RWENZORI MOUNTAIN HKIE, QUEEN ELIZABETH, BWINDI IMPENETRABLE, LAKE BUNYONYI ISLAND

Trip Highlights: Rwenzori Mountain Hike, Game drives, Boat Trip, Gorilla trekking, Village community Walks, Canoe Ride.

Fitness Level: Energetic

DAY 1: Pick up Entebbe Airport and transfer to Hotel in Kampala

On arrival you will be picked up from the Airport by our Guide and transferred to your Accommodation for Dinner and Overnight at Kampala Serena Hotel / Lake Victoria Serena Hotel / Sheraton Hotel (Luxury) / Cassia Lodge / Imperial Royale Hotel (Midrange) Namirembe Guest House / Tal Cottages/ Red chili Rest Camp (Budget). Meal Plan; BB

DAY 2: Kampala-Kasese

Our safari guide will pick you from your hotel and drive to Kasese passing via Masaka, Mbarara and through Queen Elizabeth National Park. On the way have a stopover at Mpambire to see the royal drum makers, as well as at the Equator for photography at this amazing place. Proceed through the Queen Elizabeth National Park, keeping an eye out for wildlife and arrival at Kasese for your Dinner and Overnight at Margherita Hotel in Kasese / proceed to the Rwenzori Park for Overnight and Dinner at Rwenzori Base Camp Guest House / Ruboni Community Campsite.

DAY 3: Nyabitaba Hut (2650m).

Early in the morning, after having a cup of coffee, drive to Nyakalengija trailhead (1600m). Meet porters and guides and begin hiking up to Nyabitaba hut. Walk through the matooke / Banana plantations on the side of the steep foothills, past the local Bakonjo homesteads. Continue with the trail along the Mubuku River, through landslides. After crossing the Mahoma River, climb steeply through bracken fern slopes and Podocarpus forest to Nyabitaba Hut. Dinner and Overnight at Nyabitaba Hut.

DAY 4: John Matte Hut (3350m).

From Nyabitaba follow the trail that drops down through the forest to the Kurt Shafer Bridge, just below the confluence of the Mubuku and Bujuku rivers. Passing through the bamboo forest, traverse through a long and exhausting stretch of slippery moss-covered rock. From the Nyamileju rock shelter, Mount Stanley and Mount Speke can be seen before passing into the zone of the giant heather, lobelia and groundsel. Finally reach John Matte Hut after passing through the tiring bog, for Dinner and Overnight at the Hut.

DAY 5: Bujuku Hut

From John Matte Hut the trail drops down to cross the Bujuku River and enters Lower Bigo Bog, the home of giant lobelias. Jumping from tussock to tussock, the bog is finally crossed but rarely without the feet sampling some of the freezing ooze below. The Upper Bigo bog gives way to Bujuku Lake, with views of Mt Baker to the South and Mt Stanley to the West. Bujuku Hut, well located in the shadow of Mount Baker and Mount Speke, is set in a narrow valley below Stuhlmann Pass. Dinner and overnight at the hut.

DAY 6: Elena Hut (4541m).

Leaving Bujuku, the trail takes you through more bog, while climbing the steep slopes west of the lake and through the magical Groundsel Gully as it ascends to Scott-Elliot Pass at 4372m. At the head of the gully a metal ladder takes you over a steep section after which the trail is divided into two. The trail on your right leads up to Elena Hut and Mount Stanley on a steep trail over large boulders, while the trail on your left leads to Scott-Elliot Pass and down to Kitandara Lakes. Dinner and Overnight at the Coolly and Icy Elena Hut

DAY 7: Margherita peak

For those aiming at reaching Margherita peak (5109m), continue to the base of the Stanley Glacier. To reach the summit of Margherita, the climb takes about 5-7 hours depending on the weather conditions and the pace of climbing this mountain. This tough walk takes you over three glaciers, slippery rock, ice and very exposed areas which are open on many sides. Note that this climb is for only physically fit and technical climbers. Climbing on to the glaciers, cross the Stanley Plateau and proceed with the ascent. Acclimatized to fog, altitude sickness and coolly weather, scramble up to the summit of Margherita the highest peak of the Rwenzoris. Given the high altitude and the tough conditions even if you do not reach the peak, don’t get disappointed. Prepare for you return through the Scott-Elliot pass, where there are spectacular views back to Bujuku Lake and Mount Speke, up to Mount Stanley and down to the Kitandara Lakes. After the trail that passes you through an alpine zone of sparse vegetation and rough boulders, descend past the Kitandara Lakes for dinner and overnight at the Kitandara Hut.

DAY  8: Guy Yeoman Hut (3260m)

From Kitandara, take on the trail that ascends steeply up the headwall, spreading out from the base of Mount Baker and continuing along the south side of the mountain to Fresh field Pass. At this point you can view into the Congo to the west and Mount Stanley to the north. From the pass, take on the long trail passing the rock shelter at Bujongolo, the base camp for the historic expedition by the Duke of Abruzzi in 1906.Dinner and Overnight at Guy Yeoman Hut.

DAY 9: Nyabitaba (2650m)

Take on the path down to Nyabitaba hut. The path can be slippery and muddy and therefore requires careful balancing over the vertical mud or steep rock. Remember this is part of the adventure with in this mountain. Dinner and Overnight at Nyabitaba Hut

DAY 10: Nyakalengija trailhead (1600m) – Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Descend gently down the muddy paths to the trailhead, finally arriving in Kasese towards lunch time. After having lunch in Kasese, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Proceed to the Kazinga channel for a launch cruise where you may see a wide variety of animals such as hippos, elephants, solitary buffaloes and a vast array of birds come to drink. Dinner and Overnight at

 

Luxury Accommodation:  Mweya Safari Lodge / Katara Lodge / Ishasha Wilderness Camp.

Midrange Accommodation: Kingfisher Lodge / Ihamba Lakeside Safari Lodge/ Enganzi Game Lodge / Queen’s Bush Lodge.

Budget Accommodation: Simba Safari Camp / Mweya Hostels

Meal Plan: FB. 

Day 11: Queen Elizabeth National Park– Bwindi impenetrable Gorilla Park

Wake up before sunrise to a cup of tea or a glass of water and then set off to the park tracks for a game drive to be able to see predators as they return to their hide outs and the early risers. During the drive watch out for game like the Leopards, Lions, giant forest hogs, hyenas, Uganda kobs, warthogs and others. After the game drive you will drive back to the lodge for heavy breakfast and then later have lunch to transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National park through Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth famous for tree climbing lions. Arrival in Bwindi for dinner and overnight at

Luxury Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge / Mahogany Springs Lodge / Gorilla Forest Camp.

Midrange Accommodation: Silverback Lodge / Gorilla Resort / Engagi Lodge / Gorilla Safari Lodge / Gorilla mist Lodge.

Budget Accommodation:  Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp / Gorilla Valley Lodge / Travelers Rest Hotel / Buhoma Community Camp / Bwindi View Bandas.

Note: Accommodation Area also depends on the Group you will be tracking your Gorillas.

Meal Plan: FB

Day 12: Gorilla tracking – Village walk

Have an early morning breakfast and report to the ranger station, after a short briefing by the guides, proceed through the undergrowth and thick creepers of the dense rain forest to track for these endangered mammals. Sitting with the most peaceful, rarest and endangered of all the apes, is a fascinating experience. After 1 hour allowed with the giants, return to the lodge.
In case you have the afternoon free, have a guided village walk to nearby communities to see and experience the different aspects of Ugandan lives, cultures and lifestyles.

Dinner and overnight as above (FB)

Day 13: Transfer from Bwindi – Lake Bunyonyi Island

After your encounter with those mysterious mountain gorillas, you will head to Lake Bunyonyi. The word Bunyonyi means “small birds” in direct translation which means that the lake is a must stopover for committed birders and besides that its serpentine shape and numerous islands other highlights one must look out for. On arrival to the Lake, Take a canoe ride, check out several islands like Bwama Island good for birders or you could take a nature walk helping you to appreciate a variety of small birds or a Boat to visit the Batwa Pygmies community. Dinner and Overnight at

Luxury Accommodation; Birdnest Bunyonyi Resort

Midrange Accommodation: Arcadia Cottages / Bunyonyi Safari Resort / Natures Prime / Bunyonyi Overland Resort.

Budget Accommodation: Bunyonyi Over land camp / Edirisa Hostel / Byona Amagara / Kabale Backpackers.

Meal Plan: FB

Day 14: Lake Bunyonyi – Kampala / Entebbe Airport

Transfer back to Kampala and on arrival transfer to your Hotel for Overnight / Transfer to Entebbe Airport for your Outbound Flight Home. End of Tour

The above safari plan / Package include:

All ground transportation and Fuel in a 4×4 wheel drive, accommodation in mountain huts while at the Mountain, meals as per itinerary, services of professional mountain guides – average ratio 1 per 2 climbers, services of cook and porters on mountain (average 4 porters per person carrying 12.5 kgs, Park fees and mountain services fees, Rescue fees whilst on mountain, sleeping mattresses, all cooking/ eating utensils on hike/ climb, Gorilla Permits, Village walk, Game drive, Launch cruise on Kazinga Channel, Accommodation and meals on full board

 

But exclude:

Airfares to Uganda, Entry visas, All items of personal expenditure such as laundry and Beverages, Tipping, souvenirs, Sleeping bags, Equipment hire to climb the Mountain.

Please Note:

Additional days on the mountain at US$120- per day.

Additional peaks may be climbed at US$150- per peak.

Any additional weight will require payment for an extra porter US$110-