Spend 14 days Rwenzori hiking & Bwindi Gorilla trekking with this safari. Wrap up your Rwenzori mountain trekking adventure with a gorilla trek in Bwindi on your 14 days adventure tour in Uganda for an experience like no other. This safari is very affordable and a must-book for a physical challenge in Uganda.
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport
On your arrival for Rwenzori trekking & Bwindi safari, our tour representative/guide will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to your Hotel in Kampala. Depending on the time of arrival, your guide will take you on a city tour around Kampala. Places to visit include, National Theatre, Namugongo Martyrs Shrine, the Uganda Museum and the African Craft Village or Ndere Cultural center. Dinner and overnight at Cassia Lodge (BD)
Day 2: Transfer to Kasese (Rwenzori National Park) 7-8 hours drive
After a served breakfast at your Hotel in Kampala, you will set off for Rwenzori Mountain national Park. You will reach Kasese town in time for lunch and after transfer to the Rwenzori Mountaineering services (RMS) offices for registration. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Margherita (FB)
Day 3: Start Hiking from Nyakalengija to Nyabithaba hut 2.652 m
After breakfast, you will report to the park headquarters to be allocated your guides and porters. You will then set off for hiking from the trail head (1646m) passing via the typical mud Bakonjo homes. Start hiking from Nyakalengija to Nyabitaba Hut. This may take 5-7 hours. Have dinner and overnight stay at Nyabitaba hut. (FB)
Day 4: Nyabitaba to John Matte hut 3.414 m
Breakfast will be served early in the morning. You will then follow the trail from Nyabitaba hut to Kurt Shaffer Bridge crossing Bujuku and Mubuku rivers. From this point, the trail becomes steeper and very slippery. Then continue and hike up to John Matte hut for dinner and overnight. Hiking time may be 6-7 hours. (FB)
Day 5: John Matte- Bujuku Hut 3.962 m
Early morning breakfast, Hike from John Matte and cross River Bujuku to enter the Bigo bog. There is a steeply section from the hut which will lead you to upper Bigo bog. You will then cross the drier ground up to Lake Bujuku which overlooks Mt. Baker to the south, Mt. Stanley to the west, and Mt Speke to the North. Hike until you reach Bujuku Hut for dinner and overnight stay. This will take like 4-5 hours.
Day 6: Bujuku Hut – Elena Hut 4.540 m
From Bujuku Hut, hike to Scott Elliot and Elena Hut. This is the end point for the central circuit and the starting point to climb Margherita Peak or Mt Stanley. The hike to Elena is a steep rock trail which when wet can be slippery. Follow the central circuit through the alpine zone of sparse low vegetation to crater lakes and drop to Lake Kitandara hut for dinner and overnight.
Day 7: Kitandara hut- Magherita (5109m)
After breakfast in the morning, you will climb up to the summit of Margherita (5109m). There might be need for use of crampons and ropes. Descend from Lake Kitandara hut leaving Margarita peak northwards and Democrat Republic of Congo westwards. On clear days you will see big area of Congo and the famous tropical forests of Congo. Descend back to Kitandara Hut for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 8: From Kitandara Hut to Guy Yeoman Hut
From Lake Kitandara you climb to Freshfield Pass, 4.282 m., a long flat of high alpine mossy glades, before descending the circuit among rocky and boggy areas. The panorama is dominated by the glaciers of Mounts Stanley and Baker and Mount of Savoy. A muddy trail leads to Akendahi, Bujongolo and Kabamba rock shelters, where starts the Kabamba valley down to Guy Yeoman Hut, 3.261 m. This can take up to 6 hours. The hut is surrounded by a beautiful landscape of mountains, vegetations and rivers.
Day 9: From Guy Yeoman Hut to Nyabitaba Hut
Hikers may be required to begun their journey early enough so as to get to Nyabitaba hut before dark, since this path can be some how challenging in some spots. So descending slowly facing the slope instead of outward is the only best way. Lake evening can also be good for taking a walk and viewing some of the birds and the occasional blue tailed monkey. For the Typical hikers the descending process will take 5-6 hours. Stay at Nyabitaba hut. (2650m)
Day 10: Nyabitaba Hut – Nyakalengija
Descend to Nyakalengija the park headquarters and this may take 2-3 hours. Meet with your driver and drive back to Kasese for lunch and after you will transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Upon entering the park you will enjoy a game drive enroute. Dinner and overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge.
Day 11: Game drive and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park (4-5 hours)
This morning you will set out for the game drive in Ishasha area and expect to see the rare tree climbing lions. The lions can be seen up on the fig trees.
However it’s not a guarantee that the lions will be seen. Some times it depends on the luck and time of reaching the area. You will have lunch in the Ishasha sector and after you will proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park in preparation for your next day Gorilla trek. Dinner and overnight stay at Lake Kitandara Luxury Camp
Day 12: Gorilla trek in Bwindi forest Park
Early in the morning after breakfast and a briefing from the UWA officials, set off for the gorilla tracking. This is a once life time experience and unforgettable adventure on this Rwenzori trekking & Bwindi holiday. The ranger guides will lead you into the thick forest and start your search for the endangered Mountain Gorillas.
You will move up and down the rugged terrain until you finally meet these harmonious creatures that will entertain you with performances for about 1 hour. The activity can take 6-7 hours since the gorillas move up and down. This is an awe some and exciting moment. Enroute there are a lot of chimpanzees and other types of the primates such as the monkeys, birds and so more. Return for dinner and over night stay at Lake Kitandara Luxury tented camp
Day 13: Transfer back to Kampala
After breakfast, you will drive back to Kampala via the Kigezi Highlands (commonly known as the Switzerland of Africa) in Kabale district. You will stopover in Mbarara for lunch. Drop off will be at your Hotel in Kampala at Cassia Lodge
Day 14: Departure – Final day of Rwenzori trekking & Bwindi safari
You will be transferred to Entebbe Airport for your departure flight back to home ending your Rwenzori trekking & Bwindi safari.
End of 14 days Rwenzori hiking and Bwindi Gorilla trekking safari.
