Day 1: Entebbe Airport/Kampala City – Drive to Mount Rwenzori National Park
Upon your arrival at Entebbe International Airport or after enjoying breakfast at your hotel, you will be warmly welcomed by our knowledgeable driver-guide from Wild Terrain Africa. Your guide will provide you with a short briefing about your exciting 7-Day Mount Rwenzori Hiking Uganda Safari. After the briefing, we will begin our journey to the Rwenzori Mountains National Park.
During the drive to the park, we will make a stop at Kasese town for lunch, allowing you to enjoy a delicious meal and perhaps do some shopping for your adventure. The journey to the park will take approximately 6 hours, and along the way, you will be treated to scenic landscapes, including lush tea plantations. You won’t be bored during this drive.
Once we reach Kasese, you will need to register with the Rwenzori Mountaineering Service (RMS) offices. Afterward, we will check in at your chosen lodge within the park for relaxation, dinner, and an overnight stay.
Accommodation Options:
– Luxury: Equator Snow Lodge
– Mid-range: Hotel Margherita
– Budget: Sandton Hotel Kasese, Rwenzori Base Mountain Camp
Meal Plan: Lunch/Dinner
Day 2: Start Climbing at 1,450 meters – Sine Hut at 2,596 meters (Altitude Gain: 1,146 meters)
After a hearty breakfast, we’ll proceed to the starting point for a briefing and to meet the porters who will assist with your trek. The trek will begin by walking up the valley floor through the stunning Afro Montane Forest Zone of Mount Rwenzori. This part of the trek offers a steady climb and the opportunity to listen to the melodious songs of various birds and spot primates such as blue monkeys and black-and-white colobus monkeys, which often gather in troupes of 15 to 20 members. You may also have a chance to spot the rare L’Hoest monkey swinging in the tree branches.
The trail will take you through bamboo thickets, towering forest trees, low shrubs, fungi, and vines covered in moss and lichen. The atmosphere created by the hanging moss-covered vines is enchanting. You’ll also have the chance to see Enock’s Falls, located just 150 meters from Sine Hut, providing an excellent opportunity for memorable photos.
Sine Camp, at an altitude of 2,596 meters, is your destination for the day. Here, you can enjoy the beauty of the Afro Montane forest and witness a fantastic waterfall cascading over the rocks. During the evening, join your guides at the campfire, where they will share fascinating insights about the mountains and life in their community. Sine Camp is nestled just below the bamboo zone, offering the opportunity to spot various bird species. The camp features basic facilities.
Accommodation: Sine Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 3: Sine Camp – Hike to Mutinda Camp
Start your day with an early morning coffee before embarking on your hike to Mutinda Camp. The trek will take you through the Bamboo-Mimulopsis Zone, which can be quite steep and challenging, especially during the wet season when the trail may be muddy and slippery.
The Bamboo-Mimulopsis Zone boasts lush vegetation, making the climb captivating. You will trek approximately 551 meters in altitude over 1.8 kilometers to reach Kalalama Camp at 3,147 meters. Here, you’ll have a brief rest to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee before continuing to Mutinda Camp.
The trail meanders through the rugged terrain, with towering Giant Heather trees covered in green moss and adorned with Old Man’s Beard (Usnea lichen) hanging from the branches. The path leads you up the deep valley, showcasing a variety of plant species with colorful flowers, creating a unique and enchanting environment. This area is home to the rare Red Forest Duiker, a subspecies of duikers found only in the Rwenzori Mountains.
Mutinda Camp is nestled in a beautiful setting, providing a comfortable atmosphere for your stay. The camp is surrounded by tussock grass, everlasting flowers (Helichrysum), Giant lobelia (Lobellia gibberoa), St John’s Wort (Hypericum becquaeritii), and giant groundsel (Senecio adnivalis). The area offers breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and valleys, making your stay memorable.
Accommodation: Mutinda Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 4: Mutinda Camp – Trek to Bugata Camp
Enjoy your hearty breakfast and continue your trek from Mutinda Camp to Bugata Camp. The trail will lead you through a swampy area, especially during the wet season. However, with the assistance of your guide and porter, you will easily navigate these sections. Boardwalks have been installed in some of the worst areas to facilitate your journey.
Crossing the Mutinda valley, you will traverse tussock grasslands and encounter everlasting flowers interspersed with towering Lobelias before reaching Kalalama Camp at 3,840 meters. Take a short break here to relax and enjoy some tea or coffee before continuing to Bugata Camp.
The trail ascends progressively along the sides of the valley, offering views of magnificent waterfalls and the stunning peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains. Bugata Camp, situated at 4,062 meters, provides breathtaking panoramic views of Lake Kopello and Weismann’s Peak, both covered in snow. You will also have a view of Lake Kanganyika and Lake Africa, as well as numerous small peaks in the Mutinda Camp area.
Bugata Camp features essential facilities, including good toilets, bathrooms with warm water, and solar lights. Additionally, there is a helipad (GPS reading N 18.312 E 29.53.457) for emergency helicopter evacuations, although it is a costly option (approximately $10,000 per hour of flying time). It is advisable to have insurance to cover such rescue operations.
Accommodation: Bugata Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 5: Bugata Camp – Trek to Weismann’s Peak (4,620 meters) and Stella Peak (4,626 meters) – Descent to Kiharo Camp
Begin your day with breakfast and continue your trek from Bugata Camp to Weismann’s Peak, which stands at an impressive 4,620 meters. From there, the trail extends another 800 meters to Stella Peak, reaching a total distance of 9 kilometers, with the trek taking between 4 to 6 hours.
The hike begins as you traverse the hillside beneath high cliffs overlooking Lake Bugata. You will then follow a ridge point around to Lake Kopello, walking along the lake’s edge. Lake Kopello is known for its frigid water, with an average temperature of 2˚C.
As you ascend, you will enjoy magnificent views of the four lakes situated along the valley below, providing an unforgettable backdrop for memorable photographs. The final stretch to the peak is a steep climb over solid rock, which can be challenging when covered in snow and may require the use of ropes for safety.
Stella Peak, located at 4,626 meters, is in close proximity to Weismann’s Peak. However, crossing to Stella Peak is considered dangerous and requires experience and a high level of comfort with heights. Therefore, it is not recommended.
After savoring the views and capturing lasting memories, descend to Kiharo Camp, situated at 3,460 meters in the Nyamwamba Valley. As you descend, you will encounter lush vegetation, moss-covered rocks, enchanting waterfalls, and deep valleys. The trek offers glimpses of tussock grass, everlasting flowers (Helichrysum), Giant lobelia (Lobellia gibberoa), St John’s Wort (Hypericum becquaeritii), and giant groundsel (Senecio adnivalis).
The Nyamwamba Valley is known for its stunning beauty and microenvironment, with unique flora and fauna. Keep an eye out for the Red Forest Duiker, which is often spotted in this area. Dinner and overnight will be at Kiharo Camp.
Accommodation: Kiharo Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 6: Kiharo Camp – Descent to Starting Point to Complete Your 7-Day Rwenzori Mountains Trekking
Rise early in the morning to enjoy breakfast before continuing your descent along the Nyamwamba Valley trail. This section of the trail is typically downhill and incredibly scenic, offering picturesque views of moss-covered rocks, waterfalls, lush forests, and deep valleys. The Nyamwamba Valley trek is renowned for its beauty.
As you continue your descent, you will encounter flat, boggy areas that were once occupied by glaciers millions of years ago. These glaciers melted over time, leaving behind large rock formations. Along the way, you may also spot Duikers feeding in the area, and you can request your guide to accompany you for a walk along the river.
A short distance from Kiharo Camp, the path turns to the right, running alongside the river. The trail takes you to Riverside Rock Shelter, a large rock shelter near a river, where you will enjoy your lunch. Afterward, you will cross a small stream and continue your trek, gradually ascending. Along this path, you will enter a stunning forest, which is home to numerous bird species, primates, and small mammals, including duikers and hyraxes.
As your trek comes to an end, you will drive to Kasese town to check in at your selected hotel. Here, you can relax, have dinner, and spend the night, reflecting on your fantastic hiking adventure in the Rwenzori Mountains.
Accommodation Options:
– Luxury: Equator Snow Lodge
– Mid-range: Hotel Margherita
– Budget: Sandton Hotel Kasese, Rwenzori Base Mountain Camp
Meal Plan: Lunch/Dinner
Day 7: Kasese Town – Drive Back to Entebbe International Airport
Following breakfast, check out from your hotel and begin your return journey to Entebbe International Airport to catch your departure flight. During the drive, we will pass through Queen Elizabeth National Park, offering opportunities to spot various wildlife species, including elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, warthogs, and more.
We will also make an en-route stop in Mbarara city and visit the Kayabwe Equator crossing landmark. Here, you can take memorable photos, witness water experiments, have lunch, and enjoy the experience of standing on the equator. Afterward, we will continue our drive to Entebbe Airport or drop you off at any hotel in Kampala or Entebbe, marking the conclusion of your 7-Day Mount Rwenzori Hiking Uganda Safari.
Meal Plan: Lunch
The 7-Day Mount Rwenzori Hiking Uganda Safari Includes:
– Transportation for 7 days in a 4×4 WD, air-conditioned safari vehicle with a pop-up roof (Safari Land Cruiser/Safari Van)
– Fuel for 7 days
– English-speaking driver-guide
– Bottled mineral water provided throughout your safari
– Porters and UWA ranger guide
– Accommodation for 6 nights
– Full board meal plan (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
– All en-route meals
– All park entrance fees for 5 days
– 5 days of hiking in Rwenzori National Park
– A visit to the Equator landmark
The 7-Day Mount Rwenzori Hiking Uganda Safari Excludes:
– Tips
– Travel entry visa
– Travel insurance
– International and domestic flights
– Laundry, telephone services, and souvenirs
If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Book This Safari
Wild Terrain Africa, a Uganda-based safari operator, is dedicated to crafting distinctive gorilla trekking expeditions and luxury African tours in Uganda and the broader East African region that leave a lasting impact on hearts and minds. Learn more about us and our offerings.
