Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Entebbe/Kampala

According to your time of arrival, you will be picked up  by  Rwenzori Expeditions Safari guide who will brief you about your scheduled 19 days of  Rwenzori trekking, wildlife and Primate safari experience after which you will be transferred to your desired hotel for  dinner and an overnight.

In case you arrive early, you will be driven around Kampala town, visiting beautiful sites like;

1. Kabaka’s palace: This is a ceremonial home of the King of Buganda,known for preserved history like Amin’s torture chambers, Idi Amin’s Dungeon, old cars, among others. Miss not to view the 7 hills of Kampala.
2. Gadaffi’s mosque: A beautiful architectural place where you will climb the minaret and view Kampala at 360 degrees.
3. The Bahai temple: It is found at Kikaya hill in the outskirts of Kampala. This is a charming place where you can meditate and get exposed to the unique Bahai faith not forgetting the magnificent views of Kampala.
4. The central market of Owino: One of the largest open markets in Uganda with an authentic African market experience where you can test your bargaining skills. This market sells a range of basic life essentials like clothes, food such as herbs, vegetables, fruits, spices among others.

 Day 2 En-route Rhino Tracking and Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

After an early morning breakfast, you will be transferred to Murchison falls National Park with an en-route visit to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for Rhino tracking. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is located in Nakasongola district and it is a 3 hours’ drive from Kampala. You can choose to have lunch at restaurants at the sanctuary or in Masindi at a hotel of your choice; Kabalega Resort, Murchison Backpackers, Saltek forest cottages, Country Inn among others at your service .You will then arrive to your accommodation at the park in the evening for dinner and an overnight.

3 Morning Game Drive and afternoon Boat Day Ride

On this day you will head for your early morning game drive to spot the remaining wild animals of the big five including the Lions, Buffaloes, Elephants, and the Leopards. Chances are high that you may also encounter other animals such as zebras, antelopes, kobs, giraffes. Return to your accommodation for lunch and after proceed for a boat cruise/launch to the bottom of  the breathtaking Murchison falls along river Nile, where you will spot hippos, crocodiles, water birds including  various species of birds such as kingfishers, bee-eaters among others. Day 4: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park.

After breakfast, start your day with an early morning game drive to catch up with the early morning risers such as lions, leopards, hyenas and various bird species, after which you will head for a 7 hours’ drive to Kibale forest National Park. You will arrive at the park in the late evening and connect to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay

Day 5 Chimpanzee Tracking

Start your day with breakfast and after leave for chimpanzee trekking briefing, which is scheduled before 8:00am at the headquarters. By the help of a ranger guide, you will head to the forest to search for the chimpanzees. Chimpanzee trekking and tracking takes about 30 minutes to 6 hours with an inclusive 1 hour spent interacting with them, as you watch them do their daily chores such as feeding their young ones, climbing from one tree branch to another, etc.

Return to your lodge for lunch, a long afternoon rest and overnight rest.

 Day 6 Transfer to Kasese- Nyakalengijja

After a relaxed breakfast, set off for Rwenzori Mountains national park. You will reach Nyakalengijja in time, check in your hotel, enjoy your lunch and enjoy nature walk around the  RMS , for orientation about the Rwenzori Mountains national Park  Dinner and overnight stay at Equator Snow Lodge

Day 7:  Nyakalengijja to Nyabitaba

This is the first day to hike in Rwenzori Mountains,you will head to Rwenzori Mountaineering services headquarters at Ibanda where you find out ground handler Ronald Baluku with Rwenzori trekkers/hiker guides, porters, after which you proceed with a warm up trek to the Mount Rwenzori national park’s main gate for park registration before entering the park. The trek leads you through the Bakonjo settlements and plantations. Your central circuit trail hike starts from the main gate, right after registration to Nyabitabba hut at 2652m, which may take approximately 6-7 hours.

Day 8: Nyabitaba to John Matte

After your breakfast, you will follow the trail from  Nyabitaba to John Matte, Cross over Kurt Schuffer, lying between Bujuku and Mubuku river, after which you will continue trekking over slippery moss covered and steep rocks alongside bamboo mixed with montane forest. The forest contains various bird species that you may spot as you trek through the forest, continuing up to Nyamileju rock shelter, where you will have your lunch break. Enjoy remarkable views of mount Stanley and Speke (only on a clear day). Proceed to john Matte hut through the alpine forest, arriving at the hut in the afternoon for dinner, next day’s briefing and an overnight stay.

Day 9: John Matte to Bujuku Camp

After an early morning breakfast, you will cross the Bujuku river to the Bigo Bigo region. Follow the steep path to the upper bigo bog, after which you will reach the drier ground upto Lake Bujuku. Enjoy the beautiful views of Mount Stanley to the west, Mount Baker to the south and speke to the North. Arrive at Bujuku camp at 3.962m, after 4-5 hour walk. Dinner,next day briefing and an overnight stay.

Day 10: Bujuku Camp to Elena

On this day, you will trek for about 6-7 hours from Bujuku hut to Elena hut. Since the hut is situated within the cold, rocky region of mount Stanley, you will pass via the upper bigo bog, and then through the steep slopes of Lake Bujuku to the West as you ascend to the 4372m Scott-Elliot pass. Proceed through several swamps as well as the beautiful ground gully. Walk through the steep sections above the gully by using a metal ladder reaching a junction with two divided trails, whereby the right trail heads to the Elena Hut, rising through a steep  trail above the large boulders to Mount Stanley  otherwise the left trail heads to the Scott-Eliiot pass as you descend to Kitandara hut. Arrive at Elena hut in the afternoon, and enjoy the breath views of Mount Baker and Mount Speke, which is sometimes hard to see due to fog. Dinner and an overnight at the hut.

Day 11 Elena hut to Magherita peak to Kitandara

You will wake up at 2:00am, enjoy your breakfast, and embark on your hike to the top of Margherita peak starting from 3:00am. Hike through the Stanley plateau to the top of Mount Stanley. While using ropes, you will hike through the steep rocky regions, as well as crampons and the ice ax on the glacial axe- as directed by the guide. This may last for 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. Proceed to the top of the peak of Mount Stanley (Margherita Peak) at 5107m.

While at the peak, enjoy the impressive views of Lake Ireen, Mount Speke and the surrounding environment, after then descend Elena hut for lunch and later continue with your trek to Kitandara, through the Scott Elliot pass (also considered as the most beautiful spot of Rwenzori). Dinner and an overnight at Kitandara hut.

However, depending on your group’s strength, you may opt to spend  another night at Elena Hut, and continue the next day to Kitandara then to Guy Yeoman.

Day 12 Kitandara to Fresh field pass to Guy Yeoman

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. 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 Yeoman to Nyabitaba to Nyakalengijja

On this last day of your Rwenzori Mountaineering you will descend to Nyabitaba hut, after your early morning breakfast passing through the Bamboo forest.

You enjoy great sightings 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 40 minutes visiting Lake mahoma. Return to the hut after Lake Mahoma exploration and embark on your trek to Nyakalengijja where you will meet your guide to transfer you back to Equator Snow Lodge

Day 14 Nyakalengijja to Bwindi national Park

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast, check out of your lodge and transfer to either Buhoma or Rihijah gorilla trekking sectors in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Arrive early at your lodge for a hearty lunch and an afternoon visit to the Batwa for an exclusive cultural experience. Dinner and overnight Ruhija Gorilla Mist , Ihamba Residence lodge or Silver back lodge. Day 15 Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After Morning Breakfast, you will head to the gorilla tracking headquarters for an early morning briefing about the rules and regulations of Gorilla trekking . By the help of a ranger guide, you will leave for the search of gorillas in the forest. Gorilla trekking lasts for about 30 minutes to 8 hours, with an inclusive 1 hour of getting up close with gorillas, upon encounter.

Option: You will have an experience with the Batwa (The people of the rain forest) who have coexisted with the Gorillas for over years with such an interesting culture including traditional dances that you will enjoy.

Return to the headquarters for lunch and along afternoon rest.

Day 16 Transfer to Kampala

On this day, you will return to Kampala with en-route stop overs for lunch and at the equator for photography. You can also purchase some souvenirs from the crafts shop. Arrive in Kampala in the afternoon, and later on check in in your hotel.  Retire at your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 17 Transfer to Jinja with en route visit to the SSezibwa Falls, and the source of the Nile

Travel to Jinja, with en route visit to SSezibwa  falls, Visit the source of the Nile to enjoy the breathtaking vistas of River Nile. Proceed for dinner and an overnight at  2 Friends Hotel .

Day 18 Full day White Water Rafting and return to Kampala.

Head on to enjoy all the exciting rapids on the full day white water rafting along the Nile River, where you will enjoy an all-inclusive and memorable experience. Wind up your day with a barbeque get together party, and later return to your hotel for dinner and an overnight. Day 19 Return to Kampala or Entebbe

After Breakfast, travel back to Kampala or Entebbe to catch up with your late night flight to your country.

End of 19 Days Uganda Wildlife , Rwenzori Trekking & Gorilla Trekking

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