The Rwenzori, "Mountain of the Moon", lie along the western border of Uganda in the very heart of Africa. A chain of remote fold mountains, they contain some of East-Africa's most unusual and luxuriant vegetation and beautiful lakes. The main summit, Margherita (5,109m), rises out of the Stanely plateau, the largest glaciated area on the continent. To the west is the endless expanse of the DR Congo jungle and to the East the mists and clouds which rises up over the Lake Victoria basin. BLUE MONKEY, RWENZORI COLOBUS, RED FOREST DUIKER, HYRAX and LEOPARD are the commonest large mammals although some elephants and buffalo live in the lower valleys.

Day 1: Arrive Entebbe international Airport transfer to your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala.

Day 2: Kampala – Kasese; Depart early morning for western Uganda. The ride is comfortable with a stop over at the Mpambire drum makers, coffee plantation and the equator. You may go through Lake Mburo at an extra cost. Proceed to Mbarara for lunch and then continue through Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP), which is set in the western rift valley at the base of Mountain Rwenzori. Arrive in Kasese and check in a Hotel and prepare your hiking equipment for the next morning. Have dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Nyakalengija – Nyabitaba: Arrive Ibanda, then at the park headquarters at Nyakalengija in the early morning. Make payments, rent equipment and select guides and porters. Begin your hiking by leaving the park headquarters (5,400ft/1,646m). Walk past typical “watt and mud daub” Bankonzo homes, through elephant grasses then arrive at the park boundary in about 40 minutes. The trail follows the Mubuku River crossing recent landslide areas. Reach the Makoma River after 2 1/2hrs. After crossing the river you will have a very steep climb through open bracken fern slopes and podocarpus forest up to Nyabitaba Hut (8,700/2ft, 6652m) in 30 minutes from Mahoma River. Have dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Nyabitaba – John Matte: Leave Nyabitaba Hut on the trail leading westwards for half a kilometer then drop North steeply to Kurf Shafer bridge. Camp overnight at Nyamileju Hut or proceed. The Hut marks the start of the giant leather, lobelia and groundsel zone; the remarkable vegetation types found only on high altitude tropical African Mountains. If you decide to proceed, arrive at John Matte for dinner and overnight. Tired hikers consider this as a reasonable stopping point.

Day 5: John Matte – Bujuku or Elena: Leave John Matte to cross the Bujuku River and enter the lower of the two Bigo- Bogs where your first real experience jumping from tussock to tussock in a grassy bog begins. The trail is muddy to the south until the Bigo Hut. This is the favorable spot for parties climbing Mt.Speke (with special equipment). And is very cold for hikers. Proceed to Bujuku Hut (13,000ft/3, 962m) for dinner and overnight. Or depending on your strength, you may continue to Elena in order to have time to climb peak Margarita.

Day 6: Bujuku – Elena – Kitandara: To continue the circuit you leave directly west of Bujuku Hut on newer trails, which rises and falls twice before finally climbing steeply through magical moss-draped Groundsel Gully towards Scott Elicot Pass (14,345ft/4,372m). After the Gully head to Elena Hut (14,700ft / 4,372m). This is the base camp for climbing Margarita Peak (16,763ft/ 5,109m), and will require special hiking gear). Do not delay your descent towards Kitandara lakes below. Having dropped a few hundred feet in elevation from Scott Eliot pass you cut below massive rock walls at the base of Mt. Baker. Here “dramatic craters” have been caused by large rocks fallen from above and your guide may caution you against loud noises. Pass by upper Kitandara Lake through bad mud to the lower lake and Kitandara Hut where you will have dinner and overnight.

Day 7: Kitandara – Guy Yeomen: Advisable to start early to avoid overheating on the steep- long climb from the lake to freshfield pass (14,050ft – 4,282m). Freshfield is along flat traverse through beautiful high alpine mossy glades (more mud). This is also considered as difficult as day two due to the seeming endless mud. May overnight at Busongolo and Kambamba shelters but it is better to push on to Guy – Yeomen Hut (10,770 ft/3,261m).

Day 8: Guy Yeomen – Nakalenginja – RMS: In order to make it to the park Headquarters begin your trek very early in the morning. The path from Guy Yeomen is very dangerous in spot. Reach Kachuchu where the trail parallels and twice crosses the Mobuku River mostly in deep mud until the last few kilometers to Nyabitaba. May overnight Nyabitaba Hut if you wish or proceed to the headquarters for a comfortable bed and warm water. You may also drive to any Kasese hotel.

Day 9: Kasese - Kampala: After late breakfast depart for Kampala, lunch stop on the way. Or a day visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park can be arranged on request but extra cost.

Day 10: Day off in Kampala; evening transfer to airport, departure.

Safari summary

Cost Price

On request...Click here for payment details.

The cost price includes the following;

1. Ground transportation.
2. Accommodation in tents and hotels where marked.
3. Entry fees to all national parks.
4. Driver guide, cook on camping, meals where mentioned.
5. Mountain climbing charges including porters and ranger guide.
6. Camping ground.

Excluded:
Personal expenses, travel and health insurance, visa fees, airport taxes, laundry services, personal phone calls & emails, porter services and tips, beverages other than those offered with meals.

Note:
The costing is based upon camping safari.
Clients will bring their own camping gears (tents, sleeping bags, climbing boots etc (however, some equipment are available for hire at the Rwenzori office in Kasese).

Liability and Cancellation