$6,270 pp (USD)
2 travelers on Start dateArrival
Arrival
Day 1
Kampala/Entebbe - Kibale National Park
Kampala/Entebbe - Kibale National Park
From your residence in Entebbe, your driver-guide meets you. Shortly after the safari briefing, you'll transfer to Kibale Forest National Park. The drive through the tea estates and farmland gives you a glimpse of Uganda's beauty. In the afternoon, you will do the Bigodi Wetlands Community walk. Your overnight stay will be at Chimpanzee Forest Lodge or similar.
- Main Destination:
- Kibale National Park (Chimps)
- Accommodation:
- Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
Wildlife in Kibale NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Chimpanzee Trekking, Kibale National Park - Rwenzori Mountains NP
Chimpanzee Trekking, Kibale National Park - Rwenzori Mountains NP
After an early morning breakfast, you'll transfer to the Kanyanchu visitors centre. At Kanyanchu, you will meet with a senior ranger guide who will lead the hike in the forest to search for a family of Chimpanzees. When you find them, you're permitted to be with them for an hour. Afterwards, you'll return to the starting point for issuance of the trekking certificate. After this amazing adventure, you'll transfer to Ruwenzori Mountains National Park ahead of your Rwenzori Mountain hiking and trekking adventure. Your overnight stay will be at Trekkers hostel.
- Main Destination:
- Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range, Uganda)
- Accommodation:
- Rwenzori Trekkers Hostel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Rwenzori Mountains Hike 1/8Day
Rwenzori Mountains Hike 1/8Day
You'll start at Trekkers at 1,450 meters & sleep at Sine Hut at 2,596m, with a height gain of 1,146m, or those who are fit & want to proceed to Kalalama Camp at 3,134m may do so. Apart from the fantastic views, it gives you more time at Mutinda Camp, where you may climb up to Mutinda Lookout at 3,975m.
You'll 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 through the forest. At times, you may see troupes of 15 - 20 B/W 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 and are protected by the virtue of the King ( Omusinga), or you may hear wild Chimpanzee in the distance vocalizing. There is a wide variety of plant species, from forest trees to bamboo thickets, and low shrubs.
- Main Destination:
- Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range, Uganda)
- Accommodation:
- Sine Hut
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Rwenzori Mountains Hike 2/8Day
Rwenzori Mountains Hike 2/8Day
The trek starts at 8:30 am, and immediately, you will enter the Bamboo-Mimulopsis Zone, which is a steep climb with many high steps. In the wet season, the bamboo zone is rather muddy and slippery, making the going slow. However, the atmosphere and the forest are beautiful as you climb to 551m altitude and a distance of 1.8km to Kalalama Camp at 3,147m, which is in the Heather-Rapanea Zone, where you can 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, and in doing so cross several small streams and passes 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 (Usnea lichen) hanging from the branches.
- Main Destination:
- Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range, Uganda)
- Accommodation:
- Mutinda Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Rwenzori Mountains Hike 3/8Day
Rwenzori Mountains Hike 3/8Day
The trail to Bugata Camp is boggy, particularly in the wet season, but with a little skill, you can step from tussock to tussock to make the going easier. First, you'll cross the Mutinda valley through the tussock grass and everlasting flowers interspersed with many Giant Lobelias before climbing a steep section up to the Namusangi Valley (3,840m), with sheer waterfalls. Looking back, you'll 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.
- Main Destination:
- Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range, Uganda)
- Accommodation:
- Bugata Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Rwenzori Mountains Hike 4/8Day
Rwenzori Mountains Hike 4/8Day
Trekking to Hunwick’s Camp through Bamwanjarra Pass. As you leave Bugata Camp, you'll pass up a ridge, then drop down slightly before ascending to Bamwanjarra Pass at 4,450 m. There’s a hut in case the weather turns bad. From the pass on a clear day, you'll get excellent views of the 3 main peaks. The trail passes down the valley and around the edge of some bogs & thick evergreen vegetation, moss, giant groundsel & lobelia. Here is possibly the best place in all the Rwenzori to observe the Malachite Sunbird as it feeds on the many lobelia flowers & a known breeding site. Further on, there are some steep sections before a steady climb up and over a ridge to Hunwick’s Camp, which is situated on the top of a deep valley and has good views of Mt Stanley, Mt Baker, Weismanns Peak & McConnell’s Prong.
- Main Destination:
- Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range, Uganda)
- Accommodation:
- Hunwick's Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Rwenzori Mountains Hike 5/8Day
Rwenzori Mountains Hike 5/8Day
From Hunwick’s, you'll pass down and across the valley floor to Lake Kitendara, which is very stunning with deep water and beautiful vegetation. From here, you'll climb up Scott Elliott’s pass, then up the ridge to Margherita Camp 4,485 m, which is situated between some huge rocks and offers 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.
- Main Destination:
- Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range, Uganda)
- Accommodation:
- Margherita Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 8
Rwenzori Mountain Hike 6/8Day
Rwenzori Mountain Hike 6/8Day
You'll wake up at 2 am and catch an early breakfast before heading off to climb Mt Stanley at 2:30 am. This is necessary, as the weather has changed a lot, and often, even during the dry season, the mountain is closed in with heavy clouds and snow falls from 1 pm to 4 pm. This happens within a short period of 10 to 15 minutes as the clouds rise from the extensive Congo rainforests. During January and February 2017, you were closed in and unable to walk during heavy snowstorms, which previously were not heard of during the dryer season, and arrived back at Margherita Camp well after dark, with one group arriving back at 11 pm, totally exhausted.
Due to this change in weather, there is a strict turnaround time of 10 am, so if you do not reach the peak before then, you must turn around, regardless of the disappointment, in the interests of safety.
- Main Destination:
- Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range, Uganda)
- Accommodation:
- Hunwick's Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 9
Rwenzori Mountain Hike 7/8Day
Rwenzori Mountain Hike 7/8Day
Distance to Kiharo Camp: 11 km. 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 three peaks and Scott Elliott’s Pass before reaching Oliver’s Pass at 4,505 m. The distance from Hunwick’s Camp to the top of Oliver’s Pass is 3 km. The trail then cuts across below Weismann’s Peak to the confluence of the Nyamwamba River, which flows down through Kilembe and Kasese to Lake George in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
If you wish to climb Weismann’s Peak, 4,620 m, from Oliver’s Pass, you may do so at an extra cost of $50 each. On a clear day, you get fantastic views of Margherita and Mt Stanley, Mt Speke, and Mt Baker.
After crossing the confluence, the trail meanders down the valley to Kiharo Camp, which is situated in a deep valley with high cliffs and dense vegetation.
- Main Destination:
- Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range, Uganda)
- Accommodation:
- Kiharo Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 10
Rwenzori Mountains Hike 8/8, Rwenzori Mountains NP - Queen Elizabeth NP
Rwenzori Mountains Hike 8/8, Rwenzori Mountains NP - Queen Elizabeth NP
Distance from Kiharo Camp to the park gate: 16 km, and another 2.8 km down to Trekkers Hostel. Time to walk: 5–8 hours, so there is a need to leave Kiharo early.
The trail down the Nyamwamba Valley is mostly downhill and absolutely stunning, with beautiful views, moss-covered rocks along the river, cascading waterfalls, deep valleys, and forests, possibly the best in the Rwenzori Mountains. This area has the largest population of Rwenzori Red Duikers anywhere in the National Park. 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 through the dense forests with stunning views of the valley below. You'll stop at Forest View Camp for lunch before proceeding back to the Base Camp. A great experience and ending to a fantastic trekking day will be followed by a transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Your overnight stay will be at Bush Lodge or similar.
- Main Destination:
- Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda)
- Accommodation:
- The Bush Lodge (Banda)
Wildlife in Queen Elizabeth NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 11
Queen Elizabeth National Park (Game Drives & Boat Cruise)
Queen Elizabeth National Park (Game Drives & Boat Cruise)
You'll start with an early morning breakfast, followed by a transfer to Kasenyi for a game drive. Kasenyi Plains has the highest concentration of prey, which attracts predators, giving you a chance to encounter some of the big cats present in Queen Elizabeth National Park during this game drive adventure. In the afternoon, you'll participate in a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake Edward and Lake George. During the two-hour boat cruise safari, you will encounter a lot of aquatic, semi-aquatic, terrestrial, and birdlife, making it one of the greatest days in Queen Elizabeth National Park. You'll overnight at Bush Lodge or similar.
- Main Destination:
- Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda)
- Accommodation:
- The Bush Lodge (Banda)
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 12
Queen Elizabeth NP - Bwindi/Mgahinga Gorilla NP
Queen Elizabeth NP - Bwindi/Mgahinga Gorilla NP
After a leisurely morning breakfast, you will transfer to Bwindi Mgahinga Gorilla National Park ahead of the Uganda gorilla trekking adventure. The drive is characterized by Kigezi rolling hills & the Virunga volcanoes view are amazing. Your overnight stay will be at Travelers Rest Hotel or similar.
- Main Destination:
- Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (Gorillas)
- Accommodation:
-
Travellers Rest Hotel
Wildlife in Mgahinga Gorilla NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 13
Gorilla Trekking Bwindi/Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Gorilla Trekking Bwindi/Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
After an early morning breakfast, you'll transfer to the ranger station for a gorilla trekking briefing on dos & don’ts while you will be interacting with gorillas. Afterwards, 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'll return to the lodge. Your overnight stay will be at Travelers Rest Hotel or similar.
- Main Destination:
- Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (Gorillas)
- Accommodation:
- Travellers Rest Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 14
Golden Monkey Trek, Mgahinga Gorilla NP, Uganda - Kigali, Rwanda
Golden Monkey Trek, Mgahinga Gorilla NP, Uganda - Kigali, Rwanda
After an early morning breakfast, you'll transfer to Ntebeko visitors center ahead 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. After you find them, you’ll be allowed to stay with them for an hour and then return to the trailhead to begin your journey to Kigali, Rwanda. Your overnight stay will be at Hotel Des Mille Collines or similar.
- Main Destination:
- Kigali (Rwanda)
- Accommodation:
- Hotel des Mille Collines
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 15
Kigali/Departure
Kigali/Departure
A leisurely morning breakfast, you'll visit the Kigali genocide museum to pay your last respect to the victims of the 1994 Rwandan genocide against Tutsi. Depending on your outbound flight, this will be followed by a transfer to the airport targeting your outbound flight, marking the end of the 15-day Rwenzori Mountain Climbing, Gorilla Trekking & Wildlife Safari. End.
- Main Destination:
- Kigali (Rwanda)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
