Trekking Rwenzori Mountains in Uganda
9 Days Start/End: Kampala, Hiking, Climbing Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Overview
The 9 Days trekking Rwenzori mountains is one of amazing adventure hiking tour in Uganda that takes you to climbing Africa’s highest mountain ranges. Hiking the mystic Rwenzori Mountains in Uganda is a truly fantastic and unique experience, the wonder of the high glaciers, the beauty of the valley of nine lakes, the bearded lichen hanging from giant heathers with a backdrop of rocky cliffs, crags and snow capped peaks. The wide variety of flora and fauna with several biospheres as you ascend through different vegetation zones creates the ultimate experience for trekking. Never before has this unique and beautiful trek been available, totally untouched and undoubtedly one of the most beautiful treks in the world.
The Rwenzori Mountains National park is a World Heritage Site and offers the opportunity to see nature at its best. The plant life varies from heavy tropical rain forest, bamboo forests, montane cloud forests to alpine vegetation and the scenery is truly spectacular. Above 4,500 metres the snow and glaciers add that special dimension to the wondrous views throughout this pristine mountain range.
Highlights
- Day 1 – Arrival and transfer to your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala.
- Day 2 – Transfer to Rwenzori base station for an overnight
- Day 3 – Rwenzori hike begins at Nyakalengija (1,615m) to Nyabitaba Hut (2,651m), altitude gain will be (1036)
- Day 4 – Nyabitaba Hut (2651m) to John matte Hut (3505m) altitude gain will be (854m)
- Day 5 – John matte Hut (3,505m) to Bujuku Hut (3,962m) altitude gain will be (457m)
- Day 6 – Bujuku Hut (3,962m) to Kitandara Hut (4,023M) Altitude gain here will be (61m)
- Day 7 – Kitandara Hut (4,023m) to Guy Yeoman Hut (3,505m) Descent (518m)
- Day 8 – Guy Yeoman Hut (3,505m) to Nyakalengija (1,615m) Descent (1,887m)
- Day 9 – Drive back to Kampala or add more safari to see mountain gorillas and other wildlife to nearby parks
Included in the price
- Airport transfers
- Transport cost in a 4wd vehicle
- Porters and Chef while on the hike
- Park entry fees
- Service of mountaineering guide during your hike Safari
- Service of English speaking and knowledgeable Driver/guide
- Accommodation both in hotels and tents plus meals
- Drinking water during the Hike safari
- Government local tax on Accommodation
Excluded in the price
- Any domestic or International flights
- Visa fees
- All optional activities
- Medical and travel Insurance
- Tips and gratuities to the guide/driver and hotel staffs.
- Any item not mentioned in the itinerary of personal nature like laundry and beverages, souvenirs and telephone bills.
Rwenzori Mountain Hiking Safari Itinerary
Day 1- Arrival and transfer to your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala.
On arrival, the driver guide will greet you and transfer you to your Hotel in either Entebbe or Kampala for your overnight stay
Accommodation – Cassia Lodge/ Le Petite Hotel / Hotel Sojovalo
Day 2-Transfer to Rwenzori base station for an overnight
In the morning after breakfast, you will be driven to Rwenzori or nearby Kasese for your overnight in preparation for the hike to the famous Rwenzori Mountains of the moon.
Day 3 – Rwenzori hike begins at Nyakalengija (1,615m) to Nyabitaba Hut (2,651m), altitude gain will be (1036)
The trail head at nyakalengija is 22km from Kasese off fort portal road, from nyakalengija you will ascend around 10km which is about 5 hour to nyabitaba Hut, where you will pass through cultivation and gardens then through forest, there is piped water supply at the hut.
Day 4 – Nyabitaba Hut (2,651m) to John matte Hut (3,505m) altitude gain will be (854m)
This will be the longest and most strenuous days walk, where you are expected to walk a minimum of seven hours, from nyabitaba hut the pass descends through forests for the first time before it crosses Bujuku River at Kart Schafer bridge which was built in 1989, between the bridge and Nyamileju Hut, the pass is good for the first couple of hours but it becomes steeper and rocky as you enter the moorland zone where heather plant are prolific. You will there probably stop at Nyamileju for lunch where there is little used and rather run down hut as well as rocky shelter. After leaving nyamileeju, the path passes a giant heather forest and follows the Bujuku River. John Matte hut is about a two hour walk from Nyamileju. The hut is in good condition and about 200m from the Bujuku River where you can collect water.
Day 5 – John matte Hut (3,505m) to Bujuku Hut (3,962m) altitude gain will be (457m)
After your breakfast take another walk up to five hours, depending on the condition of the two Bigo Bogs, which are often knee-deep in mud. On the way to the hut you will pass Lake Bujuku, which has magnificent setting between mount Stanley where there is highest peak (5,109m margherita), Speke and Baker. Bujuku hut is the base for reaching Mount Speke, and you will need to spend an extra night here in order to do this. If you want to climb up to the highest point in the range, Margherita peak on mount Stanley (5,109m), you must do this from Elena hut (4,541m) which is about 2km off the Central Circuit trail and three to four hours walk from either Bujuku or Kitandara huts.
Day 6 – Bujuku Hut (3,962m) to Kitandara Hut (4,023M) Altitude gain here will be (61m)
On this day from Bujuku hut, you will ascend to the highest point on the central circuit trail, Scott Elliot pass (4,372m), before you descend to back to Kitandara lakes. The hut is next to the second Lake.
Day 7 – Kitandara Hut (4,023m) to Guy Yeoman Hut (3,505m) Descent (518m)
Upon this day, a five hour walk starts with steep ascent to fresh field pass (4,282) then descent to Bujongolo Cave (3,720M) the base used by1906 expedition. Further along the trail at Kabamba Cave (3,450m), there is an attractive waterfall and a rock shelter where you can stay overnight as an alternative to Guy Yeoman Hut.
Day 8 – Guy Yeoman Hut (3,505m) to Nyakalengija (1,615m) Descent (1,887m)
After breakfast, you will take approximately five-hour descent walk from Guy Yeoman Hut to Nyabitaba hut (a descent of 851m), you can either stay overnight at the Hut or else continue to the trail head at Nyakalengija, which will take further three hours and involve a total descent of 1,887m and that will mark the end of the Mount Rwenzori climb, reaching at Nyakalengija the driver guide will transfer you to your hotel for overnight stay.
Day 9 – Drive back to Kampala and end.
After your relaxed breakfast your driver guide will drive you back to Kampala then Entebbe for departure or you may choose to add another safari to see Mountain Gorillas and do other Savannah Game Safaris to near by Queen Elizabeth national park
Note that accommodation will be in Huts, at different summit levels and you will be with the trekking team from the mountaineering service station
End of Rwenzori mountains trekking tour.
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