5 days Glimpse of Uganda Safari
5 Days
$ On Request
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport
Upon arrival, you will be met by your guide, and be transferred to the Hotel for dinner and overnight at The Boma Entebbe. HB
Day 2: Kibale Forest National Park
Awake to a morning breakfast and depart to Kibale Forest National Park, a home for the primates with over 13 Primate species. Kibale Forest is a haven for the chimpanzees living in their natural wild. In the afternoon take a nature walk in Bigodi Swamp with lots of birds and monkeys to see, its also a good chance to walk in the local communities. Dinner and overnight at Kibale Forest Camp/ Kyaninga Lodge. FB
Day 3: Chimp Tracking | Mt Rwenzori National Park
After breakfast, you head to the park headquarters for briefing, and also get a ranger assigned to your group that will lead you in the forest to track the chimpanzees in their natural home, the exercise may take anywhere from 2 hours to more depending on the movemenets of these primates, Man’s closest relative, with over 98% DNA as that of a human, you will have 1 hour of full observation standing a stone’s throw distance, watching them go about their life, as they feed, play, interact with each other, move, it’s an thrilling experience. Proceed to Mt Rwenzori National park with dinner and overnight at the Camp or Sandton Hotel. FB
Day 4: Mt Rwenzori Hiking - Mt Baker
Day one of the 7/8 Days of Hiking Mt Rwenzori.
After breakfast, hike from the trekkers at 1,450 meters and sleep at Sine Hut at 2,596 meters being a height gain of 1,146 meters, or those who are fit may proceed to Kalalama Camp at 3,134 metres( This gives you more time at Mutinda Camp where you may climb up to Mutinda Lookout at 3,975 metres.
The hike starts by walking to the valley floor encountering the afro montane forest zone with the chance to spot birds, monkeys like the colobus, L’Hoest, chimpanzees. You will be treated to beautiful sceneries of Enock’s Falls that is colse to Sine Hut Camp.
The Sine Hut Camp at 2,596 metres have wooden huts set between tall forest trees on a narrow ridge offering a good chance to view the spectacular Afro Montane forest and the Enock waterfalls that is few meters away. Overnight will be spent at Sine Hut Camp; or proceed to sleep at Kalama Camp at 3,134 metres, the advantage of staying at Kalama, is you get more time at Mutinda Camp where you may climb up to Mutinda Lookout at 3,975 metres with great views. Meals in the Mountain.
Day 5: Mt Rwenzori Hiking
Day two of Mt Rwenzori Hiking, Have a heavy breakfast and embark on the hike again, where you come to the Bamboo-Mimulopsis Zone; it’s a steep climb (In the wet season the bamboo zone is rather muddy and slippery making the going slow). Here the atmosphere and the forest is beautiful as you climb 551 metres altitude walking a distance of 1.8km to Kalalama Camp at 3,147 meters. The camp is in the Heather-Rapanea Zone, you are here to take a rest and a quick cup of tea/ coffee before heading on to Mutinda Camp. The 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.
In the afternoon, you may climb up to the top of the Mutinda Lookout (one to two hours up and one hour down) The views are amazing as you stand on moss covered rocks at 3,925 meters with views across the Rwenzori Mountains and down to Kasese town and Lake George. This is also a goos spot to acclimatize. Sleep at Mutinda Camp at 3.582 metres. Meals in the mountain.
Day 6: Mt Rwenzori Hiking
Day three of the Mt Rwenzori Hiking. Third day in Mt Rwenzori, it’s a 4.9km starting at 3,688 meters climbing to 4,062 meters
Today, 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), which ends abruptly with sheer waterfalls and fantastic views of Mutinda Peaks. The Namusangi Valley is wide, with many ups and downs and crossing several bogs as the trail climbs steadily to Bugata Camp at 4,062 meters.
Bugata Camp is situated way up Bamwanjara Pass high above Bugata Lake with views across Lake Kopello to Weismann’s Peak, which is often covered with snow then down the valley views of Lake Africa and Lake Kanganyika and the many small peaks towards Mutinda Camp. The area is covered with tussock grass, everlasting flowers (Helichrysum), St John’s Wort (Hypericum becquaeritii), giant groundsel (Senecio adnivalis) and Giant lobelia (Lobellia gibberoa). There are a many Red Forest Duiker (Cephalophuc nigrifrons rubidus) a species endemic species to the Rwenzori Mountains.
Bugata Camp has good facilities, solar lights, good toilets and bathrooms where the guides may prepare some warm water in a basin for you to wash. Bugata also has a helicopter pad (GPS reading N 18.312 E29 53.457) in case of any need for rescue by helicopter but be warned that a helicopter in Uganda costs around $10,000 per hour flying time which is way more than other countries so you need insurance in case of rescue.
Day 7: Mt Rwenzori Hiking
Day four of the Mt Rwenzori Hike, Hike to Hunwick’s Camp via Bamwanjarra Pass. As you leave Bugata Camp you pass up a ridge then drop down slightly before ascending to Bamwanjarra Pass at 4,450 meters where we have a hut should the weather turn bad. From the pass 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, moss. giant groundsel and lobelia. 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.
Day 8: Mt Rwenzori Hiking
Day five of the Mt Rwenzori Hike.
Hike to Mt Baker Peak 4,842 metres; 4.3 kilometre hike 4 -6 hr up and 2 - 3 hrs back down. You will set off by 6.30am Ascent time from McConnell’s Camp (Camp 4) to the top is 3-4 hrs and descent 3hrs. This is a steep rocky climb where you need a good head for heights as some sections like the crevice climbing down to the glacier has a sizeable drop off the side. Although steep Mt Baker is considered non-technical except in the snow season (wet season) of April-May and September-October when it is very slippery on the ice covered rocks, nevertheless safety ropes will be used at all times on steep sections. Descend along a crack in the rock face to the glacier and a short 300 metre walk to the peak.
On a good weather or a break in the cloud you can see the main peaks of Magherita, Alexandria, Stanley’s plateau and the glaciers are awesome. After absorbing this lifetime experience we walk back across the glacier hike back up the crack in the rock face and descend to McConnell’s Camp. Sleep at Camp 4.
Day 9: Mt Rwenozori Hiking
Day 6 of Mt Rwenoziri Hiking: Distance to Kiharo Camp 11km Time taken to walk 4 to 7 hours
Hike 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 at 4,505 metres. 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 thought Kilembe and Kasese to Lake George in Queen Elisabeth National Park.
If you wish to climb Weismanns Peak 4,620 metres from Olivers pass you may do so at an extra cost. On a clear day you get fantastic views of Margherita and Mt Stanley, Mt Speke and Mt Baker.
After crossing the confluence the trail meanders down the valley to Kiharo Camp at which is situated in a deep valley with high cliffs and dense vegetation. On the way down the valley after each bog you will climb over a ridge of stones and earth which seems out of place but actually was pushed there by slow moving glaciers which eventually stopped moving, melted and left a pile of rocks and debris in front of where the glacier once stood.
Day 10: Mt Rwenzori Hiking/ Descending
Today Descend to the base camp and proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Distance Kiharo Camp to the park gate 12.2km and another 2.8km down to Trekkers Hostel Time to walk 5 to 8 hours.
Distance Kiharo Camp to the park gate 16km and another 2.8km down to Trekkers Hostel. Time to walk 5 to 8 hours.
The trail down the Nyamwamba Valley is mostly downhill and absolutely stunning with beautiful views, moss covered rocks along the river, cascading waterfalls, deep valleys and forests are possibly the best in the Rwenzori Mountains. A few kilometres from Kiharo Camp the path turns off to the right to pass along the river. In the clear areas you may catch a glimpse of a Duiker quietly feeding in small clearings as you pass along the river. This area is possible the highest population of Rwenzori Red Duikers anywhere in the National Park A few kilometres down the river it becomes steeper with multitudes of stunning waterfalls. After the waterfalls we climb up and over a high ridge then down though the dense forests with stunning views of the valley below. We stop at Forest View Camp for lunch before proceeding back to Base Camp. A great experience and ending to a fantastic trek.
Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Dinner & overnight at Elephant Plains/ Mweya Safari Lodge. FB
Day 11: Explore Queen Elizabeth National Park
Today have an early breakfast and embark on morning game drive in search of the big cats, and a chance to view plenty of the wildlife inlcuding elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, warthogs, and lots of birds. Follow by an afternoon boat cruise on the kazinga channel that links Lake Edward to Lake George, a habitation for plenty of wildlife, densely populated with the Hippos. A boat cruise is a very perfect way to enjoy the game viewing in the park. Dinner and overnight at Elephant plains/ Mweya Safari Lodge. FB
Day 12: Lake Bunyonyi
After breakfast drive to Lake Bunyonyi, the second deepest lake in Africa dotted with over 29 islands, each with a rich history. Relax by this lake as you gain for yet another demanding exercise that is gorilla trekking. Dinner and overnight at Bunyonyi Rock Resort. FB
Day 13: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Have a relaxed breakfast the depart to the park arriving in time for lunch, spend the rest of the day relaxing in the park, later do a community way to see the way of life of the local people. Dinner and overnight at Rushaga Gorilla Lodge/ Gorilla Safari Lodge. FB
Day 14: Gorilla tracking| Lake Mburo National Park
Have an early breakfast, and head to the park head quarters for briefing, have a ranger assigned to your group, who will lead you to the gorilla tracking exercise, during the gorilla tracking, you get to experience the thrill of being close to these giant apes, you will have an one hour of full encounter as you watch the gorillas, play, feed, interact with each other in their family setting with an Silverback as head of the family, you will be excited to see playful babies swing in the tree branches with a protective mother by the side, gorilla tracking is one of the most interesting and memorable activity, you will then return to the lodge for lunch then depart to Lake Mburo National Park. Upon arrival take a boat ride on Lake Mburo for yet more wildlife viewing, what to see include the hippos, buffaloes, and lots of different bird. Take an enroute game drive as you drive to the lodge for dinner and overnight at Rwakobo Rock/ Mihingo Safari Lodge. FB
Day 15: Kampala
Awake early for breakfast then take a morning game drive/a nature walk, where you will see the rare impala, only found in lake Mburo National park and other signature wildlife like the zebras, elands, buffaloes, topis, bushbucks, jackals, zebras, and more. After lunch, drive to Kampala with an enroute stop at the equator, simple experiements will be done for you to show you the two hemispheres, proceed to the City for Dinner and overnight at Cassia Lodge. FB
Day 16: Departure
Have a relaxed breakfast and spend time relaxing/ or you may choose to do a city tour visiting different sites in Kampala, I.e The Kabaka’s (King’s) Place & Idi Amin tourture chambers, this site holds Uganda’s political History, as Kabaka Eward Muteesa II was the first president of Uganda thus a good place to gain perceptive of Uganda’s past that has shaped the the current. Depending on the time of your flight, you will transfer to Entebbe International Airport for your departure marking the end of this memorable expedition. HB
Particularly hiking to Margherita peak, Mt Baker & Mt Speke have recently become technical, you need to have knowledge of how to use the ropes, Ascenders, crampons, the ice axe, Figure 8s.
Plus you physical preparedness, ensure you have a level of fittness, especially your legs.
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