13Days Chimp, Gorilla Tracking & Mt Rwenzori Hiking

Hike to Weismann’s Peak 4,620 metres and Stella Peak 4,626 metres 3

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.
After lunch drive to Mt Rwenzori National Park to get ready for the hike to the mountains of the Moon. Stay at the Camp or Sandton Hotel for dinner and overnight. FB

Day 4: Mt Rwenzori Hiking
Highlight; Start at Trekkers at 1,450 meters and sleep at Sine Hut at 2,596 meters being a height gain of 1,146 meters.

Today we start the hike to the mountains of the moon - Mt Rwenzori, 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 on Mt Rwenzori Hike; 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.

Day 6: Mt Rwenzori Hiking
Third day on 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
Hike to Weismann’s Peak 4,620 metres and Stella Peak 4,626 metres 3.7km to Weismanns Peak then another 800 metres to Stella Peak and return. Total distance 9km 4 to 6 hours

Fourth day on Mt Rwenzori, after breakfast start the hike by walking across the hillside below high cliffs above Bugata Lake then around a ridge point to Lake Kopello where we walk along the edge of the lake which according to researchers the water temperature averages 2˚C. the hike will offer beautifu views  the four lakes along the valley below. The last section to the peak is steep on solid rock and can be difficult when snowing or iced up and it may be necessary to use ropes for safety. On a clear day you get awesome views of all the main peaks, Mt Stanley, Mt Speke and Mt Baker. The top of Weismann’s Peak is relativity flat or dome shaped with deep moss growing on the rocks creating a beautiful atmosphere. Stella Peak 4,626 metre is near Weismann’s but needs full technical skill as is dangerous and needs experience and a good head for heights. We do not advise crossing to Stella Peak

From the peak we descend directly to Kiharo Camp 3,460 metres down the Nyamwamba Valley. At the head of the valley there is a large area of thick Giant Groundsel with dense evergreen undergrowth and moss with the rocky peaks towering above which creates it’s own micro environment. As you descend the valley you will notice the terrain is made up of several flat boggy areas where millions of years ago glaciers sat and melted leaving a wall of big rocks in front of where it lay. The valley is home to many Red Forest Duiker (Cephalophuc nigrifrons rubidus).

You may opt to stay at Kiharo Camp at 3,460 metres an area rich in evergreen plants and babbling streams. Particularly during the dryer months the night the air is filled with the calls of the rock hyrax as they sit in the rocky cliffs high above.

Day 8 Descending - Mt Rwenzori Hiking
Distance Kiharo Camp to the park gate 16km and another 2.8km down to Trekkers Hostel.  5 to 8 hours

Last day of the hike, descend to Nyamwamba Valley which has stunning views. A few kilometres from Kiharo Camp the path turns off to the right to pass along the river. You may spot Red Duiker quietly feeding as you pass along the river.  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.

Proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park, for dinner and overnight at Elephant Plains/ Mweya Safari Lodge. FB

Day 9: 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 10: 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 11: 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 12: 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 13: Departure

Awake early for breakfast then take a morning game drive or do 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. Drive to Entebbe International Airport for departure. HB