10 Days Rwenzori Mountain Trekking, Rwenzori Mountains National Park is located in southwestern Uganda on the east side of the western (Albertine) African rift valley. It lies along Uganda’s border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and borders the DRC’s Virunga National Park. It is situated in the Bundibugyo, Kabarole, and Kasese districts,

Rwenzori Mountains National Park was established in 1991. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 because of its outstanding natural beauty.

Almost 1,000 km2 (386 sq mi) in size, the park has Africa’s third highest mountain peak and many waterfalls, lakes, and glaciers. The park is known for its beautiful plant life.

The park comprises most of the centre and eastern half of the Rwenzori Mountains. The Rwenzori Mountain is the highest mountain range in the whole of Uganda with Africa’s third highest mountain peak, 6 glacial peaks: Mount Speke, Mount Stanley, Mount Gessi, Mount Emin Pasha, Mount Luigi da Savoia as well as Mount Baker. The main peaks can be probably compared to those of Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya. The park has glaciers, snowfields, waterfalls, and lakes and is one of Africa’s most beautiful mountain areas.

The national park hosts 70 mammals and 217 bird species including 19 Albertine Rift endemics, as well as some of the world’s rarest vegetation

The Rwenzoris – the fabled Mountains of the Moon – lie in western Uganda along the Uganda-Congo border. The equatorial snow peaks include the third highest point in Africa, while the lower slopes are blanketed in moorland, bamboo and rich, moist montane forest. Huge tree-heathers and colorful mosses are draped across the mountainside with giant lobelias and “everlasting flowers”, creating an enchanting, fairytale scene.

The Rwenzoris are a world-class hiking and mountaineering destination. A nine- to twelve-day trek will get skilled climbers to the summit of Margherita – the highest peak – though shorter, non-technical treks are possible to scale the surrounding peaks.

This 10 Days Rwenzori Mountain Trekking safari takes you trekking the Rwenzori Mountains which involves hiking to the highest peak- Margherita which is at an altitude of 5,109m. You will have an added wildlife safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park located just near the Rwenzori ranges in the same days!

Highlights

  • Rwenzori mountains
  • Queen Elizabeth national park

RWENZORI MOUNTAIN TREKKING ITINERARY

Day 1: Set off from Kampala to Kasese

Pick up from Kampala by your guide, drive via Masaka with a stop in Mbarara town where you will have lunch from. Then continue to Kasese enjoying the magnificent views of the legendary Rwenzori Mountains.

Day 2: Drive to Nyakalengija to Nyabitaba Hut

After breakfast drive to Nyakalengija which is located at 1646m, from here you will start a 5 to 6 hours hike on the Mountains of the moon. You will ascend along rocks, also cross the Mubuku, pass through the equatorial vegetation where you will be able to spot blue monkeys, the Rwenzori Turaco among others. Arrive at Nyabitaba Hut have dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Leave Nyabitaba Hut and head to John Matte hut

Enjoy breakfast and continue for a 9 hours hike passing through muddy areas with amazing views of the Mubuku River, then through bamboo forest and later reach the steep rocky land which connects to Nyamuleju Hut. Continue with the hike and later reach the John Matte Hut located at 3,414m. Here there are great views of the snow capped Margherita peak, Elena peak and Mount Stanley peak. Dine and sleep at John Matte Hut.

Day 4: From John Matte to hut Bujuku hut

It is approximately 5 – 6hours to ascend the 6km path to Bujuku Hut is found at 3,962m. So from John Matte Hut, you will cross Bujuku River and slope to Bigo Bog with amazing views of peaks. Proceed with the hike passing near Lake Bujuku where the stunning Alpine savannah vegetation starts from. Later arrive at Bujuku Hut; at this point you will be in position to see Mount Speke, Mount Stanley and Mount Baker peaks. Have your dinner and overnight at the hut.

Day 5: From Bujuku hut Elena Hut

Early morning after breakfast go through the groundsel vegetation on a 4km path. You will ascend to 4,372m at Scot Elliot Pass; this is between Mount Stanley and Baker. Reach Elena Hut at 4,540 m where you will have dinner and spend a night.

Day 6: Leave Elena Hut for Kitandara Hut

Set off from Elena for the 3 hours hike and climb the last region of ice and rock on Mount Stanley which takes you to Margherita Peak at 5,109m. After the experience at the top, descend via the muddy grounds of Lower and Upper Kitandara Lake, here is Kitandara Hut. Unwind and rest after dinner at Kitandara Hut.

Day 7: Leave Kitandara Hut and head to Guy Yeoman, transfer to Nyabitaba

In the morning, start the 6 hours hike through the Fresh field Pass at 4,282 m as you descend through boggy and rocky regions. There are amazing glaciers of Mounts Baker, Savoy and Stanley. Continue with a muddy path that leads you to Kabamba, Akendahi, and Bujongolo rock shelters. After proceed through the Kabamba valley and then arrive at Guy Yeoman Hut found at 3,261m. Spectacular landscapes of rivers, vegetation and mountains can be view around this hut. Have dinner and sleep at the Hut.

Day 8: Depart from Guy Yeoman Hut to Nyakalengija

Early morning you will depart from Guy Yeoman hut to Nyakalengija. Enjoy great views of flowers and plants, bamboo forests and Kinchuchu and Mubuku Rivers. Along the way you will see Kabamba wafer falls. Arrive at Nyabitaba Hut in period of 4 hours, from there take other 40 minutes to visit Mahoma Lake, then come back to the hut and descend to the Headquarters of the park in 2 to 3 hours. You will meet your guide waiting for you at the base camp. He will transfer you to Queen Elizabeth and spend a night at Mweya Safari lodge.

Day 9: Queen Elizabeth Safari

After breakfast, set off for an early game drive where you will be able to see Buffaloes, lions, various Antelopes, elephants, warthogs, and various bird species. Head back to the lodge for lunch and in the afternoon go for a boat cruise that takes 2 hours on the Kazinga channel; you will closely see giant crocodiles, very many hippos, buffaloes, elephants and many beautiful birds. Have dinner and sleep at Mweya safari lodge.

Day 10 OF 10 Days Rwenzori Mountain Trekking Drive back to Kampala/Entebbe

After breakfast, begin your journey back to Kampala with a stop at the Equator to take photographs and another in Mbarara or Masaka for lunch. Your driver guide will drop you off at your hotel in Kampala or at the Airport in Entebbe that is if your flight is on that very day!