13-Day Rwenzori Mountain and Gorilla Trekking Safari

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

Arrival at Entebbe

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport in Uganda and after checking out, you shall be welcomed by your guide, who will drive you to your hotel. Depending on your time of arrival, you may choose to do several optional activities within Entebbe.

Main Destination:

Entebbe (City)

Accommodation:

Anderita Beach Hotel

• Budget hotel located in Entebbe (City)

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+6 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

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

Transfer to Rwenzori Mountains

Today, you will 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:

Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Accommodation:

Ruboni Community Camp

• Budget banda located near Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

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+7 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

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

Start Hiking up to Nyabutaba Hut (2651m)

This 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 Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Hike to John Matte Hut (3505m)

From Nyabitaba, you'll 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, you'll reach John Matte Hut after passing through the tiring bog, for dinner and an overnight stay at the 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 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 stay will be at Bujuku hut.

Main Destination:

Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Accommodation:

Bujuku 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

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 he left leads those who are not climbing Margherita Peak to Kitandara Hut. Those climbing the peak will have their dinner and overnight stay at the cool and Icy Elena Hut.

Main Destination:

Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Accommodation:

Elena 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

For those aiming at reaching Margherita peak (5109m), you'll 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. This tough walk takes you over three glaciers, slippery rock, ice, and very exposed areas open on many sides. Note that this climb is for only physically fit and technical climbers. You'll be climbing onto the glaciers, crossing the Stanley Plateau, and proceeding with the ascent. Acclimatized to fog, altitude sickness, and cool weather, you'll scramble up to the summit of Margherita, the highest peak of the Rwenzori. Prepare for your return through the Scott-Elliot pass, where there are 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, you'll descend past the Kitandara Lakes for dinner and an overnight stay at the Kitandara.

Main Destination:

Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Accommodation:

Kitandara 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, you'll 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 Freshfield Pass. At this point, you can view into the Congo to the west and Mount Stanley to the north. From the pass, you'll 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. Your overnight stay will be at Guy Yeoman.

Main Destination:

Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Accommodation:

Guy Yeoman 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 descent to Nyabitaba takes around 6 -7 hours, but with an early start, it is possible to make it 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. You'll hike back and complete your trek by the evening.

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

The descent from Nyabitaba to Nyakalengija takes 3 – 4 hours. You'll start hiking back and complete your trek by the evening. A warm beer and celebration await you at a local restaurant, before proceeding to your hotel. You will relax at the accommodation and prepare for the next day's activity.

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 Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

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)

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:

Bakiga Lodge

• Budget lodge located just outside Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Gorilla Trekking and Relaxtion at Lake Bunyonyi

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 it 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. After the wonderful experience, you will be transferred to Lake Bunyonyi for a relaxed night.

Main Destination:

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)

Accommodation:

Bunyonyi Overland Resort

• Budget resort located at Lake Bunyonyi

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+15 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

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

Drive to Entebbe and Departure

After an early breakfast, you will start your journey back to Kampala. You'll cross the equator and have time to take photos at the equator. You'll buy a few souvenirs and have a quick picnic lunch. Later, you'll depart for the airport and take your flight back home.

Main Destination:

Entebbe (City)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

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