13-Day Bwindi National Park and Rwenzori Mountain

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Arrival at Entebbe International Airport

Once you get to Entebbe International Airport in Uganda and finish all the paperwork, your guide will greet you and take you to your hotel. Depending on when you arrive, you can choose to do different activities at Entebbe airport that are not required.

Main Destination:

Entebbe (City)

Accommodation:

Karibu Entebbe

• Mid-range guest house located in Entebbe (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Transfer to Kasese

Today, you go to Kasese early in the morning. Kasese is a place in western Uganda, at the bottom of a mountain called Mt. Rwenzori is located close to Queen Elizabeth National Park. During your journey, you will see beautiful natural scenes and have a chance to take a picture at the equator.

Main Destination:

Kasese (Town)

Accommodation:

Ruboni Community Camp

• Budget banda located near Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Start hiking up to Nyabutaba hut (2651m)

The main circuit begins at the offices of Rwenzori Mountaineering Services in Nyakalengija. The path starts in farmland and goes to the park border. Then, it goes along the Mubuku River, goes over its Mahoma tributary, and goes up a big ridge to get to Nyabitaba hut. The hike lasts for about 6 to 7 hours. During this part of the trip, you might hear chimpanzees and see black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, and the brightly colored Rwenzori turaco bird.

Main Destination:

Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Accommodation:

Nyabitaba Hut

• Budget mountain hut located in Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Hike to John Matte Hut (3505m)

From Nyabitaba, go down the trail that goes through the forest until you reach the Kurt Shafer Bridge. The bridge is located right where the Mubuku and Bujuku rivers meet. Walking through the bamboo forest, continue on a tiring and difficult path of slippery rocks covered in moss. From the Nyamileju rock shelter, you can see Mount Stanley and Mount Speke before going into an area with big heather, lobelia, and groundsel plants. After going through a long and exhausting wetland area called the bog, we finally arrived at a place called John Matte Hut. We will have dinner and stay overnight at the Nyabitaba Hut.

Main Destination:

Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Accommodation:

Nyabitaba Hut

• Budget mountain hut located in Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Hike to Bujuku Hut

From John Matte Hut, the path goes downhill to cross the Bujuku River and goes into Lower Bigo Bog, where big lobelias live. Jumping from one clump of grass to another, the watery marsh is finally crossed but often the feet end up touching the freezing mud underneath. The upper Bigo bog changes into Bujuku Lake. From there, you can see Mt Baker in the South and Mt Stanley in the West. Bujuku Hut is a small building that is situated in a narrow valley between Mount Baker and Mount Speke, under Stuhlmann Pass. Have dinner and spend the night at Nyabitaba Hut.

Main Destination:

Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Accommodation:

Nyabitaba Hut

• Budget mountain hut located in Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Hike to Elena Hut

After leaving Bujuku, the path continues through more wet and muddy areas, while climbing the steep slopes to the west of the lake. It then goes through a beautiful and enchanting place called Groundsel Gully as it goes up to Scott-Elliot Pass, which is at an elevation of 4372m. At the top of the narrow valley, there is a metal ladder that helps you climb up a steep part. After that, the path splits into two different trails. The path on your right goes to Elena Hut and Mount Stanley, but it's very steep and has big rocks. The path on your left goes to Scott-Elliot Pass and then to Kitandara Lakes. If you're not going to climb Margherita Peak, you should take the path on the left to get to Nyabitaba Hut. Those who are climbing the peak will have their Dinner and stay overnight at Nyabitaba Hut.

Main Destination:

Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Accommodation:

Nyabitaba Hut

• Budget mountain hut located in Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Hike to Margherita Peak

If you want to reach the top of Margherita peak, which is 5109m, keep going until you reach the bottom of the Stanley Glacier. To get to the top of Margherita, it usually takes 5-7 hours depending on the weather and how fast you climb. This challenging hike crosses three glaciers, slippery rocks, icy areas, and very risky places that are open on many sides. Please be aware that this climb is only suitable for individuals who are physically fit and experienced in climbing techniques. Go up the glaciers, walk across the Stanley Plateau and continue going higher. Get used to fog, feeling sick at high altitudes, and cold weather, then climb up to the top of Margherita, which is the highest peak of the Rwenzori mountain. Get ready to go back through the Scott-Elliot pass. You will see amazing views of Bujuku Lake, Mount Speke, Mount Stanley, and the Kitandara Lakes.

Main Destination:

Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Accommodation:

Nyabitaba Hut

• Budget mountain hut located in Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Descend from Kitandara (4023m) to Guy Yeoman

From Kitandara, go on the path that goes uphill steeply to the headwall. The path goes from the bottom of Mount Baker and goes along the southern side of the mountain to Fresh field Pass. Right now, you can see the Congo to the west and Mount Stanley to the north. Go on the long trail starting from the pass and go past the rock shelter at Bujongolo. This rock shelter was used as a base camp by the Duke of Abruzzi during a famous expedition in 1906. Guy Yeoman stayed overnight.

Main Destination:

Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Accommodation:

Nyabitaba Hut

• Budget mountain hut located in Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Descend to Nyabitaba Hut

The journey from Nyabitaba to Nyakalengija usually takes about 6-7 hours. However, if you start early, you might be able to reach Nyakalengija without stopping along the way. Under Guy Yeoman, the path goes down the Kichuchu cliffs. After Kichuchu, there is a path that is not very clean. This path goes over the Mubuku River two times before going up to Nyabitaba. This completes the whole route. Go back and finish your hike before it gets dark.

Main Destination:

Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Accommodation:

Nyabitaba Hut

• Budget mountain hut located in Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Complete Mountain Hiking

It takes 3 to 4 hours to go downhill from Nyabitaba to Nyakalengija. Begin walking back and finish your hike before it gets dark. You can have a nice, cold beer and celebrate at a nearby restaurant before going to your hotel. You will rest at the place you're staying and get ready for the drive the next day.

Main Destination:

Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Accommodation:

Ruboni Community Camp

• Budget banda located near Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Drive to Bwindi National park

Today, you will go to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park by driving. The park is where the rare mountain gorillas live. This interesting forest in the mountains is home to chimpanzees and amazing birds. There are 23 out of the 24 bird species found only in the Albertine Rift, such as the Blue-throated Broadbill and the bar-tailed Trogon. These birds are found in the beautiful forest. You need to sleep early tonight because you need to be rested for gorilla trekking tomorrow.

Main Destination:

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)

Best Time To Visit June to August and December to February (Gorilla trekking is easiest)

High Season June to September (Gorilla permits are scarce)

Best Weather June to July and December to February (Less rainfall)

Wildlife in Bwindi Impenetrable NP

GorillaCommon

ChimpanzeeRare

ElephantRare

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

LionNone

Show more

GiraffeNone

LeopardNone

CheetahNone

BuffaloNone

ZebraNone

WildebeestNone

HippoNone

Accommodation:

Gorilla Mist Camp

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Gorilla Trekking

This morning, you will wake up very early and go to find gorillas. Trekking the Mountain Gorilla is one of the most thrilling experiences with wild animals on earth. The hike will last from 2 to 6 hours but it's definitely worth it. You will follow a knowledgeable ranger who will share interesting information about plants, animals, and the Gorillas' way of life. Instead of gorilla trekking, you can choose to go on different walks. The Mubwindi Swamp Trail is a path that lasts for about 3 hours. It goes through areas of the park where elephants can be found. You can climb to the top of Rwamunyoni, which is 2. 607 meters high, by walking for 6 hours.

Main Destination:

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)

Accommodation:

Gorilla Mist Camp

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Drive to Entebbe and departure

After you eat breakfast in Bwindi depending on the time you will head to queen Elisabeth for a Short Game drive, you will begin your trip back to Kampala. Go to the equator and have enough time to take pictures. Purchase some small gifts as mementos and enjoy a fast and casual meal outdoors. Afterwards, you leave for the airport to go back to your home.

Main Destination:

Entebbe (City)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

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