Rwenzori Traverse

Rwenzori Expedition – Mountains of the Moon Traverse.

Looking for Climbing adventure to Rwenzori mountains or Mountains of the moon! Primate Safari experiences has tailored the unique Rwenzori trekking from Congo side in Virunga National Park to Uganda’s Rwenzori Mountains : with the incredibly beautiful nature, the friendly Uganda, the loneliness and the untouched landscapes of Congo, this expedition offers a unique nature and mountain experience. It is a real wild adventure in the heart of Africa!

Accompanied by professional Rwenzori expeditions leaders, we are planning for you to traverse the Mountains of the Moon from west to east, from the wild Congo (DRC) back to picturesque Uganda. The journey leads to the Kivo Province of East Congo (DRC), a politically very unstable region, one of the biggest trouble spots worldwide.

Only with enough will for adventure and the awareness of the risk you are the right person for this expedition. Your reward is the unforgettable experience in the hardly walked west side of Rwenzori and a unique traverse of the Moon Mountains.

Start the adventure in Congo and entry Uganda without visa but only possible via Rwenzori Mountains National Park while on a Combined gorilla trekking & Rwenzori tour with the DMC since 2010 in tailoring private Safaris to Congo , Uganda!

The Ultimate Journey to Chimpanzees Rwenzori , Gorillas Watching in Uganda with Rwenzori Expeditions

Day 1: Free Day Exceptional day of arrival, depending on your arrival time , we shall transfer you to Protea hotel ( clients can enjoy swimming and relaxation at the beach while they are at the hotel.. for an overnight (meals plan is Bed and Breakfast .

Day 2: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

pick up from your hotel in Entebbe and transfer to kibale national park, the drive will take us 5-6 hours to get to fort portal, you will have lunch at the gardens restaurant, after we shall proceed to Chimpanzee forest lodge staying in cottages meals is on full board. Or Chimpundu luxury lodge.

Day 3: Chimpanzee Watching

leave the hotel early in morning chimpanzee trekking which will give ample time to enjoy your time with our cousins, after trekking, we shall return to the lodge for hot lunch after we proceed to mountains of the moon at base at nyakalengijja overnight at Ruboni community rest camp or luxury equator snow lodge

Day 3 : Rwenzori Mountaineering Start

Meet your guide who will transfer you to briefing (1615m) – Nyabitaba Hut (2651m). Here we will have instructions from the park rangers and an introduction to the route,
as well as meeting with our guides and porters. After that, we will embark on a journey along a path that passes through a dense forest along the Mubuku River, crosses its tributary of the Mahoma River, and then a long climb to the massive ridge, along which you will reach the Nyabitaba hut (2651 m). During this part of the journey, we can hear chimpanzees and see black and white colobus, blue monkey and brightly colored turraco Rwenzori. Duration of the hike: 6-7 hours. Elevation height: 1036 m

Overnight at Nyabitaba

Day 4: Nyabitaba (2651m) – Mubuku River (2600m) John Matte Hut (3380m)

After breakfast, from Nyabitaba hut we will follow a trail that descends through the forest to the Kurt Shafer Bridge, just below the confluence of the Mubuku and Bujuku rivers. Next, we will pass a bamboo forest and a long, tiring stretch of slippery moss-covered cliffs. From the Nyamuleju rock shelter, we will see the Stanley Mountains (Margherita Peak (5109m)) and Speke (4890m). And then we will find ourself in the zone of giant heather, lobelia and agriculture. Finally reach John Matte’s hut (3505 m). Dinner and overnight at the hut. Duration of the hike: 7-8 hours. Elevation height: 854 m

John matte camp

Day 5:John Matte (3380m) to Bujuku (3962m)

From John Matte Hut, the trail drops down to cross the Bujuku River and enters the Lower Bigo Bog, the home of giant lobelias. Will enjoy the beautiful but hypnotising boardwalk through the open valley. Transition through a steep forested section to the upper Bigo bog which gives way to Lake Bujuku, with views of Mount Baker to the south and Mount Stanley to the west. This 4-5 hour hike ends at Bujuku hut. Bujuku is also a launchpad for climbing Mount Speke.

Overnight at Bujuku camp

Day 6: Bujuku (3977m) to kitandara hut (4541m).

From Bujuku Hut, after a muddy area, will start a steep climb through a forest of giant groundsels up to the Groundsel Gully. A branch in the trail leads to Elena Hut, 4.430 m, then the trail proceeds directly to Kitandara Hut. You walk through Scott Elliot Pass, 4.372 m., the highest point during the central circuit, where you can enjoy stunning panoramic views down the Bujuku valley, of Mount Baker, Mount Luigi di Savoia and Stanley just above. This is a steep, rocky trail which when is wet or icy can be very slippery.

Overnight at Elen hut.

Day 7 : Elena Hut (4541m) to Margherita peak– Kitandara hut (4027m)

Margherita PeakFor those aiming at reaching Margherita peak (5109m), 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 of climbing this mountain. This tough walk takes you over three glaciers, slippery rock, ice and very exposed areas which are open on many sides. Note that this climb is for only physically fit and technical climbers. Climbing on to the glaciers, cross the Stanley Plateau and proceed with the ascent. Acclimatized to fog, altitude sickness and coolly weather, scramble up to the summit of Margherita the highest peak of the Rwenzoris. Given the high altitude and the tough conditions even if you do not reach the peak, don’t get disappointed. Prepare for you return through the Scott-Elliot pass, where there are spectacular 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, descend past the Kitandara Lakes for dinner and overnight at the Kitandara

Day 8 : Kitandara (4027m) – Fresh field Pass (4282m) – Guy Yeoman (3450m)

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 Fresh Field Pass (4282m asl.) From the pass, take on the long high alpine mossy trail. Thereafter start the descent through steep rocky trails and the rock shelter at Bujongolo, the base camp for the historic expedition by the Duke of Abruzzi in 1906, until we arrive for an overnight at Guy Yeoman hut after 6-7 hours.

Overnight at Guyoman or move to John matte

Day 9: we always leave an extra day for acclimatization and reflesment , with an optional second night at Elena since the day of summiting is a bit hectic

Day 10: Guy Yeoman to Nyabitaba to Nyakalengija

Below Guy Yeoman, the route descends the cliffs of Kichuchu. Beyond Kichuchu the boggy path crosses the Mubuku River twice through a bamboo forest before climbing up to Nyabitaba to complete the circuit. Continue past Nyabitaba Camp to complete your trek through Mihunga gate to Nyakalengija, at the base( meet end of the trek.

Proceed to Enganzi lodge for an overnight

Day 11:

Enjoy a morning game drive in queen Elizabeth where you will see plenty of elephants,hippos and , lions and cape buffalos, in the mid afternoon , you will enjoy the boat cruise on kazinga channel which will make you get to see what kazinga channel has.the highest number of hippos and other aquatic animals, don’t be surpised hynas and lions are at times spotted on the river banks as they use it as hunting ground.after the boat cruise we shall move back to our respective lodge for relaxation and swimming and overnight at Mahogany springs.

Day 12:

This day begins with an early morning breakfast after we take a relaxed drive into the sector the Ishasha sector well known for the tree climbing lions these are famously spotted in the known fig trees , this drive will give an ample time to spot other animals like elephants and hynas .the hippos on the ishasha river seprating Congo DRC and Uganda . after the game drive we shall have lunch at Savana resort hotel. After we proceed to Bwindi impenetrable forest / Buhoma sector for an overnight at our respective hotel Mahogany springs.

Day 13:

Leave for the early morning breakfast, with packed lunch to assemble to the gorilla trekking point, enjoy the briefing after, you will take a walk into the jungle to search for the gorillas, the duration might be 3-5 hours after that we shall return back to our lodge for relaxation and overnight

Day 14:

The day begins with breakfast after we shall drive back to kampala with lunch enroute at Igongo Cultural museaum or at the equator ,mean while as others are doing the shopping with more than 100 stalls of craft shops here as we wait for Lunch to get ready. Proceed to Entebbe get to Entebbe by 6:30 pm. and this will mark the end of our 14

PRICE: $4750 per person

Tour leader pays $4490 based on 3 paxs per person pays

Based on 4 pax , price is $4597 per person

( tour leader $4300

Based on 6 paxs $4356 p

Tour leader pays $4000

Price includes

1 night at protea hotel on Bed and Breakfast

Rwenzori trekking permit

The package includes:

Accommodation at chimpundu and as per the program

Gorilla permit