15 days gorilla and rwenzori expedition

Overview

This gorillas and Rwenzori expedition takes you on the ultimate journey to discover Uganda’s gorillas and chimpanzees as well as the fabled Rwenzori mountains.

You will get to meet the gorillas and chimps in their natural habitat, as well as climb to the rooftop top of Uganda at the peak of the Rwenzori mountains.

From the magic of looking into the eyes of a big silverback gorilla to conquering the toughest climb in Africa, your adventure will be one that very many have dreamt about but few have been lucky enough to live and experience.

While this expedition is a test of both the human will and body, it is completely worth it and possible for most people. Get ready to witness the beauty of nature and test your limits on this unforgettable expedition.

Take a closer look at the full itinerary to get a clear idea of what this safari would be like for you. Keep in mind that all our trips are very customizable and can be personalized to match your needs.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Airport pickup

Our driver/guide will wait for you at Entebbe International Airport and welcome you to Uganda. You will then be transferred to your hotel for the night.

Accommodation: Papyrus Guesthouse Entebbe

Meal plan: Dinner

Day 2: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

You will embark on a drive from Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda. The 9-hour journey will take you through the Ugandan countryside with farms, small towns, plantations, and interesting landscapes on your way to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

There are plenty of interesting stopovers along the way, including lunch in Mbarara. You will reach your lodge in the evening.

Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge / Buhoma Community Rest Camp

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Today is the big day! Prepare yourself for an encounter with the gentle giants; the rare mountain gorillas.

For most people, this is the absolute highlight of their trip. You will go into the forest in groups of not more than 8 in search of mountain gorillas. En route, your guide will point out previous signs of gorilla activity such as dung, nests, and chewed bamboo shoots.

Your trek will be an exciting journey along forested slopes, entwined vines, bushes, and bamboo. Upon finding the gorillas, you will spend a maximum of 1 hour with them, after which you will be led back to the starting point.

Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Camp / Buhoma Community Rest Camp

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Drive from Bwindi to Kasese Town.

We depart early today because it’s a fairly long drive to Kasese. The drive takes approximately 7 hours.
You will reach Trekkers Hostel early and have time to rest and get well-prepared to start your mountain climbing adventure.

Trekkers Hostel is 12 kilometers from Kasese town in a deep valley at the end of the road leading to the Rwenzori Mountains National Park.

The surroundings are delightfully green, and you can enjoy the cool weather as the hostel is situated at 1,450 meters above sea level, which is nearly 500 meters above the nearby Kasese town.

Accommodation: Trekkers Hostel.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 5: Hike to Sine Hut (2,596 meters)

You will start by walking up the valley floor through the tall forest trees of the Afro-Montane Forest Zone. This is a steady climb with multitudes of birds and a chance of seeing a wild chimpanzee or blue monkey scampering off through the forest.

At times, visitors may see troupes of 15 to 20 Colobus monkeys scampering through the treetops.

There are rare sightings of the L’Hoest monkeys which are part of the Bukonzo cultural emblems and are protected by the virtue of the King or Omusinga. There is a wide variety of plant species from forest trees to bamboo thickets, low shrubs, flowers, fungi, and many mosses 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.

The wooden hut is a set between tall forest trees on a narrow ridge and a large verandah 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. Sine Hut is just below the bamboo zone and the area around it has many different bird species.

Accommodation: Sine Hut – 2,585 meters.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 6: Climb to Mutinda Camp

After a good breakfast, trekking starts at 8.30 am. You will enter the Bamboo-Mimulopsis Zone which is a steep climb with many high steps. In the wet season, the bamboo area is rather muddy and slippery making the progress slow.

However, the atmosphere and the forests are beautiful as you climb 551 meters altitude and a distance of 1.8km to Kalalama Camp at 3,147 meters. This camp 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. It crosses several small streams and passes close to moss-covered waterfalls.

You will then climb steadily along the side of a beautiful mossy river that tumbles down over the rocks under the Giant Heather trees whose trunks are covered in green moss with old man beards (Usnea lichen) hanging from the branches.

The trail twists and turns as you climb up the deep valley, which has an enormous variety of plants and flowers. This valley is unique with many Giant Heather trees creating a beautiful atmosphere often shrouded in mist.

Eventually, you get to Mutinda Camp which is set near a small river that drops off a waterfall and offers a chance to wash, refresh and relax. You may wish to climb up to the top of the Mutinda Lookout (one and a half hours up and one hour down).

The view and the atmosphere are amazing as you stand on moss-covered rocks at 3,925 meters with views across the Rwenzori Mountains, down to Kasese town and Lake George.

Accommodation: Mutinda Camp

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 7: Climb to 4,062 meters- Alpine Zone

From Mutinda Camp, the trail is boggy particularly in the wet season but with a little skill you can step from tussock to tussock to make the going easier.

You will cross the Mutinda valley through the tussock grass and everlasting flowers interspersed with many Giant Lobelias. You will then climb a steep section up to the Namusangi Valley (3,840 meters), which ends abruptly with sheer waterfalls and fantastic views of Mutinda Peaks.

The Namusangi Valley is wide, with many ups and downs and crossing several bogs as the trail climbs steadily to Bugata Camp at 4,062 meters.

Bugata Camp is situated way up Bamwanjara Pass high above Bugata Lake with views across Lake Kopello to Weismann’s Peak, which is often covered with snow then down the valley views of Lake Africa and Lake Kanganyika and the many small peaks towards Mutinda Camp.

Accommodation:  Bugata Camp.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 8: Climb to Hunwick’s Camp (3.874 metres)

Commence trekking at 8.30 am and climb up Bamwanjara Pass. The trail climbs steadily with several long flat bogs and thick vegetation with clear views of the three main peaks.

The area is known for its malachite sunbird populations and lobelia flowers. The trek then takes you through some steep sections before a climb up to Hunwick’s Camp. It offers views of several peaks, including Mt. Stanley, Mt. Baker, Weismanns Peak, and McConnell’s Prong.

Accommodation: Hunwick’s Camp 

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 9: Climb to Margherita Camp (4.485 meters)

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 will enjoy the climb up Scott Elliott’s pass and then up the ridge to Margherita Camp.

Margherita camp is situated at 4,485 metres between some huge rocks which offer 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.

Accommodation: Margherita Camp.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Day 10: Climb up to Margherita peak at 5,109 meters

The day starts with waking up at 2 am and catching an early breakfast before heading off to climb Mt Stanley at 2.30 am. 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 4 pm. This happens within a short period of 10 to 15 minutes as the clouds rise up from the extensive Congo rainforests. 

Due to this change in weather, there is a strict turnaround time of 10 am. This means that if you do not reach the peak before, you must turn around regardless in the interests of safety. 

For those 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 metres, you will then pass directly down to Hunwick’s Camp at 3.874 metres.

Accommodation: Hunwick’s Camp.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 11: Descend to Kiharo camp

From Hunwick’s Camp, you will 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. You will then continue to Oliver’s Pass at 4,505 metres which is 3km away from Hunwick’s camp.

The trail then cuts across below Weismann’s Peak to the confluence of the Nyamwamba River which flows down through Kilembe and Kasese to Lake George in Queen Elizabeth National Park. On a clear day, you get fantastic views of Margherita and Mt Stanley, Mt Speke, and Mt Baker.

After crossing the confluence, the trail meanders down the valley to Kiharo Camp which is situated in a deep valley with high cliffs and dense vegetation. 

Accommodation: Kiharo Camp

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 12. Final Descent to Kilembe

You will wake up to the shrill calls of the Ruwenzori Turaco (Ruwenzorornis johnstoni) and other birds.

After a hearty breakfast, you will begin your descent down the Nyambwamba Valley. The trail is mostly downhill and absolutely stunning with beautiful views, moss-covered rocks along the river, cascading waterfalls, deep valleys, and forests.

In the clear areas, you may catch a glimpse of a duiker quietly feeding as you pass along the river. This area possibly has the highest population of Rwenzori Red Duikers anywhere in the National Park. 

A few kilometers down the river, the trail becomes steeper with multitudes of stunning waterfalls.  After the waterfalls, you will climb up over a high ridge and then down through the dense forests with stunning views of the valley below.

You will stop at Forest View Camp for lunch before proceeding back to base camp in Kilembe.

Accommodation: Trekkers hostel.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 13: Crater Lake hike in Fort Portal and Transfer to Kibale Forest

After a 2-hour drive to Fort Portal, you can stretch your legs by going for a short hike around some of the Crater Lakes in this area. The views are stunning and with clear weather, you can even see the white peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains.

You will have lunch in Fort Portal as well (not included) and then a 2-hour drive to Kibale National Park. On arrival, you will enter a completely different world… some serious monkey business.

Although you are here specifically to track Chimps, the forest is home to at least 12 primate species including the Red-tailed Monkey, Olive Baboon, Black and White Colobus Monkey, and Blue Monkey.

The birdlife in the forest is also prolific and includes the beautiful Great Blue Turaco. If you are very lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of the meandering herd of African forest elephants.

Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 14: Chimp tracking and swamp walk in Kibale

After early morning breakfast, your driver/guide will drive you to the Kibale National Park office where you will be briefed about the activity of tracking chimpanzees in the wild.

You will then go on a guided primate walk in search of chimpanzees and 12 other primates including l’ Hoestes, Red colobus, blue, red-tailed monkeys, brown monkeys, and grey-cheeked mangabeys.

The park rangers will provide detailed explanations, not only on primates but on all the forest fauna and flora, and will ensure that your walk is informative and enjoyable.

After finding the chimps, you will spend 1 hour with them before heading back to the park offices.

You will go back to the lodge for lunch & refreshments.

After lunch, you will visit the community and take a walk in Bigodi Swamp – which is the home of the great blue Turaco bird. The swamp is home to around 200 bird species and 8 primate species. Later, return to your accommodation for dinner & overnight stay.

Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 15: Return to Kampala – Airport transfer

After having breakfast, you will be driven back to Kampala (approx. 8hrs). From Kampala, we drive to Entebbe Airport for your departure flight.

Accommodation: None (Last day)

Meal plan: Breakfast & Lunch.