Mountain Climbing Safari – Rwenzori, Mountains Of The Moons
Rwenzori is the highest mountain range in Africa. It’s Loftiest peaks, Margherita (5,109m) and Alexandra (5083m) on Mount Stanley, are exceeded in altitude elsewhere in Africa only by Kilimanjaro and Mt. Kenya, both of which are extinct volcanoes standing in isolation above the surrounding plains.
The Rwenzori Mountains are unique among the main peaks of East Africa because they are not originally volcanic, but they rise straight from the valley ground of the Rift and their formation, like that of Kilimanjaro and Kenya, was connected to the geological glacial peaks of the Rwenzori: Mt Speke (4,890M), Mount Emin (4,727m), Mount Gessi (4,715m) and Mount Luigi da Savoia (4,627m).
The Rwenzoris are Known primarily for their challenging hiking and climbing possibilities but the range also supports a diversity of animals including mammal and 177 bird species, several of the latter being Albertine Rift Endemics.
Day 01: Gladly Received To Uganda.
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport via Kampala, our driver guide / tour agent will transfer you to Mbarara town. That will be before heading for the plateau of the mountains of the moon. Then proceed to hotel Margherita for dinner and overnight rest.
Day 02: Equator Glaciers Tour (EGT) Begins.
Wake up early to move the trailhead off Fortportal highway to Nyakalengija. Move to Ibanda to begin climbing the hills for 5-6 hours. Your climb will take you through thick Equatorial vegetation before arriving at the Nyabitaba hut 2650 meters in the late evening. It is a 5 hours ascent to Nyabitaba Hut, passing first through cultivation then through Forest. Dinner and Overnights at Nyabitaba Hut.
Day 03: John Matte Hut.
This is the longest and most strenuous day’s walk; expect it to take a minimum of seven hours. The trail descends through the forest from Nyabitaba hut for a short time before crossing the Bujuku River at the Kurt Schafer Bridge.
Take breakfast; commence on a morning hike through the Kurt Shafer Bridge to wonder at the sparkling Mobuku river conflux. The route is nice for the first few hours, but as you reach the moorland zone where heather crops are Prolific, it becomes steeper and very rocky.
Have Lunch at Nyamileju Hut where there is a little used and rather run-down Hut, as well as a rock shelter. A climb through the open patches, Lobelia, and Heath moss forest before maneuvering a 2 hours ‘walk to the John Matte hut for an overnight.
Day 04: Bujuku Hut.
Early retreat through the gigantic and heat trees of Lobelias. You move up to the Bigo Bog and Lobelias and giant Groundsels panoramic landscape. This takes up to five hours, depending on the condition of the two Bigo Bogs, which are often Knee-deep in Mud.
On the way the hut you will pass lake Bujuku, which has a magnificent setting between mounts Stanley, Speke and Baker. Later, go for dinner and an overnight at Bujuku hut (3997 meters).
Day 05: Mount Victoria & Mount Speke.
Leave for the valley early in the morning with picturesque alpine vegetation composed of enormous grounds and Lobelia, ascending Mount Victoria and Mount Speke at (4890 metres).
Day 06: Elena Hut.
Depart through the beautiful panorama of the glaciers of Savoia and Elena climb up to the Scott Elliott Pass (4372 meters) and continue through the snow to the Elena hut for overnight rest.
Day 07: Final Ascent To The Alps Of Africa!
Early morning climb up to the snowy Alexander peak (5092m); and then move onwards to the supreme peak at (5109m), it gives a good panoramic view and hence a great photo opportunities available. There after descend to the beautiful lake Kitandara for overnight stay at Kitandara safaris hut (3900m).
Day 08: Descent, Guy Yeoman Hut.
The plunge begins after an early breakfast. Have a picnic luncheon on your manner, after which we will travel to Guy Yeoman hut for lunch and the remainder of the night.
Day 09: Back To Kasese.
Get off at Nyabitaba and go to Ibanda and check in for overnight rest at Margherita Hotel.
Day 10: Back To Kampala.
Transfer back to Kampala and continue for your evening flight to Entebbe Airport.
END OF THE HIKING SAFARI