Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International airport
On the first day of the 14 days Virunga and Rwenzori mountain hiking, our company representative or your guide/driver will warmly welcome you with a short briefing about your safari and after, you will be driven to your lodge/hotel of booking for some resting.
Day 2: Transfer to Rwenzori and hike to Nyabitaba
Wake up for early morning breakfast at the lodge and embark on your journey to Rwenzori mountains national park for a mystical challenge where you will reach in the lunch time hours. After the check in and lunch at the lodge, you will proceed with the hike from Nyakalengijja trailhead (1600m) up to Nyabitaba hut. You will walk through the banana sambas and pass through the Bakonjo homesteads. Follow the trail along River Mubuku through the up and down rocks and bluffs. Cross the Mahoma river and climb through the fern slopes and podocarpus forests up to Nyabitaba hut for a night.
Day 3: Climb to John Matte hut (3350m)
Wake up for early morning breakfast and follow the trails that go through the forest to the Kurt Shafer Bridge which is below the confluence of the Mubuku and Bujuku rivers. You will hike through the bamboo forest, traverse through a long and exhausting stretch of slippery moss covered rock. While at this hut, you will have some views of Mount Stanley and Mount Speke. Dinner and Overnight at John Matte hut.
Day 4: Transfer to Bujuku Hut
From John Matte hut, embark on your journey to Bujuku hut where you will cross the Bujuku River. During the hike, you will also visit Bujuku Lake which offers clear views of Mt. Baker to the South and Mount Stanley to the west. Dinner and overnight will be had at the Bujuku Hut which is situated in the shadow of Mount Baker and Mount Speke.
Day 5: Hike to Mount Stanley
Wake up early for your breakfast and proceed to Mount Stanley. The trail takes you through the steep slopes which are west of the lake and pass through the magical Groundsels Gully as it ascends to Scott-Elliot Pass. The paths to the mount will expose you to Kitandara lakes where you will have clear views of the Margherita peak
Day 6: Summit Margherita
To reach the Margherita peak, proceed to the base of the Stanley Glacier which will take about 6 to 7 hours walks to the summit. This hike is mainly for the physically fit thus requiring roping up, crampons and the equipment to overcome the cold, icy and windy conditions. While at the summit, you will have perfect views of different features like vegetation covers and many others. After reaching the summit, you will descent to Kitandara Hut for an overnight.
Day 7: Climb Mount Stanley to Guy Yeoman Hut
From Kitandara hut, you will ascend through a steeply up the headwall from the base of Mount Baker. You will continue the slope and pass the rock shelters at Bujangolo, the historical base camp fir historic expedition.
Day 8: Guy Yeoman Hut to Nyabitaba
The path to Nyabitaba is somehow slippery and muddy and thus one needs to be careful while moving. An overnight and dinner at Nyabitaba Hut
Day 9: Nyabitaba to park headquarters and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable national park
Descend from Nyabitaba to the park headquarters where you will prepare your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable national park, a home to almost half of the world’s mountain gorillas. Upon your arrival at the park, you will check in at your lodge of booking for some rest, dinner and overnight
Day 10: Gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi Impenetrable national park
In the morning after breakfast, you will move to the park headquarters for registration and pre trek briefing about gorilla trekking experience. The activity involves hiking through the rainforests of the park in search of the given gorilla family. During the trek, expect to spot several species including the three horned chameleons, black and white colobus monkeys and a number of bird species. After the allocation of the gorilla family, you will be allowed to spend an hour in their presence as you enjoy their daily lifestyles. After the experience, you will move back to the starting point for your trekking certificates.
In the afternoon after your lunch, you can opt for a village walk where you will visit the Batwa locals, the inhabitants of the forest. Later, you will drive back to the lodge a relaxed evening, dinner and overnight.
Day 11: Transfer to Kigali and then cross to Congo
In the morning after breakfast, you will check out of the lodge for your transfer to Kigali in Rwanda via Cyanika border. You will have an enroute lunch as you transfer to DR.Congo through Goma town. Later, you will check in at the tourism office located at Grand Barrier Border where you will get your gorilla trekking permits. After, you will check in at the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 12: Sabyinyo hike in Virunga Mountains
Wake up for your early morning breakfast and drive to Mount Sabyinyo for your hiking experience. The experience begins with a short briefing at the starting point and later proceeds with the hike by the lead of the ranger guides. Mount Sabyinyo marks the intersection of borders of Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo with a summit of approximately 3,669 meters.
Hiking to the top of the mountain takes about 5-6 hours as you move through different vegetation zones like tropical, bamboo, shrubs and grasses. While at the summit, have beautiful views of Virunga massifs, Volcanoes and other highlands. Spend your night on the mountain as you enjoy night moonlights, bird sounds and other adventurous experiences. Transfer to Goma Town
Day 13: Gorilla trekking experience in Virunga national park
Wake up for your early morning breakfast and report to Bukima patrol passport with all your trekking documents for registration and briefing. After the pre-trek briefing, you will head into the forest with the ranger guide for as to look for the mountain gorillas.
Once found, you will be allowed to spend 1 hour with them as you enjoy their presence, their daily businesses with their mothers and others. After, you will head back to the camp for your late lunch and have a leisure evening which includes nature walks, bird watching and others. From there, return to the camp for dinner and overnight
Day 14: Transfer back to Kigali
After breakfast on the mountain, you will descend back to the base and embark on your journey back to Kigali for your departure flight with an en route lunch.
