RWENZORI HIKING AND WILDLIFE SAFARIS

Today, our driver guide will pick you up and you will go on a long but worthwhile journey to Kibale National Park, Western Uganda. The park has a protecting moist evergreen rainforest and it is famously known for being a home to chimpanzees. It is here that you will check into your accommodation for lunch, dinner and an overnight stay.

Today after having breakfast you will embark on the chimpanzee trekking activity. These primates share 97% of man’s DNA and are referred to as man’s closest relatives. The trek starts with a briefing from your ranger guide about your chimpanzee trek. You will then head into the forest after briefing to locate the chimpanzees. After locating the chimpanzees you are allowed to have one hour with them. You will the return to the lodge for lunch and in the afternoon you will take on the Bigodi community walk which will allow you visit different homesteads and participate in beer brewing, learn about the process of making coffee, listen to the medicine man and visit the wetland for sighting of different bird and monkey species.

Today you will transfer to Kasese where you will have dinner and an overnight stay in preparation for your hiking experience that starts tomorrow morning.

After an early breakfast you will meet your guides for briefing after which you will drive to the start of the trail head and then start the walk along a path that is above the Nyamwamba River. The journey will be 8.6 km ending at 3171 meters. You will take a rest and have lunch. After lunch, you continue to climb steadily passing a rock shelter at 2,785m, which enters through the bamboo zone and becomes steeper. As you get out of the bamboo zone you will be treated to magnificent views of hills and to the far end Lake George and Queen Elizabeth.

The climb today will be through small streams of water and moss covered ridges. After a relatively short climb the trail becomes less steep as we pass over Chavumba then cross a small flat valley to climb up a steady ridge through moss covered trees and misty forests to the top of the ridge. You will then descend steadily and have lunch at Polies Rock Shelter. After lunch we climb to the Nyamwamba River for 1.6km through old giant heathers covered in moss

Today’s hike will at start at 3380 meters. As you go along with your hike you will also pass by the Nyamwamba River and climb along the valley floor with giant lobelias. You will retire to the third camp at the end of the day which is at 4065 meters. Have dinner at the camp by the fire and then retire to bed.

Today, you will continue your hiking mission. As you do so, enjoy the stunning scenery of the main peaks which you can see clearly on a good weather day. You will see Mt Stanley, Mt Speke in the center, Mt baker. At the end of the day you will climb to Camp 4 where you will retire for the night.

Today’s hike will be less strenuous as you will walk past Kitandara lakes and hike past the valley to Lake Bujuku and Mt Speke. Your night will be spent at camp 5 today as you take your welldeserved rest and look forward to tomorrow’s hike.

Wake up at 2am so that you can hike up and catch the sun as it rises over Mt Baker for stunning views of the sun rise. Margherita glacier has suffered with global warming and as the outer edges of the glacier recede the ice is becoming steeper with one section of about 200 meters more than 60% grade. Combined with this much of the blacker has melted underneath causing caves under the ice and as it get thinner eventually caves in. So is necessary that clients understand and take advice of where the guides suggest for them to pass. 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 metres you then pass directly down to Hunwick’s Camp at 3874 metres.

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 Elizabeth 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.

Today you will descend passed the Namusangi valley as you pass through large areas of grass. The descent will take you passed waterfalls, moss covered valley eventually you will enjoy amazing views of Mutinda peaks. Overnight will be at Mutinda Rock Shelter where the rangers will set up a camp fire and then you will have dinner.

Today is the last day of your hike. You will descend to Kilembe valley and Kasese town. Walk down the final distance through the montane forest to the ranger’s post where you will receive a debriefing from the rangers and then end your hike. Your driver guide will be waiting down for you to transfer you to your hotel Queen Elizabeth national park – the medley of wonders.

After your breakfast you will go for a game drive during which you will look out for elephants, water bucks, kobs and also look out for the elusive leopards and lions. This offers an excellent opportunity for photography moments during the game drive and opportunity to watch the animals feed and stroll in the national park. In the afternoon you will take a relaxing boat ride on Kazinga Channel, you will have an opportunity to look out for different species of birds on the banks, hippos, crocodiles and many other experiences.

Today marks the end of our long safari. Our driver guide will therefore drive back Kampala.