This 11 Days Rwenzori Hike and Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Safari is the perfect safari plan for adrenaline seeking travelers. During these 11 Days Rwenzori Hike and Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Safari, you will hike the world famous Rwenzori Mountains and then do gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This combination offers you the best experience and perfect balance between hiking to the snowcapped peaks of the Rwenzoris and tracking mountain gorillas in the ‘Pearl of Africa.’
Highlights for 11 Days Rwenzori Hike and Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Safari
Day 1: Pickup and Transfer to Rwenzori
Day 2: Nyakalengija (1615m Asl.) – Nyabitaba Camp (2651m Above Sea Level)
Day 3: Nyabitaba – John Matte Camp (3505m Above Sea Level.)
Day 4: John Matte – Bujuku Camp (3962m Above Sea Level.)
Day 5: Bujuku – Elena Camp (4541m Above Sea Level.)
Day 6: Elena Hut – Margherita Peak (5109m Above Sea Level) – Kitandara Camp
(4430m Above Sea Level)
Day 7: Kitandara – Guy Yeoman (3261m Above Sea Level)
Day 8: Guy Yeoman – Nyabitaba – Nyakalengija (1615m Above Sea Level)
Day 9: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Batwa Cultural Tour.
Day 10: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Day 11: Transfer Back To Kampala/Entebbe.
Detailed Itinerary for 11 Days Rwenzori Hike and Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Safari
Day 1: Pickup and Transfer to Rwenzori
Our driver guide will pick you up from your hotel in Kampala/Entebbe. After a brief meet and greet session, you will embark on about a 5-6 hours’ drive to Kasese. You will have a stopover at the equator monuments in Kayabwe where you will take a few pictures and stretch. You will also have lunch en-route to the park.
Upon your arrival, check-into your hotel and refreshen up.
Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel of choice.
Day 2: NYAKALENGIJA (1615m asl.) – NYABITABA CAMP (2651m above sea level)
The central circuit starts at the Rwenzori Mountaineering Services offices at Nyakalengija. You need to arrive in the morning to allow ample time to rent equipment and meet your guides and porters. The trail begins by passing through farmland to the park boundary beyond which it follows a thick forest along the Mubuku River, crossing its Mahoma River tributary before starting a long, steep climb up onto a massive ridge to reach Nyabitaba hut. During this part of the trip you may hear chimpanzee and see black and white colobus, blue monkey and the brilliantly colored Rwenzori turaco.
The hike takes an average of 6 -7 hours.
Day 3: NYABITABA – JOHN MATTE CAMP (3505m above sea level.)
From Nyabitaba follow the trail that drops down through the forest to the Kurt Shafer Bridge, just below the confluence of the Mubuku and Bujuku rivers. Passing through the bamboo forest, traverse through a long and exhausting stretch of slippery moss-covered rock. From the Nyamuleju rock shelter, Mount Stanley and Mount Speke can be seen before passing into the zone of the giant heather, lobelia and groundsel. Finally reach John Matte Hut after passing through the tiring bog, for dinner and overnight at the hut.
The hike takes an average of 7 – 8 hours.
Day 4: JOHN MATTE – BUJUKU CAMP (3962m above sea level.)
From John Matte Hut the trail drops down to cross the Bujuku River and enters Lower Bigo Bog, the home of giant lobelias. Jumping from tussock to tussock, the bog is finally crossed but rarely without the feet sampling some of the freezing ooze below. The upper Bigo bog gives way to Bujuku Lake, with views of Mt Baker to the South and Mt Stanley to the West. Bujuku Hut, well located in the shadow of Mount Baker and Mount Speke, is set in a narrow valley below Stuhlmann’s Pass. This camp is good for acclimatization for clients attempting the summits of peaks Mount Stanley and Mount Speke. Dinner and overnight at Bujuku hut.
The hike takes an average of 4 – 5 hours.
Day 5: BUJUKU – ELENA CAMP (4541m above sea level.)
Leaving Bujuku, the trail takes you through more bog, while climbing the steep slopes west of the lake and through the magical and forest of Groundsel Gully. Turn to your right up to Elena Hut and Mount Stanley on a steep trail over large boulders, while the trail on your left leads to Scott-Elliot Pass and down to Kitandara Lakes the trail on he left leads those who are not climbing Margherita Peak to Kitandara Hut. Those climbing the peak will have their Dinner and overnight at the coolly and Icy Elena Hut.
The hike takes an average of 5 – 6 hours.
Day 6: ELENA HUT – MARGHERITA PEAK (5109m above sea level) – KITANDARA CAMP
(4430m above sea level)
Very early in the morning, you attempt climbing the highest peak, Margherita of Mount Stanley. To reach the summit of Margherita, the climb takes about 4 -5 hours depending on the weather conditions and the pace of climbing this mountain. This tough walk takes you over three glaciers, slippery rock, ice and very exposed areas which are open on many sides. Climbing on to the glaciers, cross the Stanley Plateau and proceed with the ascent.
Acclimatized to fog, altitude sickness and coolly weather, scramble up to the summit of Margherita the highest peak of the Rwenzori. The descend from Margherita peak back to Elena Hut will take you about 2 – 3hours.
After your lunch at Elena hut, descend to the Scott-Elliot pass (4372m above sea level), where there are spectacular views of Bujuku Lake and Mount Speke. After, the trail passes you through an alpine zone of sparse vegetation and rough boulders, descend past the Kitandara Lakes for dinner and overnight at the Kitandara camp.
The descend takes an average of 3 – 4 hours.
Day 7: KITANDARA – GUY YEOMAN (3261m above sea level)
From Kitandara, take on the trail that ascends steeply up the headwall, spreading out from the base of Mount Baker and continuing along the south side of the mountain to Fresh Field Pass 4282m above sea level. At this point you can view into the Congo to the west and Mount Stanley to the north. From the pass, take on the long high alpine mossy. Thereafter start the descend through steep rocky trails and the rock shelter at Bujongolo, the base camp for the historic expedition by the Duke of Abruzzi in 1906 and then an overnight at Guy yeoman camp.
The hike takes an average of 6 – 7 hours.
Day 8: GUY YEOMAN – NYABITABA – NYAKALENGIJA (1615m above sea level)
Below Guy Yeoman, the route descends the cliffs of Kichuchu. Beyond Kichuchu the muddy path crosses the Mubuku River twice through a bamboo forest before climbing downwards to Nyabitaba to complete the circuit.
Continue descending Nyabitaba Camp and complete your trek by the evening at Nyakalengija, the base camp.
Dinner and overnight stay at your designated hotel.
The descent takes 7 – 8 hours
Day 9: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Batwa Cultural Tour.
After having breakfast at your lodge, you will meet up with your driver guide and embark on about a 4-5 hours’ drive to Bwindi impenetrable national park, arriving in time to check into your lodge and have lunch.
Later in the afternoon, you will embark on a cultural tour to the neighboring Batwa Community where you will be entertained to traditional dance and singing performances from the local dance troupe. You will also have a chance to interact with friendly locals and visit local craft stalls.
Retire back to you lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 10: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi
After an early breakfast, you will carry packed lunch and meet up with your driver guide to transfer to the park headquarters for a gorilla trekking briefing. After the briefing you will start trekking in the jungle which takes about 30 minutes to 7 hours depending on where the mountain gorillas are located.
During trekking you will be able to view other primates, mammals, different bird species, plant and tree species among others. Once the gorilla family is located you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives you an opportunity to watch them carry out their daily activities like feeding, breastfeeding, playing, grooming young ones, learn about their habits, behaviors, take photos and record the breathtaking moments.
After the one-hour encounter with the gentle giants, you will trek back to the starting point where you will be awarded a certificate for participating in gorilla trekking, meet up with your driver guide and return back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 11: Transfer Back to Kampala/Entebbe.
After a relaxed breakfast, you will check out of the lodge and meet up with your driver guide to transfer to Kampala/ Entebbe. On the way you will have en-route lunch in Mbarara town and then proceed with another stopover at the Equator to take photos, buy souvenirs among others. From the Equator, you will continue to Kampala where you will arrive early evening and upon arrival your driver guide will drop you off at Entebbe airport for your departure flight or drop off at any place of convenience.
End of 11 days Rwenzori Hike and Bwindi gorilla trekking Safari!
