17 Days of Gorillas & Rwenzori Hiking

17 Days of Gorillas & Rwenzori Hiking – Overview

The 17 days Uganda Rwanda gorilla safari is an active adventure that entails the water adventures of the Nile at Jinja, Murchison falls National Park encounter, the Chimpanzee trekking experience in Kibale National Park, the adventure of the mountains of the moon – Ruwenzori mountain climbing, Gorilla tracking in Volcanoes National Park – Rwanda and the Kigali city experience. The trip is comprehensive and designed to fit every ones expectations.

17 Days of Gorillas & Rwenzori Hiking – Highlights

Day 1: Arrive in Uganda – Entebbe Airport.

Day 2: Visit the source of the Nile – Jinja

Day 3: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park

Day 4: Do game drive & boat cruise on River Nile

Day 5: Drive to Kibale National Park.

Day 6: Do Chimp trekking & transfer to Kasese.

Day 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14: Climb Rwenzori Mountains – the historic mountains of the moon.

Day 15: Drive to Volcanoes National Park – Rwanda

Day 16: Do gorilla tracking

Day 17: Drive to Kigali – Rwanda.

17 Days of Gorillas & Rwenzori Hiking – Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Uganda – Entebbe Airport.

Arrive in Uganda from your country of origin. You will find our courteous guide zealously waiting for you to take you through the wonders of the 17 days Uganda Rwanda Safari.

Upon arrival, you will have a brief introduction about the safari and the general overview of the situation in Uganda and Rwanda after which you will be transferred to your hotel.

Accommodation: Cassia lodge (Midrange/standard), The Lodge (Budget/basic) or Sheraton Hotel (Luxury/upmarket).

Day 2: Visit The Source of The Nile – Jinja

Wake up very early to transfer to Jinja the source of the longest River in the world – River Nile 117km about 2 hours’ drive.

Do some water rafting, bungee jumping and encounter the source of the Nile on a cozy boat ride. You will have lunch in Jinja and return to Kampala in the evening.

Accommodation: Spend a night at your previous hotel.

Day 3: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park

Drive to Murchison Falls National Park 348km about 6 hours’ drive from Entebbe. You will branch off at Nakitoma to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary about 175km from Kampala.

Continue with the journey to Masindi for lunch and proceed to the park to visit the top of the falls.

Accommodation: Murchison River lodge (Midrange/standard), Red Chili Rest Camp (Budget/basic) or Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury/upmarket).

Day 4: Do Game Drive & Boat Cruise on River Nile

Wake up early enough to catch up with the ferry crossing at 07:00am to the northern side where you will be able to do game drive.

You will be able to spot a range of game including; Giraffes, Jackson Hartebeest, Lions, Buffalo, elephant, Uganda Kobs, among other species.

Return from this activity at 11:00am and relax at the lodge till lunch time after which you draw closer to Paraa to catch up with the Nile boat cruise at 03:00pm.

On this boat ride, you will enjoy sights of Nile crocodiles, Hippos, water birds and other dwellers including the rare shoebill stork. Many animals are also seen drinking on the river side.

Accommodation: Spend an overnight at your previous lodge.

Day 5: Drive to Kibale National Park.

After breakfast, embark on the drive to Kibale national park 441km about 9 hours’ drive through the lush country side and magical scenery of the western rift valley plus the Rwenzori Mountains before arriving in Fort Portal and Kibale in the evening.

Accommodation: Primate Lodge (Luxury/upmarket), Chimps nest (Midrange/standard) or CVK resort (Basic/budget).

Day 6: Do Chimp Trekking & Transfer to Kasese.

After breakfast, gather at Kanyanchu tourism center for briefing about the Chimpanzee trekking activity at 08:00 am.

Set off to the forest of Kibale full of birds, 13 primate species of which chimpanzee is among and other remarkable fauna.

The activity takes over 2 – 5 hours and one hour is available for you to interact with Chimps and take photos.

Afternoon, embark on your journey to transfer to Kasese 110km about 3 hours of drive. Arrive in the early evening for relaxation and overnight.

Accommodation: Equator Snow Lodge (Luxury/upmarket), Ruboni Community Camp (Basic/budget) or Mihunga safari Lodge (Midrange/standard).

Day 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14 of the 17 Days of Gorillas & Rwenzori Hiking: Climb Rwenzori Mountains – The Historic Mountains of The Moon.

Hike From Nyakalengija (5400ft /1646 m) to Nyabitaba Hut (8700ft /2652m)

Wake up for an early breakfast after which you will transfer to Ibanda – the park Headquarters and the logistics support center at Ruwenzori Mountaineering Services.

Equipment, porters and guides are gathered at this point so as to gain momentum for this 8 day active adventure. Hike up to Nyabitaba hut over 5 – 7 hours.

Nyabitaba- John Matte Hut (11200ft/3414 m)

Wake up early enough to embark on the 7 hour hike from Nyabitaba hut to Kurt Shaffer Bridge across Bujuku and Mubuku rivers. It’s quite steep and slippery here. Proceed to John Matte hut to rest your day.

John Matte – Bujuku Hut (13000 ft 3962 m)

Embark on this 3 -5 hour hike from John Matte across Bujuku River before penetrating Bigo bog where you will then ascend on dry surface to Lake Bujuku.

Mt Baker and Mt Speke appearing in the north, you will maintain your trail until you rest your day at Bujuku hut.

Bujuku Hut – Elena Hut (14,700 ft /4430 m)

Hike from Bujuku hut to Scott Elliot stretching to Elena hut which is the end point of the central circuit. The Margarita peak climb commences from here over 5,109m which requires two extra days.

From Elena hut, descend via sparse vegetation that characterizes the Alpine zone up to Lake Kitandara hut for overnight.

Lake Kitandara Hut – Guy Yeoman Hut (10700ft/3261m)

Start from Lake Kitandara hut and descend amidst sights of Democratic Republic of Congo and Margarita peak northwards. Arrive at Guy Yeoman hut for overnight.

Descend From Guy Yeoman Hut to Nyabitaba Hut

After an early breakfast, embark on the downward movement for over 5 hours up to Nyabitaba hut. You will relax and spend an overnight here.

Descend From Nyabitaba Hut to Nyakalengija.

This is the final descend of this active Ruwenzori hiking adventure. You will descend for over 3 hours before arriving at Nyakalengija Park headquarters to mark the end of your adventure.

You will be transferred to your hotel for relaxation and overnight.

Accommodation: Equator Snow Lodge (Luxury/upmarket), Ruboni Community Camp (Basic/budget) or Mihunga safari Lodge (Midrange/standard).

Spend The Whole Day Resting And Refreshing:

Since hiking Rwenzori Mountains is not an easy activity, you need a whole day of rest doing passive activities like swimming and allowing the body to rejuvenate.

Accommodation: Spend an overnight at your previous Hotel.

Day 15: Drive to Volcanoes National Park – Rwanda

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Volcanoes National Park – Rwanda. You will pass through the unpaid game sights in Queen Elizabeth National Park and the amazing scenic views of Kigezi Highlands. It is 408km about 10 hours’ drive meaning that you will arrive in the evening for overnight.

Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Hotel (Upmarket/luxury), Lapalme Hotel (Midrange/standard) or Muhabura Hotel (Budget/basic).

Day 16: Do Gorilla Trekking

Gather at the Park headquarters at Kinigi after breakfast at your hotel. At 08:00am briefing will start to help you gain insight about the day’s activity by the park warden and then you will be divided and allocated gorilla families to track.

Set off to the jungle of Volcanoes in search of mountain gorillas which takes over 2 –8 hours. Encounter gorillas for one hour and you are free to take photos provided the flash is off and ask questions to the guide regarding these gorillas.

Return from this activity. Relax after which you can visit the Iby’wachu village to explore the Banyarwanda culture or take a nature walk to the twin lakes.