9 days Rwenzori Hiking Safari, Uganda
9 Days Rwenzori Hiking Safari Uganda: Take off on a once-in-a-lifetime journey to the enigmatic Rwenzori Mountains, one of Africa’s most spectacular mountain ranges. It is also one of the best safari packages in Uganda for travellers with a bold spirit. In the western rift valley arm, the glacial Rwenzori Mountains will eventually form a natural border between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. At 5,109 metres, this magnificent block mountain was formerly known as the “Ruwenzori Mountains” and is still referred to as the “mountains of the moon.”
The Rwenzori Mountain ranges give rise to a number of natural wonders, including the Nyamwamba, Mubuku, and Ruimi Rivers, which empty into Lake George, the Nyamugasani River, which empties into Lake Edward, and the Butawu and Lamya Rivers, which combine to form Lake Edward’s outflow. Take this exhilarating journey to discover these wonders.
Hikers constantly receive amazing views of dense woods, lakes, birds, rivers, primates, and mammals since Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are situated inside the Mountain Rwenzori ranges. You might see animals like buffalo, hippos, elephants, and lions, among others, on your nine-day trekking safari in Uganda’s Rwenzori Mountains.
9 Days Rwenzori Hiking Safari Uganda highlights
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe Airport; Transfer to Rwenzori National Park
Day 2: Nyakalengija (1615 m)–Nyabitaba Hut (2651 m)
Day 3: Nyabitaba (2651 m)–Mubuku River (2600 m)–John Matte Hut (3505m)
Day 4: John Matte (3505 m) to Bujuku (3962 m)
Day 5: Bujuku (3962m) to kithandara Hut (4023m)
Day 6: Kitandara (4023m) – Fresh field Pass (4282m) – Guy Yeoman (3505m)
Day 7: Guy Yeoman (3505m) – Nyabitaba (2651m)
Day 8: Nyabitaba hut (2651m) – Nyakalengija Hike (1615)
Day 9: Depart to Kampala city / Entebbe town
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport – Transfer to Rwenzori National Park
On your 9 Days Rwenzori Hiking Safari in Uganda, our company representative will warmly welcome you upon your arrival at Entebbe International Airport and promptly arrange for your transfer to Kasese Town, the entrance to the Rwenzori Mountains. Spend the night there while you get ready for your hiking safari, which starts the following day. You may get to admire the landscape as you get closer to the moon’s mountains. Either the Rwenzori Base Mountain Camp (Budget) or the Hotel Margherita (Midrange) will host dinner and the night.
Day 2: Nyakalengija (1615m) – Nyabitaba Hut (2651m)
On your 9-day Rwenzori Hiking Safari in Uganda, start the day early by contacting the Rwenzori Mountaineering Services (RMS) headquarters to make arrangements for porters, guides, and chefs, as well as to hire any necessary equipment. Starting at 1,646 metres at the park headquarters, hiking the Rwenzori Mountains takes four to five hours to cover 10 km, with a rise of 1200 metres, to reach Nyabitaba. Starting from homes and farms, the trail winds through dense shrubs, high elephant grass, and bamboo. After traversing the Mahoma River and climbing over rocks and bluffs, you will ascend sharply into Nyabitaba. It is possible to spot certain animals, such the Rwenzori turaco, blue monkeys, white Colobus, and three-horned chameleon. Nyabitaba Hut lodging is available.
Day 3: Nyabitaba (2651m) – Mubuku River (2600 m)–John Matte Hut (3505 m)
After leaving Nyabitaba, turn your right and take the trail that descends through the forest for 30 minutes to reach the Kurt Shafer Bridge, which is located immediately below the Mubuku and Bujuku rivers’ junction. After a couple of hours of easy walking through the bamboo forest, the trail gets harder—almost like spelunking—as it winds through a protracted and taxing section of moss-covered rocks. Before entering the area inhabited by gigantic heather, lobelia, and groundsel, one may observe Mount Stanley and Mount Speke from the Nyamuleju rock shelter. Arrive to John Matte Hut (3500), which offers magnificent views of the valleys and mountain ranges. Furthermore, there is a good chance of seeing the breathtaking views of Mt. Stanley and the Margherita glacier after navigating the exhausting bog. Dinner and an overnight stay are then provided at the Jonn Matte Hut.
Day 4: John Matte (3505m) to Bujuku (3962 m)
The trail descends from John Matte Hut to bridge the Bujuku River and enter Lower Bigo Bog, which is home to enormous lobelias. The bog is eventually crossed by jumping from tussock to tussock, though not infrequently, without the feet tasting a little of the cold sludge below. With views of Mount Baker to the south and Mount Stanley to the west, you can follow the Bujuku river, which occasionally flows underground from Lake Bujuku, as you go on to the upper bigo bog. Bujuku Hut is situated in a little valley behind Stuhlmann Pass, perfectly shaded by Mount Baker and Mount Speke. Sleeping at Bujuku Hut.
Day 5: Bujuku (3962 m) to kithandara Hut (4023 m)
Once you leave Bujuku, the track continues through more bog as it climbs the steep slopes west of the lake, passing through the eerie Groundsel Gully and reaching Scott-Elliot Pass at 4372 metres. The trail splits into two after a steep part that can be climbed using a metal ladder at the head of the gully. The left track leads to Scott-Elliot Pass, with breathtaking views of Mount Speke, Bujuku Lake, and Mount Speke, as well as down to the Kitandara Lakes. The right trail climbs steeply to Elena Hut and Mount Stanley over enormous stones. Once the trail takes you into an alpine area with rocky outcrops and little flora, drop past the Kitandara Lakes to the Kitandara Hut for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 6: Kitandara (4023 m), Fresh field Pass (4282 m), Guy Yeoman (3505 m)
During your 9-day Rwenzori Hiking Safari in Uganda, head up the steep headwall trail from Kitandara, which spreads out from the foot of Mount Baker and follows the mountain’s south side to Fresh Field Pass, which is located at an elevation of 4280 metres. From here, views stretch out over Mount Stanley to the north and the Congo to the west. After descending the pass, walk the extensive path that passes past the rock shelter at Bujongolo, which served as the expedition’s base camp during the famous Duke of Abruzzi’s 1906 study trip. Accommodation at Hut at Guy Yeoman.
Day 7: Guy Yeoman (3505 m)–Nyabitaba (2651 m)
Getting down to Nyabitaba takes about 6–7 hours, but if you start early, you can descend all the way to Nyakalengija. The path drops down the Kichuchu cliffs beneath Guy Yeoman. After passing Kichuchu, the dirt trail makes two crossings of the Mubuku River before ascending to Nyabitaba, where the round is completed. Nyabitaba Hut lodging is available.
Day 8: Nyabitaba hut (2651 m)–Nyakalengija Hike (1615)
Early departure from Nyabitaba Hut; follow the path back to the Rwenzori Mountaineering Services offices. On average, it takes two to three hours to complete this 10-kilometer course. Going downhill to the Park Headquarters to return the leased equipment after crossing the Mubuku River and passing through fields After supper, check out any luggage you might have left here, and spend the night in the lodge of your choice. Accommodations at the Buffalo Safari Lodge
Day 9: Depart to Kampala city
Once breakfast is finished, head towards Kampala, stopping for lunch at the Equator to take pictures and enjoy some water activities. In order to wrap up your nine days of hiking in the Rwenzori Mountains of Uganda, you can also purchase mementos before travelling to Entebbe Airport.
The 9-day Rwenzori Hiking Safari Uganda hike Includes:
Pick up from Entebbe International Airport
Full board accommodation
Park entrance fees
Rwenzori mountain hiking fees
Rangers, Porters, guides and a cook
Ground transportation in 4×4 safari vehicle with fuel
Guide
Rescue fees
The 9-day Rwenzori Hiking Safari Uganda hike Excludes
International flights and visa fees
Soft and hard drinks
Personal insurance
Phone calls
Bar bills
Cigars
Laundry
Souvenirs
Tips