The 15 Days Rwenzori Hiking, Kibale and Queen Elizabeth National Park features hiking Mountain Rwenzori up to its highest peak, game viewing and boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park, chimpanzee tracking and nature walk in Kibale forest and Kampala city tour. The safari starts and ends at Entebbe International Airport.
Trip Summary
Day 1: Transfer to Kasese
Day 2: Nyabitaba Hut (2650 m)
Day 3: John Matte Hut (3350 m)
Day 4: Bujuku Hut
Day 5: Acclimatization Hike from Bujuku Hike (towards Mt Speke)
Day 6: Elena Hut (4541 m)
Day 7: Margherita peak (5109 m)
Day 8: Guy Yeoman Hut (3260 m)
Day 9: Nyabitaba (2650 m)
Day 10: Nyakalengija trailhead (1600 m)
Day 11: Game drive around the Queen’s mile launch cruise
Day 12: Game drive and Transfer to Kibale
Day 13: Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi nature walk
Day 14: Transfer back to Kampala-Evening city tour
Day 15: Departure
Detailed itinerary- 15 Days Rwenzori Hiking, Kibale and Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 1: Transfer to Kasese
You will be picked by our safari guide/driver from your hotel after breakfast and then he will drive you to Kasese passing via Queen Elizabeth National Park. On the way you will have a stopover at the equator crossing for photography and snacks as well as at Mpambire to see the royal drum makers, if interested you can buy some of the locally made items. From here, Proceed to Kasese via the Queen Elizabeth National Park keeping an eye out for wildlife like antelopes, continue to mount Rwenzori national park the third highest mountain in Africa. Dinner and an Overnight at mountains of the moon, Margherita Hotel,Trekkers Hostel, Rwenzori Mountains Safari Lodge, Ruboni Community Camp
Day 2: Nyabitaba Hut (2650 m)
After an early morning breakfast at the lodge/hotel, you will be driven to Nyakalengija trailhead (1600m) to begin the hiking one of the most interesting but challenging activity, some physical fitness is needed. You will meet your guide who will take you through the all process up to Nyabitaba hut; in case you need a porter they are available for hire. Walk through the banana (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 (3350 m)
From Nyabitaba follow the trail that drops down through the forest to the Kurt Shafer Bridge, just below the meeting of the Mubuku and Bujuku rivers. Passing through the bamboo forest, traverse 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 on Rwenzori Mountain
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 ooze 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: Acclimatization Hike from Bujuku Hike (towards Mt Speke)
Overnight stay at Bujuku Hut
Day 6: Elena Hut (4541 m)
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 7: Margherita peak (5109 m)
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 Rwenzoris. 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 8: Guy Yeoman Hut (3260 m)
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 stay at Guy Yeoman Hut
Day 9: Nyabitaba (2650 m)
Take on the path down to Nyabitaba hut. The path can be slippery and muddy and therefore requires careful balancing over the vertical mud or steep rock. Remember this is part of the adventure with in this mountain. Overnight stay at Nyabitaba Hut
Day 10: Nyakalengija trailhead (1600 m)
Descend gently down the muddy paths to the trailhead, finally arriving in Kasese towards lunch time. After lunch break in Kasese, you will transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park; if you have energy this evening go for an evening game drive at the park. Mweya safari Lodge, Katara Lodge, Jacana safari lodge (luxury), kyambura game Lodge, Ihamba safari Lodge samba safari Lodge (mid-range) Engazi lodge, Ihamba safari Lode, Hippo Hillo Lodge, Simba Safari Camp (budget
Day 11: Game drive around the Queen’s mile launch cruise
After breakfast, take an early morning game drive to see more animals that habit in this park, games expects to see include lions, Leopards, hyenas, elephants, buffaloes, giant forest hogs, water bucks, Uganda Kobs, bush back just to mention but a few. After this wonderful moment retreat to the lodge for Breakfast and lunch and after lunch enjoy a two hours launch cruise along the Kazinga channel which connects lakes George and Edward. The launch cruise will reward you with more opportunity to see more species of wildlife like hippos and crocodiles just a few meters from the boat while elephants and buffaloes can be spotted along the shoreline plus different species of birds that live and feed on the lake. If you are lucky you can spot the rare shoebill. Dinner and an overnight at, Mweya safari Lodge, Katara Lodge, Jacana safari lodge(luxury), kyambura game Lodge, Ihamba safari Lodge Simba safari Lodge( midrange) Engazi lodge, Hippo Hillo Lodge, Simba Safari Camp (budget)
Day 12: Game drive and Transfer to Kibale
Enjoy your early morning cup of coffee, to embark on an early morning game drive to catch up with the early risers getting out of their hide-out after, return to the lodge for lunch and then after you will be transferred to kabale forest national park a home to over 13 species of primates couple with chimpanzee the closest relative of man. Arrive in the evening, check into your accommodation and leisure. Diner and an overnight at (Luxury) kyaninga lodge, Primate Lodge kibale, Ndali Lodge, (mid-range) Kibale Forest Camp, Rwenzori View Guest House, and Chimps Nest Lodge (budget) Chimpanzee Forest Guest House.
Day 13: Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi nature walk
After an early breakfast, you will be transferred to Kanyanchu Tourist Centre for a short briefing before setting out to track chimpanzee our closest relatives sharing about 98% of human DNA. From this tropical moist forest the chances of viewing the chimps are over 90% though it is not a guaranteed. On the walk you may see other primate species such as the threatened Red colobus monkey, black and white colobus monkey, the rare L’hoest’s monkey, Blue monkey, Grey-cheeked mangabey, Red tailed monkey among others plus various species of birds and trees. After this wonderful activity return back to the lodge for lunch, relax and then in the evening we shall go for another activity at Bigodi swamp sanctuary for primate, birds, butterflies viewing among others, Dinner and an overnight at (Luxury) Kyaninga lodge, Primate Lodge kibale, Ndali Lodge, (mid-range) Kibale Forest Camp, Rwenzori View Guest House, and Chimps Nest Lodge (budget) Chimpanzee Forest Guest House.
Day 14: Transfer back to Kampala-Evening city tour
After a hearty breakfast you will be driven back to Kampala, arrive in the afternoon for lunch and then after you will enjoy a city tour and visit interesting places around, including Kasubi tombs, Uganda museum, Namirembe Cathedral , Namugongo shrine, market places among many other interesting places. Dinner and an overnight at (Budget) The lodge, (mid-range) Cassia Lodge, Boma Guest House, (luxury) Hotel Africana, Serena Hotel
Day 15: Departure
Have a morning game drive, and then after you will be transferred to the Entebbe international airport to meet your departure flight back home if scheduled on the same day.
End of the safari
