1.820.3345.33
Contact@TravelTourWP.com
This epic safari will send you to the top of Uganda’s highest mountain, the Rwenzori before embarking on a wildlife safari that will also bring you face to face with the highly-sought Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. It’s a unique that will test your physical resolve as you set out to conquer the historical ‘Mountains of the Moon’ while your heart will surely be melted by clapping your eyes of an animal that resembles humans 98%. Get your climbing gear, and let’s get going!
Entebbe International Airport, Uganda
Pickup on Arrival at Entebbe International Airport
Having the right mountaineering gear is key during this tour. We highly reccommend that you come along with your mountaineering equipment. Equipment is available for hire at your cost, Porters and Guides during the mountaineering segment of this tour.
Gorilla tracking permits from the Uganda Wildlife Authority are required for the gorilla trekking segment of this tour. We facilitate the process of obtaining Gorilla Tracking Permits. Early notification / booking / down-payment is required from our esteemed tourists and guests at least 4 months in advance (low season) & 6 months in advance (peak season) For Further Information, kindly contact +256781494779 or Email: info@hospitableafricatourstravel.comÂ
All our packages include Accommodation + all Meals and Drinking water.
Thanks for choosing us.
You will be welcomed by your guide upon Arrival at the Airport who will transfer you to your hotel in Kampala. Depending on your time of arrival and where you’re staying overnight, your guide could take you on a Kampala city tour. This journey will take you to some interesting and historical sites, including the Namugongo Martyrs Shrine, the Uganda Museum and the African Craft Village where you could get your African attire. We recommend converting your money into Uganda Shillings on this day. Otherwise, if you have been on a long flight, it’s just better to stay at your hotel and freshen up in preparation for tomorrow’s activities.
After an early breakfast, check-out do some shopping in town and currency conversion among other quick requirements if you didn’t do any the previous day. If you did, get on board straight away and take the journey westwards towards Fort Portal tourism city. You will have lunch in Fort Portal and continue with the scenic journey to the base of the mountain. Check-in and overnight at Equator Snow Lodge.
Early in the morning, after having a cup of coffee/tea, drive to Nyakalengija Trailhead (1600m). Meet porters and guides and begin hiking up to Nyabitaba hut. Walk through the matooke/banana plantations on the side of the steep foothills, past the local Bakonjo homesteads. Continue with the trail along the Mubuku River and cross the Mahoma River, climb steeply through bracken fern slopes and Podocarpus forest to Nyabitaba Hut. Dinner and Overnight at Nyabitaba Hut.
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 stretch of slippery moss-covered rock. From the Nyamileju 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. Dinner and Overnight at the Hut.
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 Pass.
Dinner and overnight at the hut.
Leaving Bujuku, the trail takes you through more bog, while climbing the steep slopes west of the lake and through the magical Groundsel Gully as it ascends to Scott-Elliot Pass at 4372m. At the head of the gully, a metal ladder takes you over a steep section after which the trail is divided into two. The trail on your right leads 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. Dinner and Overnight at the Coolly and Icy Elena Hut.
Aiming at reaching Margherita peak (5109m)? Continue to the base of the Stanley Glacier. To the summit, the climb takes about 5-7 hours depending on weather conditions and pace. This tough walk takes you over three glaciers, slippery rock, ice and very exposed areas which are open on many sides. Note that this climb is only for physically fit and technical climbers. Rwenzori may not be the highest in Africa, but it is the most challenging to climb. So, come prepared to sweat for this ultimate badge of honor.
Climbing on to the glaciers, cross the Stanley Plateau and proceed with the ascent. Scramble up to the summit of Margherita, the highest peak of the Rwenzoris. Even if you do not reach the peak, you’ve already conquered this legendary mountain.
Prepare for your descent through the Scott-Elliot pass where there are spectacular views, all the way down to the Kitandara Lakes. Dinner and overnight at the Kitandara Hut.
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. 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 trail passing the rock shelter at Bujongolo, the base camp for the historic expedition by the Duke of Abruzzi in 1906. Dinner and Overnight at Guy Yeoman Hut.
Take on the path down to Nyabitaba hut early in the morning. The path can be slippery and muddy and therefore requires careful balancing over the vertical mud or steep rock. Remember this is part of the adventure within this mountain. This can take about 3-4 hours.
After lunch at Nyabitaba Hut, descend gently down to River Mahoma and continue to the Base camp Nyakalengija where you will find a Lush Africa Safaris driver waiting to take you to your next destination, Queen Elizabeth National Park. Settle-in at your lodge for lunch and relaxation. Dinner and overnight at Simba Safari Lodge or similar accommodation facility
Wake-up to the sound of nature, get on board and embark on a sunrise game-drive. The vast savannah plains, swamps and forests of Queen Elizabeth are home to about 95 mammals and over 600 bird species. Look-out for lions, leopards, elephants, warthogs, bushbucks, cape buffaloes and waterbucks among others. Our guides know how to make the best of earlier sightings, animal routines and a network of trails to maximize your chances of enjoying your game drive.
After lunch, transfer to the pier/dock for your afternoon boat-ride on Kazinga Channel. A thread of water that joins lakes George and Edward, Kazinga Channel is both home and playgrounds for the Nile Crocodiles and it has arguably the highest concentration of Hippos anywhere on earth. Throw elephants and buffalos into that mix and you’re guaranteed wild drama. You will also encounter the majestic African Fish Eagle, different species of Egrets, Goliath Herons, and Saddle-billed Storks, Egyptian Geese, Cormorants, etc.
Watch the sunrise over the panoramic lakes George and Edward, breakfast, check-out and take an en-route game drive as you exit Mweya Peninsula section heading to the Ishasha section that is renowned for the tree-climbing lions. We shall employ a network of trails in the southern circuit to create viewing avenues of the great predators hanging in Fig and Acacia trees. After picnic lunch, proceed and follow meandering routes to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Settle-in at Gorilla Safari Lodge or Similar.
A chilly and misty morning, wake-up and prepare for the epitome of your Uganda Safari; an encounter with the critically endangered Gentle Great Apes! Pack lunch, water and rain gear and attend the briefing session to be conducted by the head-ranger. After the briefing, grab yourself a walking stick, carry your lunch, camera and binoculars and follow our allocated ranger-guide into the gorilla sanctuary. Follow instructions as shall be given by the ranger, maintain silence and you will appreciate nature. On sight of the gorillas, keep calm and watch them feed, play, swing from one branch to another and fully exploit the one hour in their presence. Nothing will prepare you for the awesomeness of clapping your eyes on the Mountain Gorillas. Bwindi is an ancient forest with diverse flora and fauna for you to see, feel and experience.
Return to the launch site, receive your tracking certificates and return to your lodge for relaxation. Possible Batwa Community visitation if time permits.
Last moments in the domain of the Great Apes, have your breakfast, check-out and follow the snaking routes via Kisoro town to Mgahinga National Park Headquarters. After briefing by the ranger-guide, follow behind him on an amazing trek of the endangered Golden Monkeys. At about lunchtime, you will be back to the base, join your driver and transfer to Kisoro town for lunch. After lunch, follow meandering routes to L. Bunyonyi islands and settle-in at Bird’s Nest or a similar facility and enjoy the gentle breeze from L. Bunyonyi (Lake of little birds). Retire and relax for the rest of the night.
Watch the sunrise over the panoramic view of Lake Bunyonyi; Africa’s second deepest lake. After breakfast the next morning, checkout and embark on a scenic road-trip to Mbarara town for lunch at Igongo Cultural Centre where you can also learn about the culture and history of the Ankole people. A visit to Igongo Museum is worthwhile. Proceed with the journey and stop at the Equator for a photo opportunity and shopping for souvenir items. A water flow demonstration at the Equator shall amaze you and teach you about the mysteries of the Equator. Proceed via Kampala to Entebbe, farewell dinner and finally drop-off at Entebbe airport for your flight back home.
Enriched with an experience of a lifetime and unforgettable memories you will say goodbye to the Pearl of Africa – for now. We surely hope to see you again soon! We wish you a safe journey.
