In this 10-Day Ultimate Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Rwenzori Hiking Journey, be happy, smile, and create your lifetime story.
Test your mettle on the Rwenzori, a mysterious snow-capped peak, and reunite with endangered mountain gorillas in their native habitat.
Prepare physically for this experience as hiking is the main activity.
At 5,109 meters above sea level, the top of Rwenzori Mountains is the second-highest point on the African continent; Mount Kilimanjaro in the Republic of Tanzania is the highest.
Mountain gorillas, the largest primate species in the world, are primarily found in Uganda, specifically 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.
See Uganda hiking safari highlights of this 10-Day Uganda Adventure below.
10-Day Gorilla Trekking & Rwenzori Adventure Highlights
- Day 1: Entebbe International Airport to Rwenzori Mountains
- Day 2: Ascend from Nyakalengija at 1600m to Nyabitaba at 2650m
- Day 3: Proceed from Nyabitaba Hut at 2650 to John Matte Hut at 3350m
- Day 4: John Matte Hut at 3350m to Bujuku Hut at 3900m
- Day 5: Bujuku Hut at 3,900m to Elena Hut at 4,540m
- Day 6: Mountain Margherita Peak Experience and Descend via Elena Hut to Kitandara Hut at 3,979m
- Day 7: Kitandara Hut (3,979m) to Guy Yeoman Hut (3,505m)
- Day 8: Guy Yeoman (3,505) to Nyakalengija and then to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Day 9: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
- Day 10: Departure
Detailed 10-Day Gorilla Trekking & Rwenzori Adventure Itinerary
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 a travel briefing, you will embark on a 7-8-hour picturesque journey to the park in western Uganda.
The road to Mount Rwenzori is generally in good condition, providing glimpses of lush countryside, scattered homesteads, valleys, and bustling towns.
Lunch will be enjoyed on the road, and you’ll 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
Start your day with a delicious breakfast, then drive to the park headquarters for a briefing.
The journey to the trailhead for registration takes you through Bakonzo homesteads.
The approximately 8km route to Nyakalengija hut begins the Central Circuit.
Along the trail, you may encounter elephant grass, dense bushes, lush tropical woods, various animals like primates (white Colobus monkeys, duikers, L’Hoest monkeys), and a variety of bird species.
Rest, dine, and spend the night at Nyabitaba hut, 2650 meters above sea level.
Day 3: Proceed from Nyabitaba Hut at 2650 to John Matte Hut at 3350m
After enjoying a delectable breakfast at the hut, continue your journey, covering approximately 11 kilometers.
The hike begins at Kurt Shafer Bright, connecting the Mubuku and Bujuku rivers, passing through dense vegetation and a forest.
The area beyond is characterized by bamboo and montane forest cover, as well as various bird species and slippery moss.
Lunch will be served at the Nyamilejju rock shelter, offering a magnificent panorama of Speke and Mount Stanley.
Reach John Matte hut, located at an elevation of 3350 feet, through an alpine forest canopy.
You’ll now notice a change in temperature and have views of the Margherita glaciers.
Day 4: John Matte Hut at 3350m to Bujuku Hut at 3900m
Begin the day with a hearty breakfast. Then, trek past the Bujuku River to the lower bigo bog, a marshy area with lobelias.
This day is the most challenging due to the muddy terrain.
A walk board has been installed to help you navigate through the groundsels, everlasting flowers, and enormous lobelias.
You’ll encounter another walk board and a section where you must connect it to the upper bigo bog.
While hiking, enjoy views of Mount Baker and Lake Bujuku.
You’ll need to cover approximately 5km.
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, today’s hike will take between five and seven hours, traversing the Bigo swamp and the rugged slopes of Lake Bujuku.
You’ll experience a difference in temperature at this point.
The trail takes you to Scott-Elliot pass at an altitude of 4372 meters, passing through ground gullies and wetlands, with the assistance of a metal ladder.
Upon reaching the junction of two paths, one leading to Elena Hut and the other to Scott-Elliot Pass, descend to Kitandara Lakes.
Elena Hut is located on Mount Stanley, and you’ll have unusually clear views of Mountain Speke and Baker when the fog clears.
Day 6: Mountain Margherita Peak Experience and Descend via Elena Hut to Kitandara Hut at 3,979m
Breakfast is provided at 2 am, and then the journey to your heart’s destination begins.
Before starting your ascent, put on your warmest clothing, including hand gloves, a head sock, a harness, a helmet, and more.
Walk to Mount Stanley Summit and Margherita Peak through the Stanley Plateaus.
Proper gear like ropes, ice axes, and crampons will help you traverse the glacier to reach the mountain’s 5,109m summit.
It will be extremely early in the morning at sunrise.
After taking pictures and enjoying the breathtaking view of Lake Ireen and Mount Speke, descend to Elena Hut for lunch.
Later, 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.
You’ll arrive at the rock shelter at Bujangolo, the beginning of the historical expedition that the Duke of Abruzzi organized in 1906.
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
Descend to Nyakengija hut through the bamboo forest and slick, muddy terrain following an early-morning breakfast at the cabin.
After an approximately 5-hour 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 in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
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.
Mountain gorillas, the largest species of primates on earth, 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. If you’re worn out and not in a hurry, you can rest up in a hotel in Entebbe or Kampala before departure.
This marks the end of your 10-Day Uganda Adventure.
Other Recommended Rwenzori Trekking Tours:
- 18 Days Uganda Primate Trekking & Mount Rwenzori Hike
- 12 Days Mount Rwenzori Hiking Adventure to Margherita Peak
- 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
- 3-Day Rwenzori Park Trek – A Nature’s Marvel
- 1 & 2-Day Treks in Rwenzori – A Nature Escape
