Detailed itinerary

Today you proceed to Kasese early in the morning. Kasese is located in western Uganda at the foot of Mt. Rwenzori and near Queen Elizabeth National park. Along the way you will enjoy spectacular landscape views as well as a photo stop at the equator.

Main Destination:

Kasese (Town)

Accommodation:

Sandton Hotel Kasese

• Mid-range hotel located in or near Kasese

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

The central circuit starts at the Rwenzori Mountaineering Services offices at Nyakalengija. You will arrive in the morning to allow ample time to rent equipment and meet your guides and porters. The trail begins by passing through farmland to the park boundary beyond which it follows the Mubuku River, crossing its Mahoma tributary before starting a long, steep climb up onto a massive ridge to reach Nyabitaba hut. The hike takes around 6 -7 hours. During this part of the trip you may hear chimpanzee and see black and white colobus, blue monkey and the brilliantly coloured Rwenzori turaco.

Main Destination:

Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Accommodation:

Nyabitaba Hut

• Budget mountain hut located in or near Rwenzori Mountains

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

From Nyabitaba 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, traverse through a long and exhausting stretch of slippery moss-covered rock. From the Nyamileju 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 dinner and overnight at the hut.

Main Destination:

Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Accommodation:

John Matte Hut

• Budget mountain hut located in or near Rwenzori Mountains

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

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. Dinner and overnight at Bujuku hut.

Main Destination:

Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Accommodation:

Nyabitaba Hut

• Budget mountain hut located in or near Rwenzori Mountains

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

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 steep trail over large boulders, while the trail on your left leads to Scott-Elliot Pass and down to Kitandara Lakes the trail on he left leads those who are not climbing Margherita Peak to Kitandara Hut. Those climbing the peak will have their Dinner and overnight at the coolly and Icy Elena Hut.

Main Destination:

Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Accommodation:

Nyabitaba Hut

• Budget mountain hut located in or near Rwenzori Mountains

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drink

Day 7: Hike to Margherita Peak

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. 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 dinner and overnight at the Kitandara.

Main Destination:

Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Accommodation:

Nyabitaba Hut

• Budget mountain hut located in or near Rwenzori Mountains

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

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. Over night at Guy yeoman.

Main Destination:

Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Accommodation:

Nyabitaba Hut

• Budget mountain hut located in or near Rwenzori Mountains

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

The descent to Nyabitaba takes around 6 -7 hours but with an early start it is possible to make it all the way down to Nyakalengija. Below Guy Yeoman, the route descends the cliffs of Kichuchu. Beyond Kichuchu the muddy path crosses the Mubuku River twice before climbing upwards to Nyabitaba to complete the circuit. Hiking back and complete your trek by the evening.

Main Destination:

Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Accommodation:

Ataco Country Resort

• Mid-range hotel located in or near Fort Portal

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Today you will drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The park is home to the endangered mountain gorillas. This fascinating mountain forest hosts chimpanzees and spectacular birds. There are 23 of the 24 Albertine Rift endemic bird species including Blue-throated Broadbill, bar-tailed Trogon and other beautiful forest species. You shall go to bed earlier this evening, since you should be fit for gorilla trekking the next day.

Main Destination:

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)

Accommodation:

Gorilla Mist Camp

• Mid-range lodge bordering Bwindi NP without fence

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

This morning you will get up very early and go for gorilla trekking. Trekking the Mountain Gorilla is one of the most exciting wildlife experiences on earth. The trek will take between 2 and 6 hours, but is well worth the effort. You will be led by an experienced ranger who will tell you interesting facts about flora and fauna and the lifestyle of the Gorillas. As an alternative to gorilla trekking, there are several walks that can take you. The Mubwindi Swamp Trail takes about 3 hours and goes through parts of the park where there are elephants. Another 6-hour hike leads up to the peak in Rwamunyoni to 2.607m.

Main Destination:

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)

Accommodation:

Gorilla Mist Camp

• Mid-range lodge bordering Bwindi NP without fences

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

After an early breakfast in Bwindi, you will start your journey back to Kampala. Cross the equator and have time to take photos at the equator. Buy a few souvenirs and have a quick picnic lunch. Later you depart for the Airport and take your flight back home. Thus the end of 13-Day Rwenzori Mountain and Bwindi Gorilla Safari.

Main Destination:

Entebbe International Airport (Entebbe)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Non-alcoholic drinks

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You’ll be dropped off at the airport.

The package price includes:

Return airport transfers (pick up and drop off)

Private transport for 6 days in a well-modified safari land-cruiser (4WD, air-conditioned and pop-up roof)

Flue for 6 days

English safari guide for 6 days

Private mid-range accommodation for 6 nights on full board (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

All en-route meals and bottled mineral water throughout your tour

All park entrance and activities feel and all applicable government taxes

Bigodi sanctuary swamp and community safari

1 chimpanzee tracking permit per person (Kibale forest national park)

A visit to katwe salt mining village

Morning and evening game drive safari at Queen Elizabeth national park

2 hours afternoon boat cruise along the kazinga channel

A visit to the Equator landmark

The package price excludes;

International and domestic flights

Country entry visa

Personal travel insurance

Items of personal nature/laundry/telephone charges

Souvenirs and gifts

Tips

Alcoholic and other soft drinks (sodas, special juice order at the lodge and wines)

Best of 13-Day Rwenzori Mountain and Bwindi Gorilla Safari