9 Days Rwenzori mountain hiking and climbing package is the best for mountain climbers, it provides an opportunity to view the magnificent summits and the high-altitude forests. Mountain Rwenzori is the top hiking destination in Uganda and Africa, it bears three of the continent’s five highest peaks that are snow-capped raising the height of 5110m throughout the year. The park is mostly accessible only to hikers although there are animals and bird species to spot on the slopes other than climbing the mountain peaks for spectacular sceneries. The park contains over 217 bird species including17 species that are endemic to the Albertine Rift.
Rwenzori Mountain lies in the western rift valley at the border between DR Congo and Uganda. This park covers an area of 120 km and is easily accessible through the districts of Kasese and Fort portal. Virungas and Queen Elizabeth national parks lie within these mountains due to their vicinity to the Rwenzori Mountains. They are sources of water for the great river Nile and other wildlife features such as forests, birds, mammals, lakes, and rivers. The trails lead through the rain forest that tinkles together with primates and bird species and tall bamboo forest, before connecting to the high-altitude moorland zone, a landscape of bizarre giant lobelias, towered over by black rock and white snow.
Safari highlights
Day 1: Transfer from Kampala – Kasese.
Day 2: Nyakalengija – Nyabitaba Hut.
Day 3: Nyabitaba Hut to John Matte hut.
Day 4: John Matte hut – Bujuku hut.
Day 5: Bujuku hut to Kitandara hut
Day 6: Kitandara hut – Guy yeoman hut
Day 7: Hiking Elena Hut to Kitandara Hut then Margherita peak.
Day 8: Descend to Guy Yeoman
Day 9: Descend to Nyabitaba hut
Day 10: To Nyakalengija then to Kasese
Day 1: Transfer from Kampala Rwenzori National Park (Kasese)
You will be picked up by our driver and transferred to mountain Rwenzori passing through Kasese town. The journey is 6 hours, but you won’t get bored because of the scenic beauty along the way. You will be amazed by the landscape, tea plantations, farms, and overlooking views of the Rwenzori Mountains as you approach Kasese. You will stop over at the equator crossing to take some photos and later in Mbarara town to have lunch. You will shop for enough food that is needed while up the mountain. Once you reach Kasese, register with the Rwenzori Mountaineering Service (RMS) offices. Dinner and overnight will be at the Hotel Margherita (Midrange)
Day 2: Nyakalengija (1646) – The Nyabitaba Hut
You will wake up to a heavy breakfast and be taken to the Rwenzori Mountaineering Service (RMS) offices at Nyakalengija. You will be provided with the tools for hiking, assigned guides, chefs, porters, and park rangers. You will then set off for a 5-7-hour to hike the Nyabitaba Hut. The trail to Nyabitaba Hut involves passing through the Mobuku River. After 2 hours, you will reach the Makoma River, crossing the wooden bridge, there is a variety of wildlife to see at this level not forgetting the legendary Three-horned Chameleon is one you shouldn’t miss, Blue Monkey and the Black-and-white Colobus monkey then continue to very steep and sloppy areas near a forest. You will reach Nyabitaba Hut at 2651m, enjoy the beautiful scenery around, and prepare your tents for an overnight stay and dinner while preparing to face the higher elevations the next day.
Day 3: The Nyabitaba Hut – The John Matte Hut (3414m)
Wake up early and take breakfast and then hike for 7 hours to the John Matte hut. You will follow the trails going through the forest along rivers Bujuku and Mubuku situated near steep slopes. it becomes strenuous when you go through moss-covered rocks, those who are planning not to take the task ahead should consider hiking back at this point, mount Stanley, and Mount Speke, can be seen from Nyamuleju rock shelter. You will pass through bogs before reaching John Mate hut for your Overnight stay
Day 4: The John Matte Hut – The Bujuku Hut (3972m)
Have breakfast in the morning and continue with the trial from John Matte Hut crossing down to the Bujuku River that enters Lower Bigo Bog the home of giant lobelias. You will follow the Bujuku River which runs underground. Bujuku Hut is well located in the shadows of Mount Baker and Mount Speke. You will have dinner and overnight at Bujuku hut.
Day 5: The Bujuku Hut – The Elena Hut (4430m)
You will start ascending from the Bujuku hut where you spent the night and move through dense vegetation. There are two trails at the end of the section of the steep slope that is divided. Finally, if you planning to climb up to the peak, then you will divert to the right trail and proceed to Elena Hut. Dinner and overnight will be at the Elena Hut.
Day 6: Elena hut-Climb Mt. Stanley-Kitandara hut 4027m
The next day you will climb up to the Elena glacier passing through up to the Stanley Plateau. At this moment you will need a grappling hook to make climbing easier for you, then continue ascending the Margherita glacier up to the Summit, this takes about 5-7 hours depending on your climbing ability and weather conditions. Climbing Margherita peak needs technical climbers because it involves passing three glaciers such as ice glaciers, slippery rock glaciers, and the exposed areas open to other sides. After reaching the summit, descend to the Elena Hut, and pass Lake Kitandara up to Kitandara Hut. This will provide amazing views of Lake Bujuku and the river including mount Speke, You will have dinner overnight at Kitandara hut.
Day 7: The Kitandara Hut – The Guy Yeoman Hut (3261m)
The next day you will climb the trail that widens out from Mount Stanley and Mount Baker glaciers, this will take about 6 hours to complete. You will follow some trails that take you to rock shelters, here you can view the Democratic Republic of Congo and mount Stanley clearly and the surrounding beautiful sceneries, slopping down to the Guy Yeoman for dinner and overnight.
Day 8: The Guy Yeoman Hut – The Nyabitaba Hut– Nyakalengija
Wake up very early for breakfast and begin descending the slopes around the River Mubuku. This takes about 7 hours if you started hiking early to make it to Nyakalengija. Take the trail passing through the muddy Kichuchu rocks, below Guy Yeoman, the route descends the cliffs of Kichuchu that crosses river Mubuku twice before completing the hike. As coming close to Nyakalengija, you will spot several primates, bird species, and a few mammals as you reach down to the starting point and rest. The driver will be waiting to take you back to the lodge to refresh and relax the stressed muscle. Enjoy evening coffee at the fire camp while relating the mountain chronicles. Dinner and overnight at Rwenzori base camp, equator snow lodge
Day 9: Transfer back to Kampala and Departure
Wake up at your time to take breakfast and prepare to leave the hotel, the driver will be waiting to take you back to Kampala. You will pass via the slopes of the great mountain to view the unique landscapes and complexion. You will stop along the way in Mbarara town for lunch and at the equator lines at Kayabwe to buy the souvenirs, then proceed to Kampala reaching in the evening. If you have a return ticket on that day, the driver will drop you at the airport to catch the flight or take you to the hotel to spend the night. travelers with less time in Uganda can opt for 7 days of hiking Rwenzori mountain using the Kilembe trail.
End of the safari hike
