The Rwenzoris at a glance (5109 m)
Often dubbed ‘The Mountains of the Moon’, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Rwenzoris are a chain of six beautiful mountains that straddle the equator along the border with Uganda and the DRC. Rwenzori in a local language means ‘mountain of the rain’, and it’s a mystical mist-shrouded place with valleys full of emerald-green lakes, rocky cliffs, high glaciers and snow-capped peaks.
DAY 1
Arrival into Entebbe airport
Arrival at Entebbe airport and you will be met by our experienced driver guide who will transfer you to hotel in Entebbe. (Sleep at The Boma guest House or Protea Hotel)
DAY 2
Transfer to Kasese Rwenzori Mountains National park.
After an early morning breakfast, driver will be read to transfer to Kasese, on the way stop over Fort portal for lunch. After lunch you will have a short trip at one of the most amazing Amabere caves and simple hike to view the crater lakes in Fort portal which helps in acclimatization before you continue to kasese. Sleep at Margherita Hotel or Sandton hotel.
DAY 3
Start hike from 1450m to Sleep at Sine Camp 2596m.
Steady walk with a steep climb. Start at Trekkers at 1,450 meters and sleep at Sine Hut at 2,596 meters being a height gain of 1,146 meters Guides generally brief clients at the start of the trek or the night before.
The trek starts at Trekkers Hostel in Kyanjuki, which is situated 1,450 meters above sea level and 12 kilometers from Kasese. It is best to start by 9 am but can leave as late as 11am. You walk 2.2km to the UWA rangers post at 1,727 meters, which takes about one hour. Here you pay the gate entrance fee and the rangers brief you on the rules of the National Park.
We start by walking up the valey 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 a wild chimpanzee or blue monkey scampering off through the forest. At times visitors see troupes of 15 to 20 Colobus monkeys scampering 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. There is wide variety of plant species from forest trees to bamboos 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.
The wooden hut with 10 beds is a set between tall forest trees on a narrow ridge, with ten beds and a large verandah where you may sit and enjoy the beauty of the Afro Montane forest while you look down at a fantastic waterfall crashing over the rocks far below. Sine is just below the bamboo zone and the area around has many different bird species. Sleep at Sine Hut - 2,585 metres
DAY 4
Hike to Mutinda Camp 3688m and summit Mutinda look out 3975m
After a good breakfast, trekking starts at 8.30am and you soon enter the Bamboo-Mimulopsis Zone which is steep climb with many high steps. In the wet season the bamboo area is rather muddy and slippery making the going slow. However the atmosphere and the forest is beautiful as you climb 551 metres altitude and a distance of 1.8km to Kalalama Camp at 3,147 meters which is in the Heather-Rapanea Zone where you can take a rest and a quick cup of tea or coffee before heading on to Mutinda Camp. The trail meanders up and over several small knolls along a ridge top then drops down the side of the valley before climbing again, and in doing so cross several small streams and passing close to moss covered waterfalls. You then climb steadily along the side of a beautiful mossy river which tumbles down over the rocks under the Giant
Early morning set off from Mutinda and the outlet of Kopello Lake then climb 200 metres to the confluence of the two valleys. As you descend down the upper areas of the Nyamwamba Valley there is a large area of thick Giant Groundsel with dense evergreen undergrowth and moss with the rocky peaks towering above. 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 metres an area rich in evergreen plants and babbling streams At night the air is filled with the calls of the rock hyrax as they sit in the rocky cliffs high above.
Heather trees whose trunks are covered in green moss with old man beards (Usnea lichen) hanging from the branches. The trail twists and turns as you climb up the deep valley, which has an enormous variety of plants and flowers. This valley is unique with many Giant Heather trees creating a beautiful atmosphere often shrouded in mist. Eventually you get to Mutinda Camp which is set near a small river that drops off a waterfall and offers a chance to wash, refresh and relax or, you may wish to climb up to the top of the Mutinda Lookout (one and a half hours up and one hour down) The view and the atmosphere is amazing as you stand on moss covered rocks at 3,925 meters with views across the Rwenzori Mountains, down to Kasese town and Lake George. Sleep at Mutinda camp
DAY 5
Descend to either Kiharo Camp 3,460 metres or Samalira Camp 3,170 metres.
Early morning set off from Mutinda and the outlet of Kopello Lake then climb 200 metres to the confluence of the two valleys. As you descend down the upper areas of the Nyamwamba Valley there is a large area of thick Giant Groundsel with dense evergreen undergrowth and moss with the rocky peaks towering above. 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 metres an area rich in evergreen plants and babbling streams At night the air is filled with the calls of the rock hyrax as they sit in the rocky cliffs high above.
DAY 6
Descend to Base camp
Assuming that you slept in Kiharo Camp, you wake up to the shrill calls of the Ruwenzori Turaco (Ruwenzorornis johnstoni) and other birds. After a hearty breakfast you walk down the valley which is home to many species of birds who dive in and out the thick vegetation. Chameleons are a common sight as they crawl along the branches of the thick vegetation feeding on insects. In the clear areas you may catch a glimpse of a Duiker quietly feeding surrounded by Giant Lobellias and a variety of flowering plants. After descending a few kilometres you climb two hundred metres height to a ridge overlooking the valley before crossing several small valleys and streams to Kyalavula which means view or lookout in the local Bakonzo language with beautiful views down the valley and across to Lake Edward in Queen Elisabeth National Park. Samalira Camp 3,147 meters is situated in a closed valley at the top of several waterfalls and is the alternative to sleeping In Kiharo Camp.From here you descend down a long ridge, through the Bamboo-Mimulopsis Zone and Afro Montane Forest Zone back down to base camp in Kilembe debrief and after transfer to Magherita hotel. An option of Safari extensions can be added on to relax off at the end of the trek, don’t hesitate to inquire with one of our Safari experts. Nearest National Parks, Queen Elizabeth National Park & Bwindi Impenetrable Gorilla National Park.
DAY 7
Drive back or Fly back to Entebbe airport and fly home.
All nights in the mountains are fully supported with huts and permanent tents in camps on a multishare basis with a mattress. One will need to carry a warm sleeping bag as it’s not provided.
Nights before and after the trek are in a good quality hotel in either singles or twin sharing depending on choice. We as well offer budget and midrange accommodation
- Trip starts and ends in Entebbe or Kampala
- All transfers are included (road transfer)
- All meals included from dinner on arrival to lunch on departure
Trip runs all year round.
Trip Notes
Safari East African Networks offers treks to Rwenzori Mountains starting from 3day trek and one can summit to the highest Snowcapped Margherita Peak (5,109 metres) in 7/8days or 9days depending on fitness. The Rwenzori’s highest point is on Mount Stanley which is Magherita peak and the Stanley glaciers wide enough giving hiker a way up to the main peak.