This 15-Day Uganda Wildlife, Gorilla Trekking & Mount Rwenzori Adventure is a memorable vacation, allowing you to explore and rediscover the endowments that Uganda has to offer.
The pleasant adventure is quite unique in that it involves an encounter with the Big 5 including Rhinos in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, elephants, buffaloes, lions, and leopards in Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Parks respectively.
See detailed Uganda safari itinerary for this 15-Day Uganda Wildlife, Gorilla Trekking & Mount Rwenzori Adventure below:
15-Day Rwenzori Hiking & Primate Trekking Tour Highlights
- Day 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
- Day 2: Game Drive and Boat Cruise
- Day 3: Transfer to Kibale National Park
- Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Wetland Tour
- Day 5: Tour Fort Portal Town, Crater Lakes, and Transfer to the Foothills of Mount Rwenzori for Overnight Stay
- Day 6: Sine Hut at 2,596M
- Day 7: Mutinda Camp at 3,582M
- Day 8: Bugata Camp at 4,100M
- Day 9: Hunwick’s Camp
- Day 10: Margherita Camp 4,485M
- Day 11: Climb to the Peak at Mt. Stanley (5,109M) & Descend back to Hunwick’s Camp
- Day 12: To Kiharo Camp
- Day 13: Descend to the Park Headquarters
- Day 14: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park & Afternoon Boat Cruise along Kazinga Channel
- Day 15: Morning Game Drive and Transfer back to Kampala
Detailed 15-Day Rwenzori Hiking & Primate Trekking Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
Early morning at 8 am on this first day of your 15-Day Uganda Wildlife, Gorilla Trekking & Mount Rwenzori Adventure, our safari guide will be waiting for you to embark on this long-day journey to Murchison Falls National Park, definitely the largest conservation area in Uganda and arguably the most beautiful, overlooking the alluring Albertine Escarpments and home to the most powerful waterfalls in the world.
On the way, spare about two hours to visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary located in Nakasongola district. It is the only place in Uganda where you can track to see white rhinos, plus many other mammal and bird species.
Take lunch en route at one of the restaurants in Ziwa Sanctuary or at Kabalega Dinners, and proceed through Masindi town to Murchison Falls National Park. Upon reaching the park, you will drive to the top of Murchison Falls where you have a chance to view the raging falls as they force their way through a 7-meter gorge, forming a cold splash of water in the area and a permanent rainbow.
Take pictures and learn the comprehensive history of these powerful waterfalls. After this encounter, proceed on the drive to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 2: Game Drive and Boat Cruise
Today’s game drive begins early in the morning, before dawn, to be able to see elusive park residents such as leopards, lions, and spotted hyenas. The safari drive traverses the interesting Buligi track, to the Albertine Delta and other surrounding areas that teem with abundant fauna.
This game experience lasts for about 3-4 hours and numerous families of animals can be seen, including elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, waterbucks, topis, warthogs, and Uganda kobs along with predators like lions, leopards, and jackals. Abundant species of birds can also be encountered during this activity.
Retire back to the lodge for relaxation and lunch. After lunch, continue to Paraa Jetty to catch up with a boat trip that begins at 2:00 pm. A 3-hour boat trip along the Victoria Nile is among the highlights of the park, rewarding anyone who undertakes it with amazing sightings of fauna and flora species at a much closer range.
The shores of Victoria Nile upstream teem with numerous wild game including buffaloes, elephants, antelopes, schools of hippos, Nile crocodiles, and abundant bird species.
As you sail upstream, you soon come to a point where Ernest Hemingway’s plane crashed, offering impressive views of Murchison Falls at a distance of about 200 meters and an opportunity for amazing pictures.
There is an option of hiking to the top of the falls for a closer encounter with the waterfalls or returning to the jetty by boat, arriving at around 5 pm. Join your guide and proceed to the lodge.
Day 3: Transfer to Kibale National Park
After breakfast, leave Uganda’s most famous and beautiful park, exiting through a southern gate, and embark on a 7-hour drive southwestwards to Kibale National Park, through Hoima, Kagadi, and Kyenjojo districts.
The journey is filled with verdant and green countryside, hanging Albertine Escarpments, extensive plantations, sweeping savannah, lush forests, and local homesteads. Arrive at Kibale National Park in the evening, check-in, and get ready for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Wetland Tour
In the morning, enjoy an early breakfast and embark on an exhilarating experience to rediscover man’s closest relatives, the chimpanzees which dwell within Kibale Forest. The experience is simply unforgettable as you watch these interesting primates jump from one tree to another, groom each other, and play.
During the trek, you may also encounter other primates including baboons, colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, patas monkeys, etc. Mammals such as forest elephants, forest hogs, bush pigs, and more may also be seen.
Return to the lodge for lunch, relax, and in the afternoon, visit the Bigodi community to learn more about how tourism has been the backbone of community development in this area. Purchase souvenirs from a local crafts shop, made by the Bigodi women’s group.
Day 5: Tour Fort Portal Town, Crater Lakes, and Transfer to the Foothills of Mount Rwenzori for Overnight Stay
Wake up for a morning breakfast and take a short city tour in Fort Portal – a historical colonial town, known as Uganda’s tourism capital, marked by evergreen vegetation, conical hills, an array of crater lakes, romantic scenery, friendly people, and popular for its year-round cool weather.
Visit the scenic crater lakes, some viewed from within the town, and other ancient cultural features such as the Amabere Ga’nyinamwiru caves found on the outskirts of Fort Portal.
After this excursion, embark on a scenic journey to the foothills of Rwenzori Mountains. If time allows, undertake a short nature walk in Rwenzori Mountains National Park. Spend the night at a camp/lodge at the base of Mount Rwenzori ahead of the following day’s adventure.
Day 6: Sine Hut at 2,596M
On this first day of adventure, begin at an altitude of 1,450 meters above sea level and spend the night at 2,596 meters above sea level at Sine Hut or at Kalalama Hut at an altitude of 3,134 meters for fit hikers. This section of the hike presents unequalled views of the lowlands, Lake Edward, and the plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The trek begins by ascending through the floor of the valley, which is an afro-montane forest zone characterized by tall, gigantic trees typical of this altitude. This forest presents chances of spotting blue monkeys, several bird species, primate species, plus splendid views of Enock’s Falls. It is a steady hike of about 6 kilometers, crossing a river to Sine Hut.
At 2,596 meters, Sine Camp is set amidst tall afro-montane trees along a narrow ridge, offering trekkers an opportunity to enjoy pleasant views of the forest, waterfalls, and a campfire in the night where guides can share stories and legends about this historical mountain.
Day 7: Mutinda Camp at 3,582M
Hiking to Mutinda Camp commences at 8:30 am with a steep climb through a bamboo-mimulopsis zone. During the wet season, this zone tends to get slippery and muddy, making the trek rather challenging and slow. However, as you climb to Kalalama Camp at 3,147 meters above sea level for a coffee break and relaxation, you will pass through a very beautiful forest characterized by conducive weather.
Proceed on the trek through meandering trails, small streams, moss-covered waterfalls, and numerous small knolls aiming for Mutinda Camp at 3,582 meters. The trail later twists and turns as you hike up the valley, marked with numerous plants, flowers, and incredible views.
This afternoon, you can continue to Mutinda Lookout, a 2-3 hour two-way climb offering amazing views of moss-covered waterfalls at 3,925 meters, as well as views of the Rwenzori Mountains, Kasese town, and Lake George. Overnight stay at Mutinda Camp at 3,582 meters.
Day 8: Bugata Camp at 4,100M
The path to Bugata Camp is boggy, especially during the rainy season. To make the going easier, trekkers are advised to step on the small patches of grass along the trail. Cross the Mutinda Valley, marked with everlasting flowers among many giant lobelias before hiking further across a steep section through Namusangi Valley at 3,840 meters. Here, you will find exciting views of waterfalls as well as Mutinda Peaks. The trail up to Bugata Camp (4,100 meters) is quite steep and wide with many twists and turns.
Day 9: Hunwick’s Camp
Climb to Hunwick’s Hut through Bamwanjara Trail. From Bugata Camp at 4,100 meters, cross through a ridge, then descend through Bamwanjara Pass and ascend later at 4,450 meters. At this point, there’s a hut where trekkers can relax, have a cup of coffee, or seek refuge in case of heavy rains.
On a clear day, enjoy panoramic views of the three main summits – Mt. Baker, Weismann’s Peak, and McConnell’s Prong from this trail. Pass through thick lush vegetation, home to moss, giant groundsel, and lobelia.
There is also a possibility to spot the famous malachite sunbirds feeding and breeding from the lobelia flowers. Hunwick’s Camp is located right on top of the valley, offering unrivaled views of Mount Stanley, Weismann’s Peak, McConnell’s Prong, and Mount Baker.
Day 10: Margherita Camp 4,485M
Begin the climb at 6:30 am, anticipating it to take approximately 4-6 hours of ascent and 2-3 hours of descent. First, hike to Mount Baker (4,842m) through McConnell’s Camp, taking about 3-4 hours in ascent and 3 hours in descent respectively.
However steep the climb to Mount Baker may seem, it is considered non-technical except during the rainy season months (April-May and September-November). This period is considered snow season, and the ice-covered rocks tend to be slippery, requiring safety ropes to be used at all times.
A 300-meter walk will soon bring you to the peak after climbing through the glacier and along a crack. On a clear day, enjoy views of the main summits – Margherita, Alexandria, and Stanley, as well as plateaus, glaciers, and snow-capped peaks. After this experience, trek back to McConnell’s Camp and stay overnight here.
Day 11: Climb to the Peak at Mt. Stanley (5,109M) & Descend back to Hunwick’s Camp
The trek starts as early as 2:00 am with an early breakfast at the camp, beginning the hike to Mount Stanley by 2:30 am. This early rise is necessary due to weather changes on Mount Rwenzori, which cause heavy snowfalls from 1 pm to 4 pm, caused by clouds rising up from extensive Congo rainforests.
Due to such weather changes, trekkers are required to reach Margherita Peak by 10 am for safety reasons. Global warming has also affected the Margherita Glacier, making the outer edges steeper with one part of around 200 meters having a grade of more than 60%.
For climbers with less mountaineering expertise, it is advisable to stay on Stanley Glacier and find a perfect vantage point on a rock outcrop on the edge of Alexandria Peak to enjoy fine views of D.R. Congo and lower Rwenzori Mountain ranges. Ascend to Margherita Peak (5,109m) and then descend back to Hunwick’s Camp (3,874m) for an overnight stay.
Day 12: To Kiharo Camp
Begin the day by hiking up a ridge to McConnell’s Prong, which offers the best views of all three peaks as well as Scott Elliot’s Pass before arriving at Oliver’s Pass at 4,505m. The trek cuts across Weismann’s Peak to River Nyamwamba Confluence, which flows down through Kasese, Kilembe, and Lake George.
You can climb further to Weismann’s Peak at 4,620 meters from Oliver’s Pass, where you can clearly spot Margherita, Mount Stanley, and Mount Baker. The trail further meanders to Kiharo Camp after the confluence, characterized by high cliffs, dense vegetation, and a ridge of stones piled there by slow-moving glaciers that suddenly stopped moving, melted, and created piles of debris and rocks.
Day 13: Descend to the Park Headquarters
The trek from Kiharo Camp to Park Headquarters is about 12.2 km, walking for about 5-8 hours. For those needing to connect to Kampala or continue to other destinations on the same day, leave the camp as early as possible.
The descent down Nyamwamba Valley is downhill and pleasant with great views, cascading waterfalls, lush forests, and deep valleys. Arrive at the base camp and immediately transfer to the hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 14: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park & Afternoon Boat Cruise along Kazinga Channel
Have a relaxed breakfast and leave the foothills of Mount Rwenzori heading for Queen Elizabeth National Park. Pass the equator line in Kikorongo where you can take memorable photos, visit Kasese town for a short town tour, and visit the Rwenzori Bronze Casting Center – the only one of its kind in East Africa.
Arrive at Queen Elizabeth National Park just in time for a boat cruise along Kazinga Channel. A two-hour boat trip along the Kazinga Channel is a highlight of the park, rewarding anyone who undertakes it with sightings of abundant fauna and flora species at a much closer range.
The shores of Kazinga Channel teem with numerous wild game including buffaloes, elephants, antelopes, hippos, crocodiles, and abundant bird species. Return from this boat trip at around 4 pm, join your guide at the jetty, and proceed to the lodge.
Day 15: Morning Game Drive and Transfer back to Kampala
Today’s game drive begins early in the morning, before dawn, to see elusive park residents such as leopards, lions, and spotted hyenas. The safari drive traverses the sweeping Kasenyi Plains, Katwe Salty Lake, and other surrounding crater lakes including the Queen’s Pavilion.
This game experience lasts for about 3-4 hours, seeing numerous families of fauna including elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, topis, warthogs, and kobs along with predators like lions, leopards, and jackals.
Abundant species of birds can also be encountered during this activity. Conclude the safari experience, return to the lodge for a cup of coffee, refresh, and check out to begin your journey back to Kampala or Entebbe Airport to catch your departure flight.
End of 15-Day Uganda Wildlife, Gorilla Trekking & Mount Rwenzori Adventure.
