The 10 days Rwenzori Mountains adventure safari combines the famous Ruwenzori mountains (Rain maker) with game viewing in Queen Elizabeth national park. This trip is made for adventure hikers who would love to have a few extra days after the mountains and immerse themselves in wildlife viewing by game drives and boat cruise safari.
Safari Highlights
- Equator of Uganda
- Gorilla tracking
- Scenic Road Trip
- Carnival Tracking Queen Elizabeth National Park
Overview of the Day to Day itinerary
Day 1. Pick up and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park (Kasese)
After your early breakfast, we will drive to the southern part of Uganda, the drive is about 8 hours so we recommend that you plan your departure times as early as 7:00am so that you will have enough time for short breaks and quick stopovers. Hot lunch en route or late lunch at the lodge. Dinner overnight at the edge of the park
Accommodation: Aardvark Safari lodge/Bush Lodge
Meal Plan: Full board
After this night, we drive to Rwenzori national park for the 8 days Margherita Summit.
Day 2. Hike to Sine Camp 2,596 meters
Start at Trekkers at 1,450 meters and sleep at Sine Hut at 2,596 meters with altitude gain of 1,146 meters. Those who are fit and want to proceed to Kalalama Camp at 3,134 meters may do so. Apart from the fantastic views, you get more time at Mutinda Camp where you may climb up to Mutinda Lookout at 3,975 meters.
We start by walking up the valley floor through tall forest trees of the Afro Montane Forest Zone. This is a steady climb with multitudes of birds and troops of Rwenzori Colobus monkeys in the forest. There are rare sightings of the L’Hoest monkeys, which are an emblem of Bukonzo. The primates are protected by the virtue of the King Omusinga of Rwenzururu kingdom. You may hear the pant-hoot calls of wild chimpanzee in the distance.
There is wide variety of plant species from forest trees to bamboos thickets, low shrubs, flowers, fungi, and with many moss and lichen covered vines hanging from the tall trees creating an awesome appeal. Enock’s Falls are just 200 meters from Sine Hut and offer a splendid opportunity to capture a great screensaver for your memories. At Sine Camp 2,596 meters we have wooden huts set between tall forest trees on a narrow ridge where you may sit and enjoy the beauty of the Afro Mountain forest while you look down at a fantastic waterfall crashing over the rocks far below.
Some clients prefer to sit outside enjoying the warmth of the campfire and chat to the guides about the mountains and life in their community. Sine is just below the bamboo zone and the area around has many different bird species. 150 meters from the camp is Enock falls which is set in livid green vegetation and hanging vine. Truly beautiful. Sleep at Sine, or those who are fit and want to proceed to Kalalama Camp at 3,134 metres may do so and apart from the fantastic views gives you more time at Mutinda Camp where you may climb up to Mutinda Lookout at 3,975 meters.
Day 3. Hike to Mutinda Camp 3,588 meters
Trekking starts at 8.30am and almost immediately you enter the Bamboo-Mimulopsis Zone which is steep climb with many high steps. In the wet season the bamboo zone is rather muddy and slippery making the going slow. However the atmosphere and the forest is beautiful as you climb 551 metres altitude and a distance of 1.8km to Kalalama Camp at 3,147 meters.
This is the Heather-Rapanea Zone where you can take a rest and a quick cup of tea or coffee before heading on to Mutinda Camp. The trail meanders up and over several small knolls along a ridge top then drops down the side of the valley before climbing again, and in doing so cross several small streams and pass close to moss covered waterfalls.
You then climb steadily along the side of a beautiful mossy river which tumbles down over the rocks under the Giant Heather trees whose trunks are covered in green moss with old man beards (Usnea lichen) hanging from the branches.
The trail twists and turns as you climb up the deep valley, which has an enormous variety of plants and flowers. This valley is unique with many Giant Heather trees creating a beautiful atmosphere often shrouded in mist.
In the afternoon, you may wish to climb up to the top of the Mutinda Lookout (one to two hours up and one hour down) The views are amazing as you stand on moss covered rocks at 3,925 meters with views across the Rwenzori Mountains and down to Kasese town and Lake George.
For those clients who are climbing to Margherita or any of the main peaks climbing Mutinda 3,975 meters is also an excellent way to acclimatise and reduce the risk of high altitude sickness.
Overnight at Mutinda Camp at 3,582 meters.
Day 4. Hike to Bugata Camp 4100 meters
The trail to Bugata Camp is boggy particularly in the wet season but with a little skill you can step from tussock to tussock to make the going easier. First you cross the Mutinda valley through the tussock grass and everlasting flowers interspersed with many Giant Lobelias before climbing a steep section up to the Namusangi Valley (3,840 meters), with sheer waterfalls and looking back you get fantastic views of Mutinda Peaks. The Namusangi Valley is wide, with many ups and downs as the trail climbs steadily to Bugata Camp at 4,100 meters.
Day 5. Hike to Hunwicks Camp 3974 meters
Trek to Hunwick’s Camp via Bamwanjarra Pass. As you leave Bugata Camp you pass up a ridge then drop down slightly before ascending to Bamwanjarra Pass at 4,450 meters where we have a hut should the weather turn bad. From the pass on a clear day you get excellent views of the three main peaks. The trail passes down the valley and around the edge of some bogs and thick ever green vegetation, moss. giant groundsel and lobelia. Here is possibly the best place in all the Rwenzori to observe the Malachite Sunbird as it feeds on the many lobelia flowers and a known breeding site. Farther on there is some steep sections before a steady climb up and over a ridge to Hunwick’s Camp which is situated on the top of a deep valley and has good views of Mt Stanley, Mt Baker, Weismanns Peak and McConnell’s Prong.
Day 6. Hike 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 climb up Scott Elliott’s pass then up the ridge to Margherita Camp 4,485 meters which is situated between some huge rocks and offering 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.
Day 7. Summit Margherita peak 5,109 meters
Wake up at 2.00am and catch an early breakfast before heading off to climb Mt Stanley at 2.30am. This is necessary as the weather has changed a lot and often even during the dryer season the mountain is closed in with heavy clouds and snow falls from 1 pm to 4pm. This may happen within a short period of 10 to 15 minutes as the clouds rise up from the extensive Congo rainforests.
Due to this change in weather we have set a strict turn around time of 10am. In case you do not reach the peak, you must turn back regardless of the disappointment. This is in the best interest of safety.
Those with less mountaineering experience, we suggest that you stay on Stanley glacier. The, you will climb up to a good vantage point. The rocky outcrop on the southern edge of Alexandra Peak. It offers fantastic views over Congo and the lower mountain ridges.
After ascending the peak at 5,109 metres you then pass directly down to Hunwick’s Camp at 3.874 meters. Overnight.
Day 8. Descend down to Kiharo Camp 3,640 meters
Distance to Kiharo Camp 11km Time taken to walk 4 to 7 hours.
From Hunwick’s Camp we start the day by climbing up a ridge towards McConnell’s Prong. Here, you get the best views of all three peaks. Plus Scott Elliott’s Pass before reaching Oliver’s Pass at 4,505 metres. The distance from Hunwick’s Camp to the top of Olivers Pass is 3km. The trail cuts across below Weismann’s Peak to the confluence of the Nyamwamba River. This River flows down through Kilembe and Kasese to Lake George in Queen Elisabeth National Park.
After crossing the confluence, the trail meanders down the valley to Kiharo Camp. Situated in a deep valley with high cliffs and dense vegetation. Overnight stay at Kiharo Camp.
Day 9. Descend down to the Base camp 1,450 meters
The trail down the Nyamwamba Valley is mostly downhill. Absolutely stunning with beautiful views, moss covered rocks along the river, cascading waterfalls, deep valleys and forests. Part of the trail took us six years to find a way through and a route which is easy enough for tourists to use. In 1937, the geologist McConnell tried to find a way up this valley. However, he failed turned back and searched for another route up the mountain.
The forest alone along this section is magnificent and full of life with many birds, primates, Rwenzori duiker and hyrax. A great experience and ending of a fantastic trek.
Accommodation: Aardvark Safari Lodge/Bush Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
Optional program
Day 10: Optional Uganda’s Lion Tracking Experience and then transfer back to Entebbe for your evening flight
After your early breakfast, you will drive to Kasenyi gate to meet with the lion monitoring team to start your quest of searching for lions and leopards. Queen Elizabeth national park is second largest and oldest national with over 600 bird species and with over 90 species of mammals, which makes it ideal for the big game. This park is blessed with big numbers of kobs and other antelopes, which sustain good numbers of predators such as lions, leopards, spotted hyenas among others. After your morning game drive or lion monitoring (optional) you will drive back to Entebbe with several interesting stops. Like a hot lunch at a local restaurant in Mbarara or at the equator! Later we will drop you at your hotel or the airport for your international flight.
Accommodation: None
Meal Plan: Lunch en route
Included in these costs
- 2 Nights at Aardvark Safari Lodge or Bush lodge.
- 7 Nights in the mountains
- Entrance fees and tax involved
- 4×4 Safari customized vehicle with an English-speaking guide
- Drinking water
- Lunch en route
Excluded
- Optional activities
- Tips and gratuity
- International tickets
- Visa entry fees
- Anything not mentioned in this itinerary
Download here the PDF with the complete program including further travel advice and tour description.
