Country: Uganda
Destinations: Rwenzori Mountain National Park
Itinerary at Glance
Day 1: Hike to Sine Camp 2596 meters
Day 2: Hike to Mutinda Camp 3588 meters
Day 3: Hike to Bugata Camp 4100 meters.
Day 4: Summit Weismann’s peak at 4620 meters.
Day 5: Descend and depart
Overview.
5 Days Mount Rwenzori Weismann’s Peak Trek, the trek starts at Trekkers Hostel Kyanjuki 12 kilometers from Kasese town past Kilembe Copper mines. Best to start by 8.30am but can leave as late as 10am. Meet your guides and briefing. You walk 2.2km to the UWA rangers post at 1,727metres. This trek rewards you with four days of ascending and hiking Mount Rwenzori up to 4620 m, to the summit of Weismann’s peak. You will spend 4 nights in the huts with great hiking experience.
Trip Highlights
- Mount Rwenzori hiking experience
- Summit Weismann’s Peak 4,620 meters
- Countryside experience
- Great view
- Primate Experience
- Waterfall experience
- Local community experience
- Bird life experience
- Road drive experience
- Nature walk
Day 1. Hike to Sine Camp 2596 metres.
Day Itinerary
You will be picked up by your guide, from your place of residence near to Mount Rwenzori (in case you’re far away, a day before transfer and accommodation can be arranged) and transfer to the park, briefing point.
We start by walking up the valley floor through tall forest trees of the Afro Montane Forest Zone. This is a steady climb with multitudes of birds and a chance of seeing blue monkeys scampering off through the forest. At times visitors may see troupes of 15 to 20 black and white Colobus monkeys as they swing through the tree tops. There are rare sightings of the L’Hoest monkey which are part of the Bukonzo cultural emblems and are protected by the virtue of the King or Omusinga or you may hear wild chimpanzees in the distance. There is a wide variety of plant species from forest trees to bamboo thickets, low shrubs, flowers, fungi, and with many moss and lichen covered vines hanging from the tall trees creating an awesome appeal. Enock’s falls are just 200 meters from Sine Hut and offer a splendid opportunity to capture a great screensaver for your memories.
Overnight stay at: Sine Camp (Hut)
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2. Hike to Mutinda Camp 3588 metres.
Day Itinerary
Following breakfast, hike to Mutinda Camp at 3588 meters, through the Bamboo and Heather-Rapanea Zone, following the trail while it meanders up and over several small knolls along a ridge top and drops down the side of the valley crossing several small streams and passing close to moss covered waterfalls with very unique beautiful plant and flower species found above 3000 metres like Giant Heather trees whose trunks are covered in green moss with old man beards (Usnea lichen) hanging from the branches, approaching to Mutinda camp which is set near a small river and waterfall. In the afternoon, one has an option of summiting Mutinda lookout at 3975 meters. Covering 6.1km, approximately 6 to 8 hours of walking to Mutinda camp.
Overnight stay at: Mutinda camp (Hut)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3. Hike to Bugata Camp 4100 metres.
Day Itinerary
The trail here is boggy particularly in the wet season but with a little skill you can step from tussock to tussock to make the going easier. We have put several boardwalks across the worst of the bogs and continue to build more to make it a little bit easier. You 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 many Red Forest Duiker (Cephalophuc nigrifrons rubidus) which are a sub-species only found in the Rwenzori Mountains. 4.9km starting at 3,588 meters climbing to 4,100 meters
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.
Overnight stay at: Bugata Camp (Hut)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4. Summit Weismann’s peak at 4620metres.
Day Itinerary
Climb Weismann’s Peak 4,620 meters a 3.7km to Weismanns Peak. Total distance 9km 4 to 6 hours. The trek starts 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. As you climb you get excellent views of 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 relatively flat or dome shaped with deep moss growing on the rocks creating a beautiful atmosphere. Stella Peak 4,626 meters is near Weismann’s but needs full on technical experience as it 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 meters 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 its 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). At night you may stay in Kiharo Camp at 3,460 meters, an area rich in evergreen plants and babbling streams. Particularly during the dryer months at night the air is filled with the calls of the rock hyrax as they sit in the rocky cliffs high above.
Overnight stay at: Kiharo Camp (Hut)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5. Descend down to the basecamp.
Day Itinerary
The trail down the Nyamwamba Valley is mostly downhill and absolutely stunning with beautiful views. The moss-covered rocks along the river, cascading waterfalls, deep valleys and forests are possibly the best in the Rwenzori Mountains. This part of the trail took us six years to find a way through and a route which is easy enough for tourists to use. In 1937 the explorer and geologist McConnell tried to find a way up this valley but failed and had to turn back and search for another route up the mountain but now you can experience this truly beautiful valley.
A few kilometers 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. If you wish you may prefer to walk down the river itself hopping across the rocks as you pass down. A few Kilometers down the river it becomes very steep with multitudes of waterfalls so we have to move away from the river and follow a narrow ridge to bypass steep sections. At the bottom, we again meet the river where there is a huge rock shelter called Riverside Rock Shelter where you have lunch. After crossing a small stream, you climb up a gentle slope as it is way too steep close to the river. The forest along this section is truly beautiful with many birds, primates, duikers and hyrax. A great experience and ending to a fantastic trek.
After reaching the base of the mountain, you will meet your guide, and transfer you for lunch and later to your place of residence. End of service!
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
This safari package includes.
- Transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Accommodation and meals as per itinerary
- En-route lunches
- Mount Rwenzori Hiking permits
- All park fees
- Accommodation during the trek and summiting equipment’s
- Gas for cooking
- Porters for client
- Local guides
- Rescue fee and government tax
- Services of English speaking driver/guide
- Unlimited bottles of mineral water
- Much fun on African soil
The package excludes expenses of personal nature like:
- Visa Fees & flights
- Optional activities
- Accommodation before and after the trek
- Hiking equipment
- Tips for guides
- Laundry
- Alcoholic drinks
- International vaccinations & tests
- Health test requirements
- Personal travel Insurance
- Personal shopping bills
- Phone call bills
- Extras while at the hotel
- Items of personal nature
Please contact us for a free detailed quote on the option of your choice. We can tailor a request that suits your interests, and budget, as well as we can change or upgrade the lodge options. Write to us with more details about your safari