12 DAYS__ “MOUNTAINEERING AND GORILLA” SAFARI

Day 1: Travel to Kasese – Rwenzori Mountain National Park (RMNP) Rwenzori Mountains National park is situated in Kasese District in the western part of Uganda. The mountains have also been known as mountains of the moon. It is the third highest mountain in Africa with Africa’s 3rd and 4th highest peaks. Mountain Rwenzori is very hard to climb or hike, this means it requires extra physical fitness. Mountain climbing is the main tourist activity in this National Park because of its stunning and spectacular views. Psst; Since hiking the mountain is usually challenging for many experienced and non-experienced Hikers, there are day treks that can also be organised for those who do not want to reach the mountain peaks.

Day 2: Nyakalengija – Nyabitaba Begin by meeting porters and guides to begin the hike to Nyabitaba. Walk through Banana plantations on the side of the steep foothills and the local’s homesteads. Continue the trail along the Mubuku River through landslides. Climb steeply through the Fern slopes and Podocarlupus forest to Nyabitaba after crossing the Mahoma River.

Day 3: John Matte Hut From Nyabitaba, follow the trail through the forest to the Kurt Shafer Bridge which is just below the confluence of Mubuku and Bujuku rivers. While passing through the bamboo forest, traverse through a long and exhausting stretch of slippery moss cover moss-covered rock. From the Nyamuleju rock shelter, Mount Stanley and Mount Speke can be seen before passing into the zone of the giant heather, lobelia and groundsel. Finally reach John Matte Hut after passing through the tiring bog.

Day 4: Bujuku Hut From John Matte Hut the trail drops down to cross the Bujuku River and enters Lower Bigo Bog, the home of giant lobelias. Jumping from tussock to tussock, the bog is finally crossed but rarely without the feet sampling some of the freezing ooze below. The Upper Bigo bog gives way to Bujuku Lake, with views of Mt Baker to the South and Mt Stanley to the West. Bujuku Hut, well located in the shadow of Mount Baker and Mount Speke, is set in a narrow valley below Stuhlmann Pass.

Day 5: Elena Hut

Leaving Bujuku, the trail takes you through more bog, while climbing the steep slopes west of the lake and through the magical Groundsel Gully as it ascends to Scott-Elliot Pass at 4372m. At the head of the gully, a metal ladder takes you over a steep section after which the trail is divided into two. The trail on your right leads up to Elena Hut and Mount Stanley on a steep trail over large boulders, while the trail on your left leads to Scott-Elliot Pass and down to Kitandara Lakes.

Day 6/7: Margherita Peak For those aiming at reaching Margherita peak (5109m), continue to the base of the Stanley Glacier. To reach the summit of Margherita, the hike takes about 5-7 hours depending on the weather conditions and the pace of climbing this mountain. This tough walk takes you over three Glaciers, slippery Rock, Ice and very exposed areas which are open on many sides. Note; this particular climb is for only physically fit and technical climbers. Hike onto the glaciers, cross the Stanley Plateau and proceed with the climb. Scrambling your way up to the summit of Margherita the highest peak of the Rwenzori, accustom yourself to fog, altitude sickness and coolly weather. Given the high altitude and the tough conditions, one should not get disappointed even if they do not get to reach the peak. Prepare for the return trek through the Scott-Elliot pass, where there are spectacular views back to Bujuku Lake and Mount Speke, up to Mount Stanley and down to the Kitandara Lakes with a trail that goes through an alpine zone of sparse vegetation and rough boulders. Finally descend past the Kitandara Lakes.

Day 8: Guy Yeoman Hut From Kitandara, take on the trail that ascends steeply up the headwall, spreading out from the base of Mount Baker and continuing along the south side of the mountain to Fresh field Pass. At this point one can see Congo to the west and Mount Stanley to the north. From the pass, take on the long trail passing the rock shelter at Bujongolo, the base camp for the historic expedition by the Duke of Abruzzi in 1906.

Day 9: Nyabitaba – Nakalengija Descend to Nyabitaba hut. The path can get slippery and muddy and therefore requires careful balancing over the vertical mud or steep rock. After lunch in Nyabitaba, start to go downhill to the base to complete your trek. Thereafter, travel to the outskirts of Queen Elizabeth National Park for your overnight stay.

Day 10: Travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Plunge into one of the most primeval tropical forests that is stringed together with a dense Vegetation, Hills, Valleys, Mountains and many more. A home to the great Silver Back Mountain Gorillas. It has a diverse range of Birds, a native community of the Batwa and many more mind blowing discoveries.

Day 11: Gorilla Tracking Experience an unforgettable and once in a lifetime close up encounter with the critically endangered Apes known as Mountain Gorillas. Hike and Trek very early in the morning through the densely forested beautiful jungle and see the mysterious striking Apes.

Day 12: Travel to Kampala or the Airport Have a stopover at equator and have an experience of standing in 2 hemispheres at the same time and engage in a crocodile tour.