10 Days Rwenzori Mountains Hiking Safari

Rwenzori means ‘rainmaker’ in the local language which is befitting as the range is notorious for being one of Africa’s wettest places.

On this safari, you will be rewarded with the best hiking experience up to the top of the snow-capped mountain of Rwenzori also known as “Mountain of the Moon” where you will enjoy the beautiful vegetation with big lushes of green.

Itinerary Summary

Day 1: Transfer to Rwenzori Mountain National Park

Day 2: Trek to Nyabitaba Hut

Day 3: Trek to John Matte Hut

Day 4: Trek to Bujuku Hut

Day 5: Trek to Elena Hut

Day 6: Ascent of Mount Stanley to Kitandara Hut

Day 7: Trek to Guy Yeoman Hut

Day 8: Trek to Nyabitaba

Day 9: Trek to Nyakalengija

Day 10: Transfer to Entebbe / Kampala

DAY 1: TRANSFER FROM KAMPALA / ENTEBBE TO RWENZORI MOUNTAINS

The safari begins with a 440km (7-8hours) drive to legendary Rwenzori Mountains. You will pass through impressive rural landscapes of Uganda with lush green cover, scattered human settlement, towns and markets where you will see people going on with their daily life. You will also see several impressive natural features such as the Inselbergs of Mubende and the scenic views of Fort Portal where you will have enroute lunch before being welcomed by the towering Rwenzori Mountains. Retire for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation:

Luxury: Equator Snow Lodge

Mid-range: Sandton Hotel Kasese

Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner

Drive distance & time: Approx. 440km or 7-8hours

DAY 2: CLIMB FROM NYAKALENGIJA (1,615M) TO NYABITABA HUT (2.651M)

Proceed to the Nyakalengija trail head (1600m) after your heavy breakfast where the Uganda Wildlife Authority will provide an informative briefing prior to commencing the trek. You walk past Bakonjo homesteads dwarfed by steep foothills and banana plantations. Follow the trail along the Mubuku River, to cross the Mahoma River and before climbing steadily through Podocarpus forest.

The forest hosts several animal species such as Elephants, Chimpanzees, Angola colobus, Black-and-white colobus, blue monkeys, bushbucks and unusual reptiles such as the three-horned chameleon. It is also home to some of the bird species including Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori turaco, strange weaver, Archers’ Robin-chat and Rwenzori batis and several others as well as various tree and plant species.

It’s about 10km from the trailhead at Nyakalengija to Nyabitaba hut at 2,651m. You will have dinner and overnight at Nyabitaba hut.

Accommodation: Nyabitaba Hut.

Hiking distance and time: Approx. 1615m-2651m or 5 hours

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 3: HIKE TO JOHN MATTE HUT (3,505M)

After a substantive breakfast, depart Nyabitaba hut early. This is the longest and most strenuous day’s hike. From Nyabitaba hut, walk along a small trail dropping down through the forest to the Kurt Shafer Bridge just below the convergence of the Bujuku and Mubuku Rivers. The forest gradually turns into a bamboo zone where the trail is slippery and moss-covered. A zone of the giant heather, lobelia and groundsel vegetation emerges before the Nyamileju rock shelter before traversing a bog to the hut. Between bridge and Nyamileju hut, the path is good for the first couple of hours, but it becomes steeper and very rocky as you enter the moorland zone where the impressive heather plants are prolific.

Here you will have a view of the Margherita glacier which is on mount Stanley between Alexandra and Margherita peaks. You will have dinner and overnight stay at John Matte hut.

Accommodation: John Matte Hut

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Hiking distance and time: Approx. 2,651m -3,505m or 7hours

DAY 4: HIKE TO BUJUKU HUT (3,962M).

After breakfast at John Matte Hut, you will cross river Bujuku and hike through forest to the lower Bigo bog which is home to giant lobelias. As you move you will also expect to see everlasting flowers and groundsels.

Cross the bog and then take a steep hike along a ridge to the Upper Bigo bog before continuing to Lake Bujuku where views of the highest mountain, Stanley are to be seen. The lake also acts as the acts as the beginning of alpine savannah zone of little vegetation.

You will eventually arrive at Bujuku Hut standing at 3,962 m where you will have dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Bujuku Hut

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Hiking distance and time: Approx. 3,505m-3,962m or 5hours

DAY 5: HIKE TO ELENA HUT (4,430M)

After breakfast, you will depart Bujuku and continue with the hike to Elena hut which takes about 5-7 hours. You will hike through the sides of the upper Bigo bog then through the steep slopes of Lake Bujuku. The boggy trail slopes west of the lake, passing through the paranormal groundsel gully. A metal ladder takes you over an extremely steep section after which the trail branches, the right leads up to Elena Hut and Mt Stanley over a steep rocky trail, while the left leads to Scott-Elliot Pass and down to Lake Kitandara at the base of the Stanley Glacier.

Elena hut is at the rocky part of Mount Stanley and the area is too cold. At this point, you will have a direct view of Mount Baker and Mount Speke. You will have dinner and overnight stay at Elena hut.

Accommodation: Elena Hut

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Hiking distance and time: Approx. 3,962m-4,430m or 5-7hours

DAY 6: ASCENT OF MOUNT STANLEY TO KITANDARA HUT (4,023M)

On this day, you will have to wake up as early as 2 am and have breakfast at Elena hut. Be ready in your warmest gear, put on your harness, warm hand gloves and head sock, have your headlamps and helmets and make sure you have sunglasses in the day pack for the hike to the top of mount Stanley, Margherita peak, through the Stanley plateau. On steep rocky areas, you will use the ropes to help you move. The guide will teach you how to use the equipment while on the ice.

For those who do not wish to climb the peak, a more restful day walking from Elena Hut (4541m) to Lake Kitandara (4023m). For those who wish, but also depending on altitude sickness, visibility, climbing ability and acclimatisation, climb a further three hours to Margherita peak (5109m) and later down to Kitandara Hut. Trek to the Elena glacier, before moving on to the Stanley Plateau.

After moving for a couple of hours after the Stanley plateau glacier, you will reach the bottom of the Margherita glacier. This is the most challenging part of the entire hiking Rwenzori experience and use of Crampons and ropes may well be necessary. You will hike through this glacier up to the top of mount Stanley, Margherita peak (5109m). At the top you will have a view of Ireen Lake, mount Speke and the surrounding environment. Then descend to Elena Hut for Lunch and later proceed to descend to Kitandara. You will have dinner and overnight stay at Kitandara hut.

Accommodation: Kitandara hut

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Ascent distance and time: Approx. 4,430m-5,109m or 7-8 hours

Descent distance and time: 5,109m-4,023m or 2-3 hours

DAY 7: TREK TO GUY YEOMAN HUT (3,505M)

After breakfast, depart Lake Kitandara Hut to climb the fresh field pass standing at 4,282m traversing the extended flat of high alpine mossy glades before descending the circuit among the boggy and rocky areas. The panorama is greatly covered by the glaciers of Mount Baker and Mount Stanley.

The muddy trail takes you down to Guy Yeaman Hut standing at 3.261 m. The Guy Yeoman Hut is surrounded by impressive vegetation, mountains and rivers. You will have dinner and overnight stay at Guy Yeoman hut.

Accommodation: Kitandara hut

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Descent distance and time: Approx. 4,023m-3,505m or 6-7 hours

DAY 8: DESCEND TO NYABITABA HUT AT (2,651M).

After breakfast at Guy Yeoman, descend back to Nyabitaba Hut through the bamboo forests. The path down can be slippery and muddy with little to hold on to and requires careful balancing over the vertical mud or steep rock. After about 5 hours of trekking you will reach Nyabitaba hut for relaxation and overnight

Accommodation: Nyabitaba Hut

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Descent distance and time: Approx. 3,505m-2,651m or 5 hours

DAY 9: DESCEND TO NYAKALENGIJA (1,615M)

After an amazing breakfast, you will continue on the descent back to Nyakalengija to mark the end of your experience. Upon arriving at Nyakalengija, you will transfer to the lodge for relaxation and overnight.

Accommodation

Luxury: Equator Snow Lodge

Mid-range: Ihamba Safari Lodge

Basic: Ruboni Community Camp

Descent distance and time: Approx. 2,651m-1,615m or 3 hours

DAY 10: TRANSFER BACK TO KAMPALA

After a relaxed breakfast, embark on the transfer back to Kampala. Drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park with its impressive savannah and its game such as Elephants, Buffalos, Warthogs, antelopes, and several bird species, the Bunyaruguru crater field, the lush Kalinzu forest. You will have a lunch stop in Mbarara town for traditional lunch.

You will also make another stop at the Uganda Equator crossing for amazing photo shoots and the purchase of souvenirs from any of the gift shops at the site. Continue to Kampala in the evening to mark the end of the safari.

Meal plan: – Breakfast and lunch

Drive distance and time: Approx. 440km or 7-8 hours

End of tour