The 9 Days Rwenzori Mountains Climbing Safari in Uganda is an adventurous hiking tour that takes you to climb Africa’s highest mountain ranges. Hiking in Uganda’s mystical Rwenzori Mountains is a genuinely amazing and unique experience, with the wonder of high glaciers, the beauty of the valley of nine lakes, and bearded lichen hanging from huge heathers against a backdrop of rocky cliffs, crags, and snow-capped summits. The diverse flora and animals, together with multiple biospheres as you ascend through different vegetation zones, provides the ideal trekking experience. This one-of-a-kind and breathtaking excursion has never been made public before, and it is without a doubt one of the most beautiful in the world. As a World Heritage Site, the Rwenzori Mountains National Park provides a chance to witness the splendour of nature. The environment ranges from alpine vegetation to dense tropical rain forests, bamboo forests, and montane cloud forests, and the landscape is absolutely breathtaking. Above 4,500 meters, the snow and glaciers give the breathtaking views of this pristine mountain range a unique dimension.
Detailed Itinerary.
Day 1: Arrival – Entebbe Airport.
On arrival, a Judith Safaris tour guide will greet you and transfer you to your Hotel in either Entebbe or Kampala for your overnight stay.
Accommodation: Hotel No.5, Cassia Lodge.
Meals: (Dinner).
Day 2: Transfer to Rwenzori Base Station.
After breakfast, you will be taken to Rwenzori or neighbouring Kasese for an overnight stay before hiking to the famed Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon.
Day 3: Begin Rwenzori Hike at Nyakalengija (1,615m) to Nyabitaba Hut (2,651m).
The trailhead at Nyakalengija is located along Fort Portal Road, 22km from Kasese. From Nyakalengija, it’s a 5-hour climb of around 10km to Nyabitaba Hut, where you’ll travel through fields and farms before entering the forest. The hut has a piped water supply.
Day 4: Nyabitaba Hut (2,651m) to John matte Hut (3,505m).
This is the longest and most difficult day’s walk, and it should take you at least seven hours. Starting from Nyabitaba Hut, the path first descends through forests before crossing the Bujuku River at the 1989 Kart Schafer Bridge. The pass is good for the first few hours, but it gets steeper and rocky as you enter the moorland zone, where heather plants are abundant.
There is a rocky shelter and a small, very dilapidated hut at Nyamileju, where you will most likely stop for lunch. Following the Bujuku River, the trail leaves Nyamileeju and continues through a massive heather forest. It takes almost two hours to walk from Nyamileju to John Matte Hut. About 200 meters from the Bujuku River, where you may fetch water, the hut is in good shape.
Day 5: John Matte Hut (3,505m) to Bujuku Hut (3,962m).
After breakfast, take a walk of up to five hours, depending on the status of the two Bigo Bogs, which are frequently knee-deep in mud. On your journey to the hut, you’ll cross Lake Bujuku, which has a spectacular setting between Mount Stanley, which has the highest summit (5,109m Margherita), Speke, and Baker. Bujuku hut serves as the base for accessing Mount Speke, and you will need to stay here for an extra night. If you wish to ascend to the range’s highest point, Margherita peak on Mount Stanley (5,109m), you must start at Elena hut (4,541m), which is roughly 2km off the Central Circuit trail and a three to four-hour trek from either Bujuku or Kitandara huts.
Day 6: Bujuku Hut (3,962m) to Kitandara Hut (4,023M).
You will climb Scott Elliot Pass (4,372m), the highest point on the central circuit trail, from Bujuku Hut on this day before descending to return to Kitandara Lakes. The second lake is adjacent to the cottage.
Day 7: Kitandara Hut (4,023m) to Guy Yeoman Hut (3,505m).
Starting with a difficult climb to Fresh Field Pass (4,282), the five-hour hike descends to Bujongolo Cave (3,720M), the base used by the 1906 expedition. Instead of Guy Yeoman Hut, continue on the trail to Kabamba Cave (3,450m), which has a beautiful waterfall and a rock shelter where you can spend the night.
Day 8: Guy Yeoman Hut (3,505m) to Nyakalengija (1,615m).
You will walk from Guy Yeoman Hut to Nyabitaba Hut (a descent of 851m) in about five hours after breakfast. You can choose to spend the night at the Hut or continue to the trail head at Nyakalengija, which will take three more hours and involve a total descent of 1,887m, marking the end of the Mount Rwenzori climb. Once you arrive at Nyakalengija, the driver guide will take you to your hotel for the night.
Day 9: Return to Kampala – Departure.
Following a leisurely breakfast, your driver guide will take you back to Kampala and then Entebbe for your departure. Alternatively, you can opt to go on another Savannah Game Safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is nearby, and view mountain gorillas.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch).
End of the 9 Days Rwenzori Mountains Climbing Safari in Uganda.
The 9 Days Rwenzori Mountains Climbing Safari in Uganda cost includes;
- Airport Transfers.
- Accommodation and meals as per the itinerary.
- Climbing Rwenzori Mountains.
- Services of an English-speaking tour guide.
- Park Entrance Fees.
- Wildlife Game Drives.
- Tour Guide Allowances.
- Bottled Water in the Car.
- Relevant Government Taxes.
However, the tour cost excludes; Visa Fees, International Air Fare, personal shopping bills, tips to local guides, and items of personal nature such as laundry, cigarettes, alcohol, souvenirs and items not listed as included in the cost.