9 Day Mountain Rwenzori Hiking
This 9 Day Mountain Rwenzori Hiking is an exciting Uganda Rwanda Safari. Rwenzori Mountains are fascinating mountains in the western Rift valley one of the country’s prime attractions. Rwenzori’s features include geothermal activity, numerous lakes and jagged, block mountains known as the “mountains of the moon”. The mountains depict the Giant Roberia & Margherita glacier. Astride the mountains sits Queen Elizabeth National park home to lions and elephants, many hippos, buffalo and other animals it’s fantastic place. This attractionmakes it to the 8 Top Safari Tour Attractions in Uganda
Trip Highlights: Scenic views, Mountain hiking and Bird watching
Summarized Itinerary
- Day 01: Transfer to Kasese district
- Day 02: Hike from Nyakarengija(1646 m) to Nyabitaba Hut (2652m)
- Day 03: Nyabitaba – John Matte hut (3414 m)
- Day 04: John Matte – Bujuku Hut (3962 m)
- Day 05: Bujuku Hut – Elena Hut (4430 m)
- Day 06: Climb to Mt. Stanley
- Day 07: Kitandara Hut – Guy Yeoman Hut (3.261 m)
- Day 08: Guy Yeoman Hut – Nyabitaba Hut
- Day 09: Nyabitaba- Nyakalengija and Departure
Mount Rwenzori
Day 1: Transfer to Kasese
On your arrival, you will be met by our safari tour guide who will transfer you to Kasese Town in Western Uganda. The drive takes you through traditional homesteads and farms, scenic views dotted with tea gardens and views of the mystical Rwenzori ranges. You will have a stopover for lunch en route. Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Margherita or Rwenzori Base Mountain Camp (BB)
Day 2: Hike from Nyakarengija(1646 m) to Nyabitaba Hut (2652m)
After a heavy breakfast, you will be transferred to the Rwenzori Mountaineering Services at Nyakalengija to get the necessary equipment for hiking with guides and porters, and later set off for the 5-7 hours hike to Nyabitaba Hut. The trail follows the Mubuku River crossing recent landslide areas. Reach the Makoma River after 2½hr and then proceed to a very steep climb through open bracken fern slopes and podocarpus forest up to Nyabitaba Hut for an overnight.
Day 3: Nyabitaba – John Matte hut (3414 m)
This day’s hiking may take 7 hours; the trail goes from Nyabitaba hut to John Matte hut through Bujuku and Mubuku rivers – a steep and slippery point; proceed to John Matte hut where you will spend your overnight. Slow hikers may consider going back from this point.
Day 4: John Matte – Bujuku Hut (3962 m)
This hike takes about 3-5 hours – From John Matte cross River Bujuku then enter the Bigo bog, cross the drier ground up to Lake Bujuku overlooking Mt. Baker and Speke heading north. Then follow the trail until you reach Bujuku Hut for an overnight.
Day 5: Bujuku Hut – Elena Hut (4430 m)
Ascend from Bujuku Hut penetrating the moss dumped groundsel vegetation to Scott Elliot between Mt. Baker and Stanley, divert to Elena Hut for your overnight stay.
Day 6: Climb to Mt. Stanley
Ascend the Elena glacier to the Stanley Plateau and at this point, you will need crampons to ease your climb; cross the Elena Hut, Punta Margherita and then to Kitandara Hut. Proceed ascending the Margherita glacier and to the Summit which takes approximately 3 hours. Later on slope down to Elena Hut up to upper Kitandara Lake. Walk through the thick mud to lower Kitandara Lake (4.023m) where Kitandara Hut is located. This hike takes approximately 3 hours. Again undertake another climb to Mount Baker or Mount Luigi di Savoia and the peak Vittorio Sella with beautiful views of the site and features of Mt. Luigi di Savoia.
Day 7: Kitandara Hut – Guy Yeoman Hut (3.261 m)
From Lake Kitandara climb 4.282 m to fresh field pass along high alpine mossy glades before descending the circuit among rocky and boggy areas. This area is characterized by the glaciers of Mount Stanley and Baker. The muddy trail leads you to Akendali, Bujongolo Kabamba rock shelters, where the Kabamba valley begins; then continues descending to Guy Yeoman Hut surrounded by a beautiful landscape of mountains, vegetations and rivers – the hike takes approximately 6 hours.
Day 8: Guy Yeoman Hut – Nyabitaba hut
This morning ascend the steep slopes alongside the Mobuku River passing via Kichuchu rock shelter and then join the original route near the confluence of Bujuku River, a distance that takes 3 1/2hours.
Day 9: Nyabitaba- Nyakalengija and departure
Embark on a 2 hours hike to the Nyakalengija, look out for the tropical forest birds and monkeys. Your safari guide will be ready to transfer you back to Kampala via Queen Elizabeth national park to Mbarara for lunch and later proceed to the equator for photography arriving in Kampala in the evening for an overnight or onward transfer to Entebbe air port for your scheduled flight.
End of the 9 Day Mountain Rwenzori Hiking safari.
