Itinerary
The 20 days Rwenzori and Kilimanjaro hike is an adventurous package taking you to the best African destinations – Uganda and Tanzania for primate tracking and wild game viewing. The trip also features summiting Africa’s highest peak – Mount Kilimanjaro and exploring Africa’s third highest mountain Rwenzori, Gorilla trekking in Bwindi and game viewing in Lake Manyara national park.
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International airport
On the first day of the 20 days Rwenzori and Kilimanjaro hiking safari, you will be welcomed and picked up from the airport by our company representative your guide/driver who will give you a short briefing about the trip and transfer to your hotel of booking for some relaxation dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Transfer to Rwenzori and hike to Nyabitaba
Wake up for early to sight a beautiful sunrise at the park as you embark on your journey to Rwenzori mountains national park for a mystical challenge. The hike will start 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 back to Bwindi Impenetrable national park, a home of almost half of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas. On your way, enjoy the beautiful views of Uganda’s countryside like vegetation, hills, valleys and many others. Arrive at the park in the evening hours and check in at your lodge of booking for dinner and overnight at Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge.
Day 10: Gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi
The gorilla trekking exercise starts in the morning hours after registration and briefing by the park rangers at the park headquarters. After, you will head to the forest in search of the endangered mountain gorillas and after the allocation, you will be allowed to spend 1 hour in their presence as you enjoy their daily lifestyles like feeding, playing and others.
From here, you will be given your trekking certificates and then drive back to the lodge for lunch and some rest.
In the afternoon, you can opt for a community visit tour where you will visit the Batwa people, the inhabitants of the forest.
Day 11: Drive to Kigali International airport for your flight to Arusha, Tanzania
In the morning after your breakfast, you will embark on your drive to Kigali International airport in Rwanda to catch up your flight to Kilimanjaro airport for your Kilimanjaro hike. Arrive in Kilimanjaro area in the evening, check in at the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Day 12: Hike from Machame gate to Machame Camp
In the morning, you will depart from Moshi driving through Machame village to Kilimanjaro national park gate. Here, you will to register and patiently wait for your hiking permits. After, you will head through the beautiful rainforests as you enjoy the amazing scenery and windy trails while getting all the necessary information about the fauna and flora of the area from your ranger guide. You will continue with the hike up to Machame camp where you will have your dinners and overnight
Day 13: Trek from Machame Camp to Shira Camp
After your mouthwatering breakfast at Machame camp, you will continue to Shira camp crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge and also crossing west onto a river gorge up to the campsite of Shira where the mountain specialists will organize for your overnight stay and dinner
Day 14: Shira Camp to Lava tower to Barranco camp
In the morning after your delicious breakfast, you will continue with the hike from Shira plateau moving east up a ridge where you will pass by the junction towards the Kibo peak and also proceed South East towards the Lava Tower. From the tower, continue to a second junction that leads to the Arrow Glacier,. After, descend to overnight at Barranco camp for your dinner and overnight
Day 15: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Wake up for your breakfast and continue with the hike that involves passing on a steep ridge up to the adventurous Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and then crossing to the junction which connects with the Mweka trail. You will continue up to Karanga Camp where you will have your dinner and also a safe overnight.
Day 16: Hike Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
In the morning after breakfast, you will continue with the hike to Barafu camp and once reached, the South Circuit will also be completed. This circuit is known for offering various breathtaking views of the summit from all angles.
Day 17: Hike from Barafu Camp to the summit
A hike from Barafu camp to the summit is one of the physically challenging portions of the trek. As you continue to the summit, pass between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You will have switchback motion in a northwestern direction and ascend towards Stella point on the crater rim. Continue with the trek up to Uhuru peak where you are likely to encounter snow all the way.
After reaching the highest point of the mountain, Uhuru peak, you will take various photos as you are celebrating the hike. After, you will begin your descend to Mweka Camp with a small stopover at Barafu camp for lunch and some rest and later proceed to Mweka Camp for dinner and overnight
Day 18: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Moshi
After your breakfast and team bonding with the climbing crew, you will continue with your descend to Mweka Gate where you will receive your summit certificates. From the gate, a vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi for your relaxation at the hotel/lodge.
Day 19: Transfer to Lake Manyara national park
In the morning after your delicious breakfast, you will make a transfer to Lake Manyara national park where you will enjoy a village walk upon your arrival. You will explore the traditions and practices of the locals in Mto Wa Mbu village including Makonde wood carvings, food preparations, local banana beer brewing and many others. After, you will drive back to the lodge for lunch and some resting as you wait for an afternoon game drive.
Lake Manyara national park is known for hosting the rare tree climbing lions as in Queen Elizabeth national park of Uganda. Other animals to spot include zebras, warthogs, elephants, impalas and many others. From the game drive, head back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 20: Morning game drive and transfer to Arusha
After your breakfast, enjoy a morning game drive in Lake Manyara national park giving you a chance to spot several nocturnal animals returning back to their dens. From the drive, you will check out of the lodge and transfer to Arusha for your departure flight.
