15 Days Rwenzori Mountain Climbing and Gorilla Trekking Trip in Uganda
Welcome to the full expedition of 15 Days Rwenzori Mountain Climbing and Gorilla Trekking Trip in Uganda. The tour is unique on its own in a way that you will explore the primates and savannah wildlife. You will then hike to Margherita Peak the highest point in Uganda and experience snow at the equator.
This tour offers an opportunity to trek Chimpanzee in Kibale National Park, and then Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in addition to Wildlife Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park. You should note that this trip starts in Kampala, Uganda and ends in Kigali, Rwanda. Therefore, an East African Tourist Visa is highly encouraged and can be obtained online of Uganda Immigration Website since Uganda is your first leg of the trip. You can apply for this visa prior to your travel to Uganda and get visa approval before traveling.
Day1: Warm welcome in Kampala or Entebbe and transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
On your arrival or your hotel in Entebbe, your guide driver will welcome you and, shortly after safari briefing transfer to Kibale Forest National Park. You will enjoy a drive through the tea estates and farmland thar gives you a glimpse of Uganda’s beauty. On your arrival, you will check in at Chimpanzee Forest Lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon you will do the Bigodi wetlands Community Walk where you will encounter both the locals and the primates.
Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking, Kibale National Park and transfer to Rwenzori Mountains
Get early morning breakfast and then your guide will transfer you to Kanyanchu visitors’ centre. At Kanyanchu, you will meet with a senior ranger guide who will lead the hike in the forest with searching for a family of Chimpanzees. When you find them, you are permitted to spend an hour in their presence. Depending on the time you find them, you will later return to the starting point for issuance of Trekking certificate.
After this amazing adventure transfer to the Rwenzori Mountains National Park ahead of your Hiking adventure to Margherita peak. You will spend overnight at Trekkers hostel and get ready for interesting part of your 15 Days Rwenzori Mountain Climbing and Gorilla Trekking Trip in Uganda.
Day 3: Rwenzori Mountain Trekking, Climbing and Hiking to Mutinda
On your day first trekking day, you start at Trekkers at 1,450 meters and sleep at Sine Hut at 2,596m, being a height gain of 1,146m, or those who are fit and want to proceed to Kalalama Camp at 3,134m go ahead. There is a fantastic view and it gives you more time at Mutinda Camp where you may climb up to Mutinda Lookout at 3,975m.
You start by walking up the valley floor through tall forest trees of the Afro Montane Forest Zone. This is a steady climb with multitudes of birds & a chance of seeing blue monkeys scampering off thru the forest. There is a chance to spot black and white Colobus monkeys as they swing through the tree tops. There are rare sightings of the L’Hoest monkey which are part of the Bukonzo cultural emblems & are protected by the virtue of the King (Omusinga).
Resting place: Sine Hut
Day 4: Rwenzori Mountain Trekking, Climbing and Hiking through bamboo-Mimulopsis zone
You will wake up and start trek at 8.30am and almost immediately you enter the Bamboo-Mimulopsis Zone which is steep climb with many high steps. In the wet season the bamboo zone is rather muddy & slippery making the going slow. The atmosphere and the forest is beautiful as you climb 551 meters altitude and a distance of 1.8km to Kalalama Camp at 3,147m which is in the Heather-Rapanea Zone. You will then take a rest and a quick cup of tea or coffee before heading on to Mutinda Camp. The trail meanders up and over several small knolls along a ridge top then drops down the side of the valley before climbing again.
You will be climbing cross several small streams and pass close to moss covered waterfalls. You then climb steadily along the side of a beautiful mossy river which tumbles down over the rocks under the Giant Heather trees whose trunks are covered in green moss with old man beards hanging from the branches. You will spend your overnight at Mutinda Camp.
Day 5: Rwenzori Mountain Trekking, Climbing and Hiking through Namusangi Valley
You will start your trip with trail to Bugata Camp that is boggy particularly in the wet season but with a little skill you can step from tussock to tussock to make the going easier. You will first cross the Mutinda valley through the tussock grass and everlasting flowers interspersed with many Giant Lobelias. You will then climb a steep section up to the Namusangi Valley (3,840m), with sheer waterfalls and looking back you get fantastic views of Mutinda Peaks. The Namusangi Valley is wide, with many ups and downs as the trail climbs steadily to Bugata Camp at 4,100m. For your resting as you enjoy your 15 Days Rwenzori Mountain Climbing and Gorilla Trekking Trip in Uganda.
Day 6: Trekking, Climbing and Hiking Rwenzori Mountain to Weismann’s peak
On this day, you will start by trekking to Hunwick’s Camp through Bamwanjarra Pass. As you leave Bugata Camp you pass up a ridge then drop down slightly before ascending to Bamwanjarra Pass at 4,450 m and there is a hut should the weather turn bad for your safety. From the pass on a clear day, you get excellent views of the 3 main peaks. The trail passes down the valley and around the edge of some bogs and thick ever green vegetation, moss, giant groundsel and lobelia. Here is possibly the best place in all the Rwenzori to observe the Malachite Sunbird as it feeds on the many lobelia flowers and a known breeding site. As you proceed, there are some steep sections before a steady climb up and over a ridge to Hunwick’s Camp. This camp is situated on the top of a deep valley and has good views of Mt Stanley, Mt Baker, Weismann’s Peak and McConnell’s Prong. You will take your rest at Hunwick’s camp.
Day 7: Trekking, Climbing & Hiking Rwenzori Mountain to Margherita peak
On this day five of hiking, from Hunwick’s we pass down camp; across the valley floor to Lake Kitendara. This lake is very stunning with deep water and beautiful vegetation. From here you climb up Scott Elliott’s pass then up the ridge to Margherita Camp 4,485m. It is situated between some huge rocks and offering some shelter from the strong winds. This is the very spot where the Duke of Abruzzi camped when making his climb to Margherita Peak in 1906. You will then camp at Margherita peak for your relaxation and overnight.
Day 8: Hiking, Climbing and Trekking Mount Stanley to the snow cape
You will wake up at 2am and catch an early breakfast before heading off to climb Mount Stanley at 2.30am. This is necessary as the weather has changed a lot and often even during the dryer season the mountain is closed in with heavy clouds and snow falls from 1pm-4pm. This happens within a short period of 10 to 15 minutes as the clouds rise up from the extensive Congo rainforests. Sometimes clients are closed in and unable to walk during heavy snow storms which previously were not heard of during the dryer season.
Due to this change in weather, there is a strict turn around time of 10am so if you do not reach the peak before then you must turn around regardless of the disappointment in the interests of safety. You will take a rest at Hunwick’s Camp.
Day 9: Hiking, Trekking and Climbing to the top of Oliver Pass
The distance to Kiharo Camp 11km Time taken to walk 4 – 7 hours. From Hunwick’s Camp, start the day by climbing up a ridge towards McConnell’s Prong where you get the best views of all 3 peaks and Scott Elliott’s Pass before reaching Oliver’s Pass at 4,505m. The distance from Hunwick’s Camp to the top of Olivers Pass is 3km trail then cuts across below Weismann’s Peak to the confluence of the Nyamwamba River. This river flows down thought Kilembe and Kasese to Lake George in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
If you wish to climb Weismanns Peak 4,620m from Olivers pass you may do so at an extra cost of $50 per person. On a clear day you get fantastic views of Margherita and Mt Stanley, Mt Speke & Mt Baker. After crossing the confluence, the trail meanders down the valley to Kiharo Camp at which is situated in a deep valley with high cliffs and dense vegetation.
Day 10: Descending through Kiharo camp to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Start your day with amazing trail down the Nyamwamba Valley which is mostly downhill and absolutely stunning with beautiful views, and moss-covered rocks along the river. There is amazing cascading waterfalls, deep valleys and forests are possibly the best in the Rwenzori Mountains. This area has the largest population of Rwenzori Red Duikers anywhere in the National Park. The other part of your 15 Days Rwenzori Mountain Climbing and Gorilla Trekking Trip in Uganda is unfolding.
A few kilometres down the river it becomes steeper with multitudes of stunning waterfalls. After the waterfalls climb up and over a high ridge then down though the dense forests with stunning views of the valley below. Stop at Forest View Camp for lunch before proceeding back to the Base Camp. A great experience of the Rwenzori climb will be ending to a fantastic trekking will be followed by a transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will have your overnight at Bush Lodge.
Day 11: Game Drive and Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Welcome to the Savannah experience again with an early morning breakfast followed by a transfer to Kasenyi for a game drive. Kasenyi plains has the highest concentration of prey that attracts predators and creates chances to encounter some of the big cats present in Queen Elizabeth National park. In the afternoon participate on the boat cruise at Kazinga Channel that connects lake Edward and Lake George. During the two hours boat cruise safari, a lot of aquatics, semiaquatic, terrestrial and birdlife will be encountered marking the greatest day in Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 12: Morning game drive and transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
After a leisurely morning breakfast, checkout from your lodge and start to leave the park while spotting the games you might have missed. You will transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park a head of Uganda gorilla trekking adventure. The drive is characterized by Kigezi rolling hills and the Virunga volcanoes view is amazing. Overnight at Travelers Rest Hotel.
Day 13: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
On this day, after an early morning breakfast you will transfer to the ranger station for Gorilla Trekking Briefing on dos and don’ts while you will be interacting with gorillas. Then you will be accompanied by a senior ranger guide and hike into the forest in search of gorillas. Once you find them, you will be allowed to stay with them for an hour. After the experience, you will return to the lodge for your lunch and afternoon relaxation.
Day 14: Golden Monkey Trekking and transfer to Kigali, Rwanda
After an early morning breakfast of your day 14 of 15 Days Rwenzori Mountain Climbing and Gorilla Trekking Trip in Uganda, transfer to Ntebeko visitors centre a head of the Golden Monkey Trekking Tour. It’s a unique experience that will enhance your primate safari in Uganda! You will be led by a ranger guide and hike up into the volcanoes in search of these endangered monkeys and after you find them, you will be allowed to stay with them for an hour and then return to the trailhead to begin your journey to Kigali, Rwanda. Overnight at Haven Boutique Hotel.
Day 15: Kigali city tour and Transfer to the airport for Departure
You will wake up for a leisurely morning breakfast, and get ready for Kigali city tour. You will visit the Kigali genocide museum to pay your last respect to the victims of the 1994 Rwandan genocide against Tutsi. You will learn more about the Rwanda life after the genocide and how the country is coming together again. Depending on your outbound flight, this will be followed by a transfer to the airport targeting for your outbound flight marking the end of the 15 Days Rwenzori Mountain Climbing and Gorilla Trekking Trip in Uganda.
PACKAGE INCLUSIONS
Airport Transfer from Entebbe and to Kigali Rwanda
Accommodation for 14 Nights at Midrange
All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
Hiking fees for the Rwenzori mountains
All Park Fees and activities as mentioned
1 Gorilla Trekking permit per person
1 Chimpanzee trekking permit
Drinking water and fruits
English Speaking guide
PACKAGE EXCLUSIONS
International Flights
Soft and Alcoholic drinks
Accommodation before and after trip
Optional activities
Personal travel insurance
PRICE FOR THIS TRIP
| MIDRANGE | $ 9,100 Per Person |
