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: Hike to Hunwick’s Camp 3974 meters.
Day 5: Option to Summit Weismann’s peak or Visit the valley of Kitandara.
Day 6: Descend and depart
Overview
6 Days Mount Rwenzori trek to Bamwanjara Pass 4550 m, with an option to summit Weismann’s peak 4620m or Visit the Kitandara Lakes. 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. You will summit Mount Rwenzori up to 4550 meters with an option to Summit Weismann’s peak or Visit the valley of Kitandara.
Trip Highlights
- Mount Rwenzori hiking experience
- Summit Weismann’s Peak 4,620 meters
- Countryside experience
- Great view
- Primate Experience
- Waterfall experience
- Option to Summit Weismann’s peak or Visit the valley of Kitandara.
- Local community experience
- Bird life experience
- Road drive experience
- Nature walk
Day 1. Hike to Sine Camp 2596metres.
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 3588metres.
Day Itinerary
Following breakfast, hike to Mutinda Camp at 3588 meters, through the Bambo 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 meters 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 meters.
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. Hike to Hunwick’s Camp 3974 meters.
Day Itinerary
Trek 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 evergreen 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. Further on there are 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, Weismann’s Peak and McConnell’s Prong.
Overnight stay at: Hunwick’s Camp (Hut)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5. Option to Summit Weismann’s peak or Visit the valley of Kitandara.
Day Itinerary
Have breakfast early in the morning and set off to either summit Weismann’s peak then down to Kiharo Camp or hike up higher to the valley of Kitandara lakes region and enjoy the stunning views of the Lakes before descending down to Kiharo Camp for the night.
Overnight stay at: Kiharo Camp (Hut)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6. Descend down to the basecamp.
Day Itinerary
Distance Kiharo Camp to the park gate 12.2km and another 2.8km down to Trekkers Hostel Time to walk 5 to 8 hours so those who need to connect to flights back to Kampala or travel on to other activities need to leave Kiharo early.
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. 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.
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.