Rwenzori Mountains National Park covers nearly 100,000 ha in western Uganda and comprises the main part of Rwenzori. The Rwenzori is the fabled Mountains of the Moon that lies in Western Uganda along the Uganda-Congo boarder.
The equatorial snow peaks include the third highest point in Africa. The National Park hosts 70 mammals and is an area world-class hiking and mountaineering destination. A nine- to twelve-day trek will get skilled climbers to the summit of Margherita- the highest, although shorter non-technical treks are possible to scale the surrounding peaks. The mountain offers great attractions to climbers, walkers and naturalists.
There are several endemic species of birds including the brilliant Rwenzori turaco, also monkeys, red forest duikers, hyraxs and leopards. Some elephants and buffaloes live in the lower valleys. Though the flora is similar to other East African mountain ranges, it is exceptionally luxuriant mainly as a result of the high rainfall in the area.
Aiport Pickup & Drop Off
You will arrive at Entebbe International airport where you will be welcomed by Jeruz Bitone adventures guide. Then you will be transferred to the hotel where you will check-in for your overnight stay.You can do some spontaneous simple activities on this Day around the community depending on the order of the Day.
Breakfast and Overnight at Accomodation: Depending on choices (3-4*) lodge or Hotel, Full Board
After breakfast, our driver /guide will pick you up at 7:00am from the Hotel and transfer you to Kasese town through the Northern route of Mitiyana-Fort portal highway with a lunch stop in Fort portal at African Village Bar and Restaurant. Arrival at Kilembe in the evening and check-in at Trekkers Hostel. you enjoy several sceneries on you way to the next Destination.
Accommodation: Margherita Hotel
Meal Plan: Lunch(en-route) & Dinner
We shall have an early breakfast and to the starting point where we start our trekking from. Arrival shall be early in the morning to allow ample time to rent equipment and meet your guides and porters. The trek starts around Trekkers and stops at Sine Hut. The trail passes through the valley floor with tall forest trees of the Afro Montane Forest Zone. This is a steady climb with multitudes of birds and a chance of seeing blue monkeys scampering off through the forest. At times you may also see the black and white Colobus monkeys as they swing through the tree tops. Lunch will be at Musenge lunch spot and then proceed to Sine Hut where you will enjoy a campfire and rest for the night.
Accommodation: Sine Hut
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Trekking will start by 8:30am and immediately you enter the Bamboo-Mimulopsis Zone which is steep climb with many high steps. The atmosphere and the forest is beautiful as you climb to reach Kalalama Camp where you can take a rest and a quick cup of tea or coffee before heading on to Mutinda Camp. This trail meanders up and over several small knolls along a ridge top then drops down the side of the valley before climbing again, and in doing so cross several small streams and pass close to moss covered waterfalls. You then climb steadily along the side of a beautiful mossy river which tumbles down over the rocks under the Giant Heather trees whose trunks are covered in green moss with old man beards (Usnea lichen) hanging from the branches. The trail twists and turns as you climb up the deep valley, which has an enormous variety of plants and flowers. This valley is unique with many Giant Heather trees creating a beautiful atmosphere often shrouded in mist.
Accommodation: Mutinda Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Depart from Mutinda, we shall then trekk through more bog. First you cross the Mutinda valley through the tussock grass and everlasting flowers interspersed with many Giant Lobelias before climbing a steep section up to the Namusangi Valley (3,840 meters), with sheer waterfalls and looking back you get fantastic views of Mutinda Peaks. The Namusangi Valley is wide, with many ups and downs as the trail climbs steadily to Bugata Camp.
Accommodation: Bugata Camp
This day we trek to Hunwick’s Camp via Bamwanjarra Pass. We leave Bugata Camp and pass up a ridge then drop down slightly before ascending to Bamwanjarra Pass where we have a hut should the weather turn bad. On this trail on a clear day you get excellent views of the three main peaks. The trail passes down the valley and around the edge of some bogs and thick ever green vegetation. Here is possibly the best place in all the Rwenzori to observe the Malachite Sunbird as it feeds on the many lobelia flowers and a known breeding site. Farther on there is some steep sections before a steady climb up and over a ridge to Hunwick’s Camp which is situated on the top of a deep valley and has good views of Mt Stanley, Mt Baker, Weismanns Peak and McConnell’s Prong.
Accommodation: Hunwick’s Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
From Hunwick’s we 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 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.
Accommodation: Margherita Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Wake up at 2am and catch an early breakfast before heading off to climb Margherita peak of Mt Stanley by 4:30am. This is necessary as the weather has changes a lot and often even during the dryer season the mountain is closed in with heavy clouds and snow falls within a short period of 10 to 15 minutes as the clouds rise up from the extensive Congo rainforests. For those with less mountaineering experience, it is suggested that you stay on Stanley glacier and climb up to a good vantage point on a rocky outcrop on the southern edge of Alexandra Peak to enjoy fantastic views over Congo and the lower mountain ridges. After ascending to the peak you trek down to Hunwick’s Camp.
Accommodation: Hunwick’s Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Depart from Hunwick’s Camp and climb up a ridge towards McConnell’s Prong where you get the best views of all three peaks and Scott Elliott’s Pass before reaching Oliver’s Pass. The distance from Hunwick’s Camp to the top of Olivers Pass is 3km. The trail then cuts across below Weismann’s Peak to the confluence of the Nyamwamba River which flows down through Kilembe and Kasese to Lake George in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Continue and end up to Kiharo camp where you will rest for the night.
Accommodation: Kiharo Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transfer back to the Airport or starting point, On this Day, we depart and vaccate the place with lots of Memorable Photos, and adventure feelings. It is of course another feeling that you get on your way back home.
