This safari will enable you trek the Rwenzori mountain (mountains of the moon) as its sometimes referred to the third tallest mountain after Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Kenya. Carrying Africa’s third, fourth and fifth highest peaks that are visible for miles around and some of the lower slopes are covered with dense forest. Hiking Rwenzori mountains, visitors use different routes all offering unique experience. The tour will also enable you track the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habit in Bwindi national park
Trip summary
Day 1: Transfer to Kasese
Day 2: Nyabitaba Hut (2650m)
Day 3: John Matte Hut (3350m)
Day 4: Bujuku Hut
Day 5: Elena Hut (4541m)
Day 6: Margherita peak (5109m)
Day 7: Guy Yeoman Hut (3260m)
Day 8: Nyabitaba (2650m)
Day 9: Nyakalengija trailhead (1600m)
Day 10: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 11: Gorilla trekking and Community walk
Day 12: Departure
Detailed Itinerary- 12days Rwenzori and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park tour
Day 1: Transfer to Kasese
Our safari guide will pick you from your hotel and drive you to Kasese passing via Queen Elizabeth National Park. On the way have a stop over at Mpambire to see the royal drum makers, as well as at the Equator for photography at this amazing place. Proceed to Kasese via the Queen Elizabeth National Park, keeping an eye out for wildlife. Overnight at Spring International Hotel, Mountains of the moon Hotel
Day 2: Nyabitaba Hut (2650m)
After an early breakfast, drive to Nyakalengija trailhead (1600m). Meet porters and guides and begin hiking up to Nyabitaba hut. Walk through the matooke plantations on the side of the steep foothills, past the local Bakonjo homesteads. Continue with the trail along the Mubuku River, through landslides. After crossing the Mahoma River, climb steeply through bracken fern slopes and Podocarpus forest to Nyabitaba Hut. Overnight at Nyabitaba Hut
Day 3: John Matte Hut (3350m)
From here, follow the trail that drops down through the forest to the Kurt Shafer Bridge, just below the confluence of the Mubuku and Bujuku rivers. Passing through the bamboo forest, cross through a long and exhausting stretch of slippery moss-covered rock. From the Nyamuleju rock shelter, Mount Stanley and Mount Speke can be seen before passing into the zone of the giant heather, lobelia and groundsel. Finally reach John Matte Hut after passing through the tiring bog, for. Overnight at the Hut
Day 4: Bujuku Hut
From John Matte Hut the trail drops down to cross the Bujuku River and enters Lower Bigo Bog, the home of giant lobelias. Jumping from tussock to tussock, the bog is finally crossed but rarely without the feet sampling some of the freezing excretion below. The Upper Bigo bog gives way to Bujuku Lake, with views of Mt Baker to the South and Mt Stanley to the West. Bujuku Hut, well located in the shadow of Mount Baker and Mount Speke, is set in a narrow valley below Stuhlmann Pass. Overnight at the hut
Day 5: Elena Hut (4541m)
Leaving Bujuku, the trail takes you through more bog, while climbing the steep slopes west of the lake and through the magical Groundsel Gully as it ascends to Scott-Elliot Pass at 4372m. At the head of the gully a metal ladder takes you over a steep section after which the trail is divided into two. The trail on your right leads up to Elena Hut and Mount Stanley on a tee trail over large boulders, while the trail on your left leads to Scott-Elliot Pass and down to Kitandara Lakes. Overnight at the Coolly and Icy Elena Hut
Day 6: Margherita peak (5109m)
For those aiming at reaching Margherita peak (5109m), continue to the base of the Stanley Glacier. To reach the summit of Margherita, the climb takes about 5-7 hours depending on the weather conditions and the pace of climbing this mountain. This tough walk takes you over three glaciers, slippery rock, ice and very exposed areas which are open on many sides. Note that this climb is for only physically fit and technical climbers. Climbing on to the glaciers, cross the Stanley Plateau and proceed with the ascent. Acclimatized to fog, altitude sickness and coolly weather, scramble up to the summit of Margherita the highest peak of the Rwenzori. Given the high altitude and the tough conditions even if you do not reach the peak, don’t get disappointed. Prepare for you return through the Scott-Elliot pass, where there are spectacular views back to Bujuku Lake and Mount Speke, up to Mount Stanley and down to the Kitandara Lakes. After the trail that passes you through an alpine zone of sparse vegetation and rough boulders, Descend past the Kitandara Lakes for. Overnight at the Kitandara Hut
Day 7: Guy Yeoman Hut (3260m)
From Kitandara, take on the trail that ascends steeply up the headwall, spreading out from the base of Mount Baker and continuing along the south side of the mountain to Fresh field Pass. At this point you can view into the Congo to the west and Mount Stanley to the north. From the pass, take on the long trail passing the rock shelter at Bujongolo, the base camp for the historic expedition by the Duke of Abruzzi in 1906. Overnight at Guy Yeoman Hut
Day 8: Nyabitaba (2650m)
Take on the path down to Nyabitaba hut. The path can be slippery and muddy and there fore requires careful balancing over the vertical mud or steep rock. Remember this is part of the adventure with in this mountain. Overnight at Nyabitaba Hut
Day 9: Nyakalengija trailhead (1600m)
Descend gently down the muddy paths to the trailhead, finally arriving in Kasese towards lunch time. After having lunch in Kasese, drive to Fort portal. Overnight at spring international Hotel/ Mountains of the mountain Hotel
Day 10: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, you will transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the journey will take you through beautiful views of the hills and Valleys, Plantations and homesteads, arrive at the lodge in the late afternoon, the evening will reserved for leisure as you wait for tomorrow’s stunning activity gorilla tracking in the jungle. Dinner and Overnight stay at (Luxury) Buhoma Lodge/ Chameleon Hill Lodge (midrange) Mahogany Lodge/ Engagi Lodge/ Silverback Lodge / Gorilla Mist Camp, (budget) Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp or Travellers Rest Hotel, or Buhoma Community Campground
Day 11: Gorilla trekking and Community walk
After breakfast, proceed for the morning briefing before entering the forest to look for man’s close relatives. Gorilla trekking may take the entire day depending on where these species spent a night before. You will trek through the rainforest and bamboo covered slopes, accompanied by a guide and trackers, in search of a mountain gorilla family. The walking can sometimes be tough and long, but when you catch a glimpse of the magnificent silverback, any discomforts will be quickly forgotten. When sighted, visitors will be guided to within 6 metres from the gorillas, sit around them for a whole hour while looking into their big round eyes as well as taking photos and videos with them. After retire back to the lodge for relaxation, If not so tied, you will visit the near by communities and get to know how the local people live. (Luxury) Buhoma Lodge/ Chameleon Hill Lodge (midrange) Mahogany Lodge/ Engagi Lodge/ Silverback Lodge / Gorilla Mist Camp, (budget) Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp or Travellers Rest Hotel, or Buhoma Community Campground
Day 12: Departure.
After breakfast, you will embark on the transfer back to Entebbe to meet your departure flight back Home.
End of your safari
The safari include
- The cost of all ground transportation and fuel
- Full time English speaking guide and all his associated expenses
- Park entry fees
- Rwenzori Hiking fees
- Gorilla permit per rperson
- Accommodation and meals on full board basis
- Water
- Airport transfers
But it will exclude items such as Rwenzori hiking equipments, Beers, beverages, laundry and tipping of staff at the lodge and any other expenses that is not mentioned above.
