Rwenzori & Gorilla Trekking – Rwenzori Mountain Climbing Expeditions

Upon arrival at Entebbe international Airport , you will be welcomed the 6summit African Expeditions Safari guide that will give you a briefing about 12 Days Uganda  Rwenzori & Gorilla Trekking, then transfer to Kibale forest national park where you will be tracking the chimpanzee the following day.

Dinner and overnight at Chimpundu lodge

You have an early breakfast head to the park headquarters for a briefing about the tracking. After the tracking Chimpanzees, you will have refreshments and start the journey to drive to Kasese town which is the next biggest town to Rwenzori Mountains national park, lunch will be en route as it will be advised by the safari guide.

Dinner and overnight is at Snow Height Hotel /Sandton Hotel

Depending on where you have spent your night before (Most Recommended is Sandton hotel/ Rwenzori Backpackers) you will head to the Uganda Wildlife Authority office for briefing,  and start on the trek through various vegetation covers with chances of encountering various bird species and monkeys.

Troops of monkeys are seen hanging or jumping from one tree branch to another. There is a steep climb with many high steps as you enter the Bamboo zone, which is muddy and slippery, thus making movements so slow. You will stop at Sine for lunch and later proceed to trek up to Kalalama Camp for the dinner and overnight: Dinner at Kalalama Camp (3147m).

Accommodation at Kalalama camp

After Breakfast, you will set off for Bugata camp via Mutinda camp. Trek through the Bamboo- mimulopsis zone comprising of steep climb with many high steps. You will also walk through Giant heather trees, and arrive at Mutinda camp at 3.688m, which was named after the Mutinda Peaks.

It is from this point that you can hike up to the Mutinda Lookout, at 3.925m which is a 90 minutes’ walk, plus 60 minutes descent to the camp. It is from here that you will have your lunch break.

Continue with your trek through the boggy terrain with the typical wet vegetation and tussocks, after which you will enter the Alpine vegetation zone that consists of the giant lobelia, the groundsel and the everlasting flowers while crossing the Mutinda valley.

Hike up the steep section to Namusangi Valley, crossing various bogs as you ascend to Bugata Camp at 3.062m where you will have your dinner and an overnight.

Accommodation at Bugata Camp

After breakfast, walk along the ridge, crossing several wet areas and small rivers flowing from both Mount Baker and the fresh fields pass. Trekking up Scott Elliott Pass is amazing as you walk through and rising up the ridge of Mt Stanley to Margherita Camp at 4,485 meters which is below Elena Hut.

The Margherita camp which is sheltered with a ring of rocks was once used by an Italian Prince Luigi Amadeo di Savoia, and Duke of the Abruzzi. It is from here that you will observe breathtaking views of Mt Baker, Scott Elliot Pass and some of the high glaciers on Mt Stanley.

Accommodation at Margherita Camp

You will enjoy breakfast and later start on the walk along the ridge, crossing several wet areas and small rivers flowing from both Mount Baker and the fresh fields pass.

Here is possibly the best place in all the Rwenzori to observe the Malachite Sun bird as it feeds on the many lobelia flowers and a known breeding site.

Dinner and overnight at Hunwick camp.

From Hunwick’ camp you will pass down and across the valley floor to Lake Kitandara which is very stunning with deep water and beautiful vegetation. From here you climb up Scott Elliott’s pass then up the ridge to Margherita Camp 4,485 metres which is situated between some huge rocks and offering some shelter from the strong winds. This is the very spot where the Duke of Abruzzi camped when making his climb to Margherita Peak in 1906.

Climbing up to Scott Elliott Pass which is an amazing as you walk through and rising up the ridge of Mt Stanley to Margherita Camp at 4,485 meters which is below Elena Camp for the Central circuit trail. Later you will proceed to connect to Hunwick camp where you roll be spending your night.

The Ellen Camp is the one that was used by an Italian Prince Luigi Amadeo di Savoia, and Duke of the Abruzzi in 1906 during their expedition into Rwenzori Mountains.  While at Hunwick camp you will be able to view the Scenic view of the famous Mt Baker, Scott Elliot Pass and some of the Rwenzori glaciers.

Dinner and overnight at Margherita Camp.

You will wake up at 2:00am for your early morning breakfast, after which you will set off for the longest and strenuous walk to the summit of Margherita which will start at 3:00am The early movement to Margherita peak of Mount Stanley is mainly aimed at reaching the glaciers before sunrise since the heat from the sun causes the glaciers to melt, thus making the roots to be totally impassable.

You will start your day by climbing up a ridge towards McConnell’s Prong, where you will be rewarded with impressive views of the three peaks of Mount Stanley, Mount Baker and Mount Speke as well as the Scott Elliot pass before reaching Oliver’s pass at 4,505m. The total distance between Hunwick’s Camp and Oliver’s pass is 3km.

The confluence then meanders down the valley to Kiharo camp, which is established in a deep valley with high cliffs and dense vegetation. Dinner and overnight stay at the camp

Accommodation at Kiharo camp

From Kiharo camp, the path turns off to the right pass along the river. Spot Duikers as you pass along the river otherwise trek down the river itself jumping across the rocks as you pass down.

The trails becomes steep with multitudes of waterfalls after a few kilometers down the river, which is why you will have to move away from the river and follow a narrow ridge to bypass steep sections.

You will again meet the river where there is a huge rock shelter and a place to rest for a lunch break, after which, you will cross a small stream as you climb up gentle slopes before turning back down to the river to avoid another set of waterfalls which are impassable. The forest along this section is a home many birds species, primates, duikers and hyrax. This last day offers great experience and ending to a fantastic trek

Accommodation at Equator snow lodge

After morning breakfast at the lodge, you will be joined by the Safari guide and transfer to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park located in the western part of Uganda. You will have en route lunch on your way to Bwindi National park. You will be visiting the Ruhija Sector or Buhoma Sector since its close

Dinner and overnight Ruhija Gorilla Mist Camp