Day 1; Arrival and Hotel Transfer in Kampala;

On your arrival for your long Uganda safari, you will be met by our company representative together with your driver / guide and you directly transfer to the hotel where you will relax and recover from the jet-lag! : Dinner and over-night at a lodge.

Day2: Transfer to Kasese town from Kampala

After breakfast and if you are traveling by public means we advise you come by bus and set off with the 8:00am bus so that you arrive in Kasese town on time. Traveling from Kampala to Kasese by bus takes between 7-8hours but if you are using a private car, it takes you a minimum of 7hours including a stop-over for lunch in Fort Portal town. Overnight and Dinner in a hotel.

Day 3: Start the hike to Kasanzi camp (2310m) Rwenzori-Bukurungu trail

As a long travel the previous day from Kampala to Kasese, you wake up 08:00hours and have your breakfast before you drive to the Rwenzori Ranges Hikers Association  office in Kasese town for briefing and check your equipment and other necessities before you travel to Mukorokimi, the starting point to the Mountain, It is from here that you meet the Guides and porters that escort you to the Higher peaks, This day you walk through Coffee plantations, homesteads, schools and interact with local Bakonzo people the inhabitants of the Rwenzori mountains.

The trail which bends west on the ridge overlooking the Kasuka and Isule valleys and onward to Kebitakuli for a rest while and take a breath and thereafter, hike through the montane rain forest overlooking bamboo forested valleys. Encounter plant species like the Disa stairssi, Scadoxus cyrtanthiflorus, Impetiens apiculata and spot or hear calls of black and white colubus monkeys, The Rwenzori Turaco and other birds. On trail you will spot chimpanzee nests and droppings or hear their calls. The trail will lead you through the heather zone and reach Kasanzi Camp for an overnight. It will take you only 5-6 hours.

Day 4; Kambeho 3600Masl

After breakfast, the trail takes you through the heather trees (Ericathiasis) with lots of moss hanging over these trees. The is the heather zone with a lots of heather trees, scencio trees, alchemila, black berries, and many more plant species. While on trail you will be able to spot black and white Colobus monkeys, Varvet monkeys, sun birds, the Rwenzori turaco a rare beautiful bird in the park. On this day you will see lots of giant lobelias, everlasting flowers and rock shelters. Over-night at Kambeho Camp. This hike will take you 5 – 6 hrs with a stopover for  lunch along the trail.

Day 5;  Lamia Camp3750Masl

After breakfast, start with a climb along river Lhume, in the early morning hours of the day when still fresh and strong with urge to climb the only steep Mughuli bypass. As you think of slopping down to Lake Mughuli which is within MTN network coverage to give you a chance to call friends and family members about the beauty and experience encountered on the trail. There are several short peaks which one can easily climb depending upon what time you have arrived in the camp and how you feel. The vegetation along the Lake is so beautiful to catch up your eyes. Animals you might see along the trail are the Rwenzori red-duiker, rock and tree hyrax and wild pigs. Around the camp, you can have a self guided walk to explore the water falls. The approximate time taken from Kambeho to Mughuli Camp is about 6-7hrs hike with a stopover at Mulhalhama resting view point.

Day 6; Lake Bukurungu Camp 4091Masl/Bigo camp /3442Masl

This camp is set in the heart of the two mountains of the Portal Peaks and Mount Gessi; it is a relaxing point to acclimatize for those interested in climbing the Portal Peaks and Mount Gessi. Five hours from Lamia camp takes you through a very gentle crossing passing the vegetation of the alchemila, several giant lobelia species and the wonderful and unknown leaf looking like human palm.  From Lamia Camp to Bukurungu Camp will take you 3 – 4hrs.. On this day if the weather is clear, your eyes and hands on the camera will have all the main peaks of Edward on Mount Baker, Margherita and Alexadra on Mount Stanley, Vittorio Emanuela on Mount Speke, Kihuma on the Portal Peaks and Mount Gessi at glance. If you are heading to the peaks then you will descend to Bigo camp which takes between 1-2hours.

Day 7; Irine lake Camp 4495Masl/ Elena Camp 4541Masl

After a cup of coffee get set off to Irene Lakes camp through the beautiful valley filled with giant lobelias, giant heather trees, groundsels, helichrysum and lots of stunning waterfalls, Finally you find yourself along L.Bujuku a lake collecting its waters from the melting glaciers of Mt. Speke, Mt. Stanley and Mt. Baker. Having trailed a long side the lake, you will continue for a one hour and a half to reach Irene Lakes Camp.

Day 8; Margherita peak 5109Masl back to Bujuku/Bigo camp

Wake up at 4.30am early in the morning for a cup of coffee and thereafter, start the climb to the main Margherita peak summit 5109m the highest point in Uganda and third Highest Mountain in Africa. While on top and assuming the weather is clear, you will be able to see the rest of the peaks on the Rwenzori Mountain range like Vittorio Emmanuelle on Mt. Speke, Edward on Mt. Baker, Mt. Albert and if the weather is good you opt to climbing all the twin peaks of Margarita and Alexandra all on Mt. Stanley. Though distance looks short but it can take you long hours to reach the summit due to fog and mist. After a good time, have a view of DR Congo. Be one of the people who have left their foot prints on top of the Mountains of the moon and confirm your arrival on this point with a breath taking and say yes I have made it. After your successful view and pictures, descend to Bujuku/Bigo camp.

Day 9; Bujuku/Bigo to  Nyabitaba Camp

From Bujuku/Bigo camp you walk down valley through John Matte, down to Nyamulenju rest shelter where you can have your lunch and stretch through mosh-covered rocks and follow the trail which drops you to Kurt Shafer Bridge, just below the confluence of the Mubuku and Bujuku rivers and reach Nyabitaba camp for dinner and overnight. The walk takes between 6-7hours.

Day 10: Nyabitaba camp- Mihunga Park gate

After breakfast, descend through the heather zone route with beautiful views of the Rwenzori Mountains Range onto Mihunga Park gate to complete your adventurous trek of the Rwenzori at Mihunga Park gate. While on the trail, you will see more of the black and white Colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, a lots of bird species like the starlings, sun birds, the great blue Rwenzori turaco, the Ross’s turaco and many of the butterfly family. It will take you 3-4 hrs from Nyabitaba camp to Mihunga Park gate to join your driver to Kasese town for a shower and WiFi before you can be hosted for a dinner by management of Rwenzori Ranges Hikers Association to welcome you back. Overnight at lodge and the following day you travel back to Kampala.

Day: 11: Transfer back to Entebbe Airport

Rates

The cost includes all park fees, government tax, all meals, lunches, porters’ and guides’ wages, rescue, camping gear, accommodation in and outside the National park and it excludes technical climbing equipment and insurance).

The above price does not include the following

1. Tips
2. Special meals different from those provided at the hotel or restaurant
3. Extra porter in case a client has luggage beyond 22kgs, and for any extra porter the client is charged $110
4. In case of an extra day beyond the proposed itinerary, the client is charged $130
5. Extra peak is charged $150 per person
6. Hard or alcoholic drinks.
7. Climbing equipment, in case the client doesn’t have some of the equipment they can hire from the store but must first inform us of the type of technical equipment they need to hire/rent, however if the number of climbers is 4pax and above the office provides free extra climbing rope

Note:

1. The accommodation is not in luxury hotels but middle range charged between $70-$80 per night
2. Transport is by Omin-bus HAICE or Jpsuim car and not land cruisers.
3. Hire of equipment ( ice axe-$20, harness-$20, crampons-$20, climbing rope-$25, helmet-$20, climbing boot-$25, sleeping bag-$25 ) However we have few helmets, and climbing boots, sleeping bags in our stores.

MOUNTAIN CHECKLIST    

1. Please come with your climbing equipment or you can hire some of them locally when you arrive BUT after booking them in advance.

Climbing equipment
– 1 Pair, Snow glasses
– Sunscreen
– First aid kit
– Rubber boots (for boggy areas)
– Ice axe

– Gaitars

– Crampons

– Harnesses

– Climbing rope

– Helmet

Body and Chest
• 2 Thermal vests and thermal leggings (polypropylene or capilene)
• 1 Fleece pullover (like soft polaretec 100g or 200g, or similar)
• 1 Fleece jacket or alike
• 1 Rainproof or windproof jacket with hood (such as Gore‐Tex)
• Kickable T‐shirts or shirts (not cotton)
• 1 Buff or similar

** Highly suggest getting a prescription for an Albuterol Inhaler to
bring along on the trip in case of any breathing difficulties as well
as Ciproxin which is a safe medication for travel diarrhea and can be
used as a general antibiotic.
Feet and Legs
• 1 Pair of comfortable hiking boots
• 3 Pairs of outer socks (thick wool or polypropylene)
• 4 Pairs of inner socks (thin silk or polypropylene)
• Sandals or light weight trainers for around camp
• Gaiters
• 1 Fleece pants (full length zippers recommended)
• Comfortable trekking pants
Hands
• 1 Pairs of inner thermal gloves (polypropylene or capilene)
• 1 Pair of insulated outer gloves
Sleeping Gear
– Sleeping bag for ‐15°C / 5°F (down or polar guard)
– Sleeping mats

Others
• Head lamp with extra batteries and bulb
• Block for lips and sun screen (not less than 35 spf)
• 2 Water bottles (32 fl.oz / 1 liter Nalgene recommended. Water
bottle insulator needed)
• 1 Stainless steel thermos of one liter or half liter (optional)
• Hand warmers (for summit day)
• Hydrating system (like CamelBak, for approach trek to base camp)
• Personal care elements (small towel and soap, wet wipes recommended)
• 1 Pair of trekking poles (adjustable preferred)
Upper Body Packs
• Comfortable Day pack (for approach to base camp)
• One XL strong duffel bag (to be carried by the porters)
Optional Items
• Book, IPod, games or anything for leisure time
• Camera, memory cards and extra batteries
• Silicon Earplugs (for windy nights)
• Pocket‐knife
• Your favorite energy bars. Avoid anything with caramel and toffee.
Head
• Sun cap or hat
• Ski hat (wool or fleece)
• Light balaclava
• Good pair of sunglasses (with UV filter, wrap around)
• Walking sticks

The cost includes: meals while in the park, park entrance and nature walks fees, guiding fees, porters’ wages, gas cooker, climbing ropes, camping gear. Clients to pay for their accommodation and meals outside the National Park, climbing equipment and other necessities which are not mentioned

Note: Extra peak attracts USD130 per person for non-residents and foreign residents and Shs200, 000 for Ugandans. And each hiker is required to have a luggage weighing not more than 20kg, extra kilograms attract extra porter who is charged USD110.

Mountain checklist

Climbing equipment
– 1 Pair, Snow glasses
– Sunscreen
– First aid kit
– Rubber boots (for boggy areas)
– Ice axe

– Gaiters

– Crampons

– Harnesses

– Climbing rope

– climbing boot

– Helmet

Body and Chest
• 2 Thermal vests and thermal leggings (polypropylene or capilene)
• 1 Fleece pullover (like soft polaretec 100g or 200g, or similar)
• 1 Fleece jacket or alike
• 1 Rainproof or windproof jacket with hood (such as Gore‐Tex)
• Kickable T‐shirts or shirts (not cotton)
• 1 Buff or similar
Highly suggest getting a prescription for an Albuterol Inhaler to
bring along on the trip in case of any breathing difficulties as well
as Ciproxin which is a safe medication for travel diarrhea and can be
used as a general antibiotic.
Feet and Legs
• 1 Pair of comfortable hiking boots
• 3 Pairs of outer socks (thick wool or polypropylene)
• 4 Pairs of inner socks (thin silk or polypropylene)
• Sandals or light weight trainers for around camp
• 1 Fleece pants (full length zippers recommended)
• Comfortable trekking pants
Hands
• 1 Pairs of inner thermal gloves (polypropylene or capilene)
• 1 Pair of insulated outer gloves
Sleeping Gear
– Sleeping bag for ‐15°C / 5°F (down or polar guard)
– Sleeping mats

Others
• Head lamp with extra batteries and bulb
• Block for lips and sun screen (not less than 35 spf-)
• 2 Water bottles (32 floz / 1 liter Nalgene recommended. Water
bottle insulator needed)
• 1 Stainless steel thermos of one liter or half liter (optional)
• Hand warmers (for summit day)
• Hydrating system (like CamelBak, for approach trek to base camp)
• Personal care elements (small towel and soap, wet wipes recommended)
• 1 Pair of trekking poles (adjustable preferred)
Upper Body Packs
• Comfortable Day pack (for approach to base camp)
• One XL strong duffel bag (to be carried by the porters)
Optional Items
• Book, IPod, games or anything for leisure time
• Camera, memory cards and extra batteries
• Silicon Earplugs (for windy nights)
• Pocket‐knife
• Your favorite energy bars. Avoid anything with caramel and toffee.
Head
• Sun cap or hat
• Ski hat (wool or fleece)
• Light balaclava
• Good pair of sunglasses (with UV filter, wrap around)

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