Rwenzori Mountains National Park is located in western Uganda; it lies along the Uganda-Congo border, protecting the highest parts of the Rwenzori Mountains.
The national park is home to 70 mammals and 217 bird species.
The variety of birdlife will leave you captivated, with sights of the Rwenzori Turaco, Handsome Francolin, White-starred Robin, among others, including the 19 Albertine Rift endemic species.
Apart from hiking mountain Rwenzori, there are many more attractions to see and activities to do, including Bakonzo village walks, bird watching, sightseeing, nature walks, where you will experience the local culture and day-to-day life of the Bakonzo, making your safari awe-inspiring.
The landscape in the area swiftly shifts from thick bamboo, heather zone into the Afro alpine.
Hiking is possible any day of the year; however, the months of June, July, and August, then late December, January, February, are the driest and best months to trek.
Although some say the wet seasons are the best, as the mountains are often covered in snow, making spectacular scenery.
This short three-day Rwenzori mountain trek follows an easy circuit route, which takes you through the rainforest and bamboo zones at the foot of the mountains, to the giant heather and heath of the Alpine zone.
The 3-Day Rwenzori Park Trek exposes you to the art of nature, which involves rare vegetation, various streams, rivers, and falls.
With every hour and every altitude gain, the landscapes, colors, and critters are ever-changing.
As you go higher, the trek rewards you with clear and fantastic views of Queen Elizabeth National Park, as well as Lake George across the foothills.
Don’t forget to pack Warm clothes, Rain jacket, Hiking shoes, Sleeping bag, Light day backpacker, Water bottle, Insect repellent, and Sunscreen as they are very helpful during the trek.
See Uganda hiking safari highlights below.
Rwenzori 3-Day Trekking Highlights
- Day 1: Base Camp to Samalira Camp
- Day 2: Samalira Camp to Kalalama Camp
- Day 3: Kalalama Camp to Base Camp
Detailed Rwenzori 3-Day Trekking Itinerary
Day 1: Base Camp to Samalira Camp
Arrive at Trekkers Hostel (Kilembe) in the morning and meet with your climb guide and the rest of the team for a briefing and also conduct a thorough kit check.
Leaving the Trekkers Hostel at approximately 10 am, you walk to the UWA ranger’s post where you will be briefed on the rules of the Rwenzori National Park.
As you leave the ranger’s post, you walk along a path through tall grassland and giant ferns, which gives way to beautiful rainforest.
As this is a new route, the forest is largely untouched and carries a wide variety of trees and plants.
Many species of birds can also be heard and seen in this rich environment, as can Chimpanzees and Colobus monkeys.
Upon entering the forest, the first few kilometers of the trail climb steadily, crossing several small streams and rivers.
At a height of 2,596 meters, you reach Sine hut, where the atmosphere is decorated with wooden huts that are set between tall forest trees on a narrow ridge.
While here, you have the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the forest as well as the tenacity of waterfalls crashing over the rocks.
Enock’s falls, which are just within the proximity at this point, also offer spectacular views that many wish for forever.
The churning action of the waters falling creates an everlasting impression.
From Sine camp, the trail becomes gradually steeper as you enter the bamboo zone.
You will witness a series of rare vegetation as well as various species of birds like the Rwenzori turaco, which has bright red or crimson wings.
At about 3,000 meters altitude, you reach the Heather zone where the Giant Heather trees reach 15 meters in height.
The trail becomes gradually steeper as you enter the bamboo zone and ascend a high ridge, at the top of which is Samalira Camp, where you will rest for the night.
As you near the top of the ridge, you break out of the bamboo to fantastic views of the valleys and hills below looking across to Lake George and Queen Elizabeth National Park in the distance.
The equator lies just north of Lake George.
Day 2: Samalira Camp to Kalalama Camp
After a hearty breakfast, you commence walking. The trail becomes steeper as you enter the bamboo zone.
During the rainy season, this section of the trail can also become exceptionally muddy.
As you near the top of the ridge and exit the bamboo zone, you will be greeted by fantastic views of the valleys and hills below.
On a clear day, the view extends all the way across to Lake George and Queen Elizabeth National Park.
As you continue to hike, the bamboo forest will gradually give way to forests of giant tree heather and lobelias of a kind that can only be found in the Rwenzori Mountains.
After 6.9 km, as you near the top of the ridge, you will approach Kalalama Camp where you will rest for a night.
Day 3: Kalalama Camp to Base Camp
After breakfast at Kalalama Camp, you will descend through the bamboo forest, back into the Afro montane zone, and down the ridge to the Rangers Post, arriving early afternoon.
It is a short walk down to the Trekkers Hostel, where your trek ends.
Rwenzori trekking requires a good level of fitness, for this case you will be asked about your general health, and you will also need to provide emergency contacts before you trek.
Visit mountain Rwenzori national Park and embark yourself on an extraordinary African safari adventure offering a splendid opportunity to capture a great screensaver for your memories.
Other recommended Rwenzori trekking tours:
- 18 Days Uganda Primate Trekking & Mount Rwenzori Hike
- 12 Days Mount Rwenzori Hiking Adventure to Margherita Peak
- 10 Days Uganda Gorillas & Rwenzori Hiking Safari Adventure
- 8-Day Margherita Peak Trekking Adventure in Uganda
- 7-Day Mount Baker Trek – Journey Through Rwenzori Mountains
- 6-Day Hunwick’s Camp Trek – Mount Rwenzori’s Wonder
- 5-Day Weismann’s Peak Trek – Rwenzori Adventure
- 4-Day Mutinda Lookout Trek – Rwenzori Discovery
- 4-Day Waterfall Circuit Trek – Mount Rwenzori’s Splendor
- 1 & 2-Day Treks in Rwenzori – A Nature Escape
