General introduction
Mount Rwenzori hiking safari offers enthusiastic hikers on Uganda safaris opportunity to explore and experience the spectacular peaks of the Rwenzori Mountain ranges. Rwenzori Mountain is every climber’s dream destination when it comes to breathtaking adventures.
The 9 days Mount Rwenzori trek offers hikers the best opportunity to hike to the top of the Rwenzori Mountain ranges. On the 9 days of hiking Rwenzori Mountains, visitors navigate through the designated trail-heads to visit the different peaks that make up the Rwenzori Massifs although the target of most hikers is to exploring the Margherita peak. The Margherita peak is Rwenzori’s highest point rising up to 5109m and your hiking safari, your trip may begin and end in Entebbe or Kampala.
Day one of the 9 days of climbing Rwenzori Mountains can be used for visitors to transfer to Rwenzori Mountains National Park. The road trip to Rwenzori National Park starts from Entebbe or Kampala, connecting through Masaka-Mbarara to Kasese in Western Uganda or pass via Mubende-Fort Portal Tourism City. Traveling from Kampala via Mbarara offers the most interesting road trip given the amazing stopover points en-route including the Equator crossing at Kayabwe. Lunch can also be enjoyed en-route especially at Igongo Cultural Centre or any hotel at Mbarara City before connecting to the Rwenzori Mountains National Park.
On day one, overnight stay at Rwenzori Mountains National Park can be had in Rwenzori Base Mountain Camp for budget travelers on Uganda safari, Hotel Margherita-a mid-range/moderate accommodation option. Day two is when actual trek begins and this starts at Nyakalengija offices with briefing and the first trek takes you 10kms to camp at Nyabitaba Hut which is at 2652m. This is approximately 5 to 7 hours and it leads you via the picturesque River Mubuku.
Day three of the 9 days of climbing Rwenzori Mountains will mainly involve continuation of your journey from Nyabitaba Hut to John Matte Hut at 3414m, about 7 hours’ hike. Pass via Bujuku River and enjoy view of the surrounding then overnight will be at John Matte Hut.
Day four, leave John Matte Hut to Bujuku Hut (3972m) 3-5 hours and day five, hike from Bujuku to Elena Hut. The Elena Hut is at elevation 4430m and the trail takes trekkers via the thick vegetation around Mount Stanley & Mount Baker. From Elena Hut to finally Mt. Stanley to have full exploration of Margherita Peak at 5109m. Today, after your picturesque views of the Margherita and surrounding peaks, you can start descending back to Elena Hut, via Kitandara Lake.
Day seven includes continued descending for 6 hours to Baker glaciers and navigate through the rock shelters and overnight at Guy Yeoman Hut at 3261m. Day 8, you leave Guy Yeoman Hut to Nyabitaba Hut, and day 9 will be for you to get back to Nyakalengija offices, about 2 hours. You will meet your driver guide ready for transfer to Entebbe or Kampala 6-7 hours which includes en-route lunch stopover at a hotel in Mbarara City.
Vegetation
On actual day trek to Margherita, your Rwenzori hiking safari lets you explore the varied and distinct five vegetation zones at different altitudinal ranges. The Rwenzori Mountains boasts of the spectacular vegetation zones including bamboo, giant lobelia, Alpine zone, montane forest.
Wildlife
When trekking Rwenzori Mountains, expect to encounter interesting wildlife most of which are special and unique to Rwenzori Massifs. The special animal species to expect to sight include L’Hoest monkeys, Forest elephant, Rwenzori golden mole, leopard, buffaloes, duikers, serval cats, chimpanzees, bats, colobus monkeys.
Birds
Rwenzori Mountain is a birder’s haven, sheltering 217 bird species including variety of Albertine rift species. The amazing species of birds to expect to encounter on Mount Rwenzori hiking safari include Rwenzori nightjar, Archer’s robin chat, Rwenzori double colored sunbird, Mountain black boubou. These perfectly spotted along the Kilembe hiking trail.
Best time to go for Mount Rwenzori hiking safari holiday
Mount Rwenzori hiking safaris can be done at anytime of the year but the best time to enjoy your hike is during the dry season. The best drier months to guide you plan a successful Mount Rwenzori hiking safari are June, July, August and December, January, February.