14 DAY UGANDA RWENZORI MOUNTAIN HIKE & GORILLA TREKKING SAFARI
SAFARI OVERVIEW
This 14 Day Uganda Rwenzori Mountain Hike and Gorilla Trekking Safari allows you to explore the Famous Mountains of the Moon, Rwenzori Mountain Hiking Safari adventure and a physical challenge in Uganda to all its peaks, wildlife viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Ishasha Sector, Trekking the rare Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, and Relaxing by the Lake Bunyonyi Island on your Uganda Tour Adventure.
14 Day Uganda Rwenzori Mountain Hike and Gorilla Trekking Safari – DETAILED SAFARI ITINERARY
DAY 1: Pick up at Entebbe Airport and transfer to Hotel in Kampala
On arrival, you will be picked up from the Airport by a Safari Guide from MuAfrika Adventures and transferred to your accommodation for Dinner and Overnight.
Meal Plan: BB
Estimated Distance: 45Km
Estimated Time: Between 45Minutes to Two Hours Drive
DAY 2: Drive from Kampala to Kasese
Our safari guide will pick you up from your hotel and drive to Kasese passing via Masaka – Mbarara highway. On the way have a stopover at the Equator for photography at this amazing place. Proceed through 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 and head for Overnight and Dinner at Lodge / Camp.
Distance: 415KM
Time: Between 6-8 Hours Drive
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. Walkthrough 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 oozes 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 onto 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 your 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 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 within 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 lunchtime. 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 Lodge / Camp.
TIME: 3Hours Boat cruise on Kazinga Channel
Meal Plan: FB
DAY 11: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through Ishasha Sector for Tree Climbing Lions
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 hideouts 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 the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth famous for tree-climbing lions. Arrive in Bwindi for dinner and overnight at the Lodge / Camp.
Meal Plan: FB
GAME DRIVE: 5 Hours Game drive
Estimated Distance from Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: 180 Km
DAY 12: Gorilla tracking – Village walk
Have an early morning breakfast transfer to the park headquarters for a short briefing and then later on at 8:00 am, set off along the tracks to penetrate through the undergrowth and thick creepers of the dense Rainforest of the impenetrable forest in search of these great apes the endangered Mammals. Depending on the movement of these humble giants the walk might take between 2-9 hours before you encounter the Gorillas. The walk is tiresome. However, meeting these great apes and spending some time with them while looking deep into their expressive brown eyes, is an exhilarating and a breathtaking experience
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 at your Lodge / Camp
Meal Plan: (FB)
DAY 13: Transfer from Bwindi Impenetrable – 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 and other highlights one must look out for. On arrival at 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 your Lodge on the Lake Bunyonyi Island.
Meal Plan: (FB)
DAY 14: Lake Bunyonyi – Kampala / Entebbe Airport
Transfer back to Kampala on time for your Dinner and Overnight at Lodge or Hotel Or Transfer to Entebbe Airport for Outbound Flight Home.
End of your 14 Day Uganda Rwenzori Mountain Hike and Gorilla Trekking Safari
The above 14 Day Uganda Rwenzori Mountain Hike and Gorilla Trekking Safari is inclusive of:
- All Ground Transportation in a 4WD Vehicle with a pop-up roof for scenic and Game viewing
- All Airport Transfers
- A professional English speaking driver-guide
- All entrance fees
- All Accommodation and Meals as per tour Itinerary
- Bottled Drinking water in the vehicle
- All tour Activities as Outlined in the itinerary such as Game drives, Rwenzori Hike, Gorilla trekking, and Village walks.
The above 15 Day Best of Western Uganda Wildlife and Gorilla Adventure is Exclusive of:
- Visas
- International airfares
- Activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Alcoholic drinks/wines
- Laundry and any service of personal nature
- Travel insurance cover
What to carry with you on your 14 Day Uganda Rwenzori Mountain Hike and Gorilla Trekking Safari
- A day Pack (Small bag but enough to carry your packed lunch Rain gear drinking water and a camera)
- A sleeping bag
- Pairs of woollen socks
- Pairs of trekking trousers, cotton shirts warm
- Woollen cap, gloves
- A torch, headlamp, Batteries
- A trekking bag
- A pair of hiking shoes
- A sun hat
- Handkerchiefs
- Pairs of socks
- A pair of Snow glasses
- Leggings up to the knee (Gaiters)
- Rainproof and warm gear
- Walking sticks
- Photo equipment
- Pocket knife
- Rubber boots
- Drugs against: Stomach upsets, Headache
- An elastic bandage, Elastoplasts
- Water purification tablets
- Vitamin C tablets
- Sun lotion
- Lip ointment
For more information about our 14 Day Uganda Rwenzori Mountain Hike and Gorilla Trekking Safari;
BOOK TOUR Or Contact us by Email at: info@muafrikaadventures.com
