Hiking to the peak of Rwenzori Mountains
This 15-day Uganda Adventure Tour invites you on an incredible journey to encounter Uganda's gorillas, chimpanzees, and the majestic Rwenzori mountains. You'll have the chance to meet gorillas and chimps in their natural homes, and summit the towering peaks of the Rwenzori mountains. From the awe-inspiring moment of locking eyes with a mighty silverback gorilla to conquering Africa's toughest climb, this adventure is one that many dream of but few get to experience firsthand. While this expedition tests both mind and body, it's entirely achievable for most people and promises unforgettable moments amidst nature's splendor. Explore the complete 15-day Uganda Adventure Tour to envision your own safari experience. Remember, our trips are highly flexible and can be tailored to suit your preferences.
Hiking to the peak of Rwenzori Mountains
Day 1: Airport pickup Our 15 Days Mountain climbing expedition driver/guide will wait for you at Entebbe International Airport and welcome you to Uganda. You will then be transferred to your hotel for the night.
Day 2: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park You'll take a road trip from Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda. The journey lasts around 9 hours and offers views of the beautiful Ugandan countryside, with farms, villages, and scenic landscapes. You'll pass through Mbarara for lunch and have the chance to explore along the route. Arriving in the evening, you'll settle into your lodge for the night.
Day 3: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Your trek will be a thrilling adventure through dense forests, tangled vines, shrubs, and bamboo. Once you locate the gorillas, you'll enjoy up to 1 hour in their presence before returning to the starting point.
Day 4: Drive from Bwindi to Kasese Town We'll set out early today for Kasese, as it's a fairly long journey of approximately 7 hours. Upon arrival at Trekkers Hostel, located 12 kilometers from Kasese town and nestled in a lush valley at the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains National Park, you'll have ample time to relax and prepare for your mountain climbing adventure. Situated at an elevation of 1,450 meters above sea level, the hostel offers refreshing green surroundings and cool weather, providing a delightful retreat from the nearby town of Kasese. Meals : breakfirst,lunch,dinner Accomodation: will be provided at the trekkers hostel
Day 5: Hike to Sine Hut (2,596 meters) You'll begin your journey by trekking up the valley floor, surrounded by towering trees of the Afro-Montane Forest Zone. This gradual ascent offers abundant birdwatching opportunities, with the possibility of spotting wild chimpanzees or blue monkeys darting among the foliage. At times, you may witness groups of 15 to 20 Colobus monkeys leaping through the canopy. Occasionally, lucky visitors may catch a glimpse of the rare L’Hoest monkey, a cherished symbol of the Bukonzo culture protected by the local king. The area boasts a rich diversity of plant life, from towering forest trees to dense bamboo thickets, low shrubs, vibrant flowers, and an array of fungi, mosses, and lichens draping from the trees. Enock’s Falls lie just 200 meters from Sine Hut, providing an excellent opportunity to capture memorable photographs. Sine Hut itself is nestled among tall forest trees on a narrow ridge, featuring a spacious verandah where you can relax and admire the beauty of the Afro-Montane forest. From this vantage point, you can gaze down at a magnificent waterfall cascading over the rocks below. Situated just below the bamboo zone, the surrounding area teems with diverse bird species, adding to the enchanting ambiance of the forest. Accommodation: Sine Hut – 2,585 meters. Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 6: Climb to Mutinda Camp After a hearty breakfast, the trek begins at 8:30 am. You'll enter the Bamboo-Mimulopsis Zone, which involves a steep ascent with many high steps. During the wet season, the bamboo area can be muddy and slippery, slowing progress. However, the scenery is breathtaking as you ascend 551 meters in altitude and cover a distance of 1.8 km to reach Kalalama Camp at 3,147 meters. Here, in the Heather-Rapanea Zone, you can take a break and enjoy a quick cup of tea or coffee before continuing to Mutinda Camp. The trail winds its way over several small knolls along a ridge, then descends into the valley before ascending again. You'll cross several small streams and pass by moss-covered waterfalls. Continuing on, you'll steadily climb alongside a picturesque mossy river cascading over rocks under the towering Giant Heather trees. The trail twists through the lush valley, home to a diverse array of plants and flowers. This valley is especially unique, with numerous Giant Heather trees creating a stunning atmosphere often veiled in mist. Eventually, you'll reach Mutinda Camp, situated near a small river with a waterfall, offering a refreshing spot to wash, rejuvenate, and relax. If you're up for it, you can climb to the top of the Mutinda Lookout (a one and a half hour climb up and one hour descent). Standing on moss-covered rocks at 3,925 meters, you'll be treated to breathtaking views across the Rwenzori Mountains, down to Kasese town, and Lake George. Accommodation: Mutinda Camp Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 7: Climb to 4,062 meters - Alpine Zone From Mutinda Camp, the path can be marshy, especially during the wet season. However, with a bit of care, you can navigate from one tussock to another to make your journey smoother. You'll traverse the Mutinda valley, passing through tussock grass and fields of everlasting flowers dotted with Giant Lobelias. Then, you'll tackle a steep climb to the Namusangi Valley at 3,840 meters, where sheer waterfalls and stunning views of the Mutinda Peaks await. The Namusangi Valley is expansive, featuring undulating terrain and several marshy areas as you steadily ascend to Bugata Camp at 4,062 meters. Bugata Camp is perched high above Bamwanjara Pass, offering sweeping views across Bugata Lake to Weismann’s Peak, often dusted with snow. Looking down the valley, you'll see Lake Africa and Lake Kanganyika, along with numerous small peaks leading back toward Mutinda Camp. Accommodation: Bugata Camp. Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 8: Climb to Hunwick’s Camp (3.874 metres) Commence trekking at 8.30 am and climb up Bamwanjara Pass. The trail climbs steadily with several long flat bogs and thick vegetation with clear views of the three main peaks. The area is known for its Malachite Sunbird populations and lobelia flowers. The trek then takes you through some steep sections before a climb up to Hunwick’s Camp. It offers views of several peaks including Mt Stanley, Mt Baker, Weismanns Peak, and McConnell’s Prong. Accommodation: Hunwick’s Camp Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 9: Climb to Margherita Camp (4.485 meters)
From Hunwick’s we pass down and across the valley floor to Lake Kitendara which is very stunning with deep water and beautiful vegetation. From here, you will enjoy the climb up Scott Elliott’s pass and then up the ridge to Margherita Camp. Margherita camp is situated at 4,485 metres between some huge rocks which offer some shelter from the strong winds. This is the very spot where the Duke of Abruzzi camped when making his climb to Margherita Peak in 1906. Accommodation: Margherita Camp. Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 10: Climb up to Margherita peak at 5,109 meters The day begins with an early rise at 2 am and a quick breakfast before starting the ascent of Mt Stanley at 2:30 am. This early start is essential due to the unpredictable weather, which often brings heavy clouds and snowfall between 1 pm and 4 pm, even during the dry season. These weather changes occur rapidly as clouds roll in from the vast Congo rainforests. Because of these conditions, there's a strict turnaround time of 10 am. If you haven't reached the peak by then, you must head back for safety reasons. For those with less mountaineering experience, an alternative is to stay on Stanley glacier and hike up to a scenic viewpoint on a rocky outcrop at the southern edge of Alexandra Peak, offering breathtaking views over Congo and the lower mountain ridges. After reaching the summit at 5,109 meters, you'll descend directly to Hunwick’s Camp at 3,874 meters. Accommodation: Hunwick’s Camp. Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 11: Descend to Kiharo camp From Hunwick’s Camp, your day begins with a climb up a ridge towards McConnell’s Prong, where you'll enjoy stunning views of all three peaks and Scott Elliott’s Pass. Continuing onward, you'll reach Oliver’s Pass at 4,505 meters, which is approximately 3 km from Hunwick’s Camp. The trail then descends below Weismann’s Peak to the confluence of the Nyamwamba River, which flows through Kilembe and Kasese to Lake George in Queen Elizabeth National Park. On clear days, you'll be treated to breathtaking views of Margherita and Mt Stanley, Mt Speke, and Mt Baker. After crossing the confluence, the trail meanders down the valley to Kiharo Camp, nestled in a deep valley with towering cliffs and dense vegetation. Accommodation: Kiharo Camp Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 12: Final descent to Kilembe You'll wake up to the cheerful chirping of the Ruwenzori Turaco and other birds. After enjoying a satisfying breakfast, you'll begin your descent down the Nyambwamba Valley. The trail is mostly downhill and offers breathtaking views, with moss-covered rocks lining the river, picturesque waterfalls, deep valleys, and lush forests. In open areas, you might spot a Duiker quietly grazing as you follow the river. This region likely has the highest population of Rwenzori Red Duikers in the National Park. As you progress, the trail becomes steeper, leading past numerous stunning waterfalls. After passing the waterfalls, you'll climb over a high ridge and then descend through dense forests, enjoying stunning vistas of the valley below. You'll pause for lunch at Forest View Camp before continuing your journey back to the base camp in Kilembe. Accommodation: Trekkers Hostel. Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 13: Crater lake hike in Fort Portal and Transfer to Kibale Forest After a 2-hour drive to Fort Portal, take a break and enjoy a short hike around some of the Crater Lakes in the area. The views are breathtaking, and if the weather is clear, you might even catch sight of the snowy peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains. You'll have lunch in Fort Portal (not included) before embarking on another 2-hour drive to Kibale National Park. Upon arrival, prepare to enter a whole new world... a world filled with playful monkeys. While your main focus is chimpanzee tracking, the forest is home to at least 12 primate species, including the Red-tailed Monkey, Olive Baboon, Black and White Colobus Monkey, and Blue Monkey. The forest is also alive with birdlife, including the magnificent Great Blue Turaco. If you're lucky, you might even spot a wandering herd of African forest elephants. Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 14: Chimp tracking and swamp walk in Kibale After an early breakfast, your driver/guide will take you to the Kibale National Park office for a briefing on the chimpanzee tracking activity. You'll then embark on a guided primate walk to search for chimpanzees and 12 other primate species, including l’Hoestes, Red colobus, blue, red-tailed monkeys, brown monkeys, and grey-cheeked mangabey. Park rangers will provide detailed explanations about the primates and the forest's flora and fauna, ensuring an informative and enjoyable walk. Once you find the chimps, you'll spend 1 hour observing them before returning to the park offices. Afterward, you'll head back to the lodge for lunch and refreshments. In the afternoon, you'll visit the local community and take a walk in Bigodi Swamp, known for its resident great blue Turaco bird. The swamp is also home to around 200 bird species and 8 primate species. Later, return to your accommodation for dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 15: Return to Kampala – Airport round up drive After having breakfast, you will be driven back to Kampala, From their, we drive to Entebbe airport for your departure flight. Accommodation: None (Last day) Meal plan: Breakfast & Lunch.
