9 Days Rwenzori Trekking & Chimpanzee watching

This 9-day trip includes trekking for chimpanzees in Kalinzu Forest and a satisfying trek up Cheptegei Peak (4,907 m) in the Rwenzori Mountains. The trip goes from Uganda’s beautiful jungles in the lowlands to striking mountainous areas with glaciers.
Your journey starts in Kampala, and it takes you through the thick woods full of monkeys and then up into the famous “Mountains of the Moon.”  The hike takes a well-known Rwenzori route with gradual acclimatization. It goes over famous parts, like Bigo Bog, Scott Elliot Pass, and Kitandara Lakes. A glacier-supported push to the top give’s hikers stunning, wide-ranging views of Uganda and Congo. The adventure ends with a beautiful drop and transfer through Queen Elizabeth National Park, where mountains meet the countryside of Africa.

Highlights: 9 Days rwenzori & Chimpanzee Tracking

Day 1: Kampala to Kalinzu & afternoon chimpanzee tracking

Day 2: Drive to Rwenzori mountains and start the 7 days hike (Nyakalengija (1650) to Nyabitaba camp (2650m)

Day 3: Nyabitaba (2650) m to Johnmaate camp (3505) m

Day 4: Johnmaate camp (3505) m to Bujuku camp (3900) m

Day 5: Bujuku hut (3900) m to Elena hut (4541) m

Day 6: Elena hut (4541) m to Cheptegei peak 4907m and back to Kitandara lakes camp (4022) m

Day 7: Kitandara lakes camp 4022m to Guyeoman camp 3505m.

Day 8: Guyeoman 3505m to Nyabitaba camp 2560m and drive to Queen Elizabeth national park

Day 9: Transfer back to Kampala

Detailed 9 Days Rwenzori Trekking & Chimpanzee Safari.

Day 1: Kampala to Kalinzu Forest & Afternoon Chimpanzee Tracking

After being picked up early in Kampala, you will drive west to the Kalinzu Forest Reserve. The drive goes through hilly farmland, tea farms, and small towns.

In the afternoon, you go into the bush with experienced guides to look for chimpanzees. Kalinzu’s thick forest is full of birds and monkeys.

During your trek you might see black-and-white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and blue monkeys in addition to chimps. After you find the chimps, you watch them move through the canopy for a while as they play in the trees. After these adventure you will head to your lodge for an overnight stay.

Day 2: Drive to Rwenzori Mountains & Trek to Nyabitaba Camp (2,650m)

After eating breakfast, you drive north to the Rwenzori Mountains. As you get closer to Nyakalengija (1,650m), which is where the treks start, you can see the peaks covered in snow far off in the distance.

You will start your trek after meeting your mountain guides and porters for a briefing and equipment check. The path goes through Afro-montane forest zone and tracks the Mahoma River. During your trek you might see blue and colobus monkeys on your journey.  Nyabitaba Camp is a 5 to 6 hours hike and it stands at an elevation of 2,650 meters and is on a hill with wide views of the valley below. You will spend the night at Nyabitaba Camp.

Day 3: Nyabitaba Camp (2,650m) to John Matte Camp (3,505m)

The trek goes down a short distance when you leave Nyabitaba and then goes across the Kurt Shafer Bridge, which is over the Bujuku River. There is a steep climb after the bamboo forest, leading to the area of giant heather where the scenery is covered with trees in moss.  Then it continues through wetland areas and valleys with lots of plants. It follows the river upstream under the heathers, which are very tall and covered in moss.
You will get to John Matte Camp, which is at a height of 3,505 meters. The camp is in a wide valley with steep mountains and thick plants all around it and this where you will spend the night.

Day 4: John Matte Camp (3,505m) to Bujuku Camp (3,900m)

 

Today’s the hike goes through the famous Bigo Bog, which is a very strange swamp at a high elevation with wooden walkways going through it. This special place is defined by giant lobelias, eternal flowers, and ground covered in moss.
The tops of Mount Stanley, Mount Baker, and Mount Speke can be seen from the Upper Bujuku Valley. The road keeps going straight to Bujuku Camp (3,900m), which is between alpine lakes and under tall rock walls.  And you will spend the night at Bujuku Camp.

Day 5: Bujuku Camp (3,900m) to Elena Hut (4,541m)

From Bujuku Camp, the trail goes up steeply toward Scott Elliot Pass, climbing through rocky alpine country. As you go higher, the air gets thinner and the scenery changes to be stark and dramatic.
After you cross the pass, you go down a little bit before the last climb to Elena Hut (4,541 m), which is under the Stanley Glacier. The rest of the day is spent resting, drinking water, and getting ready for the summit try at Elena Hut Overnight.

Day 6: Elena Hut to Cheptegei Peak (4,907m) & Descend to Kitandara Lakes Camp (4,022m)

If you start early in the mountains, you will be roped up for the climb. From the Stanley Glacier, you go up gradually and then split off toward Cheptegei Peak. The climb involves a short scramble over rocks and is slowed mainly by altitude.

At the top of Cheptegei Peak (4,907 m), you can see all of Uganda and Congo, as well as Alexandra Peak, Mount Speke, the Bujuku Valley, and the glaciers near them.After the celebration at the top, you go down Freshfield Pass to the beautiful Kitandara Lakes Camp (4,022m), which is between the mountains at the lakes’ shores.
The night will be spent at Kitandara Lakes camp

Day 7: Kitandara Lakes Camp (4,022m) to Guy Yeoman Camp (3,505m)

The path from Kitandara goes up a little and then crosses Freshfield Pass. It then goes down for a long time into the Mubuku Valley. The land slowly changes from hard, steep mountains to valleys with moss and giant groundsels.
Waterfalls flow down the sides of valleys, and the plants get thicker as the height lowers. You will spend the night Guy Yeoman Camp, which is 3,505 meters high and in a protected valley under steep cliffs.

Day 8: Guy Yeoman Camp (3,505m) to Nyabitaba Camp (2,560m) & Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Today is a long drop during which the plant life changes. From Guy Yeoman, the path leads down through wetlands, hilly landscapes formed by glaciers, and thick forest in the mountains.
After you get to Nyabitaba Camp (2,560 m), you will go down to Nyakalengija, which ends the mountain hike. Then you drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, where the land turns into savanna and marshes.  And you will spend the night at there.
Day 9: Transfer Back to Kampala

After your breakfast, you will leave Queen Elizabeth National Park and head back to Kampala. The drive goes through beautiful farmland with crater lakes and small towns.
When you get to Kampala, you know your amazing trip is over.

Tour Inclusion

• Ruwenzori days
• Accommodation and meals on full board on the mountain
• English speak guide
• Park entrance
• Ice climbing equipment (ice axe, crampons, helmet, harness and ropes
• As well as gumboots
• Accommodation on the mountain
• Meals as you hike
• 2 ranger guides
• 2 porters per person
• Cheff/cook

Tour exclusion

• All personal expenses