$3,298 to $3,334 pp (USD)
2 travelers on Start dateArrival
Arrival
Day 1
Welcome to Uganda, transfer to the Rwenzori Mountains
Welcome to Uganda, transfer to the Rwenzori Mountains
Transfer by road to the Rwenzori Mountains in western Uganda. The mountains the locals call the rainmaker. Since ancient times, these mountain ranges and their permanent glaciers on the equator have enchanted travellers and explorers. Little wonder ancient and modern explorers have called them the Mountains of the Moon.
The Rwenzori Mountains are characterized by dramatic peaks, deep valleys, and glaciers, making them one of Africa's most stunning and unique mountain ranges. The highest peak is Mount Stanley, which reaches an elevation of 5,109 meters (16,763 feet) and is the third-highest peak in Africa after Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya.
Compared to Kilimanjaro, the Rwenzoris are unexplored and there are no crowds so a minimal environmental footprint. More so, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to the number of peaks. There is Margherita the highest at 5109m (16,762ft) asl, then Mt. Speke 4890m (16,043 ft), Mt. Baker 4842m (15,885 ft) and Weismann Peak 4620m (15,157 ft).
- Main Destination:
- Kasese (Town)
- Accommodation:
- Sandton Hotel Kasese
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
From Basecamp into the Mountains of the Moon
From Basecamp into the Mountains of the Moon
Transfer to the Kilembe base camp at 1,450 meters (4757ft). Your mountain guides will brief you on the trek. From the base camp, you trek 2.2km to the Rwenzori Mountains National Park entrance. Here you will get a briefing from the Uganda Wildlife Authority wildlife rangers on rules and responsibilities while in the park. Today's trek will take you 9.5km and 5-6 hours to Sine Camp at 2596m (8517ft). Your altitude gain is 1146m (3760ft). Warm dinner and overnight here.
- Main Destination:
- Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)
- Accommodation:
- Sine Hut
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Bamboo Zone and Mystic Heather Trees
Bamboo Zone and Mystic Heather Trees
Hike to Mutinda camp at 3,582 meters (11,752ft), giving you a height gain of 992m (3,255ft). The trek ends in Mutinda Camp, which sits near a small waterfall. You will be staying here for the night. You can now wash, refresh and simply enjoy being in the Mountains of the Moon. Or if you do have what it takes, climb up to the Mutinda Lookout -3975m (13,041ft) - which is one and a half hours up, and one hour down. You will be rewarded with great views of Kasese town and on a clear day, even Lake George in the savanna plains farther away in the Queen Elizabeth National Park. This afternoon trek is also good for acclimatization.
- Main Destination:
- Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)
- Accommodation:
- Mutinda Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Everlasting flowers and giant lobelias
Everlasting flowers and giant lobelias
Hike to Bugata camp at 4062 meters, with a height gain of 412 meters through the valley of amazingly unique beautiful plant species, streams and waterfalls while we head to Bugata camp at 4100 meters. The trek gets tougher and exhausting with the steep ridges, mud and boggy sections, high steps but the rewards are enormously beautiful.
- Main Destination:
- Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)
- Accommodation:
- Bugata Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Malachite sunbirds, glacial lakes, snow-swept peaks
Malachite sunbirds, glacial lakes, snow-swept peaks
Start out at 8.30am after a hot breakfast. Hike to Hunwick’s camp at 3,874meters (12,710ft) via Bamwanjara pass at 4450m(14,600ft). This altitude will give you excellent views of the main peaks. Hunwick's Camp has good views of Mt Stanley, Mt Baker, Weismanns Peak and McConnell’s Prong. The trek goes through nature’s garden of everlasting flowers, giant groundsel and giant lobelia. The garden is a favorite of the scarlet-tufted malachite sunbird, which is common and endemic to the Rwenzori Mountains.
- Main Destination:
- Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)
- Accommodation:
- Hunwick's Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Step into royal history of the Margherita Camp
Step into royal history of the Margherita Camp
You could call this a historic trek as you walk across small rivers, through beautiful landscapes up to the Scott Elliott Pass and then on to Margherita Camp at 4,485m (14,715). In 1906, Italian Prince Luigi Amadeo di Savoia, the Duke of the Abruzzi, set up camp here on his way to the top of the Mountains of the Moon. His expedition, the first ever to the summit, had biologists, surveyors, a geologist and a photographer.
Climbing through Scot Elliot pass to Margherita camp is approximately 3 to 5hrs of trekking. Yes, the summit day is tomorrow, so early to bed, early to rise!
- Main Destination:
- Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)
- Accommodation:
- Margherita Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Conquer Margherita Peak, Africa's Third Highest
Conquer Margherita Peak, Africa's Third Highest
This is the day every summit climber looks to. Wake up at 2am and after an early breakfast set off for Mt. Stanley going through glaciers to Margherita Peak at 5,109 metres (16,762ft). It is very important to wake up early due to drastic changes in weather.
Climate change is affecting the Rwenzori Mountains as much as other parts of the world. During the drier season the mountains are often closed in with heavy clouds and snow storms which can lock you in. Even then, getting to Margherita peak, Uganda's highest point, leaves you with an exhilarating experience. Your are on the equator in the heart of Africa surrounded by snow and glaciers! This is Africa's third highest peak after Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Kenya.
- Main Destination:
- Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)
- Accommodation:
- Hunwick's Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 8
Back from Uganda's rooftop, the Rwenzori Mountains
Back from Uganda's rooftop, the Rwenzori Mountains
From Hunwick’s Camp we start the day by climbing up a ridge towards McConnell’s Prong where you get the best views of all three peaks and Scott Elliott’s Pass before reaching Oliver’s Pass at 4,505 metres. Descend to Kiharo camp at 3,430 meters through Oliver’s pass. Overnight at Kiharo camp set in a deep valley with high cliffs and dense vegetation.
- Main Destination:
- Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)
- Accommodation:
- Kiharo Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 9
So long Beautiful Rwenzori - the Mountains of the Moon
So long Beautiful Rwenzori - the Mountains of the Moon
It is time to say goodbye to Africa’s greatest secret and botanical garden. Enjoy the sunrise before breakfast and the trek back to base. The trail down the Nyamwamba Valley is absolutely stunning with beautiful views, moss covered rocks along the river, cascading waterfalls, deep valleys and forests. The forest along this section is magnificent and full of life with many birds, primates, dikers and hyrax. A great experience and ending to a fantastic trek.
Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers will debrief you before you exit the national park, and move on to your accommodation in to freshen up and rest for tonight.
- Main Destination:
- Kasese (Town)
- Accommodation:
- Sandton Hotel Kasese
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 10
Onward to Entebbe and back home
Onward to Entebbe and back home
Early today you will transfer by road from Kasese to Entebbe and onward.
The Rwenzori Mountains are a World Heritage Site as declared by the UNESCO. They are also one of the major source for the River Nile waters, making them a critical climate player in the region. By the end of your safari, you will have made a major contribution to the conservation through greater understanding of the region, incomes for the guides and porters, and a better life for many others who depend on tourism.
Optional activities like a safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park; Chimpanzee Tracking or Gorilla Trekking can be arranged on request.
- Main Destination:
- No major destination visited
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
