A Complete 12-Day Kibale, Rwenzori And Queen Elizabeth Itinerary

A Detailed 12-Day Kibale, Rwenzori And Queen Elizabeth Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and transfer to Kibale National park

Your journey begins when you arrive at Entebbe International airport, where your local guide will be awaiting to welcome you into the pearl of Africa. After a short briefing, you will start on your road trip to Kibale National Park located in the western part of Uganda. The drive takes about 5 to 6 hours through the green countryside, rolling hills, tea plantations and local villages. You will drive through major cities in Uganda including Fort Portal city where you enjoy your enroute lunch and beautiful sceneries of the surrounding landscape. Continue with the journey to Kibale and upon arrival you will check in at your accommodation located near the park. Spend the rest of the evening relaxing as you prepare for chimpanzee trekking the next day.

Day 2: Chimpanzee trekking and transfer to Rwenzori mountains

After an early breakfast, you will head to the Kanchuchu visitor centre, where you will meet the park rangers and receive a short briefing about the rules, regulations and safety of during chimpanzee trekking. The trek begins as you enter the thick forest, guided by experienced rangers. You will walk through tall trees, vines with birds calls as you stay alert for the loud sounds of the chimpanzees. Once you find the chimpanzees, you will spend one unforgettable hour watching them. You might find them grooming each other, jumping from one tree branch to another or even playing or fighting. It is an amazing experience to be close to these intelligent animals in the natural home. After the trek, you will return to the lodge for lunch and check out start on the drive to the base of Rwenzori mountains in Nyakalengeji which takes about 2 to 3 hours. Once you arrive, you will check into a nearby lodge, meet your mountain guide at your lodge. Here you will check with all the equipment needed for the trek. You will rest tonight before the start of the mountain adventure.

Day 3: Nyakalengeji to Nyabitaba

After breakfast, you will go to the park headquarters at Nyakalengija where you will sign in with the park authorities. Start the hike with your guide taking the lead, walking through the wild bananas and different tree species. You will gradually enter the forest where you may spot monkeys, forest birds and a variety of butterfly species. As you go deeper into the mountain, the trail becomes steeper and more slippery. You will pass through thick towering trees and after about 5 to 6 hours of walking you will reach Nyabitaba camp the first hut on the central circuit trail. Dinner is served at the hut and you will sleep early to ensure you have enough rest for the next days trek.

Day 4: Nyabitaba to John matte (3214m)

This day begins with a steep descent to the Bujjuku river, where you will cross a bridge known as the Kurt Shafer bridge. From there, the trail becomes more challenging as you climb through the bamboo zone. The path is sometimes muddy and you need to step carefully on the tree roots and rocks. As you gain altitude, the forest changes into a giant heather zone, where the beauty of the mossy covered forest comes alive with so many heather trees of different species. Finally, you arrive at John matte camp located just near River Bujjuku and on a clear day you can view the glacier on Margherita Peak. After dinner, you will sleep early to recover from long hike resting in you bed at John matte camp.

Day 5: John matte to Bujjuku (3962m)

After breakfast, you will continue the climb towards Bujjuku hut. This section of the trail passes through boggy area known as the lower bigo bog, starts with a board walk through this section and then the upper bigo bog. These wetlands are crossed using wooden boardwalks to avoid mud. You will walk slowly and carefully, surrounded by unique plants like giant lobelias and groundsels. You will reach Lake Bujjuku, a stunning high-altitude lake surrounded by glaciers and rocky peaks of Mount Stanley, Mount Baker, and Mount Speke. This area often has mist and cold air creating a magical mountain atmosphere.

Day 6: Bujjuku to Ellena (4541m)

Today the trail leads you through some of the most beautiful and harsh landscapes in the Rwenzori’s. You will climb up the Scot Elliot pass, a steep and rocky trail that leads into the alpine zone. The weather is cold, and the air is thinner at this height. You will reach a point where the trail splits. One path leads to Kitandara, but you will take the trail that goes to Ellena which is used by climbers who are preparing for the Margherita Peak summit. Ellena is characterised by cold, and harsh winds, its built-on rocks. You will have an early dinner and go to bed early because you must wake up early for the summit attempt.

Day 7: Summit Margherita (5109m) and descend to Kitandara hut (4023m)

This is the most challenging and most exciting day of the entire hike. You will wake up around 2 am and prepare in warm clothing wearing all your mountain gear including helmets and crampons. With the headlamp lighting your way, you will start on the climb through the Stanely plateau to the Stanley glacier. The climb includes ice walls, snowfields and crevasses. Move slowly taking each step after your experienced guide all through. After several hours you will reach Margherita peak, the highest point in Uganda. Standing at the top of this summit will make you feel how all the effort was worth it and then you will take photos. On a clear day, you can see as far as Congo and even Uganda. After taking photos embark on your descent walking till you reach Kitandara hut located in the beautiful alpine zone along the two twin lakes of Kitandara. Rest after these very long hours of walking.

Day 8: Kitandara to Guy Yeoman(3261m)

After breakfast, set out to a steep hike to Freshfield pass from Kitandara camp. The trail offers stunning views including homesteads from Congo. From here you will descend through the rocks to muddy, mossy rocks and streams. You will walk through various mountain zones before reaching Guy Yeoman hut located on the valley with thick vegetation. Spend the night here listening to the sounds of the mountain rivers and resting from the tiery summit night.

Day 9: Descend to Nyakalengeji

This is your final day in the mountain, you will descend back to Nyakalengija, walking through bamboo forests, rivers and farmlands. The trail is steep and tiring, but the sense of achievement is unmatched knowing you are among the very few who have kicked off this challenge from your backlist. You will have an enroute lunch along the way at Nyabitaba hut. after which you will continue with the descend. After reaching the base, you will receive the certificate of achievement from the park office and drive to Queen Elizabeth national park which is only an hour and half away. Upon arrival check in at your accommodation and relax with dinner in the evening at your safari lodge.

Day 10: Game drive and boat safari on Kazinga channel

Wake up early and head out for a morning game drive through the plains of Kasenyi. This area is a home to so many animal species including elephants, lions, buffalos, warthogs and various antelopes. You will drive through the open savannah and see wildlife in their natural homes. After the game drive return to your lodge where you will relax and later have lunch. In the afternoon you will enjoy a boat ride on Kazinga channel, a wide waterway that connects Lake Edward and Lake George. From the boat you will spot several animals including crocodiles, hippos, elephants on the shores and so many bird species including African fish eagles, king fisher among the many. Return to your lodge for dinner and relaxation.

Day 11: Drive back to Kampala

Wake up early and embark on a journey back to Kampala. You will drive through Uganda’s countryside of beautiful landscapes. Enjoy an enroute lunch and embark on your journey and upon arrival check in at your accommodation in Entebbe as you prepare for shoe bills in Mabamba island.

Day 12: Visit Mabamba Island

Wake up very early and drive to Lake Victoria where you will be picked and sail on the water heading to Mabamba Island. You will reach and find the rare shoe bill stock, spend time viewing these birds after which you will return and head to the airport to catch your flight back home. This marks the end of your 12 days Chimpanzee trekking, Rwenzori hike and Queen Elizabeth national park and finally visiting Mabamba island for the rare shoe bills.

End of the 12-Day Kibale Rwenzori And Queen Elizabeth Itinerary