5 Day Mountain Rwenzori Hike Safari – Rwenzori Mountains Trekking
Our 5 Day Mountain Rwenzori Hike Safari goes to Mount Rwenzori, also referred to as “the mountains of the moon”, located in the west of Uganda at the border with Congo. It is the tallest mountain in Uganda and contributes to the country’s status of being the PEARL OF AFRICA because its peak is covered with snow all year round, with several beautiful streams of water flowing down.
Day 0: Travel to Kasese
You will spend the first day on the road travelling to Kasese via Mityana, Mubende, Kyenjojo, and Fort Portal. We depart from Kampala early in the morning after our breakfast, and in about 5 hours, we shall be in Fort Portal, where we shall stop for lunch.
As we leave Fort Portal town to proceed to Kasese, you’ll have a beautiful view of the Tooro Kingdom palace on a hill, which is known to have had the youngest King to take over the throne in the whole world. It takes about 2 hours from Fort Portal to Kasese.
Day 1: Trekking through Mount Rwenzori
If you slept in Kasese town, you will drive 12 km to Kilembe at Kyanjuki, where the initial climb of about 2 km starts at the rangers’ post in Mt. Rwenzori National Park. They brief on the activity and dos and don’ts, followed by the first hike of about 8.5km, from a height of 1,667 metres to 3,171 metres, for approximately 6 hours.
For a distance of about 2 km from the rangers’ post, you’ll pass through tall grass and thickets until you start to see forests. You will hear different bird sounds, proceed, and cross many streams and rivers of melting-snow water. We are starting to move into the steeper landscapes with forests that support primates, especially monkeys. At a height of 2,570m, you will rest to have lunch, and you may spot troops of blue monkeys or black and white colobus monkeys crossing and playing in the trees.
The hike continues after eating, and slightly ahead (2,785m), you’ll find a rock shelter that poachers used in the past to kill primates and dika. The next vegetation is bamboo as the mountain gets steeper, closing in on the next post with fascinating views of valleys, Lake George, and Queen Elizabeth National Park. You’ll arrive at the next post, Samalira camp, at 3,147 metres, where you can clearly view the surrounding environment, including Kasese town. Have dinner and relax.
Day 2: Hike a distance of 6.9km in 4-5 hours
Have your breakfast and prepare to set off further to the mountain. The next hike lets you see the surrounding area almost straight ahead at the bottom, especially Kilembe village and Lake George.
You’ll proceed to cross Chavumba, which locally means “heaven,” at 3,316 m. You will have your lunch at Polly’s rock shelter at 3,249m. The meal will bring you the energy to hike further above River Nyamwamba to Kiharo camp for the overnight.
Day 3: Hiking steep areas
The morning starts with a meal for breakfast before you begin hiking through large rocks in steep areas of the mountain. As you climb further, you come across cliffs and depressions formed by glaciers millions of years ago, and more than 2 km ahead lies Lake Nsuranja. You’ll climb to reach Mutinda Rock shelter, where you’ll relax overnight.
Day 4: Mutinda to Kalalama Camp
Mutinda is 5 km from Kalalama. First, climb to the top of Mutinda hill, which takes about an hour; then descend the slope, which takes approximately 30 minutes. When you stand at one of the flat top hills of Mutinda, the views around the area are so eye-catching. The views of the Mountain, Kasese town and Queen Elizabeth National Park are breathtaking. Go back and have a simple meal at Mutinda rock shelter as you get ready to slope to Kalalama camp, which sits on an elevated piece.
We start descending, hoping to relax first at Kalalama camp at 3,134m. A lot of rocks and cliffs lie ahead on this trail. Further toward the camp, you’ll move through a beautiful valley with decorations of about 150 Giant lobelias until we arrive at the camp for the overnight.
Day 5: Through the Montane forest and driving back to your residence
You’ll leave Kalalama camp and slope down via the trail to Samalira camp. You’ll walk a little further and relax for a few minutes as you get closer to the Rangers’ post at 1,727 metres. On arrival at the post, you’ll sign out, and the driver guide will be waiting for you at Trekkers hostel. He will drive you back to your residence or Kampala.
End of 5 Day Mountain Rwenzori Hike Safari
