Top Tips On Combining Murchison Falls With The Rwenzori Hike
This exciting 12-day Murchison Falls And Rwenzori itinerary takes you on a thrilling adventure through some of Uganda’s most iconic destination. Your Murchison Falls And Rwenzori journey begins in Entebbe located along the shores of Lake Victoria. From there, you will travel north to Murchison falls National Park, the largest and oldest national park in Uganda. Here, you will witness the powerful Murchison falls where the Nile river squeezes through a narrow gorge and plunges dramatically below. You will also enjoy game drives to spot elephants, lion’s giraffes, buffalos and more, as well as boat cruise along the Nile. After the unforgettable experience of exploring Murchison Falls National Park, your journey will continue westwards to the town of Kasese where the Rwenzori mountains are located ahead of your hike. You will check into your accommodation in the footstools of the Rwenzori mountains where the trek starts on the central circuit trail a scenic route through the UNESCO world heritage site. This trek will take you through different vegetation zones, from thick tropical forests to alpine meadows and glacier covered peaks. The main goal is to reach Margherita summit of Mount Stanley, which is the highest point Uganda and third highest peak in Africa at 5109m above sea level. After reaching the summit, you will descend back through the mountain and return to Kasese, then transfer back to Entebbe, bringing this unforgettable adventure to an end.
A Detailed 12-Day Murchison Falls and the Rwenzori Mountains
Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe
You will arrive in Entebbe International airport, Uganda’s entry point after clearing with immigration and collecting your luggage, a driver will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. This day is mostly for resting and recovering from your journey, enjoying the cool breeze from Lake Victoria. You will also receive a briefing ahead of your journey and take the rest of the day at leisure at your hotel.
Day 2: Transfer from Entebbe to Murchison Falls National Park
After breakfast, you will start your drive to Murchison falls national park. This is a long journey of about 6 to 7 hours, but the road trip offers beautiful views of the countryside, small towns, and rural villages. You may stop for lunch along the way and after continuing with the journey. Upon arrival in the park, you will start spotting some animals through the southern part of the park like baboons and then check in at your accommodation where you will enjoy dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Explore Murchison falls on game drive and boat safari
This day is dedicated to exploring Murchison falls national park. Early in the morning, you will go on a game drive across the northern savannah plains of the park. You will have a chance to see many animals at sunrise including elephants, giraffes, lions, leopards, Uganda kobs, buffalos and different bird species. After the game drive, you will return to the lodge for lunch and rest for a while. In the afternoon you will head to the River Nile where you will start on a boat ride that takes you to the bottom of the falls. On the boat, you will see hippos, crocodiles, water birds and animals coming to drink water on the riverbanks. The cruise ends at the bottom of the falls where you will feel the power of the water thundering down rocks. From here you will then return and head to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Visit the top of the falls and Transfer from Murchison falls to Kasese
After an early breakfast, you will drive to the top of the falls where you have an incredible view of the falls from above. After the short visit where you will take numerous photos of the Great Nile squeezing itself through the narrow gorge you will embark on your journey to Kasese. The transfer can take from 8 to 11hours depending on the conditions of the road and weather. The drive passes through Uganda’s beautiful countrysides, tea plantations and views from of the mountain. You will have lunch on your way and arrive in the footstools of Rwenzori Mountain in time for dinner and overnight at your accommodation. You will be allowed enough time to rest ahead of the mountain climbing adventure ahead of you tomorrow.
Day 5: Nyakalengeji(1646m) to Nyabitaba hut (2651m)
Your trekking begins today; after waking up to a delicious breakfast at your accommodation, you will start on your walk to the park gate. Here you will register, receive a briefing from the park officials, you will meet your guides and porters get introduced and then start on your journey. After briefing, you will start the hike through the forest zone of Rwenzori mountains with different tree species. the hike takes about 4-6hours depending on your pace. You will spend the night at Nyabitaba hut.
Day 6: Nyabitaba to John matte hut (3414m)
Today’s hike is more challenging but also more beautiful with changing vegetation zones. You will descend crossing the Bujjuku river valley and then climb through bamboo and heather zones. The trail can be muddy and slippery, but the views are very rewarding. You will cross several small streams and wooden bridges with views of waterfalls and moss-covered trees. After about 6 to 7 hours of the trekking, you will reach John matte hut located just near River Bujjuku. Dinner and overnight at John matte hut.
Day 7: John Matte to Bujjuku Hut (3962m)
After breakfast, you leave Johnmatte and begin the trek through the upper bigo bog, using the board walks and ladders to cross swampy areas. The trail continues to climb through the alpine zone, with giant lobelias and groundsells decorating the landscape. You will reach the beautiful Lake Bujuku and later arrive at Bujjuku hut after about 4 to 5hours. This hut offers great views of Mount Stanely, Mount Baker and Mount Speke. You will have meals and overnight at Bujjuku hut.
Day 8: Bujjuku to Elllena hut (4541m)
This a shorter but steeper part of the climb. Set out from Bujjuku hut and start on the clim to Ellena camp which is also the lauching area for the summit of Margherita peak. Toda’s hike involves passing through more rocky and icy terrain. The trail leads to the upper Bujjuku valley and then climbs to Ellena hut which sits on the stanley plateau. This hut is the base of those aiming to hike to Margherita peak. Its a cold and basic shelter, but essential for preparing for early summit attempt. Your guide will brief you about the climb and check your equipment ahead of the summit night. Ensure to sleep early because the night will be short as the next day is beginning as early as 2am in the night.
Day 9: Margherita summit and return to Kitandara hut (4023m)
You will wake up very early, around 2am, and start the summit attempt. Using ropes, crampons, and ice axes, you will cross glaciers, climb rocky ridges and navigate several crevasses with the help of your experienced guides, and headlamp lighting up your path. After 6 to 8 hours of hard climbing, you will reach margherita peak, the highest point in Uganda. The summit offers incredible views and a great sense of achievement. After taking photos and resting briefly you will start on you descend to kitandara hut, where you will spend a night. This is along and tiring day but also most rewarding.
Day 10: Kitandara to Guy Yeoman hut (3261m)
Today you descend from Kitandara hut via the freshfield pass and into the lower valleys. The trail passes through rocky sections and boggy area, and you begin to feel the warmer air as you drop in elevation. You will reach guy yeoman hut after about5 to 6hours. This hut is in a beautiful valley with several streams and rivers, waterfalls and forest nearby. Overnight at guy yeoman hut.
Day 11: Return to Nyakalengeji
This is the final day of the trek; you will descend through the forest crossing several rivers and bridges till you breach nyabitaba for a short rest and lunch. After lunch continue with the journey through the forested zone retracing your steps back till you reach Mihunga gate where you are awarded a certificate for the achievement of conquering the summit of margherita. You will reach in the evening hours, and you can bid farewell to the Rwenzori mountains. Check in at your accommodation for the night.
Day 12: Transfer back to Entebbe
After breakfast at your accommodation, you will start on your journey back to Entebbe. The drive takes about 9 to 10 hours. You will have an enroute lunch along the way and embark on your drive through Uganda’s villages and town. You will arrive in Entebbe late evening and here you will either check in at your accommodation or transfer immediately for your flight back home or next destination marking the end of the 12 days itinerary to Murchison falls and Rwenzori climbing.
End of the 12-Day Murchison Falls and the Rwenzori Mountains