In this 10 Days Uganda Gorillas & Rwenzori Hike be happy, smile and make your life time story. You can test your mettle on the Rwenzori, a mysterious snow-capped peak, and reunite with endangered mountain gorillas in their native habitat. Get some exercise in order to be prepared for this encounter because hiking is the main activity.
At 5,109 meters above sea level, the top of Rwenzori Mountains is the second-highest point on African continent; Mount Kilimanjaro in republic of Tanzania is the highest. Mountain gorillas, largest primate species in the world only found in Africa, are most prevalent in Uganda in Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks.
You will climb and descend Mount. Rwenzori for 7 days, and hike with critically endangered mountain gorillas for the remaining 3 days.
Detailed trip.
Day 1: Entebbe international airport to Rwenzori Mountains
Our driver guide will meet you at Entebbe International Airport and extend a warm welcome to the pearl of Africa. After receiving a travel briefing, you will take a 7-8-hour picturesque journey to the park in western Uganda. With a few exceptions, the road to Mount Rwenzori is generally in good condition, and while you travel along it, you’ll get to enjoy the lush countryside, scattered homesteads, valleys and bustling towns. Eat lunch while traveling and arrive in Kasese late in the evening for dinner and a restful stay at your lodge.
Day 2: Ascend from Nyakalengija at 1600m to Nyabitaba at 2650m
At the crack of dawn, fuel yourself with a delicious breakfast meal, then drive to the park headquarters for a briefing. You will then begin the journey to the trailhead for registration through the Bakonzo homesteads. The about 8km route to Nyakalengija hut begins at the central circuit. Elephant grass, dense bushes, and lush tropical woods may all be found along the trail. You may also see a variety of animals, including primates like the white Colobus monkeys, duikers, and L’Hoest monkeys, as well as birds like the Rwenzori Turaco, long-eared owls, cinnamon-chested bee-eaters, and more. At the Nyabitaba hut, 2650 meters above sea level, you will rest, eat dinner, and spend the night.
Day 3: Proceed from Nyabitaba Hut at 2650 to John Matte Hut at 3350m
You’ll enjoy a delectable breakfast at the hut this morning before continuing your journey, which will cover about 11 kilometers. The hike begins at Kurt Shafer Bright, which connects the rivers Mubuku and Bujuku, after passing through dense vegetation and a forest. The following area has a high concentration of bamboo and montane forest cover, as well as a variety of bird species and slippery moss that requires some stability when hiking.
At the first overnight stop, Nyamilejju rock shelter, lunch will be served. There, you may take in the magnificent panorama of Speke and Mount Stanley. You will reach John Matte hut, which is located at an elevation of 3350 feet, through an alpine forest canopy. You will now notice a difference in temperature and be able to see the Margherita glaciers.
Day 4: John Matte Hut at 3350m to Bujuku Hut at 3900m
Enjoy a great breakfast to kick off the day. After that, take a trek past the Bujuku River to the lower bigo bog, a marshy area with lobelias. Due to the muddy terrain, it is the hardest day of the trip. A walk board has been installed to help you get to the end while you enjoy the groundsels, everlasting flowers, and the enormous lobelias.
There is a walk board and a section where you must pull it out to connect you to the upper bigo bog. While seeing Mount Baker and Lake Bujuku, you will hike Mount Stanley and Speke. Approximately 5km will need to be traveled. After dinner, call it a day and spend the night at Bujuku Hut.
Day 5: Bujuku hut at 3,900m to Elena hut at 4,540m
After breakfast, the hike today will take between five and seven hours as it traverses the Bigo swamp and the jagged slopes of Lake Bujuku. You’ll notice a difference in temperature at this point. Scott-Elliot pass is located at 4372 meters above sea level, where the trail takes you. Using a metal ladder, you will pass through ground gullies and wetlands. Arrive at the junction of two paths, one leading to Elena Hut and the other to Scott-Elliot Pass, which descends to Kitandara Lakes. The freezing Elena Hut is located on Mount Stanley. Mountain Speke and Baker will be unusually clear of fog when you are seeing them.
Day 6: Mountain Margherita peak experience and descend via Elena hut to Kitandara hut at 3,979m
Breakfast is provided at 2am in the morning, and then the journey to your heart’s destination starts. Put on your warmest clothing, including hand gloves, a head sock, a harness, a helmet, and more, before starting your ascent. Through the Stanley Plateaus, you will walk to Mount Stanley Summit and Margherita Peak. In accordance with the instructions of the guides, equipment like the roap, the ice axe, and crampons can help you move more quickly.
After arriving at Margherita, your objective will be to traverse the glacier in order to reach the mountain’s 5,109m summit. At sunrise, it will be extremely early in the morning. Before going down to the Elena hut for lunch, you can take pictures and enjoy the breathtaking view of Lake Ireen and Mount Speke.
After lunch, take Scott Elliot Pass to Kitandara. After refueling, dinner, and bedtime, a successful day is declared.
Day 7: Kitandara Hut (3,979m) to Guy Yeoman Hut (3,505m)
After enjoying a delectable breakfast at the resort, descend through Mount Baker to reach Mount Rwenzori’s southern wing. At the beginning of the historical expedition that the Duke of Abruzzi organized in 1906, you will arrive at the rock shelter at Bujangolo. The hike to Guy Yeoman Hut on the Mubuku River Bank takes about 5-7 hours. After dinner and bedtime, a productive day is over.
Day 8: Guy Yeoman (3,505) to Nyakalengija and then to Bwindi impenetrable National Park
You descend to Nyakengija hut through the bamboo forest and slick, muddy terrain following an early-morning breakfast at the cabin. After an approximately 5-hours’ climb, reach Nyakalengija, where you will meet your driver/guide and be taken to one of the four sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for dinner and a restful siesta.
Day 9: Gorilla trekking
Breakfast is served at dawn, and you should arrive at the park headquarters for a pre-trek briefing at around 7:30 am with your packed lunch and trekking equipment. The ranger guides will greet you, go over the dos and don’ts of trekking, and then accompany you into the forest for your hike. The largest species of primates on earth, mountain gorillas are exclusively found in Africa and share almost 98% of their DNA with humans. You’ll be on the lookout for the apes for between one to eight hours, including an hour for taking pictures and observing their distinctive personalities.
The same forest is home to unusual plants, birds, forest creatures, and other things that may catch your interest. You will return to the lodge to relax after your time with the apes, and later have dinner and overnight stay.
Day 10: Departure
Following a leisurely breakfast at the lodge, depart after driving to Entebbe international airport. You will eat lunch at the equator in Mpigi district. If you’re worn out and not in a hurry, you can rest up in a hotel in Entebbe or Kampala before taking off.
End of safari.
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