10 Days Chimpanzee and Mountain Rwenzori Trek

The 10 Days Chimpanzee and Mountain Rwenzori Trek takes you Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park and Mountain Rwenzori Hike in Mountain Rwenzori National Park in Uganda.

Trip Overview of the 10 Days Chimpanzee and Mountain Rwenzori Trek

Day 1: Arrival and Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest National Park

Day 3: Transfer to rwenzori and start hiking Nyakalengija (1615m) – Nyabitaba Hut (2651m)

Day 4 : Nyabitaba (2651m) – Mubuku River (2600m) John Matte Hut (3380m)

Day 5: John Matte (3380m) to Bujuku (3962m)

Day 6 : Bujuku (3977m) to Elena Hut (4541m)

Day 7 : Elena Hut (4541m) to Margherita peak– Kitandara hut (4027m)

Day 8: Kitandara (4027m) – Fresh field Pass (4282m) – Guy Yeoman (3450m)

Day 9 : Guy Yeoman (3450m) – Nyakalengija (1615m)

Day 10: Kasese back to Kampala

Detailed Itinerary of the 10 Days Chimpanzee and Mountain Rwenzori Trek

Day 1: Arrival and Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

On arrival at the Entebbe International Airport, you transfer to the stunning Kibale Forest National Park located a few kilometres off Fort Portal Town. Transfer for some hours and when you reach the Park, check-in your lodge for Dinner and Overnight. Prinates’Lodge kibale, Chimpanzee View Guest House.

Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest National Park

Wake up early have breakfast then transfer to the Park headquarters for briefing on the Dos and Don’ts around the Chimpanzees then later in groups of 6 with a park ranger guide, penetrate the forest to track the Chimpanzees for 2-4 hours and when you meet them, only an hour is allowed in their presence taking numerous photos to keep for memories.  After Chimpanzee Tracking, proceed back to your lodge for Dinner and Overnight. Primates’ lodge Kibale, Chimpanzee View Guest House.

Day 3: Transfer to rwenzori and start hiking Nyakalengija (1615m) – Nyabitaba Hut (2651m)

Wake up very early and start the drive from Queen Elizabeth to Rwenzori Mountains National park which is the known destination for all rwenzori trekking tours . Arrive at the park headquarter and start the hike to explore the magical margherita peak on the mountains of the moon.

The Rwenzori Central circuit trail begins by passing through farmland to the park boundary beyond which it follows the Mubuku River, crossing its Mahoma tributary before starting a long, steep climb up onto a massive ridge to reach Nyabitaba hut. The hike takes around 5 -6 hours. During this part of the trip you may hear chimpanzee and see black and white colobus, blue monkey and the brilliantly coloured Rwenzori turaco.

 Day 4 : Nyabitaba (2651m) – Mubuku River (2600m) John Matte Hut (3380m)

As early morning you will enjoy breakfast at the camp , start the hike 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 and exhausting 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, for Dinner and Overnight at the Hut. The hike takes around 6 -7 hours.

Day 5: John Matte (3380m) to Bujuku (3962m)

Morning breakfast done first the camp, set off 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 Bujukuhut.The hike takes around 5 -6 hours.

Day 6 : Bujuku (3977m) to Elena Hut (4541m).

After having Break fast at the Camp, you will Leave 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 the trail on he left leads those who are not climbing Margherita Peak to Kitandara Hut.

Those climbing the peak will have their Dinner and Overnight at the coolly and Icy Elena Hut. The hike takes around 4 -5 hours.

Day 7 : Elena Hut (4541m) to Margherita peak– Kitandara hut (4027m)

This day you will have to wake up as early as 2am, Have breakfast at Elena hut then hike to the top of mount Stanley, Margherita peak, through the Stanley plateau and Margherita Glaciers. The guide will teach you how to use the equipment while on the ice. At the top you will have a view of Irene Lake, mount Speke and the surrounding environment.

Then descend to Elena Hut for Lunch and later proceed to descend to Kitandara through the Scott Elliot pass to Kitandara, it is the most beautiful point of the Rwenzori. Have dinner at Kitandara then spend the night. If the group is big, you might spend another night at Elena hut and continue the following day.

Day 8: Kitandara (4027m) – Fresh field Pass (4282m) – Guy Yeoman (3450m)

Have breakfast at Kitandara then move through the base of Mount Baker, which can be slippery so you will need to be so careful. From Kitandara, the trail ascends steeply up the headwall, spreading out from the base of Mount Baker and continuing along the south side of the Rwenzori Mountain to Fresh field pass. From the pass, the long muddy descent continues, passing the rock shelter at Bujangolo

The base camp for the historic expedition by the Duke of Abruzzi in 1906. This will take you around 4-6 hours then reach Guy Yeoman hut which is located at the banks of river Mubuku, have dinner and spend the night.

Day 9 : Guy Yeoman (3450m) – Nyakalengija (1615m)

Have breakfast at Guy Yeoman hut then descend back to Nyakalengija which is about 6 hours. Dinner and Overnight at the Base.

Day 10: Kasese back to Kampala

After Early morning breakfast, you will start to drive from Kasese to Kampala via Fort portal enjoying the scenic view of the fort portal and other forests.

Inclusive

  • Ground Transportation
  • Chimpanzee Tracking Permit
  • Mountain Rwenzori Fees
  • English speaking guide
  • Accommodation, Meals and En-route lunch
  • Drinking water.

Exclusive

  • Air ticket
  • Visa
  • Luxury drinks
  • Cigarette
  • Laundry, tips to porters and any other personal expenses.