09 Nights / 10 Days
-Semiliki Reserve/Kibale NP/Bunyonyi/ Bwindi Impenetrable NP. Uganda
Wildlife, Primates, Savannah, Birdlife, marine, off the beaten Path trails
Day1: Arrive at Entebbe International Airport
Meet and greet Entebbe International Airport where you’re Ultimate Journey to Uganda starts by our representative who will warmly welcome you and facilitate seamless arrival formalities. Your will then be transferred to your hotel where you will be briefed about your adventure safari. Depending on the time of arrival you are advised to have money Changed on this day and time allowing you may go for city tour with the help of our driver/guide, visit the shopping Malls around town and craft villages to get items which you may need while in upcountry.
Overnight at Hotel/ Lodge/ Guest House
Meals: None
Day2: Transfer to Rwenzori National Park
Meet and greet with your driver in the morning and transfer to Mountain Rwenzori in Nyakalengija. It will take you approximately 7 hours’ drive with a stopover for lunch enroute at fort portal town at your expense. We will then proceed to Kasese where we will spend a night beneath the mountains of the moon base at nyakalengijja for an overnight.
Overnight at Hotel/ Lodge/ Guest House
Meals: Full Board
Day3: Hike to Nyabitaba Hut (2651m)
Meet your guide who will transfer you to briefing (1615m) – Nyabitaba Hut (2651m). Here we will have instructions from the park rangers and an introduction to the route, as well as meeting with our guides and porters. After that, we will embark on a journey along a path that passes through a dense forest along the Mubuku River, crosses its tributary of the Mahoma River, and then a long climb to the massive ridge, along which you will reach the Nyabitaba hut (2651 m).
During this part of the journey, we can hear chimpanzees and see black and white Colobus, blue monkey and brightly colored Turaco Rwenzori. Duration of the hike: 6-7 hours. Elevation height: 1036 m.
Overnight at Hotel/ Lodge/ Guest House
Meals: Full Board
Day4: Hike to John Matte Hut (3380m)
Nyabitaba (2651m) – Mubuku River (2600m) John Matte Hut (3380m)
After breakfast, from Nyabitaba hut we will follow a trail that descends through the forest to the Kurt Shafer Bridge, just below the confluence of the Mubuku and Bujuku rivers. Next, we will pass a bamboo forest and a long, tiring stretch of slippery moss-covered cliffs. From the Nyamuleju rock shelter, we will see the Stanley Mountains (Margherita Peak (5109m)) and Speke (4890m). And then we will find yourself in the zone of giant heather, lobelia and agriculture. Finally reach John Matte’s hut (3505 m). Dinner and overnight at the hut. Duration of the hike: 7-8 hours. Elevation height: 854m
Overnight at Hotel/ Lodge/ Guest House
Meals: Full Board
Day5: Hike to Bujuku (3962m)
From John Matte Hut, the trail drops down to cross the Bujuku River and enters the Lower Bigo Bog, the home of giant lobelias. Will enjoy the beautiful but hypnotizing boardwalk through the open valley. Transition through a steep forested section to the upper Bigo bog which gives way to Lake Bujuku, with views of Mount Baker to the south and Mount Stanley to the west. This 4-5-hour hike ends at Bujuku hut. Bujuku is also a Launchpad for climbing Mount Speke.
Overnight at Hotel/ Lodge/ Guest House
Meals: Full Board
Day6: Hike to Kitandara hut (4541m)
From Bujuku Hut, after a muddy area, will start a steep climb through a forest of giant groundsels up to the Groundsel Gully. A branch in the trail leads to Elena Hut, 4.430 m, and then the trail proceeds directly to Kitandara Hut. You walk through Scott Elliot Pass, 4.372 m., the highest point during the central circuit, where you can enjoy stunning panoramic views down the Bujuku valley, of Mount Baker, Mount Luigi di Savoia and Stanley just above. This is a steep, rocky trail which when is wet or icy can be very slippery.
Overnight at Hotel/ Lodge/ Guest House
Meals: Full Board
Day7: Margherita peak– Kitandara hut (4027m)
From Bujuku Hut, after a muddy area, will start a steep climb through a forest of giant groundsels up to the Groundsel Gully. A branch in the trail leads to Elena Hut, 4.430 m, then the trail proceeds directly to Kitandara Hut. You walk through Scott Elliot Pass, 4.372 m., the highest point during the central circuit, where you can enjoy stunning panoramic views down the Bujuku valley, of Mount Baker, Mount Luigi di Savoia and Stanley just above. This is a steep, rocky trail which when is wet or icy can be very slippery.
Overnight at Hotel/ Lodge/ Guest House
Meals: Full Board
Day 8: Kitandara (4027m) – Fresh field Pass (4282m) – Guy Yeoman (3450m)
Margherita Peak for those aiming at reaching Margherita peak (5109m), continue to the base of the Stanley Glacier. To reach the summit of Margherita, the climb takes about 5-7 hours depending on the weather conditions and the pace of climbing this mountain. This tough walk takes you over three glaciers, slippery rock, ice and very exposed areas which are open on many sides. Note that this climb is for only physically fit and technical climbers. Climbing on to the glaciers, cross the Stanley Plateau and proceed with the ascent. Acclimatized to fog, altitude sickness and coolly weather, scramble up to the summit of Margherita the highest peak of the Rwenzori’s. Given the high altitude and the tough conditions even if you do not reach the peak, don’t get disappointed. Prepare for you return through the Scott-Elliot pass, where there are spectacular views back to Bujuku Lake and Mount Speke, up to Mount Stanley and down to the Kitandara Lakes. After the trail that passes you through an alpine zone of sparse vegetation and rough boulders, descend past the Kitandara Lakes for dinner and overnight.
Overnight at Hotel/ Lodge/ Guest House
Meals: Full Board
Day 9: Guy Yeoman to Nyabitaba to Nyakalengija
Take on the trail that ascends steeply up the headwall, spreading out from the base of Mount Baker and continuing along the south side of the mountain to Fresh Field Pass (4282m asl.) From the pass, take on the long high alpine mossy trail. Thereafter start the descent through steep rocky trails and the rock shelter at Bujongolo, the base camp for the historic expedition by the Duke of Abruzzi in 1906.
Overnight at Hotel/ Lodge/ Guest House
Meals: Full Board
Day10: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Below Guy Yeoman, the route descends the cliffs of Kichuchu. Beyond Kichuchu the boggy path crosses the Mubuku River twice through a bamboo forest before climbing up to Nyabitaba to complete the circuit. Continue past Nyabitaba Camp to complete your trek through Mihunga gate to Nyakalengija, at the base to meet and greet with your driver who will transfer you to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park lies in southwestern Uganda on the edge of the Rift Valley. Its mist-covered hillsides are blanketed by one of Uganda’s oldest and most biologically diverse rain forests, which dates back over 25,000 years and contains almost 400 species of plants. More famously, this “impenetrable forest” also protects an estimated 459 mountain gorillas – roughly half of the world’s population, including several habituated groups, which can be tracked. This biologically diverse region also provides shelter to a further 120 mammals, including several primate species such as baboons and chimpanzees, as well as elephants and antelopes. There are around 350 species of birds hosted in this forest, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics.
Overnight at Hotel/ Lodge/ Guest House
Meals: Full Board
Day11: Gorilla Tracking Experience
After an early breakfast depart to the starting point for briefing about your gorilla trekking adventure after which you will be led by experienced gorilla trackers on the slopes of the volcanoes. You will start from the site where the gorillas were encountered the day before and from here the gorilla tracking begins. Although the hike can be physically demanding, the anticipation of the exciting experience ahead is amazing, and the beauty of the gorilla forest and its inhabitants are fascinating. One of Africa’s major highlights is when you encounter these gentle apes. It is a humbling experience to stand just meters from man’s distant cousins as they eat rest, play and bond with their young ones. Follow the mountain gorillas as they range freely in the impenetrable forest, and discover their gorgeous natural habitual and the many species they share it with. You are allowed an hour with the gorillas before finally sloping down back to your lodge.
Don’t forget to carry your rain gear, packed lunch, plenty of water, gloves, hat, and water proof bag for protection of your camera in case of rain
Overnight at Hotel/ Lodge/ Guest House
Meals: Full Board
Day12: Transfer Entebbe for outbound Flight back home with a stopover at the Equator for water experiment
Later, leisurely transfer to Entebbe International Airport with a stopover at the Equator for water experience, here you will too have an opportunity to stand in 2 hemispheres at the same time. Take some photos, then another stops over at the Mpigi Royal Drum Makers where you will be able to watch the ceremonial drums being crafted using methods passed down through the generations arriving in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast
