Mountain Rwenzori peak and Gorillas Safari
This 12-Days Mountain Rwenzori peak and Gorillas will take you to two prominent UNESCO world heritage sites will take you to Bwindi Forest NP to meet the gorillas and to Mountain Rwenzori NP which is the highest mountain ranges in Africa.
The unique Rwenzori mountain are ranges with that are snow covered all year yet they are few miles away from the Equator. Margherita is Africa’s 3rd highest peak but the real beauty is in the trek up the trails, through montane forests and valleys filled with diverse flora, including trees and myriad of ferns until you get to the mountain summit.
Detailed itinerary of your 12-Days Mountain Rwenzori peak and Gorillas
Day 1- Transfer to Rwenzori Mountains National park
You will be picked up from your hotel in Kampala by our guide, driveThen to Kasese town while admiring the magnificent views of the jugged Rwenzori Mountains.
Day 2- Nyakalengija to Nyabitaba camp
Today you will start your trekking at the foot hills by passing through farmland to the park boundary beyond which it follows a thick forest, running parallel along River Mubuku, crossing Mahoma River tributary and thereafter start a long, steep climb onto a massive ridge that leads to Nyabitaba hut. You will rest at Nyabitaba and your guides will prepare dinner at this camp.
Day 3- Nyabitaba to John Matte Camp (3505m).
After breakfast, Traverse a lush bamboo forest, pass through a long, exhausting stretch of slippery moss-covered rock.Mount Stanley and Mount Speke can be seen right from Nyamuleju rock shelter, before passing into the giant heather, lobelia and groundsel zone. Finally arrive at the John Matte Hut after walking through the tiring bog, for dinner and night stay at the John Matte hut.
Day 4- John matte – Bujuku Camp (3962 masl).
From John Matte Hut the path descends down through the Bujuku River and penetrates into the lower Bigo Bog- home of extra-large lobelias. Hopping from tussock to tussock, you will finally make it through bog but rarely without the feet sampling some of the freezing ooze below.
The upper Bigo bog is a gateway to Bujuku Lake, comprised of Mt Baker and Mount Stanley views, to the south and west respectively. Bujuku Hut is strategically set in the shadow of Mount Baker and Mount Speke, is located in a narrow valley below Stuhlmann’s Pass.
This hut is perfect for acclimatization for trekkers attempting to make it all the way to Mount Stanley and Mount Speke summits. Dinner and night stay at Bujuku hut.
Day 5- Bujuku – Elena Camp (4541m)/ Mt Stanley.
Depart from Bujuku hut, the path traverses through abundant bog, while ascending the steep slopes west of the lake and through the secret forest made of Groundsel Gully.
Turn to the right up to Elena camp and you will locate Mount Stanley on a steep trail over large boulders, while the path on the left heads straight to Scott-Elliot Pass. Down to Kitandara Lakes, the path on the left leads trekkers who are not making it to the Margherita Peak to Kitandara Hut instead.
Hikers ascending to the Margherita peak will have Dinner and night stay at the coolly and Icy Elena Hut.
Day 6- Elena Hut to Margherita Peak (5,109m) – Kitandara Camp (4430m).
Today things a bit tough but you can make it trekking to the glaciers, cross Stanley Plateau and continue with the ascent. Get acquainted to fog, altitude sickness and extreme cold weather, scramble till you make it to the peak of Margherita – Rwenzori’s highest point at 5,109m above sea level.
While on top, take pictures and then descend back to Elena Hut; this descent back to Elena camp can take about 2 – 3hours depending on the weather and speed of trekkers.
Day 7- Kitandara to Guy Yeoman (3261m).
From Kitandara hut, follow the trail that first ascends steeply up the headwall, spreading out from the base of Mount Baker and proceed along the south side of mountain to Fresh Field Pass 4282m. from this point, trekkers can view D.R. Congo in the west & Mount Stanley to the north.
From this pass, take on the long high alpine mossy. Thereafter, begin the descent through steep rocky paths and the rock shelter at Bujongolo, the base camp for the historic expedition by the Duke of Abruzzi in 1906 and a night stay at Guy yeoman hut.
Day 8- Guy Yeoman – Nyabitaba.
Descend via Kichuchu cliffs. Beyond Kichuchu, the muddy trail traverses River Mubuku twice through vast bamboo plantation before trekking downwards to Nyabitaba camp to complete the circuit.
Descend straight to Nyabitaba hut.
Day 9- Nyabitaba to Nyakalengija.
Have breakfast, and continue trekking from Nyabitaba Camp for approximately 2.5 to 3 hours and complete your trek at Nyakalengija, the base camp.
Day 10 To Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Today you will take yet another exciting and scenic drive to some of the oldest forests on the African continent. The drive to bind will show you the Ugandan countryside and villages with beautiful rolling hills that most people refer to as the switzerland of Africa.
Day 11- Gorilla Trekking.
Today is the big day, the hightlight of this Mountain Rwenzori peak and Gorillas safari. … Prepare yourself for an encounter with one of Bwindi’s gentle giants: the rare Mountain Gorilla. For most people this is the absolute highlight of their 12-Days Mountain Rwenzori and Gorillas
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a highlight for many visitors as this is where they will be visiting the home of the gentle giants. The park lies in southwestern Uganda on the edge of the Rift Valley
Day 12- Transfer back to Kampala/Departure.
This is the last day of your Mountain Rwenzori peak and Gorillas safari. Transfer to Entebbe airport. Your driver guide will drop you off at your hotel in Kampala or at the Airport in Entebbe for flight back home. This will mark the end of your Mountain Rwenzori peak and Gorillas safari.
