14 Days Gorillas & Rwenzori Trekking

Itinerary

Day 1 Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Upon arrival in either Kampala or Kigali, you will meet our driver / guide who will brief you about your scheduled 13 days gorilla trekking, wildlife trip then embark on your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where you will spend a night. Dinner and overnight at Icumbi Safari Lodge / Ihamba Residence

Day 2 Gorilla Trekking at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Early morning rise with a briefing at the park headquarters prior to the gorilla search in the forest under the guidance of the ranger guides, the trek will take you about 30 minutes to 6 hours including an hour of habituation with gorillas. After an hours’ encounter, you will then return to the headquarters to receive your gorilla trekking certificate, after which you will be driven back to your hotel/lodge. In case you have a free afternoon, you will take a guided village walk to the village. Dinner and overnight as Above

Day 3 Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After an early morning breakfast, we depart for Queen Elizabeth national Park known for famous for the tree climbing lions at Isasha, you will encounter the tree climbing Lions, as you head to the Northern side where you will check in your Hotel/lodge. Have dinner and an overnight. Ishasa Wilderness camp / Jungle Safari Lodge

Day 4 Game Drive & Afternoon Boat Ride

When breakfast is done, you will embark on your morning game drive along Kasenyi track in search of animals such as Lions, Lions, Cape Buffalos, Elephants, Warthogs, Waterbucks, Spotted hyenas, Mangoose, Kobs and if you are lucky enough, you may spot leopards, not forgetting various bird species. Return for lunch at your lodge, after which you will go for yet another exciting moment of boat riding along the Kazinga channel, where you will watch wild animals and various bird species on a much closer distance. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.

Day 5 Transfer to Kasese

As you watch the sun rise in the morning, you will go for a morning game drive to explore the crater lakes, salt lakes and other wild animals. With a lunch en-route, you will proceed to Kasese Town and Proceed to your lodge/hotel/camp in Nyakalengijja for Dinner and an overnight. Recommended Equator Snow Lodge / Ruboni Community

Day 6 Nyakalengijja to Nyabitaba hut

On this first day of your Rwenzori trekking experience, you will head to the Rwenzori Mountaineering services headquarters for briefing about the rules and regulations whilst hiking Mount Rwenzori. Rwenzori trekking starts from Nyakalengijja through the Bakonzo community and settlements to the Rwenzori national park gate for registration.

The hike takes through thick tropical rain forests with breath taking atmosphere. The thick forest is a habitant to many wildlife species such as white colobus monkeys, chimpanzee, duiker, forest elephants, three horned chameleon, hyrax   among others not forgetting bad species like strange weaver, rwenzori turaco, rwenzori batis ,handsome francolin  among others which will be spotted along the hike. Your hike will end at  Nyabitaba hut where you will have dinner and   spend a night. Day 7 Nyabitaba hut to John Matte

This is the lengthiest hike of about 7 hours from Nyabitaba Hunt to John MatteHave an early morning breakfast at Nyabitaba hut, and proceed to John Matte by passing through Kurt Schuffer Bridge  which is situated between two rivers of Mubuku and  Bujuku. Proceed through the bamboo forest, then to the steep and slippery rocks which connect to Nyamileju Hut- a point from which you will take a rest before finishing your trek.  You then embark with your hike, while enjoying  beautiful views of snowcapped Margherita peak, and Mount Stanley peak and then arrive at John Matte at 3,414m in the afternoon or in the evening for your meals and an overnight.

Day 8 John Matte through Kurt Schufffer Bridge to Bujuku Hut      

Your days hike takes on 5-7 hours walk, to climb a 6km path to Bujuku hut at 3,962m. You will leave for Bujuku after an early morning breakfast from John Matte. Cross Bujuku river and slope to Bigo Bog with beautiful views of the peaks. Proceed with your hike passing near Lake Bujuku where the attractive Alpine savannah vegetation begins. Arrive at Bujuku Hut in the early afternoon so as to get enough rest for the next days long and challenging trek. While at the Bujuku hut, You will enjoy the breathtaking views of Mount Speke, Mount Stanley and Mount Baker peaks. Dinner and an overnight will be offered at the hut.

Day 9 Bujuku Hut to Elena Hut

After an early morning breakfast, you will traverse through the ground vegetation along the 4km path, climbing up 4,372m  which is about 5-7 hours hike.  You will ascend through the sides of the Upper Bigo bog, after then, hike through the steep slopes of Lake Bujuku to the West as you ascend to the 4372m Scott-Elliot pass, and later proceed through several swamps and the remarkable ground gully. You will then walk through the steep section above the gully by using a metal ladder reaching a junction with two divided trails, with the right trail leading to the Elena Hut rising through a steep trail above the large boulders to Mount Stanley while the left trail heads to the Scott-Eliiot pass descending to Kitandara  hut.

The trail is then divided into two. The two trails, the left trail leads to Scott-Elliot pass descending to Kitandara Lakes while the right trail heads to the Elena Hut and on a steep trail above large boulders to Mt Stanley.

Situated at the rocky part of Mount Stanley, Elena hut is located in a cold region, although it offers beautiful views of Mount Baker and Mount Speke, which is sometimes hard to see due to fog. Dinner and an overnight will be offered at the hut.

Day 10 Elena to Magherita peak to Elena Hut

On this day you will wake up as early as 2:00am, have your early morning breakfast, and embark on your hike to the top of Margherita peak, which starts at 3:00am. This hikes takes about 2-3 hours from Elena Hut. You will hike through the Stanley plateau to the top of Mount Stanley. Using ropes, you will hike through the steep rocky regions, while the crampons as well as the ice axe will be used on the glacial axe- as directed by the guide. This will take a couple of hours, after which you will arrive at the bottom of Margherita glacier-the most challenging part of the 7 days Rwenzori central circuit trekking experience. You will then proceed to the last rocky area: top of the peak of Mount Stanley (Margherita Peak-at 5107m).

At the peak, you will enjoy the impressive views of  Lake Ireen, Mount Speke and the surrounding, after then descend  Elena hut for lunch and dinner.

However, depending on your group’s strength, you may continue with your trek to Kitandara hut  so as to cut off the expense ;of one night at the mountain.

Day 11 Elena Hut to Kitandara

After your morning breakfast, proceed with your 14 days trek to Kitandara hut, passing through the Scott Elliot pass (also considered as the most beautiful spot of Rwenzori) dinner and an overnight at Kitandara hut.

Day 12 Kitandara Hut to Guy Yeoman hut

After an early morning breakfast, spend your entire 6-8 hours’ trekking along the base of Mount Baker which is quite slippery. Ascend steeply up the headwall that spreads from the base of Mount Baker, as you proceed towards the southern side of Mountain Rwenzori to the Fresh field pass. After here, you will continue with the long stretch of the muddy trail, trekking through the Kabamba, Akhendahi and rock shelters of Bujongolo-the base camp for the historic expeditions by Duke of Abruzzi in 1906. Proceed with your trek along the Kabamba trail and later arrive at Guy Yeoman, which is established at the banks of river  Mubuku. Dinner and overnight at the hut

Day 13 Guy Yeaoman Hut to Nyabitaba hut to Nyakalengijja

On this last day of your 7 days Rwenzori trek of the central circuit, you will descend to Nyabitaba hut from Guy Yeoman hut, passing through the Bamboo forest.  You will enjoy great sights of beautiful flowers and plants, bamboo forests and Kinchuchu and Mubuku Rivers, not forgetting the Kabamba falls. Arrive at Nyabitabba hut after a 4 hours’ trek, after which you will briefly spend around 40 minutes visiting Lake Mahoma then embark on your trek to Nyakalengijja .After you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Day 14 Return to Kampala

After an early morning breakfast, checkout of your hotel/lodge and then you will be driven back  Kampala, with an en-route stopover in Fort Portal. Arrive in Kampala in the late afternoon and later proceed to Entebbe so as to catch up with your scheduled flight.

Read about the Frequently Asked Questions for Rwenzori Mountaineering Tours