7 Days Mount Rwenzori hiking

7 Days Mount Rwenzori hiking Uganda Safari will take to Mt Rwenzori national park for Mountain trekking. The hike will take you to Weismann’s Peak which is 4,620 metres and the Stella Peak that is 4,626 metres. The highest summit of Mount Rwenzori is Margherita Peak standing at 5109m above the see level and was recognized as a world heritage site in 2008.

Mt Rwenzori is a block mountain formed by the up faulted rocks through the floor of the Western Rift Valley. It was named the “Mountains of the Moon” by the Alexandrine geographer Ptolemy in AD 150. Mt Rwenzori was placed on the map on 24th May 1888 by the explorer called Henry Stanley and he labeled it ‘Ruwenzori’, a local word in Bakozo tribe meaning “Rain-Maker”. The oldest person to reach Margherita Peak was recorded in 2010 called Ms Beryl Park aged 78 years.

Mt Rwenzori is found is found in western Uganda along the border of Uganda and DR Congo with the third highest point in Africa. Mt Rwenzori Mountains National Park is a home base to over 217 recorded bird species with19 of them Albertine Rift endemics and about 70 mammal species.

Day 1; Entebbe airport/ Kampala city – Drive to Mt Rwenzori National Park

On your arrival at Entebbe international airport/after having breakfast at your hotel, you will be met by our company representative that will be your driver guide for a short briefing about your 7 Days Mount Rwenzori hiking Uganda Safari. Later, start your drive to the Rwenzori Mountains National Park with an en-route stop at Kasese town to have lunch, make a simple shopping and then continue with your drive to check in at your reserved lodge.

7 Days Mount Rwenzori hiking

The journey will take about 6 hours, it will take you through the most scenic places with a beautiful landscape and tea plantations. So, you will not be bored throughout your entire drives. Once you reach Kasese, register with the Rwenzori Mountaineering Service (RMS) offices. Dinner and overnight

Accommodation option; Equator snow lodge (Luxury), Hotel Margherita (Midrange), Sandton hotel Kasese (Budget), Rwenzori Base Mountain Camp (Budget).

Meal plan; Lunch/Dinner

Day 2; Begin climbing at 1,450 meters – Sine Hut at 2,596 meters being a height gain of 1,146 meters.

After having your breakfast, go to the starting point for briefing, getting a porter and then start your walk by walking up the valley floor and through tall forest trees of the Afro Montane Forest Zone of the Mt Rwenzori.

This is a steady climb while listening to melodies of different birds and seeing some primates such as blue monkeys, black and white Colobus monkeys in troupes of about 15 to 20 members and the rare L’Hoest monkey may also be seen as they scampering and swinging in the tree branches.

There are many plant species such as bamboos thickets, forest trees, low shrubs, fungi, and with many moss and lichen covered vines hanging from the tall trees creating an awesome appeal. Enock’s Falls are just 150 meters from Sine Hut and offer a splendid opportunity to capture a great screensaver for your memories.

At Sine Camp 2,596 you will enjoy to view the beauty of the Afro Montane forest while looking at a fantastic waterfalls down crashing over the rocks.

During night, you may join your guides at the campfire where they will narrate to you much about the mountains and life in their community. Sine is below the bamboo zone that has many different bird species. The Sine camp is only 150 meters from Enock falls and above it is the bamboo forest with a variety of different bird species so staying here will be memorable. Dinner and an overnight

Accommodation; Sine camp

Meal plan; Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Day 3; Sine camp – Hike to Mutinda camp

After having your early morning coffee and at 8:30am start your trek to Mutinda camp starts, the trek will take you through the Bamboo-Mimulopsis Zone that is kind steep to climb because high steps. During wet season, this area can be muddy and a little slippery which makes the trekking pace to reduce.

The forest cover and atmosphere of this area is so beautiful, you will trek about 551 meters altitude and over 1.8km to Kalalama Camp at 3,147 meters which is in the Heather-Rapanea Zone at the point and you will have a short break to relax with cup of tea or coffee and then head to Mutinda Camp.

This trail meanders up and over to dodge some small knolls along, cross several small water streams and pass close to moss covered waterfalls. Later, climb progressively along the sides of a lovely mossy river which falls down over the rocks under the Giant Heather trees with trunks covered by green moss with old man beards (Usnea lichen) hanging on them from the branches.

The trail keeps on meandering as you trek up the deep valley that has numerous plant species with flowers which makes so unique will lot of huge Heather trees making it to have a lovely atmosphere that is covered in the mist.

Accommodation; Mutinda Camp

Meal plan; Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Day 4 Mutinda Camp – Trek to Bugata Camp

Have your heavy morning breakfast and leave Mutinda camp to Bugata camp through a swampy trail particularly in wet season but with a help of your guide and porter, you will go through it so easily. Also there shall be several boardwalks across the worst places. You will cross the Mutinda valley through the tussock grass and everlasting flowers interspersed with many huge Lobelias before hiking a steep section up to the Namusangi Valley (3,840 meters) that ends abruptly with beautiful waterfalls and fantastic views of Mutinda Peaks.

7 Days Mount Rwenzori hiking

The Namusangi Valley is so wide with many hills and slopes and crossing several bogs as you are trekking up steadily to Bugata Camp which is at 4,062 meters. The Bugata Camp is positioned way up at Bamwanjara Pass above Bugata Lake that will give you a breathtaking views of Lake Kopello and Weismann’s Peak, that is all covered with snow then down the valley you will have a view of Lake Kanganyika and Lake Africa and many other small peaks towards Mutinda Camp.

This place is covered with tussock grass, everlasting flowers (Helichrysum), Giant lobelia (Lobellia gibberoa), St John’s Wort (Hypericum becquaeritii) and giant groundsel (Senecio adnivalis). There is a sub-species of duikers known as Red Forest Duiker (Cephalophuc nigrifrons rubidus) and are only found in the Rwenzori Mountains.

Bugata Camp is a good facility with good toilets, bathrooms where you can get some warm water and solar lights. It also has helipad (GPS reading N 18.312 E29 53.457) in case of emergency need a helicopter can be hire however, it is very expensive at around $10,000 per hour flying time which is way more than other countries so you need insurance to cater for such rescues.

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 –Slope to Kiharo Camp

Have breakfast and continue with your trek from Bugata camp to Weismann’s peak which is 3.7km then another 800 metres to Stella Peak making a distance of 9km 4 to 6 hours. The hike will begin by walking across the hillside below high cliffs above Lake Bugata then around a ridge point to Lake Kopello where you will walk along the edge of the lake whose water is said to be at the average temperature of 2˚C. As you are trekking up, you will a magnificent views of the four lakes along the valley below which is so unforgettable and it is better to take a memorial photo.

The last section to the peak is steep on solid rock which can be tough when there is snow which may require the use of ropes for safety. So, while at this peak on a very clear day, you get an awesome view of all the main peaks of Rwenzori Mountains that is Mt Speke, Mt Baker and Mt Stanley.

The top of Weismann’s Peak is relativity flat with deep moss growing on the rocks forming a lovely atmosphere and Stella Peak which is 4,626 meters that is near to Weismann’s needs full technical because it is dangerous and needs experience and a good head for heights. Therefore, we do not advise crossing to Stella Peak.

After enjoying the peak with enough photos, descend nonstop to Kiharo Camp that is 3,460 meters down to the Nyamwamba Valley. A head of the valley, there is a big area of thick giant Groundsel with big evergreen undergrowth and moss with the rocky peaks towering above which creates its own micro environment.

As you continue descending the valley, you will notice that 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. This valley is home base to many Red Forest Duiker. Dinner and an overnight

Accommodation; Kiharo Camp

Meal plan; Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Day 6; Kiharo camp – Slope to the starting point to complete your 7 days Rwenzori mountains trekking

Rise up early in the morning to enjoy your breakfast and then continue with your Nyamwamba Valley trail which is typically downhill and unconditionally superb with lovely views and moss covered with rocks along the river, pouring waterfalls, forests one of the best in the Rwenzori Mountains and deep valleys.

This trail took six years to find a clear route that is easy enough for tourists. In 1937 some explorers and geologist led by McConnell tried to find a way through this valley but they completely failed and were forced to go back and look for another route. A few kilometers from Kiharo Camp the path turns off to the right to pass along the river. Around this, you encounter Duikers feeding and you may request your guide to walk down the river.

After a short distance, there is a river that is steep with multitudes of waterfalls so you will move away from the river to follow a narrow ridge to bypass the steep sections. Late, on the bottom you will find another river that is near a huge rock shelter called Riverside Rock Shelter where you will have lunch and then cross the a small stream gently going up.

On your way, you will be thrilled to meet a beautiful forest that is a home to numerous bird species, some primates, small mammals like duikers and hyrax and then ending your to a fantastic trekking with a drive to Kasese town to check in at your reserved hotel to relax, have dinner and an overnight.

Accommodation option; Equator snow lodge (Luxury), Hotel Margherita (Midrange), Sandton hotel Kasese (Budget), Rwenzori Base Mountain Camp (Budget).

Meal plan; Lunch/Dinner

Day 7; Kasese town – Drive back to Entebbe international airport

After having breakfast, check out and embark on your return drive to Entebbe international airport to meet your return flight after your fantastic mountain trekking on one of the Africa’s highest mountain for 5 days to Weismann’s Peak 4,620 meters and Stella Peak 4,626 meters.

You will go via Queen Elizabeth national park so you encounter some wildlife species such the huge Elephants, Buffaloes, Uganda kobs, Warthogs and many others the continue with your drive via Mbarara city with an en-route stop at Kayabwe Equator crossing landmark to take a memorial photo, watching water experiment, have lunch and later proceed with your drive to Entebbe airport or any hotel in Kampala/Entebbe to end your 7 Days Mount Rwenzori hiking Uganda Safari

The 7 Days Mount Rwenzori hiking Uganda Safari includes;

Transport for 7 days in 4X4 WD, air-conditioned and pop up roof safari vehicle (Safari land cruiser/ Safari Van)
Fuel for 7 days
English speaking driver guide
Bottled mineral water 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
Hiking for 5 days in Rwenzori national park
A visit to the Equator landmark

The 7 Days Mount Rwenzori hiking Uganda Safari Excludes;