Rwenzoris and Gorillas

After passing through immigration and collecting your luggage, transfer to your accommodation in Entebbe.

• 1x ViaVia Guesthouse, B – Bronze
• 1x 2 Friends Beach Hotel, B – Silver
• 1x Boutique Hotel No. 5, B – Gold

Your destination today is the Kibale Forest National Park. The impressive park is the dream of every primate fan. 80% of its area is covered with evergreen forests. The rest of the park consists of swamps and grasslands. Due to the high proportion of forest, more than 1.000 chimpanzees live here, of which a group of around 80 animals are habituated, which means they are accustomed to the presence of visitors. There are also some easily observed monkey species such as the Black and White and the Red Colobus Monkey, as well as the Red Tailed Monkey. With a little luck you may even find the rare forest elephants here.

• 1x Kibale Forest Camp, B/L/D – Bronze
• 1x Turaco Treetops, B/L/D – Silver
• 1x Ndali Lodge, B/L/D – Gold

Optional: Chimpanzee Tracking

Today after breakfast you have the possibility to go on an exciting chimpanzee search. Kibale Forest is home to the largest number of primate species in the world, including our relatives, the chimpanzees. Nowadays, there are about 4.950 wild chimpanzees in Uganda, which makes it a unique area of observations. During your guided forest walk you will learn a lot about the diverse flora and fauna in the park.

Your guide will then drive you to the foot of Mount Rwenzori, Kilembe. On the way you will get an insight into the beautiful area of Fort Portal, where the best tea from Uganda is grown. You will then either be taken to Kilembe near Kasese, where you will overnight at Rwenzori Trekkers Hotel (Bronze) or to Kasese where you will overnight at Sandton Hotel (Silver/ Gold).

• 1x Rwenzori Trekkers, B/L/D – Bronze
• 1x Sandton Hotel, B/L/D – Silver
• 1x Sandton Hotel, B/L/D – Gold

Trekkers Hostel Kilembe (1.450m) – Kalalama Camp (3.147m)

An early start at Rwenzori Trekkers from where you will begin your expedition with a walk along the valley, through the Afro Montane forest. This is a steady climb, accompanied by a variety of birds and the chance to see blue monkeys scurrying through the trees. Sometimes visitors see black & white colobus monkeys swinging through the treetops. There are rare sightings of the L'Hoest monkey, which are highly endangered. You’ll find a great variety of plant species as you enter the Bamboo Mimulopsis zone. The atmosphere and forests are fantastic as you climb to Kalalama Camp at 3.147 meters, located in the Heather Rapanea zone. Here you have a good chance to see the beautiful Rwenzori Turaco (Gallirex Johnstoni) with their bright crimson wings.

• 6x at different camps in the mountains, B/L/D

Kalalama Camp (3.147m) - Bugata Camp (4.062m)

After an early breakfast you will set off. The trail meanders up and down along a ridge, then descends to the valley, crossing several small streams and passing mossy waterfalls. You then climb steadily along the banks of a beautiful river covered with moss, which falls over the rocks under the huge heather trees, whose trunks are covered with green moss and old man's beard (Usnea lichens). The path continues to meander as you climb, you will pass by an enormous variety of plants and flowers. This valley is unique with many huge heather trees creating a beautiful fairy land atmosphere, often covered by fog. The path here is swampy, but with some skill you can go from tussock to tussock to make hiking easier. 

The worst moors are covered by wooden bridges to make crossing a little easier. You cross the Mutinda Valley through tufted grass and eternal flowers interspersed with many giant lobelias before climbing a steep section up to Namusangi Valley (3.840 metres). Watch in awe steep waterfalls and fantastic views of the Mutinda peaks. The Namusangi Valley is wide, with many ups and downs and crosses several moors, while the trail climbs steadily to Bugata Camp. Bugata offers views over Kopello Lake to snow covered Weismann's Peak. This area is dotted with grass tufts, eternal flowers (Helichrysum), St. John's wort (Hypericum becquaeritii), huge common Senecia (Senecio adnivalis) and Giant Lobelia (Lobellia gibberoa).  There are many Red Forest Duiker (Cephalophuc nigrifrons rubidus), a subspecies found only in the Rwenzori Mountains.

Bugata Camp has good facilities, solar lights, good toilets and bathrooms where guides can prepare some warm water for washing.

There is also a helicopter pad in case a rescue is required (make sure you have adequate insurance). B/L/D

Bugata Camp (4.062m) - Hunwick's camp (3.974m)

Leaving Bugata you’ll climb up a ridge, then drop slightly before climbing up to Bamwanjarra Pass at 4.450 meters where you’ll find a hut for shelter, in case the weather turns bad. On a clear day you have an excellent view of the three main peaks. The trail then leads down a valley and around the edge of some moors and dense evergreen vegetation, moss, giant goby and lobelia. This is probably the best place in Rwenzori to see the Malachite sunbird, which feeds on the many Lobelie flowers. Continue some steep sections before a steady ascent over a ridge to Hunwick's Camp. Here you will be rewarded with views of Mt Stanley, Mt Baker, Weismanns Peak and McConnell's Prong. B/L/D

Hunwick's Camp (3.974m) - Margherita Camp (4.485m)

From Hunwick's you descend to Kitendara Lake, which is very impressive with its deep water and beautiful vegetation. From here you climb up the Scott Elliott Pass and then the ridge to Margherita Camp, which is situated between some huge rocks. This is exactly the place where the Duke of Abruzzo camped when he reached the summit of Margherita in 1906. B/L/D

Margherita Camp (4.485m) - Hunwick's Camp (3.974m)

Wake up at 2am and have a very early breakfast before leaving for Mount Stanley (5.109 m) . This is necessary because the mountain is sometimes approached by clouds and snowfall in the early morning hours. Due to this change in weather, we have set a turn-around time of 10 am. If you do not reach the summit by then, you will have to turn back for safety's sake.

For those with less mountaineering experience, we recommend staying at Stanley Glacier, enjoy a fantastic view of the Democratic Republic of Congo. You’ll discuss the options best for you with your professional mountain guide.

After climbing the summit, descend directly back to Hunwick's Camp at 3.974 metres. B/L/D

Hunwick's Camp (3.974m) - Kiharo Camp (3.540m)

From Hunwick's start the day by climbing up a ridge to McConnell's Prong, where you have the best view of all three peaks and Scott Elliott's Pass before reaching Oliver's Pass at 4.505 metres. The distance from Hunwick's Camp to the top of Olivers Pass is 3km. The trail then leads over Weismann's Peak to the Nyamwamba River, which flows down from Kilembe and Kasese to Lake George in Queen Elisabeth National Park. On a clear day you have a fantastic view of Margherita and Mt Stanley, Mt Speke and Mt Baker. After crossing the tributary, the trail meanders down the valley to Kiharo Camp, located in a deep gorge with high cliffs and dense vegetation. On the way down, after each moor, you climb over a ridge of rocks and earth that seems out of place but was actually pushed by slow-moving glaciers that eventually stopped moving, melted and left a pile of rocks and debris where the glacier once lay. B/L/D

Kiharo Camp (3.540m) - Trekkers Hostel Kilembe (1.450m)

The way down the Nyamwamba Valley, which is mostly steep and absolutely breath-taking with beautiful views, mossy rocks along the river, cascading waterfalls, deep valleys and forests, is perhaps the best in the Rwenzori Mountains. It took six years to find a trail and route suitable for tourists. In 1937 the explorer and geologist McConnell tried to find a way up in this valley, but failed and had to return and look for another route up the mountain, but now you can experience this truly beautiful valley.  A few kilometres from Kiharo Camp, the path turns to walk along the river. In the clear areas you may see a duiker eating quietly in small clearings as you walk along the river. If you like, you can also go down the river itself and jump over the rocks as you go down. A few kilometres downstream it becomes very steep with a multitude of waterfalls, so you have to move away from the river and follow a narrow ridge to avoid steep sections. Later on you’ll meet the river again, where there is a huge rock overhang and a place to rest. The forest along this stretch is beautiful and full of life with many birds, primates, duikers and hyraxes.

A great experience and the end of a fantastic hike!

When you arrive in Kilembe, your guide will be waiting for you. Congratulations, you made it!!

A short drive takes you to Queen Elizabeth National Park, where 95 species of mammals and over 500 species of tropical birds await. The beautiful park also has the largest number of hippos in Uganda.

• 2x Bush Lodge, B/L/D – Bronze
• 2x Marafiki Safari Lodge, B/L/D – Silver
• 2x Elephant Plains Lodge, B/L/D – Gold

Safari along the Explosion Crater Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Tour

Start the day with a game drive through the National Park. Keep your eyes open and the camera ready - the chance of meeting a group of lions, resting in the sun after an eventful night, is very big. En route to your next activity, the Kazinga Channel boat cruise, you will experience the scenic Explosion Crater Drive. This route winds 27 kms through one of Uganda's most picturesque areas and is well worth a visit.  There will be many photo opportunities of dozens of breath-taking craters, some filled with grass, forest, fresh water or salt water. With a little bit of luck, you will even see herds of elephants and buffalos. Because Explosion Crater Drive is not on most safari itineraries in Uganda, you will most likely not meet (m)any other travellers. Finally enjoy the wonderful view of the western Rift Valley below.

In the afternoon you’ll experience a boat trip on the Kazinga Channel, connecting Lake Edward and Lake George. You will see more hippos and buffalos than you can imagine. More birds than you can count. Bathing elephants are also regular guests here. This boat safari will undoubtedly be another highlight of your tour. B/L/D

Today your journey takes you to the next breath-taking attraction - the home of the mighty mountain gorillas. These gentle giants can be found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The roads are somewhat bumpy, but the many impressions through the wonderful landscape, past banana plantations, lakes and islands, with unique panoramic views, will certainly compensate you. You will also pass extensive hilly landscapes and tropical rainforests before the impressive Virunga volcanoes finally appear in front of you.

• 2x Chameleon Hill Lodge, B/L/D – Bronze, Silver, Gold

Optional: Gorilla Tracking

Today is the big day, get ready to meet the rare mountain gorillas! For most visitors, this is the absolute highlight of their Uganda safari! The gorillas you will see today belong to one of the few habituated families that are used to the presence of humans. Your tour will be a very special and exciting one - hike along the wooded slopes, through winding vines, past bushes and bamboo trees before you finally see the gorillas. En-route your ranger will show you traces of previous gorilla activities such as droppings, nests and nibbled bamboo shoots. You will learn a lot about the Ugandan gentle giants and if it gets slippery, a ranger will lend you his hand. It is an emotional, touching and very impressive experience to see a gorilla face to face. B/L/D

Depending on your flight departure time, you shall leave Chameleon Hill Lodge in the morning or after lunch. After crossing the border, you will enter Rwanda and drive towards Kigali. Enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way. Once in Kigali, you have the possibility to visit the Genocide Memorial Center and the Hotel De Mille Collins ("Hotel Rwanda"). Your guide will then take you to the airport. Here we say goodbye to you and wish you "urugendo rwiza" - a safe journey. B/L