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The journey takes about 4 hours but driving through interesting features, before arriving to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the evening. This park is home of the rare mountain gorillas, but apart from gorillas, there are a wide variety of primates to see including blue and red-tailed monkeys. The forest itself is lush and green with streams running through it.
Dinner and overnight stay at Silverback Lodge. Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi – Part of Rwenzori Hike and Gorilla Trek
Begin the day with breakfast as you get ready for a gorilla trekking tour, which begins at 8:00 am with a 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 7: Bwindi – Kampala/Entebbe
Return to Kampala then Entebbe, with lunch en-route and a stopover at Igongo Cultural Centre to explore the lifestyle of the Ankole and Bahima. Thereafter, you will proceed to the Uganda Equator crossing before your evening departure back home. Meal Plan: B & L.
Rwenzori Hike and Gorilla Trek Inclusions and Exclusions:
Includes
- Accommodation and meals as per the itinerary
- Transfers with 4WD vehicle
- Park Entrance fees
- Professional Guide fees
- Porters 25kg per person
- Professional cook
- Park Entrance fees
- Game drive Ishasha
- Rescue fees in case of emergency rescue in the Rwenzori Mountains
- One Gorilla permit to be paid and secured well in advance
- A community walk in Bwindi
- Services on an English-speaking Driver/guide.
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 Trek:
- Climbers must be prepared to walk for up to 8 hours every day via cliffs and muddy paths.
- Climbers must bring along their climbing gear or hire it at the base camp.
- Our porters carry 8 kg of personal climbing gear