12 Days Uganda Gorilla & Rwenzori Trekking-Rwenzori Experts
Day 1: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Upon arrival in either Kampala or Kigali, you will meet our driver guide who will brief you about your schedule 12 days gorilla trekking, wildlife and Rwenzori trekking Experience trip. After here, you will be driven to Bwindi Impenetrable national park- home to half the remaining Mountain gorilla in the world for gorilla trekking.
Day 2 Gorilla trekking, cultural experience & Transfer to Queen Elizabeth
You will head for briefing at the park headquarters before leaving for the gorilla search in the forest. The ranger guides will lead you through the forest to track the gorillas, which may take from 30 minutes to 6 hours including an hour getting up-close with gorillas. You will then return to the headquarters to receive your gorilla trekking certificate, after which you will be driven back to your hotel/lodge. In case you have a free afternoon, you will head for cultural performances from the women at Ride for a woman organization or visit the Batwa, otherwise, you will depart for Queen Elizabeth national park-famous for the tree-climbing lions at Isasha, and if lucky enough, you will encounter the tree- climbing Lions, as you head to the Northern side where you will check in your hotel/lodge. Have dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Game Drive and afternoon Boat Cruise
Have breakfast and embark on your morning game drive along Kasenyi track in search of animals such as Lions, Lions, Cape Buffalos, Elephants, Warthogs, Waterbucks, Spotted hyenas, Mongoose, Kobs and if you are lucky enough, you may spot leopards, not forgetting various bird species. Return for lunch at your lodge, after which you will go for yet another exciting moment of boat riding along the Kazinga channel, where you will watch wild animals and various bird species at a much closer distance. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Day 4: Travel to Nyakalengija
At sunrise, you will go for a morning game drive to explore the creator lakes, salt lakes and other wild animals. With a lunch en-route, you will head to Kasese Town and proceed to your lodge/hotel/camp in Nyakalengijja for Dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Nyakalengija to Nyabitaba hut(2651m)
On this first day of your Rwenzori trekking experience, you will head to the Rwenzori Mountaineering services headquarters for a briefing about the rules and regulations hiking Mount Rwenzori. Rwenzori trekking starts from Nyakalengijja through the Bakonzo plantations and settlements to the Rwenzori national park gate for registration. Start your central circuit adventure by passing through dense tropical vegetation. The thick forest is home to wildlife species such as white colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, duiker, elephants, three-horned chameleons among others. Arrive at Nyabitaba hut for dinner and overnight.
Day 6: Nyabitaba to John Matte(3505m)
Have an early morning breakfast at Nyabitaba hut, and proceed to John Matte by passing through Kurt Schuffer Bridge which is situated between two rivers of Mubuku and Bujuku. Proceed through the bamboo forest, then to the steep and slippery rocks which connects to Nyamileju Hut- appoint from which you will take a rest before finishing your trek. Embark with your hike, while enjoying great beautiful views of Margherita peak, and Mount Stanley peak. Arrive at John Matte at 3,414m in the afternoon or in the evening for your meals and an overnight
Day 7: John Matte to Bujuku Hut(3962m)
Your days hike takes on 5-7 hours walk, to climb a 6km path to Bujuku hut at 3,962m. You will leave for Bujuku after an early morning breakfast from John Matte. Cross Bujuku river and slope to Bigo Bog with beautiful views of the peaks. Proceed with your hike passing near Lake Bujuku where the attractive Alpine savannah vegetation begins. Arrive at Bujuku Hut in the early afternoon so as to get enough rest for the next days long and challenging trek. While at the Bujuku hut, You will enjoy the breathtaking views of Mount Speke, Mount Stanley and Mount Baker peaks. Dinner and overnight at the hut.
Day 8: Bujuku to Elena Hut(4541m)
After early morning breakfast, you will traverse through the groundsel vegetation along the 4km path, climbing up 4,372m which is about a 5-7 hours hike. You will ascend through the sides of the Upper Bigo bigo and hike through the steep slopes of Lake Bujuku to the West as you ascend to the 4372m Scott-Elliot pass, and later proceed through several swamps and the remarkable ground gully. You will then walk through the steep section above the gully by using a metal ladder reaching a junction with two divided trails, with the right trail leading to the Elena Hut rising through a steep trail above the large boulders to Mount Stanley while the left trailheads to the Scott-Elliot pass descending to Kitandara hut. The trail is then divided into two. The two trails, the left trail leads to Scott-Elliot pass descending to Kitandara Lakes while the right trail heads to the Elena Hut and on a steep trail above large boulders to Mt Stanley. Situated at the rocky part of Mount Stanley, Elena hut is located in a cold region, although it offers beautiful views of Mount Baker and Mount Speke, which is sometimes hard to see due to fog. Dinner and overnight at the Elena hut.
Day 9: Elena hut to Margherita Peak to Kitandara(4023m)
On this day you will wake up as early as 2:00 am, have your early morning breakfast, and embark on your hike to the top of Margherita peak, which starts at 3:00 am. You will hike through the Stanley plateau to the top of Mount Stanley. Using ropes, you will hike through the steep rocky regions, while the crampons, as well as the ice axe, will be used on the glacial axe- as directed by the guide. This will take a couple of hours, after which you will arrive at the bottom of margherita glacier-the most challenging part of the 7 days central circuit trekking experience. You will then proceed to the top of the peak of Mount Stanley (Margherita Peak at 5107m).
At the peak, you will enjoy the impressive views of Lake Ireen, Mount Speke and the surrounding, after then descend Elena hut for lunch. later continue with your trek to Kitandara, through the Scott Elliot pass (also considered as the most beautiful spot of Rwenzori) dinner and overnight at Kitandara hut. However, depending on your group’s strength, you may opt to spend another night at Elena Hut, and continue the next day to Kitandara then to Guy Yeoman.
Day 10: Kitandara hut to Guy Yeoman Hut(3505m)
After an early morning breakfast, spend your entire 6-8 hours’ trekking along the base of mount baker which is quite slippery. Ascend steeply up the headwall, that spreads from the base of Mount Baker, as you proceed towards the southern side of Mountain Rwenzori to the Fresh field pass. After here, you will continue with the long stretch of the muddy trail, trekking through the Kabamba, Akhendahi and rock shelters of Bujongolo-the base camp for the historic expeditions by Duke of Abruzzi in 1906. Proceed with your trek along the Kabamba trail and later arrive at Guy Yeoman, which is established at the banks of river mubuku. Dinner and overnight at the hut.
Day 11: Guy Yeoman to Nyabitaba to Nyakalengijah(2651m)
On this last day of your 7 days Rwenzori trek of the central circuit, you will descend to Nyabitaba hut, after your early morning breakfast passing through the Bamboo forest. You enjoy great sightings of beautiful flowers and plants, bamboo forests and Kinchuchu and Mubuku Rivers. At Nyabitabba hut after a 4 hours’ trek, after which you will briefly spend 40 minutes visiting Lake mahoma. Return to the hut after Lake Mahoma exploration and embark on your trek to Nyakalengijja where you will meet your guide to transfer you back to your hotel
Day 12: Nyakalengija to Kampala/Entebbe international airport
After early morning breakfast, you will check out of your hotel/lodge and then you will be driven back to Kampala, with an en-route stopover in fort-portal. Arrive in Kampala in the late afternoon and later proceed to Entebbe International airport so as to catch up with your scheduled flight.