Mountain Rwenzori Hiking

9 Days 8 Nights

Rates are per person (pp) and based on 2 people sharing 1 room
Excluding international flights (from/to your home country)

rwenzori mountains

Overview

This 9 Days Mountain Rwenzori Hiking trip is one of the most physical and yet still most interesting of hikes you can do while in Uganda, with Mountain Rwenzori stretching high up to a height of 5,109 meters above see level. Hikers and mountain trekkers that plan to embark on the trek of Rwenzori mountains can either use the Rwenzori central circuit or the Kilembe trekking route for this interesting trekking up hill to climb Rwenzori Mountains national park in Uganda, this tour can bee booked based on the number of days you have at hand and levels of physical ability to take on this adventure to hike up to the top of the snow capped mountains. The mountain lies close to the Equator in the south. We do organize trip to the area and can arrange for you one based on the days you have and guarantee your safety and security while on this trip with us.

With this I have attached herewith our 9 Days Mountain Rwenzori Hiking trip Kilembe Rwenzori trekking tour starts from with pickup from Entebbe and ends with a drop off back here at the end of the trip for your flight out, accommodation included and camping gear while at the mountain and other services as mentioned below.

Highlights

  • Safari starts and ends in Entebbe (Uganda)
  • Countryside road trip in an open-sided 4×4 vehicle & pop-up roof 4×4 vehicle
  • A transfer from and back to the airport (or hotel) is included
  • Additional accommodation before the tour departs and on the last day can be arranged for extra cost

Things to Consider

  • Accommodation is Inclusive
  • This hiking tour is guided by the new normal post covid lockdown safari guidelines
  • Small Group Safari: Max 6 People per group
  • Tour Can Depart any day
  • Tour can be customized
  • Solo travelers can join this tour
  • Age Limit: 15 years and above

Detailed Itinerary

Arrival

  • You’ll be picked up from the airport (or hotel)
  • Accommodation before the tour departs can be arranged for extra cost

DAY 1: Transfer from Kampala or Entebbe to Kasese for overnight.

After breakfast, you will be picked up from either the Airport/Guest House to start your trip to Kasese. The drive will take you around 8 hours. You will have a stop over in mubende for lunch and then proceed with your journey to Kasese for overnight at a hotel in area as you prepare yourself for the next days trek.


DAY 2: Transfer to Sine Camp

You will transfer to the footsteps of the mountain to start the Climb up from 1,450 to Sine Hut 2,680m where you spend a night. This hike starts from the valley floor through tall forest trees of the Afro Montane Forest Zone and continues with a steady climb with multitudes of birds and a chance of seeing blue monkeys scampering off through the forest. At times visitors may see troupes of 15 to 20 black and white Colobus monkeys as they swing through the treetops. There are rare sightings of the L’Hoest monkey, which are part of the Bukonzo cultural emblems and are protected by the virtue of the King or Omusinga or you may hear wild chimpanzee in the distance. There is wide variety of plant species from forest trees to bamboos thickets, low shrubs, flowers, fungi, and with many moss and lichen covered vines hanging from the tall trees creating an awesome appeal. Enock’s Falls are just 200 meters from Sine Hut and offer a splendid opportunity to capture a great screensaver for your memories. At Sine Camp 2,596 meters we have wooden huts set between tall forest trees on a narrow ridge where you may sit and enjoy the beauty of the Afro Montane forest while you look down at a fantastic waterfall crashing over the rocks far below.


DAY 3: Climb to Mutinda Camp

Trekking starts at 8.00am and almost immediately you enter the Bamboo-Mimulopsis Zone, which is steep climb with many high steps. In the wet season the bamboo zone is rather muddy and slippery making the going slow. However the atmosphere and the forest is beautiful as you climb 551 meters altitude and a distance of 1.8km to Kalalama Camp at 3,147 meters which is in the Heather-Rapanea Zone where you can take a rest and a quick cup of tea or coffee before heading on to Mutinda Camp. The trail meanders up and over several small knolls along a ridge top then drops down the side of the valley before climbing again, and in doing so cross several small streams and pass close to moss covered waterfalls.


DAY 4: Hike to Bugata Camp

Wake up for breakfast at 8:00am and embark on the trail to Bugata Camp is boggy particularly in the wet season but with a little skill you can step from tussock to tussock to make the going easier. First you cross the Mutinda valley through the tussock grass and everlasting flowers interspersed with many Giant Lobelias before climbing a steep section up to the Namusangi Valley (3,840 meters), with sheer waterfalls and looking back you get fantastic views of Mutinda Peaks. The Namusangi Valley is wide, with many ups and downs as the trail climbs steadily to Bugata Camp at 4,100 meters.


DAY 5: Hike to Hunwik’s Camp

Trek to Hunwick’s Camp via Bamwanjarra Pass. As you leave Bugata Camp you pass up a ridge then drop down slightly before ascending to Bamwanjarra Pass at 4,450 meters where we have a hut should the weather turn bad. From the pass on a clear day you get excellent views of the three main peaks. The trail passes down the valley and around the edge of some bogs and thick evergreen vegetation, moss. Giant groundsel and lobelia.

Here is possibly the best place in all the Rwenzori to observe the Malachite Sunbird as it feeds on the many lobelia flowers and a known breeding site. Farther on there is some steep sections before a steady climb up and over a ridge to Hunwick’s Camp which is situated on the top of a deep valley and has good views of Mt Stanley, Mt Baker, Weismanns Peak and McConnell’s Prong.


DAY 6: Transfer to Kiharo Camp

From Hunwick’s we pass down and across the valley floor to Lake Kitendara which is very stunning with deep water and beautiful vegetation. From here you climb up Scott Elliott’s pass then up the ridge to Margherita Camp 4,485 meters which is situated between some huge rocks and offering some shelter from the strong winds. This is the very spot where the Duke of Abruzzi camped when making his climb to Margherita Peak in 1906.


DAY 7: Descend to Samalira Camp

Wake up at 2 am and catch an early breakfast before heading off to climb Mt Stanley at 2.30am. This is necessary as the weather has changed a lot and often even during the dryer season the mountain is closed in with heavy clouds and snowfalls from 1 pm to 4pm and this happens within a short period of 10 to 15 minutes as the clouds rise up from the extensive Congo rainforests.

For those clients with less mountaineering experience we suggest that you stay on Stanley glacier and climb up to a good vantage point on a rocky outcrop on the southern edge of Alexandra Peak to enjoy fantastic views over Congo and the lower mountain ridges After ascending the peak at 5,109 meters you then pass directly down to Hunwick’s Camp at 3.874 meters.


DAY 8: Descend to Base Camp

From Hunwick’s Camp we start the day by climbing up a ridge towards McConnell’s Prong where you get the best views of all three peaks and Scott Elliott’s Pass before reaching Oliver’s Pass at 4,505 meters. The distance from Hunwick’s Camp to the top of Olivers Pass is 3km the trail then cuts across below Weismann’s Peak to the confluence of the Nyamwamba River, which flows down thought Kilembe and Kasese to Lake George in Queen Elisabeth National Park.

After crossing the confluence the trail meanders down the valley to Kiharo Camp at which is situated in a deep valley with high cliffs and dense vegetation. On the way down the valley after each bog you will climb over a ridge of stones and earth which seems out of place but actually was pushed there by slow moving glaciers which eventually stopped moving, melted and left a pile of rocks and debris in front of where the glacier once stood.


DAY 9: Back to Entebbe/airport

After breakfast the guide will pick you from the hotel and drive back to Kampala at the hotel or drop off at the airport.

End of Tour

  • Additional accommodation can be arranged for extra cost
  • You’ll be dropped off at the airport (or hotel)

COST PER PERSON SHARING

PersonsDatePrice per person
1 PersonAny dateUSD2535.00
2 PersonsAny dateUSD2515.00
3 PersonsAny dateUSD2435.00
4 PersonsAny dateUSD2380.00
5 PersonsAny dateUSD2320.00
6 PersonsAny dateUSD2260.00

Cost Includes

  • Airport transfers on first and last day
  • Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle
  • Services of an English speaking driver guide
  • Fuel for the whole trip
  • Accommodation and meal plan as per the itinerary
  • Accommodation whilst in the Mountain
  • All Porters
  • All park entrance fees
  • Drinking water while in the vehicle
  • Hiking gear
  • Park entrance fees of Rwenzori Mountain National park

Cost excludes

  • Pre and post tour accommodation in Entebbe or Kampala
  • International airfares
  • Uganda Visa (USD50.00 which can be paid on arrival at the Airport
  • Items of personal nature such as tips, drinks, and laundry

Safari Vans

STANDARD: 4X4 SAFARI VAN

Our standard mode of transport is by road and we use 4×4 Safari Vans customized for game viewing and photography. Each safari van comes with a professionally trained driver guide and fuel for the whole safari. Our Safari vans have viewing hatches and each client is entitled to a window seat. Our Vans can take up to eight people. We also have 4×4 Super Customs very comfortable and stable on the road. These carry up to 5 people with their luggage. We also have 4×4 RAV 4 for a group of two people

Safari land cruiser

UPGRADE: 4X4 LUXURY SAFARI LANDCRUISER

We have luxury latest Land cruisers each driven by professionally trained driver guides and fuel. They have pop-up roofs for proper game viewing and photography. They come with a small fridge for cooling your drinking water while on safari (which is always included while IN THE VEHICLE). They have inverters for charging small gadgets such as your smartphones and cameras. They can seat five to a maximum of seven people and each client is guaranteed of a window seat.

New Normal Travel Guidelines (SOPs)

At Encounter Africa Safaris our core value is to provide you with an authentic safari experience during these new and changing times when the whole world is alert about the ongoing pandemic of the Coronavirus. Encounter Africa Safari Travel SOPS have been put in place to ensure the wellbeing, safety and health of our clients and as such guidelines and measures have been put in place as we return to the new normal post covid-19. All these are in line with advice, guidelines and procedures for a post covid-19 traveler put in place by WHO, UNWTO, UWA, AUTO, UTB and Civil Aviation.

General recommendations for personal hygiene, cough etiquette and keeping a distance of at least one meter from persons showing symptoms remain particularly important for all travelers and even those without symptoms. These include:

  • Perform hand hygiene frequently, particularly after contact with respiratory secretions. Hand hygiene includes either cleaning hands with soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand rub. Alcohol-based hand rubs are preferred and are not easily soiled. All travelers are advised to carry with.
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a flexed elbow or paper tissue when coughing or sneezing and disposing immediately of the tissue and performing hand hygiene; the recommended type of mask is the N95.
  • Refrain from touching mouth, eyes and nose, in general areas of the face.
  • Postponing travel plans in cases of illness, and avoiding contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections, hence social distance of at least one meter apart and if you are not sure of your health then postpone travel until you feel

On arrival at the airport or any entry point

  • Mandatory temperature screening using non-contact infra-red thermometers at the key tourism gates at the Airport.
  • Clients are required to have tested for the Virus prior to travel dates and should carry with medical documents supported by medical evidence and consistent with health best practices.
  • A non-contact system (digital travel) has been introduced at the Airport for clients to check in and out and at visa points, you will be attended to by someone behind a glass shield and they will also wear face masks and protectors to maintain as little contact as possible.
  • It’s now a must for all travel bags to be wrapped in plastic bags for travelers who are checking in at the Airport.
  • Mandatory hand washing / sanitizing at all entrances of the Airport for all travelers and staff.
  • Face masks are a must for all travelers, the recommended mask is an N95.
  • Tours should not exceed more than 4 in a group to maintain social distancing and walk marks in place around the airport.

In the vehicle while traveling.

  • Regular communication of safety protocols and responsibilities to clients, and to keep them informed and reminded to stay vigilant while enjoying.
  • Onboard sanitizing tissues and/or fluids to clients (travelers) and staff (driver guides and the like) will be available and we encourage you to use them.
  • Making stops along the way for gas, food, or bathroom breaks can put you and your traveling companions in close contact with other people and surfaces. Hence we will minimize the stops and set designated stopping areas that we prove to be safe for our health and we will encourage a takeaway food system to seating in hotels during stops. We rather encourage picnic eating along the way.
  • Cleaning all surfaces more frequently, using products and disinfectants that meet requirements with special attention to high-touch surfaces like vehicle door knobs, picnic boxes, hand rests, refrigerators, etc.
  • Redesigning all processes towards a more digital and touchless approach in all possible touch-points. Like cashless payment points as money has been found to spread the virus.
  • Reduce the number of objects on board. Limit luggage quantities while traveling to only what is enough for your tour.

At the lodge.

Encounter Africa Safaris is working with only those lodges that have proven to uphold the health of our clients first and practicing as per the guidelines of WHO as below;

  • Our partner hotels, lodges and restaurants are those that have increased the frequency of cleaning in common areas and contact surfaces and rooms. The lodges have also gone further to put hand sanitizers in both the common room and in bedrooms.
  • Social distancing is a must in lodges we use of at least one meter which is the standard around the world.
  • Upon arrival standard safety protocols will be outlined and how the lodge is practicing them to prevent spread of the virus in case a person is found to be sick.
  • Our partner hotels and lodges keep spare rooms for possible sick or quarantine guests that are suspected to have the virus and later inform authorities about it.
  • The hotels and lodges we use have implemented contactless check-in and provide guests with a hygiene welcome kit where possible (this may include gloves, masks, and sanitizers).
  • Where possible temperature will be taken using a contactless infra-red thermometer as a basic standard for checking the common symptom of covid-19.
  • The partner lodges have adopted new services such as room service or picnic takeaway to reduce convergence in the common dining area at the lodge and also you are encouraged to avoid buffets while ordering for meals as these attract many people.
  • Our partners lodges and hotels foster flexibility in all their operations, such as those that can amend bookings if clients are not able to make it at suggested times and those that can keep credit for the client until when they are fit to travel.

At the national parks.

  • All Staff and visitors shall wear the right face masks that have been prescribed by Ministry of Health (Visitors will carry their own masks an N95).
  • Staff of Uganda Wildlife Authority will inform the visitor of the general government approved covid operational guidelines. They will explain to the visitor the UWA safety COVID measures (DOs and DONTs) during their tour and stay within the protected areas.
  • The tourists shall be required to provide a certificate that shows that they are COVID negative, either provided by our Ministry of Health or the relevant authority from the country most recently visited.
  • Temperature screening will be done at the key tourism gates of the different National Park. Those with temperatures above 37.6 degrees Celsius shall not be allowed into the protected areas and shall be advised to seek medical help through the mechanisms set up by authorities to get to the nearest quarantine location.
  • Every tourist shall have wash and disinfect their hands at all entry points to the protected areas. Sanitary alcohol sanitizer dispensers as well as hand washing facilities with soap shall be installed at all entry points.
  • There will be regular disinfecting of common areas with heavy tourist contact before, during and after visiting hours. These include information counters, service desks, waiting areas, park offices and toilets. Toilets in particular should be cleaned at least every 2 hours
  • Where applicable, transparent screens will be fitted at all, park gate counters. The staff manning the gate will only allow visitors who have the prescribed face masks and who have washed/ sanitized to enter the park

Tourist vehicles and boats within the national parks

  • The National guidelines issued by MoH shall be enforced by tourists while in visiting the National Parks i.e
    • Saloon cars – 3 persons (This does not include the guide, where one is requested and paid for)
    • Buses, mini buses and omnibuses – Half capacity
    • Overlanders – Half capacity
    • Concessionaire delivery vehicles, pick-ups and lories – 2 persons
    • Private boats and launches – Half capacity
    • Tour operator game drive vehicles and UWA owned game drive vehicles – 6 persons
  • Social distancing should be observed within the vehicles
  • Tour operators and service providers will be regularly reminded to disinfect their cars regularly
  • UWA owned vehicles will be washed every day before use and disinfected daily through spray pumps
  • Every protected area shall provide a safe location where this spraying can be done, and where they tour operators can also park their cars to disinfect them
  • All tour operators shall be encouraged to provide their drivers with an alcohol rub/hand sanitizer for frequently or alternatively wear gloves. Caution should however be taken to remove this sanitizer whenever the car is parked
  • All other precautionary measures have to be enforced ie washing hands, social distancing and cautiously using masks

Key Tourism Activities

Briefing of tourists

  • Before engaging in any tourism activities, the tourists shall be given the usual briefing regarding the activities they are about to engage in. In addition to this, the guides shall remind the tourists about the risk / looming dangers of covid and brief them on the general preventative measures government has instituted and the measure they will be expected to abide by while in the Protected Areas, and remind them that it’s both for their safety and that of the wildlife.
  • These guidelines and measures shall also be printed and displayed in key visible areas within the park such as the briefing areas, the gates, the information centres, the canteens, to mention but a few.

Gorilla and Chimpanzee Tracking

  • The existing gorilla and chimpanzee tracking rules and guidelines (see annex) will remain in force to prevent any human to animal transmissions. These include
    • 8 and 6 tourists will be allowed to track the gorillas and chimpanzees respectively
    • The tourists must keep 7m away from the gorillas and chimpanzees
    • Tourists who during the briefing are observed to be overly coughing shall not be allowed to track
    • Tourists who during the briefing are observed to be sick shall not be allowed to track. These include tourists with signs flu, and those who report to have diarrhoea and stomach upsets, malaria etc
  • While the forests are dense and don’t have any specific trails for tracking, the assigned UWA guides shall try as humanly possible to ensure that there is social distancing among the tourists while the tracking takes place
  • The tourists shall be encouraged to carry light equipment to minimise the need for potters while they undertake the tracking. This will be communicated to potential tourists through the tour operators and other fora
  • Due to the reported side effects of putting on masks for long periods and in high altitudes, the number of breaks during the tracking shall be doubled to give tourists time to breathe fresh air.
  • During these breaks, social distancing should be observed

Game Drives

  • The regular park rules shall apply
  • The vehicle guidelines above shall also apply
  • Where a guide is requested, the guide shall sit at the front and shall continuously remind the tourists about the need to social distance
  • Masks shall be worn at all time
  • Where a tourists gets side effects due to putting on a mask for a long time, the tourist shall inform the guide who will find a safe and secure place to park the vehicle and allow for the tourists to get fresh air while maintaining social distance

Boat Cruises

  • The regular park rules shall apply
  • The boat and launches guidelines above shall also apply
  • The UWA owned boats must be cleaned and disinfected every day before any boat cruise activity
  • The concessionaire shall also be required to clean and disinfect their boats every day before any boat activities
  • The guide shall enforce social distancing while on the boat.
  • Masks shall be worn at all time while on the boat
  • Where a tourists gets side effects due to putting on a mask for a long time, the tourist shall inform the guide who will find space within the boat for this client to get some fresh air for a few minutes. This shall be away from the other tourists

Anticipated travel needs for anyone traveling post Covid-19

  • Bring enough of your medicine to last you for the entire trip.
  • Pack enough alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol) and keep it within easy to reach.
  • Bring a cloth face covering to wear in public places. Mask N95 is recommended while traveling to Uganda.
  • Prepare food and water for your trip where possible and avoid eating at places providing buffets.
  • Limit the number of people you get in contact with while on safari.

For more information about safety and healthy responses and updates on Covid-19 in Uganda and East Africa, do not hesitate to contact Encounter Africa Safaris

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