8 Days Mount Rwenzori Hiking Safari- Mountaineering Tours Uganda
The 8 Days Mount Rwenzori Hiking Safari offers you remarkable Wildlife and Hiking Adventure Tours in Uganda as you watch the various Wildlife animals of Queen Elizabeth National Park and Hike to the top of the highest point in Uganda i.e Magherita Peak on Mountain Rwenzori a block mountain found in East Africa.
The Mountain lies on the boarder of Uganda and he tDemocratic republic of Congo serving as a trans-boundary resource between the two countries receiving annual rainfall of 600 mm.
How to get there!
Mount Rwenzori national park is 235km away from Kampala on a tarmac road through Kasese fort portal road before climbing to River bujuku on the mountains north -western Branch off from hima cement factory roads Leeds off to Nyakalengija village some times known as ibanda road to reach the various trail heads.
To many it is regarded as Africas finest trekking game park. Animals and bird life are usually seen in abundance throughout the year. The most famous feature of the park is the spectacular concentration of plains game during the annual seasion It is also well known for its unique wildlife and the beautiful granite outcrops or "kopjes" which rise out of the step slopes by the Bakonjo tribes.
Many different types of habitat exist on the gentle slopes of the mountain and this creates homes for a wide variety of species. Generally speaking, you can divide the park into four regions. In the north, it is hilly and wooded, in the southeast are short and long grass plains, in the western corridor are extensive woodlands and black clay plains and in the center is the acacia woodland and Savannah. Each vegetation area attracts different types of animals.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Depart for kasese via Queen Elizabeth
Depart for kasese, via queen Elizabeth National park. Set off on the southbound road and en-route you will spot the royal drum makers, stand on the Equator and bargain at the roadside markets. Descend to the Queen Elizabeth National park, keeping and eye out for game. Over night at Margherita Hotel, Kasese/ Volcanoes Queen Elizabeth site (FB).
Day 2: Climb- to Nyabitaba through Bakonjo homestead
Begin the climb- to Nyabitaba Hut (2650m). After breakfast drives to Nyakalengija trailhead (1600m). Make final arrangements for a guide and porters. Begin hiking up to Nyabitaba hut; walk through the banana sambas on the side of the steep foothills, past the typical Bakonjo homesteads with the children waving you on! Follow the trail along the Mubuku River, through landslides and up and down rocks and bluffs, Cross the Mahoma River and climb steeply through break fern slopes and podocarpus forest to Nyabitaba Hut for over night (FB).
Day 3: Nyabitaba Hut - kurt Shafer Bridge
Nyabitaba drops down through the forest to the Kurt Shafer Bridge, just below the confluence of the bujuku and Mubuku Rivers. A steep ascent through bamboo forest, traversing a long and exhausting stretch of slipper moss-covered rock. From Nyamileju rock shelter, on clear days, Mount Stanley and mount Speke can be glimpsed before passing into the zone of the giant heather, lobelia and groundsel. The final stretch to the hut is across a tiring bog, the first of many for which the mountain is infamous (FB).
Day 4: Enter the Lower Bigo Bog
Immediately after John Matte Hut, the trail drops to cross the Bujuku River and enters Lower Bigo Bog, home of giant lobelias. Jumping from tussock to tussock, the bog is finally crossed but rarely without the feet sampling some of the freezing ooze below. The upper Bigo Bog gives way to Bujuku Lake, with views of Mt Baker to the South and Mt Stanley to the west. Bujuku Hut, well located in the shadow of Mount Baker and Mount Speke, is set in a narrow valley below Steinmann pass. A spectacularly setting but it can be very cold, even for the Rwenzoris. (FB).
Day 5: Mount Stanley
Leaving Bujuku, through more bog, the trail climbs the steep slops west of the lake, passing through the magical Groundsels Gully as it ascends to Scott-Elliot Pass at 4372m. At the head of the gully a metal ladder takes you over a steep section after which the trail splits into two. The right leads up to Elena Hut and Mount Stanley on a steep trail over large boulders. The left path leads to Scott. Elliot passes and down to Kitandara Lakes. For those sleeping at the basic Elena Hut prepared for a cold and icy night (FB).
Day 6: Climbing the summit of Margherita
For those climbing Margherita peaks (5109m) continue to the base of the Stanley Glacier. Depending on the weather and the individual’s acclimatization, it can be a four to seven hour walk to the summit of Margherita. This is a tough walk over three glaciers, slippery rock, ice and very exposed areas which are open on many sides. It is only for the physically fit and is a technical climb which requires roping up, crampons and appropriate equipment for cold, windy and icy conditions.
It is best to attempt the final climb in a minimum group of 4- two climbers and two guides; (a supplement for the extra guide has to be paid for at the time of booking.) climb on to the glacier, cross the Stanly Plateau and proceed with the ascent. Subject to altitude sickness, fog and weather, scramble up to the summit of Margherita, crown of the Rwenzoris.
Due to the altitude and the tough conditions not everybody will make it to the summit so do not be disappointed if you do not. Returning to Scott- Elliot pass, there are spectacular views back to Bujuku Lake and Mount Speke, up to Mount Stanley and sown to the Kitandara Lakes. Once over the pass the trail enters an alpine zone of sparse vegetation and rough boulders. Descend to the Kitandara Hut for overnight, past the Kitandara Lakes. ( For those who do not wish to climb the peak, a more restful day walking from Elena Hut to Kitandara Hut 4,023.) (FB).
Day 7: Climb Mt Stanley
To Guy Yeoman Hut (3260m). From Kitandara, the trail ascends steeply up the headwall, spreading out from the base of Mount Baker and continuing along the south side of the mountain to Fresh field pass. On a clear day there are views into the Congo to the west and Mount Stanley to the north. From the pass, the long muddy descent continues, passing the rock shelter at Bujangolo, the base camp for the historic expedition by the Duke of Abruzzi in 1906
Day 8: Departure
Morning return to Kampala via kasese then transfer to the air port for the departure flight
Inclusive:
- Trekking permit
- Accommodation and Meals as per the itinerary
- Park entry fees
- Transport
- Professional driver guide and potter fees
- Enough baggage space
- All government taxes