13-day Mount Rwenzori and Gorilla Trekking Safari
13-day Mount Rwenzori and Gorilla Trekking Safari: For those who enjoy adventure and the outdoors, the 13-day Mount Rwenzori and Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda provide an experience that cannot be matched. The magnificent views of the Rwenzori Mountains, known as the “Mountains of the Moon,” are combined with the up-close experience of trekking the magnificent mountain gorillas in their natural environment in this carefully planned itinerary. As they travel through a variety of ecosystems, including verdant rainforests and rocky terrain, participants will come across a wide variety of locally rare plants and animals. In addition to allowing visitors to fully experience Uganda’s breathtaking scenery, this safari aims to deepen their awareness of conservation initiatives and the significance of protecting these unique habitats.
Outlined Itinerary of the 13-day Mount Rwenzori and Gorilla Trekking Safari
Day 1: Arrival
Day 2: Transfer to Kasese
Day 3: NYAKALENGIJA (1615m) – NYABITABA HUT (2651m)
Day 4: NYABITABA (2651m) – MUBUKU RIVER (2600 m) – JOHN MATTE HUT (3505 m)
Day 5: JOHN MATTE (3505 m) – BUJUKU (3962 m)
Day 6: BUJUKU (3962m) – ELENA HUT (4541m)
Day 7: ELENA HUT (4541 m) – MARGHERITA PEAK – KITANDARA HUT (4023 m)
Day 8: OPTIONAL ACTIVITY DAY TO HIKE THE SUMMIT, KITANDARA LAKE, MOUNT BAKER OR REST
Day 9: KITANDARA (4023 m) – FRESH FIELD PASS (4282 m) – GUY YEOMAN (3505 m)
Day 10: NYABITABA (2651 m) – NYAKALENGIJA (1615 m)
Day 11: Game drive in Ishasha and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 12: Gorilla Trekking Experience in Bwindi
Day 13: Transfer to Entebbe for Departure
Detailed Itinerary of the 13-day Mount Rwenzori and Gorilla Trekking Safari
Day 1: Arrival
After completing the necessary formalities, our amiable guide will meet you at the Entebbe International Airport in Uganda and take you to your accommodation
Day 2: Transfer to Kasese
You leave early this morning for Kasese. This town serves as both the starting point for your Rwenzori excursion and the primary entry point to the Rwenzori Mountains National Park.
Day 3: NYAKALENGIJA (1615m) – NYABITABA HUT (2651m)
On this day of the 13-day Mount Rwenzori and Gorilla Trekking Safari, you will arrive in Nyakalengija in the morning, where the central circuit starts. The roughly 6-7-hour uphill climb to Nyabitaba hut starts with a trail through farmland and along the Mubuku River, providing chances to see chimpanzees, blue monkeys, black-and-white colobus, and different bird species such as the colourful Rwenzori Turaco and the Rwenzori Apalis.
Day 4: NYABITABA (2651m) – MUBUKU RIVER (2600 m) – JOHN MATTE HUT (3505 m)
From Nyabitaba, proceed through the forest to the Kurt Shafer Bridge, which is close to the meeting point of the Mubuku and Bujuku rivers. Enjoy views of Mount Stanley and Mount Speke from Nyamileju rock shelter as you traverse a difficult section of moss-covered rock in the bamboo forest. After traversing an exhausting bog, arrive at John Matte Hut for dinner and a night’s rest.
Day 5: JOHN MATTE (3505 m) – BUJUKU (3962 m)
From John Matte Hut, descend into Lower Bigo Bog, which is covered in enormous lobelias, and cross the Bujuku River. Reach Bujuku Lake with sweeping views of Mount Stanley to the west and Mount Baker to the south after carefully navigating the bog’s tussocks. Nestled in a tiny valley behind Stuhlmann Pass, Bujuku Hut awaits you for dinner and an overnight stay under the shadow of Mount Baker and Mount Speke.
Day 6: BUJUKU (3962m) – ELENA HUT (4541m)
Day 6 of the 13-day Mount Rwenzori and Gorilla Trekking Safari will start at Bujuku; the trail climbs to Scott-Elliot Pass at 4372 m across steep slopes, muck, and the charming Groundsel Gully. At this point, the trail splits: the left trail continues to Scott-Elliot Pass and Kitandara Lakes, while the right trail climbs to Elena Hut and Mount Stanley. Those who choose not to climb Margherita Peak continue to Kitandara Hut. The cold Elena Hut is where Margherita Peak climbers will spend the night and have meals.
Day 7: ELENA HUT (4541 m) – MARGHERITA PEAK – KITANDARA HUT (4023 m)
Climbers who want to reach Margherita Peak (5109 m) start at the base of the Stanley Glacier and negotiate three glaciers, open areas, and slippery rock in about five to seven hours. Both technical climbing ability and physical fitness are necessary for this strenuous ascent. Enjoy views of Bujuku Lake, Mount Speke, Mount Stanley, and the Kitandara Lakes as you descend the Scott-Elliot Pass after reaching the summit. End the day with dinner and spend the night in Kitandara.
Day 8: OPTIONAL ACTIVITY DAY TO HIKE THE SUMMIT, KITANDARA LAKE, MOUNT BAKER OR REST
Today is either a day off (saved for a second summit attempt in the event of poor weather the day before) or a visit to Kitandara Lake. Mount Baker, also known as Edward Peak, is 4843 meters high and accessible to very committed climbers. Due to the exposed boulder fields, the ascent and descent are extremely challenging and take approximately 8 to 9 hours.
Day 9: KITANDARA (4023 m) – FRESH FIELD PASS (4282 m) – GUY YEOMAN (3505 m)
Ascend the steep trail from Kitandara along the base of Mount Baker to Fresh Field Pass, which provides views of Mount Stanley to the north and the Congo to the west. Before spending the night at Guy Yeoman Hut, continue along the long trail past the ancient Bujongolo rock shelter, which served as a base camp for the Duke of Abruzzi’s 1906 expedition.
Day 10: NYABITABA (2651m) – NYAKALENGIJA (1615m)
In three to four hours, descend from Nyabitaba to Nyakalengija, finishing your trek by the afternoon. Take a game drive in Uganda’s famous reserve, Queen Elizabeth National Park. It offers a variety of habitats, including savanna, marshes, and lowland forests around Lake Edward and the Ishasha River, as well as hillsides with craters.
Day 11: Game drive in Ishasha and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
On this day of the 13-day Mount Rwenzori and Gorilla Trekking Safari, enjoy a morning drive to Bwindi National Park, in which you can go on a wildlife drive in the Ishasha Sector to see lions that climb trees. After lunch, head to Bwindi, which is popular for gorilla trekking and is home to 23 species endemic to the Albertine Rift, such as Dusky Twinspot, Dusky Crimsonwing, Grauer’s Warbler, and Rwenzori Batis, as well as elephants, chimps, monkeys, and numerous antelopes.
Accommodation: Ride 4 a Woman
Day 12: Gorilla Trekking Experience in Bwindi
Travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park early in the morning for a thrilling two- to six-hour mountain gorilla trekking experience, a mesmerising wildlife adventure. While being led by a knowledgeable ranger, discover amazing details about the wildlife, plants, and the amazing way of life of these amazing gorillas.
Accommodation: Gorilla Mist Camp
Day 13: Transfer to Entebbe for Departure
After breakfast, return to Kampala and reach the equator for a photograph. After buying souvenirs and having a quick lunch, you will proceed to the airport for departure. This will mark the end of our 13-day Mount Rwenzori and Gorilla Trekking Safari.