Rwenzori & Wildlife Watching in Uganda- Rwenzori Expeditions

The 14 days Uganda safari takes you to the magnificent destinations of the Pearl of Africa including the powerful Murchison falls for a scenic view of wild birds and animals, proceed to Kibale National park, the home of primates, and then to Rwenzori mountains national park for the 7 days hike to the glaciated Margherita peak. Also, during the 14 days tour, visit Bwindi Impenetrable national park, the home to almost half of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas and then explore the beautiful lake Bunyonyi also referred to as ‘’the Switzerland of Africa’’ for a cool boat trip where you will spot several water birds and wildlife.

14 Days Uganda Safari Trip summary – Rwenzori & Gorilla Trekking

Day 1: Transfer to Lake Mburo national park and boat cruise
Day 2: Morning nature walk and game drive
Day 3: Drive to Queen Elizabeth national park and afternoon boat cruise
Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking experience and drive to Kasese
Day 5: Start at Trekkers at 1,450 meters and sleep at Sine Hut at 2,596 meters
Day 6: Sine Hut to
Day 7: 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.
Day 8: Trek to Hunwick’s Camp via Bamwanjara Pass.
Day 9: 4.3 kilometre climb 4 to 6 hours up and 2 to 3 hours back down. Set off by 6.30am to climb the Mt Baker Peak 4,842 metres. Ascent time from McConnell’s Camp (Camp 4) to the top is three to four hours and descent three hours.
Day 10: Trek to Kiharo Camp
Day 11: Kiharo Camp to the park gate
Day 12: Drive to Kibale forest national park and nature walk
Day 13: Bigodi sanctuary nature walk and night forest walk
Day 14: Walk to Mahoma waterfalls and transfer to Entebbe International airport

Places to visit on Uganda Safari

Murchison falls national park

Managed by Uganda Wildlife Authority, Murchison falls national park is the largest Uganda’s national park stretching over a total surface area of 3,892 square kilometers. Located in the north-western part of the country, the park is known for protecting the world’s most powerful waterfalls – Murchison falls where the water of the Nile squeeze through a 7m gap. Also, Murchison falls national park is a home to several wildlife species including chimpanzees in Budongo forest, Nile crocodiles, lions, elephants, leopards and many others. Still on your way to the magnificent park, you got a chance to sight the rare black rhinos at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary. Other attractions to spot during your adventure at the park include over 450 bird species like the rare shoe-billed stork, dwarf kingfisher, goliath heron and others.

Kibale forest national park

This is a national park in the western part of Uganda protecting moist evergreen rainforests. With a total surface area of 766 square kilometers, the park is known for protecting the highest population of chimpanzees that are seen during chimpanzee tracking experience. Also, Kibale forest national park is remarkably known for encompassing the highest population of primate species like Uganda mangabey, Ugandan red colobus, L’Hoest’s monkey, black and white colobus, blue monkeys and many others.

Rwenzori mountains national park

This is Uganda national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site protecting the Rwenzori mountains, Uganda’s highest mountains and Africa’s highest mountains after Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro of Tanzania. Almost 1,000 square kilometers in size, the park is known for its beautiful plant life with different vegetation zones. Apart from the glaciated mountains, Rwenzori mountains national park is also a home to over 89 bird species and 16 species pf butterflies and then four primate species. Among these species include; forest elephant, hyrax, black and white colobus, Ruwenzori duiker and a Rwenzori turaco.

Bwindi Impenetrable national park

In southwestern part of Uganda, Bwindi impenetrable national park is a jungled national park situated along the Democratic Republic of Congo border next to Virunga national park and on the edge of the Albertine rift. Composed of 321 square kilometers of both montane and lowland forest, Bwindi is known as the home to almost half of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas in four sectors – Ruhijja, Rushaga, Nkuringo and Buhoma sectors. These species can be encounter during a gorilla trekking safari that involves a purchase of a gorilla permit at USD 800 per permit per person from Uganda Wildlife Authority or through a reputable tour operator.

Lake Bunyonyi

Located in the south-western part of Uganda close to the border with Rwanda, Lake Bunyonyi also known as the place of many little birds is another destination to encounter during the 14 days Uganda safari. Formed about 18000 years ago by the volcanic eruption blocking a valley in Ruchiga mountains, Lake Bunyonyi is the largest and highest of three small lake in Uganda. Others are Lake Mutanda and Lake Mulehe. Surrounded by many islands, lake Bunyonyi features a number of attractions like birds, cultural people, small primates and others.

Day 1: Transfer to Lake Mburo national park and boat cruise

On the first day of the trip, our company representative your guide/driver will pick you up from the lodge to Lake Mburo national park after your breakfast. You will have some stopover during the transfer like at the equator in Kayabwe for photography and then proceed with the transfers. Check in at the lodge with a game drive exposing you to different animals like giraffes, elephants, kobs, zebras and many others. Check in at the lodge for lunch and later go for a 2-hour boat cruise on Lake Mburo where you will spot several bird species along the lake shores. Return to the lode for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation at Rwakobo Rock lodge

Day 2: Morning nature walk and game drive

Wake up for your early breakfast and later go for a nature walk at the park where you will closely enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the park. You will spot a number of wildlife species like zebras, giraffes, waterbucks, and others. After, you will walk back to the lodge for lunch as you prepare for an afternoon game drive where you will spot more animal and bird species. In the evening you will move back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Drive to Queen Elizabeth national park and afternoon boat cruise

Wake for your breakfast at the lodge and prepare for your transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park. The park is known for the best game viewing experience in Uganda hosting the four of the big five African wildlife. You will check in at the lodge with a game drive providing you with clear views of different wildlife species like elephants, lions, waterbucks, Uganda kobs and others. Drive at the lodge of your booking for lunch and later go for a boat cruise experience on Kazinga channel where you will view several wildlife and bird species. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Overnight at Enganzi safari lodge

Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking experience and drive to Kasese

Have your early breakfast and then move to the park headquarters for pre-trek briefing experience about chimpanzee trekking experience. The activity involves hiking through the park rain forests in search of the shy apes and once found, you will be allowed to spend an hour in their presence. Later after lunch, you will drive to Kasese at Trekkers guest house for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation at Trekkers guest house

Day 5: Start at Trekkers at 1,450 meters and sleep at Sine Hut at 2,596 meters

Being a height gain of 1,146 meters, or those who are fit and want to proceed to Kalalama Camp at 3,134 metres may do so and apart from the fantastic views gives you more time at Mutinda Camp where you may climb up to Mutinda Lookout at 3,975 metres.

We 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 and a chance of seeing blue monkeys scampering off through the forest. At times visitors may see troupes of 15 to 20 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 Bakonzo cultural emblems and are protected by the virtue of the King or Omusinga or you may hear wild chimpanzee in the distance. There is wide variety of plant species from forest trees to bamboos thickets, low shrubs, flowers, fungi, and with many moss and lichen covered vines hanging from the tall trees creating an awesome appeal. Enock’s Falls are just 200 meters from Sine Hut and offer a splendid opportunity to capture a great screensaver for your memories.

At Sine Camp 2,596 metres we have wooden huts set between tall forest trees on a narrow ridge where you may sit and enjoy the beauty of the Afro Montane forest while you look down at a fantastic waterfall crashing over the rocks far below. Some clients prefer to sit outside enjoying the warmth of the campfire and chat to the guides about the mountains and life in their community. Sine is just below the bamboo zone and the area around has many different bird species. 150 meters from the camp is Enock falls which is set in livid green vegetation and hanging vine. Truly beautiful. Sleep at Sine, or those who are fit and want to proceed to Kalalama Camp at 3,134 metres may do so and apart from the fantastic views gives you more time at Mutinda Camp where you may climb up to Mutinda Lookout at 3,975 metres.

Day 6: Trekking starts 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 and slippery making the going slow. However, the atmosphere and the forest are beautiful as you climb 551 metres altitude and a distance of 1.8km to Kalalama Camp at 3,147 meters 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 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 (Usnea lichen) hanging from the branches. The trail twists and turns as you climb up the deep valley, which has an enormous variety of plants and flowers. This valley is unique with many Giant Heather trees creating a beautiful atmosphere often shrouded in mist.

In the afternoon you may wish to climb up to the top of the Mutinda Lookout (one to two hours up and one hour down) The views are amazing as you stand on moss covered rocks at 3,925 meters with views across the Rwenzori Mountains and down to Kasese town and Lake George. For those clients who are climbing to Margherita or any of the main peaks climbing Mutinda 3,975 meters is also an excellent way to acclimatise and reduce the risk of high-altitude sickness

Sleep at Mutinda Camp at 3.582 metres.

Day 7: 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 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 (3,840 meters), 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 4,100 metres.

Day 8: Trek to Hunwick’s Camp via Bamwanjara Pass.

As you leave Bugata Camp you pass up a ridge then drop down slightly before ascending to Bamwanjara Pass at 4,450 meters where we have a hut should the weather turn bad. From the pass on a clear day you get excellent views of the three 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. Farther on there is 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 and McConnell’s Prong.

Day 9: 4.3 kilometre climb 4 to 6 hours up and 2 to 3 hours back down. Set off by 6.30am to climb the Mt Baker Peak 4,842 metres. Ascent time from McConnell’s Camp (Camp 4) to the top is three to four hours and descent three hours.

This is a steep rocky climb where you need a good head for heights as some sections like the crevice climbing down to the glacier has a sizeable drop off the side. Although steep Mt Baker is considered non-technical except in the snow season (wet season) of April-May and September-October when it is very slippery on the ice-covered rocks, nevertheless safety ropes will be used at all times on steep sections. After climbing up you descend along a crack in the rock face to the glacier and a short 300 metre walk to the peak.

If we have fine weather or a break in the cloud the views of the main peaks of Margherita, Alexandria, Stanley’s plateau and the glaciers are fantastic as you see the splendour of these beautiful snow-capped mountains. The view is awesome!! After absorbing this lifetime experience, we walk back across the glacier climb back up the crack in the rock face and descend to McConnell’s Camp. Sleep at Camp 4.

Day 10: Distance to Kiharo Camp 11km Time taken to walk 4 to 7 hours

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. The distance from Hunwick’s Camp to the top of Olivers Pass is 3km. The trail then cuts across below Weismann’s Peak to the confluence of the Nyamwamba River which flows down thought Kilembe and Kasese to Lake George in Queen Elisabeth National Park.

If you wish to climb Weismanns Peak 4,620 metres from Olivers pass you may do so at an extra cost of $20 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 at which is situated in a deep valley with high cliffs and dense vegetation. On the way down the valley after each bog you will climb over a ridge of stones and earth which seems out of place but actually was pushed there by slow moving glaciers which eventually stopped moving, melted and left a pile of rocks and debris in front of where the glacier once stood.

Day 11: Distance Kiharo Camp to the park gate 12.2km and another 2.8km down to Trekkers Hostel Time to walk 5 to 8 hours

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 are possibly the best in the Rwenzori Mountains. This part of the trail took us six years to find a way through and a route which is easy enough for tourists to use. In 1937 the explorer and geologist McConnell tried to find a way up this valley but failed and have to turn back and search for another route up the mountain but now you can experience this truly beautiful valley.

A few kilometres from Kiharo Camp the path turns off to the right to pass along the river. In the clear areas you may catch a glimpse of a Duiker quietly feeding in small clearings as you pass along the river. If you wish you may prefer to walk down the river itself hopping across the rocks as you pass down. A few kilometres down the river it becomes very steep with multitudes of waterfalls so we have to move away from the river and follow a narrow ridge to bypass steep sections. At the bottom we again meet the river where there is a huge rock shelter and a place to rest for a while. After crossing a small stream, you climb up a gentle slope before turning back down to the river to avoid another set of waterfalls which are impassable. The forest along this section is magnificent and full of life with many birds, primates, duikers and hyrax. A great experience and ending to a fantastic trek.

Day 12: Drive to Kibale forest national park and nature walk

In the morning after breakfast, you will check out of the lode for your transfer to Kibale forest national park. The park is known for protecting the highest population of primate species and the breathtaking vegetation types. Arrive at the lodge for lunch and have a guided nature walk through the park rain forests. Later, check in at the lodge for dinner and overnight

Accommodation at Isunga safari lodge

Day 13: Bigodi sanctuary nature walk and night forest walk

Have your tasty breakfast at the lodge and proceed with a nature walk through Bigodi sanctuary. The sanctuary is known as the best destination for birding experience since it hosts over 138 birds. For the best encounter, move with a note book so as to record all these species. After the walk, return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation as you wait for a night nature walk in the rain forests of the park.

Day 14: Walk to Mahoma waterfalls and transfer to Entebbe International airport

In the early morning, you will have your guided nature walk to Mahoma waterfalls where you will have amazing scenic views of the area as you take beautiful photographs for the falls. After, return to the lodge for lunch and later drive back to Entebbe International airport for your transfer flight.