Airport Pickup

Entebbe - Upon your arrival at Entebbe International Airport, our driver/guide will be there to greet you and extend a warm welcome to Uganda. You will then be comfortably transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - Embark on a scenic drive from Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, located in southwestern Uganda. This 9-hour journey offers a picturesque view of the Ugandan countryside, featuring farms, quaint towns, plantations, and captivating landscapes en route to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

There are numerous interesting stopovers along the way, including a lunch break in Mbarara. You will arrive at your lodge in the evening.

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - Today is the much-anticipated day! Get ready for an unforgettable encounter with the gentle giants, the rare mountain gorillas.

For many, this is the highlight of their tour. You will venture into the forest in groups of no more than 8 to search for mountain gorillas. Along the way, your guide will point out signs of previous gorilla activity, such as dung, nests, and chewed bamboo shoots.

Your trek will be an exhilarating journey through forested slopes, tangled vines, bushes, and bamboo. Upon locating the gorillas, you will spend up to 1 hour with them before being guided back to the starting point.

Drive from Bwindi to Kasese Town

Kasese - An early departure is necessary today due to the relatively long drive to Kasese, which takes approximately 7 hours. You will arrive at Trekkers Hostel early, allowing time to rest and prepare for your mountain climbing adventure.

Trekkers Hostel is situated 12 kilometers from Kasese town, nestled in a deep valley at the end of the road leading to the Rwenzori Mountains National Park.

The surroundings are lush and green, and you can enjoy the cool climate as the hostel is located at 1,450 meters above sea level, nearly 500 meters higher than the nearby Kasese town.

Hike to Sine Hut (2,596 meters)

Rwenzori Mountains - Begin your hike by walking up the valley floor through the towering trees of the Afro-Montane Forest Zone. This steady climb offers the chance to spot numerous birds and possibly a wild chimpanzee or blue monkey darting through the forest.

Visitors may also encounter groups of 15 to 20 Colobus monkeys moving through the treetops.

There are rare sightings of the L’Hoest monkey, which holds cultural significance for the Bukonzo people and is protected by the King or Omusinga.

Enock’s Falls, located just 200 meters from Sine Hut, provide a wonderful opportunity to capture a memorable screensaver.

The wooden hut is nestled among tall forest trees on a narrow ridge, with a large verandah where you can relax and admire the beauty of the Afro-Montane forest while gazing at a stunning waterfall cascading over the rocks below. Sine Hut is situated just below the bamboo zone and is home to a variety of bird species.

Climb to Mutinda Camp

Rwenzori Mountains - After a hearty breakfast, the trek begins at 8:30 am. You will enter the Bamboo-Mimulopsis Zone, a steep climb with many high steps. During the wet season, the bamboo area can be muddy and slippery, slowing progress.

However, the atmosphere and forests are breathtaking as you ascend 551 meters in altitude and cover a distance of 1.8 km to Kalalama Camp at 3,147 meters. This camp is located in the Heather-Rapanea Zone, where you can take a break and enjoy a quick cup of tea or coffee before continuing to Mutinda Camp.

The trail winds up and over several small knolls along a ridge top, then descends the side of the valley before climbing again. It crosses several small streams and passes near moss-covered waterfalls.

Eventually, you will reach Mutinda Camp, which is set near a small river that cascades over a waterfall, offering a chance to wash, refresh, and relax. You may choose to climb to the top of the Mutinda Lookout (one and a half hours up and one hour down).

Climb to 4,062 meters - Alpine Zone

Rwenzori Mountains - From Mutinda Camp, the trail is boggy, especially during the wet season, but with some skill, you can step from tussock to tussock to ease the journey.

You will cross the Mutinda valley through tussock grass and everlasting flowers interspersed with many Giant Lobelias. Then, climb a steep section up to the Namusangi Valley (3,840 meters), which ends abruptly with sheer waterfalls and stunning views of Mutinda Peaks.

The Namusangi Valley is wide, with many ups and downs, crossing several bogs as the trail steadily climbs to Bugata Camp at 4,062 meters.

Bugata Camp is perched high above Bugata Lake on Bamwanjara Pass, offering views across Lake Kopello to Weismann’s Peak, often snow-covered, and down the valley to Lake Africa and Lake Kanganyika, with many small peaks towards Mutinda Camp.

Climb to Hunwick’s Camp (3,874 meters)

Rwenzori Mountains - Begin trekking at 8:30 am, ascending Bamwanjara Pass. The trail climbs steadily with several long flat bogs and dense vegetation, providing clear views of the three main peaks.

The area is renowned for its Malachite Sunbird populations and lobelia flowers. The trek includes some steep sections before a climb to Hunwick’s Camp, offering views of several peaks, including Mt Stanley, Mt Baker, Weismanns Peak, and McConnell’s Prong.

Climb to Margherita Camp (4,485 meters)

Rwenzori Mountains - From Hunwick’s, descend and cross the valley floor to Lake Kitendara, a stunning lake with deep water and beautiful vegetation. From here, enjoy the climb up Scott Elliott’s pass and then up the ridge to Margherita Camp.

Margherita Camp is located at 4,485 meters between large rocks that provide some shelter from strong winds. This is the very spot where the Duke of Abruzzi camped during his climb to Margherita Peak in 1906.

Climb to Margherita Peak at 5,109 meters

Rwenzori Mountains - The day begins with a 2 am wake-up call and an early breakfast before setting off to climb Mt Stanley at 2:30 am. This early start is necessary due to changing weather conditions, as even during the drier season, the mountain can be enveloped in heavy clouds and snowfall from 1 pm to 4 pm. This occurs rapidly, within 10 to 15 minutes, as clouds rise from the vast Congo rainforests.

Due to these weather changes, there is a strict turnaround time of 10 am. If the peak is not reached by then, you must turn back for safety reasons.

For those with less mountaineering experience, it is recommended to stay on Stanley Glacier and climb to a good vantage point on a rocky outcrop on the southern edge of Alexandra Peak to enjoy spectacular views over Congo and the lower mountain ridges.

After reaching the peak at 5,109 meters, you will descend directly to Hunwick’s Camp at 3,874 meters.

Descend to Kiharo Camp

Rwenzori Mountains - From Hunwick’s Camp, begin the day by climbing a ridge towards McConnell’s Prong, where you will enjoy the best views of all three peaks and Scott Elliott’s Pass. Continue to Oliver’s Pass at 4,505 meters, located 3 km from Hunwick’s Camp.

The trail then traverses below Weismann’s Peak to the confluence of the Nyamwamba River, which flows through Kilembe and Kasese to Lake George in Queen Elizabeth National Park. On a clear day, you can enjoy fantastic views of Margherita and Mt Stanley, Mt Speke, and Mt Baker.

After crossing the confluence, the trail meanders down the valley to Kiharo Camp, situated in a deep valley with high cliffs and dense vegetation.

Final Descent to Kilembe

Rwenzori Mountains - Awaken to the calls of the Ruwenzori Turaco (Ruwenzorornis johnstoni) and other birds.

After a hearty breakfast, begin your descent down the Nyambwamba Valley. The trail is mostly downhill and offers stunning views, moss-covered rocks along the river, cascading waterfalls, deep valleys, and forests.

In the clear areas, you may spot a Duiker quietly feeding as you pass along the river. This area likely has the highest population of Rwenzori Red Duikers in the National Park.

A few kilometers down the river, the trail becomes steeper with numerous stunning waterfalls. After the waterfalls, climb over a high ridge and then descend through dense forests with breathtaking views of the valley below.

Stop at Forest View Camp for lunch before continuing back to base camp in Kilembe.

Crater Lake Hike in Fort Portal and Transfer to Kibale Forest

Kibale National Park - After a 2-hour drive to Fort Portal, stretch your legs with a short hike around some of the Crater Lakes in the area. The views are breathtaking, and with clear weather, you can even see the white peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains.

Enjoy lunch in Fort Portal (not included) before a 2-hour drive to Kibale National Park. Upon arrival, enter a completely different world filled with fascinating monkey activity.

While the primary focus is tracking chimps, the forest is home to at least 12 primate species, including the Red-tailed Monkey, Olive Baboon, Black and White Colobus Monkey, and Blue Monkey.

The forest also boasts abundant birdlife, including the beautiful Great Blue Turaco. If you are fortunate, you may even catch a glimpse of a wandering herd of African forest elephants.

Chimp Tracking and Swamp Walk in Kibale

Kibale National Park - After an early morning breakfast, your driver/guide will take you to the Kibale National Park office for a briefing on tracking chimpanzees in the wild.

Embark on a guided primate walk in search of chimpanzees and 12 other primates, including l’ Hoestes, Red colobus, blue, red-tailed monkeys, brown monkeys, and grey-cheeked mangabey.

Park rangers will provide detailed explanations, not only about primates but also about all the forest fauna and flora, ensuring your walk is informative and enjoyable.

After locating the chimps, you will spend 1 hour with them before returning to the park offices.

Return to the lodge for lunch and refreshment.

After lunch, visit the community and take a walk in Bigodi Swamp, home to the great blue Turaco bird. The swamp hosts around 200 bird species and 8 primate species. Later, return to your accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay.

Return to Kampala – Airport Transfer

Entebbe - After breakfast, you will be driven back to Kampala (approximately 8 hours). From Kampala, proceed to Entebbe airport for your departure flight.

• Park-entrance fees for all National parks included.
• 1 Gorilla and 1 chimp permit per person.
• Transport in a 4WD vehicle with pop-up roof.
• Complimentary drinking water throughout the safari.
• Full Board accommodation (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner).

• International air fares, Entry visa Uganda and Personal (medical/travel) insurance
• Meals that are not part of your accommodation and all expenses of personal nature
• A porter for during the gorilla tracking’s (someone who carries your daypack).

This excursion to see gorillas and the Rwenzori mountain range is an ultimate exploration through Uganda’s gorillas, chimpanzees and the legendary Rwenzori range.

You’ll have the chance to interact with gorillas and chimps in their native landscape, and escalate to Uganda’s highest point, the summit of the Rwenzori range.

From the mesmerizing experience of gazing into the eyes of a dominant silverback gorilla to overcoming Africa’s most challenging ascent, your adventure will be one that many have only fantasized about and only a few have been fortunate enough to live through.

Although this journey will challenge both your resolve and physical strength, it is absolutely rewarding and manageable for most adventurers. Prepare to appreciate nature’s splendor and push your boundaries on this enduring expedition.

You’re invited to peruse the detailed itinerary for a better understanding of what this safari could offer you. Do remember that all our travels are highly customizable and can be adapted to suit your preferences.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.