Day 1: Arrival in Kigali

Scheduled flight from your home town via Istanbul to Kigali. After your early or late arrival in Kigali, we drive to the nearby hotel reserved by Safaria.

• Chez Lando in Kigali

Day 2: Drive to Kisoro – Uganda

After a long or short night depending on your arrival time, we will be on our way to Uganda. We cross the border and soon afterwards we reach the small town of Kisoro. Our lodge is located just outside the park.

• Driving time: approx. 4 hours
• Driving distance of: approx. 150 km
• Mucha Lodge in Kisoro (B, L, D)

Day 3: Ascent of Sabinyo (3,645m)

Our first hike is imminent. We drive into the Mgahinga National Park and climb the extinct volcano Sabinyo which marks the border triangle Uganda – Rwanda – Congo.
First through the cultural landscape then a bamboo belt it becomes increasingly steep. The volcano is the habitat of a mountain gorilla families. We get a little foretaste of what awaits us on the Rwenzori: it can get sometimes muddy and slippery. Some passages are then secured with wooden ladders and stairs. Over a long ridge we reach Peak I and II and hopefully the main peak Peak III with a view.

• 1300 m
• 1300 m
• Time: about 7 -8 hours.
• Driving time: approx. 0.5 hours
• Mucha Lodge in Kisoro (B, L, D)

Day 4: To Lake Mutanda and Bwindi National Park

Today we hike directly from our lodge through villages, cultivation areas and cultural landscape in about two hours to Lake Mutanda. The local fishermen are already waiting for us here, who will take us north in their tree-trunk canoes across Lake Mutanda. We glide peacefully to the north bank for two hours and enjoy the view of the Virunga volcanoes. After a short hike on a gently and steadily ascending panoramic path, we reach Rubugiri, a lively Ugandan village that supplies the rural surroundings with the blessings of civilization with small shops. In the late afternoon we hike another six kilometers until we reach our lodge directly on the Bwindi Forest.

• 850 m
• 850 m
• Time: about 5 -6 hours.
• Walking distance: approx. 12 km
• Rushaga Camp (B, L, D)

Day 5: Optional gorilla tracking

Face to face with the silverback. It is not like the day before on a wide hiking trail through open cultural landscape, but “cross-forest-Ein” – always following the ranger and his trail through the dense forest. The walking time and distance of the hike to the mountain gorillas cannot be foreseen because they are constantly on the move in search of food. Depending on where you are, 4 – 6 hours should be planned for the hike through the often steep and slippery terrain. After an hour with the gorillas, it’s back to our hostel.

Those who do not take part in gorilla tracking can relax in the camp or go on short hikes in the area (please discuss this with the tour guide, possibly only possible with a guide)

• Rushaga Camp (B, L, D)

Day 6: On the Bwindi Trail through the park to Buhoma

Bwindi means darkness, impenetrable. Not many people ever set foot in this area. And we soon find out that this jungle really deserves its name. Perhaps we meet a gorilla family purely by chance, because we are hiking through their home. Forest elephants, brush-eared pigs and small antelopes also live here. The unspoiled region is actually reserved for us, the hikers, because cars have to bypass this route widely. In the afternoon we reach the small town of Buhoma, at the northern exit of the Bwindi National Park.

• 700 m
• 700 m
• Time: about 5 -6 hours.
• (F, M, A)

Day 7: Drive to Kasese

Today we drive north to the starting point of our trek through the Rwenzori Mountains.

• Driving time: approx. 5 hours
• Driving distance of: approx. 170 km
• Ruwenzori Int. Hotel in Kasese (B, L, D)

Day 8: Ascent to Sine Camp (2,596m)

Departure in Kilembe. The small village west of the town of Kasese consists of a church, school and simple huts. Mainly farmers live here who grow beans, coffee and manioc in the fields around the village. Our guides, porters and the kitchen crew are already waiting for us to support us on the demanding trekking in the Ruwenzori Mountains. Soon we leave civilization behind us and dive into the evergreen mountain forest. It goes steadily uphill through tall trees entwined by lianas. Countless species of birds surround us and maybe black and white Colobus monkeys jump around in the treetops above our heads.

In the Ruwenzori National Park a breathtaking landscape and sensational flora awaits us every day. The plant giantism pulls us under its spell. Plants that are only a few centimeters high elsewhere reach tree height here. Heather swings up to eight meters and lobelia grow as tall as a man. The second vegetation level, the bamboo forest, begins at around 2,500 meters. In the afternoon we finally reach our beautifully located Sine Camp at 2596 meters.

• 1150 m
• Time: about 5 -6 hours.
• Walking distance: approx. 9.5 km
• Multi-bed hut (F, M, A)

Day 9: Sine Camp – Mutinda Camp (3,588m)

Our way meanders upwards over hilly terrain. We cross streams and pools, marvel at ancient moss-covered trees and mist-shrouded waterfalls. Long silvery beards hang in the trees – the Usnea lichens. On winding paths we reach a deeply cut unique valley, which is home to an enormous variety of flowers and plants and is often shrouded in fog. The path is swampy, especially in the rainy season. Over tufts of grass and everlasting flowers we cross the Mutinda Valley, which is criss-crossed with giant lobelia, and finally reach the Mutinda Hut.
From here, if the energy is still sufficient, we can undertake an approx. 2-hour ascent to the Mutinda Outlook (3,975m).

• 990 m
• Time: about 6 -7 hours.
• Walking distance: approx. 6.1 km
• Multi-bed hut (F, M, A)

Day 10: Mutinda Camp – Bugata Camp (4,062m)

On the way to Bugata Camp, the vegetation thins out more and more the higher you climb. The alpine zone is getting closer. We hike up and down through the wide Namusangi valley with its moors and glacial lakes. Depending on the weather, we get a breathtaking view of the Mutinda Peak and the Weismann Peak. The Bugata Camp is located high above the Bugata Lake. Here, too, there is a fantastic view of Lago Kopello or Weismann Peak, which is often covered in snow. Or we enjoy the valley view down to Lake Tanganyika. Tufts of grass, giant ragwort, giant lobelia, everlasting flowers, St. John’s worth grow all around us.

• 900 m
• 100 m
• Time: about 4 -6 hours.
• Multi-bed hut (F, M, A)

Day 11: Bugata Camp – Hunswick Camp (3,975m)

A varied stage lies ahead of us today. The climb up to the Bamwanjara Pass (4450 meters) is steep and strenuous. In good weather, you can see the three highest mountains, Mt. Stanley, Mt. Baker and Mt. Speke. The descent through the often mist-shrouded Senezienwald into the Kachope Valley, 3985 m, with its three picturesque lakes is slippery and steep, but also beautiful. We are cautious, roots and stones do not allow carelessness. In this valley there are said to be few specimens of the pitch-black Ruwenzori leopards. This makes them one of the rarest types of cats in the world. It won’t be long until we reach our camp for the night, the Hunswick Camp.

• 475 m
• 480 m
• Time: about 8 -10 hours.
• Multi-bed hut (F, M, A)

Day 12: Hunswick Camp – Margherita Camp (4,485m)

Today we pass the deep blue and beautiful Kitandara Lakes and slowly climb to Scott Elliott’s Pass. From there it is not far to our camp, which is sheltered from the wind in the middle of large boulders.

• 510 m
• Time: about 3 -5 hours.
• Multi-bed hut (F, M, A)

Day 13: Optional ascent of Margherita Point and descent to Hunswick Camp

Very early in the morning, usually around 3 a.m., the climbers set off for the glacier equipped with headlamps. After two hours of steep ascent, the terrain becomes more rugged and finally the glacier is reached. Over glaciers and snowfields it goes up to the saddle between Alexandra- and Margherita -spitze and then on with easy climbing over the summit ridge to the highest point of Uganda. The last rocks on the way to the summit require climbing skills up to II +, a fixed rope is usually attached here. Depending on the weather conditions, we reached the summit after 5 – 7 hours. If the weather is hopefully good, we will enjoy the fantastic view of the surrounding mountains and into the dense jungle of the Congo.
The descent to Margherita Camp requires our full concentration again, and then it goes relaxed and happy to the already known Hunwick’s Camp, where we meet the hikers again.
It should be noted that the possibility of ascent strongly depends on the weather. In fog, storm or precipitation, the ascent can be incalculably risky, so it should not be used. As heavy precipitation and fog are often to be expected at lunchtime, the ascent begins very early. If there are delays that put the schedule at risk, the group may be forced to turn back before reaching the summit.

The hikers and trekkers without peak ambitions for the Margherita peak however can sleep in and climb to a good vantage point on a ledge on the southern edge of Alexandra Peak. There you have a fantastic view of the Congo Basin and the surrounding mountain ridges when the visibility is good.

• 625 m
• 1135 m
• Time: about 8 -10 hours.
• Multi-bed hut (F, M, A)

Day 14: Hunswick Camp – Kiharo Camp (3,430m)

From Hunwick Camp we climb to McConnell’s Prong, where we have the best views of the three peaks and Scott Elliott’s Pass when the visibility is good. Afterwards we hike further out to Oliver’s Pass at 4,505m. The path then leads below Weismann Peak to the source of the Nyamwamba River, which flows via Kilembe and Kasese to Lake George in Queen Elizabeth National Park. After crossing the river, the path winds down the valley to Kiharo Camp, which is in a deep valley with high cliffs and thick vegetation.

• 530 m
• 1075 m
• Time: about 7 -10 hours.
• Multi-bed hut (F, M, A)

Day 15: Kiharo Camp – Kyanyuki and drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Our long descent continues, back from the magical world of Ruwenzori to civilization. More and more birds are at home in the growing vegetation, and their song accompanies us. Soon the view opens down into the valley and we come to a vantage point from which we are very likely to see Lake Edward and Queen Elizabeth National Park – our next destination. We descend a long ridge through the vegetation zones we already know and reach our starting point. We say goodbye to our companions, our guides, porters and helpers who have so actively supported us. We leave these unreal mountains behind and drive to the Queen Elizabeth National Park at the foot of the Ruwenzori massif.

• 1710 m
• Time: about 7 -9 hours.
• Driving time: approx. 1 hour
• Driving distance of: approx. 45 km
• Engazi Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 16: Boat safari on the Kazinga Channel

Now is safari time! The large game reserve of Queen Elizabeth National Park includes rainforests, savannas, lakes, swamps and rivers. It offers ideal living conditions for hippos, buffalo, antelopes (Uganda Kobs), waterbuck and a multitude of colorful bird species (around 450). Lions aren’t that numerous, but they can also be spotted. During the boat trip on the Kazinga Chanel, which connects Lake Edward with Lake George, we have the opportunity to observe hippos, buffalo, crocodiles, elephants and water birds. A game drive through the wider park successfully rounds off the safari day.

• Engazi Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 17: Optional chimpanzee tracking and drive to Mburo Park

In the morning there is the possibility to do an optional chimpanzee tracking or simply to enjoy the comforts of the lodge and to review the past two weeks.

In the afternoon we drive to Mburo National Park. The pastureland of the Hima shepherds, whose long-horned Ankole cattle graze with the wild antelopes and zebras, borders directly on the park. As we drive to our accommodation, we may see this peaceful coexistence. In the meantime the sun is already quite low and we enjoy the wide view over the African savannah landscape from our “eagle’s nest”.

• Driving time: approx. 4 hours
• Driving distance of: approx. 200 km
• Eagles Nest in Mburo (B, L, D)

Day 18: Drive to Entebbe and flight back home

The only 260 km² small Mburo Park protects a habitat rich in animals, which is composed like a mosaic of acacia forests, open grasslands, swamps and several small lakes. We go on a walking safari with a park ranger. The park is famous for its abundance of impala antelopes, but waterbuck, hyenas and zebras can also be seen. With a lot of luck we might see one of the few leopards or lions that have immigrated again in recent years. Around noon we set off on our last long journey to Entebbe. For the short night we have a hotel near the airport.

• Walking time: approx. 2 hours
• Driving time: approx. 5 hours
• Driving distance of: approx. 260 km
• Sunset Hotel in Entebbe (B, L, D)

Day 19: Departure from Entebbe Airport

Early in the morning transfer to the airport and return flight via Istanbul home. Driving distance of: approx. 480 km