5 days Mountain Rwenzori hike is a breathtaking safari that takes you to Uganda’s tallest mountain also known as the “Mountains of the Moon,” Rwenzori mountains are a range in East Africa, on the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo known for their stunning beauty and unique alpine vegetation. The hike will enable you explore the mountains through different local settlements, tropical forests, montane forests, bamboo forest and little bits of alpine. Expect to see animals like elephants, chimpanzees, Angola colobus, black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, hyrax, duikers, L’Hoest’s monkeys; birds like Rwenzori turacos, bush shrikes, sunbirds, starlings, bee-eaters, archers’ robin-chat and about 15 butterfly species. The Rwenzori hike can be physically demanding so do make sure you are in good health and physical condition. The trip will start from Kampala to Kasese and back to Kampala.
Day 1: Transfer to Kasese
Day 1 of 5, will have you meet with our driver guide from Glory Summit Tours at a spot chosen by you and he will give you a brief of how the trip will unfold for the next 5days and also ensure that you have all the gear needed for a successful hike after which you will set off for Kasese, a drive that will take 6-7hours. You will have a stopover in Mubende for stretching and Fort Portal for lunch then continue to Kasese where you will arrive in the evening and check into your lodging for the night and have dinner. You will rest for the night in preparation for the hike.
Day 2: Nyakalengija – Nyabitaba hut (1646-2652) m
After breakfast, you will check out of your lodge and head to the headquarters of Nyakalengija where you will be briefed by the guide and prepared in what is needed for the hike and crosscheck the gear and any help needed by you will be availed by the guide to ensure a smooth hike. The hike will start through plantations and homes of the Bakonjo, open fern slopes and podocarps and will take 6-7hours. You will have a stop for lunch, then continue to Nyabitaba hut where you will rest for the night. You might see some monkeys, chimpanzees, three horned chameleons, and bird species like Rwenzori turacos, strange weavers, Rwenzori batis and more.
Day 3: Nyabitaba hut – John matte hut (3420) m
After a light breakfast, you will continue your hike through the bamboo forest and heather zone, north side below the confluence of Mubuku and Bujuku River through the Kurt Schaffer Bridge with a long stretch of slippery cliffs with one stop for lunch. When you get to Nyamuleju rock shelter, you will be able to see Margherita peak (5109m) and Speke (4890m) and then you will summit at the John Matte hut which is 3420m above sea level taking about 6hours. You will have dinner and also camp for the night.
Day 4: Descend to Nyakalengija
After breakfast, you will pack your belongings and get ready for descend to the bottom which will be the same trail that got you to John Matte hut. Depending on the trail, weather and hiking pace of individuals, this will take 6-8hours through the forested sections as you also take in the beautiful views. You will stop by the Nyabitaba hut for lunch before you proceed to the bottom of the mountain. Once at the bottom, you will be picked and taken to a lodging close by in Kasese for check in and dinner. You will rest for the night at will as you prepare for departure.
Day 5: Check-out and departure
You will checkout, then have breakfast after which you will set off for Kampala via Mbarara. Enjoying the beautiful landscape with tea and banana plantations, you will have a stopover in Mbarara for lunch and at the Equator for picture taking moments and adventuring at the craft village. You will proceed to Kampala at an agreed point and the trip will come to a close.
