The Prefect 13-Day Rwanda Gorilla Trek And Rwenzori Hike

A Detailed 13-Day Rwanda Gorilla Trek And Rwenzori Hike

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali, Rwanda

You arrive at Kigali International Airport, Rwanda, and transfer to your hotel in Kigali. The rest of the day is at leisure, allowing you to relax and prepare for your adventure ahead. You can take a short drive through the city, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, or simply relax in your hotel. You’ll meet your guide and discuss the itinerary for the next few days. You’ll also have time to explore the local markets and try some traditional Rwandan cuisine.

Day 2: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

You depart early from Kigali and drive to Volcanoes National Park, a scenic drive of approximately 2-3 hours. On the way, you’ll pass through the rolling hills and scenic countryside of Rwanda with views of the surrounding mountains. You’ll arrive at your lodge where you will spend the rest of the day preparing ahead of the next day’s adventure of gorilla trekking park headquarters, where you’ll meet your guides and prepare for your trek. You’ll have a briefing on the park’s rules and regulations and get an overview of the gorilla trekking experience. You’ll also have time to explore the park’s visitor centre and learn about the conservation efforts.

Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

You start your day with a briefing on the park’s rules and regulations; you will also be grouped and assigned a gorilla family after which you will then set out led by the ranger guide who will lead you to your gorilla family. The trek takes you through lush forests of bamboo trees, with views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. You’ll have the opportunity to see the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, as well as other wildlife such as monkeys and birds. You’ll spend several hours with the gorillas, observing their behavior and taking in the stunning scenery. This is a once-in -a-lifetime experience, and you’ll be amazed by the gorillas’ intelligence and gentle nature. In the afternoon you will visit ibiwachu cultural centre where you will discover the unique culture of Rwanda. After immersing yourself in the local culture of Rwanda where you learn more about the tradition and ceremonies you will head back to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Transfer to Rwenzori Mountain, Base Camp

You depart early from the park and drive to Rwenzori Mountain, arriving at Base Camp, the starting point of the Kilembe trail. You will check in at backpackers’ hostel for the night as you prepare all that you require for your next adventure win the Rwenzori mountains.

Day 5: Base Camp to Sine Camp (2596m)

You start your Rwenzori trek from Base Camp at an elevation of 1450m, passing through lush forests of different tree species with the sound of birds chirping and rivers flowing alongside the trail. The trail winds through bamboo forests, and you may spot monkeys and bushbucks. The scenery is stunning, with breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks. The camp is located 200meters away from Enock falls offering picturesque setting for your screensavers. You’ll spend the night here, resting and acclimatizing for the next day’s trek.

Day 6: Sine Camp to Mutinda Camp(3588m)

Todays trek sets off after an early breakfast walking through the bamboo zone via a steep ascent with numerous steep stairs. During the wet season, there are a lot of bamboo grows making the trail slippery and muddy. The trek is characterised by beautiful surroundings, and you climb 1.8m to Kalalama camp that is elevated at 3147m in the Heather zone where you will be resting and having tea or coffee before heading to Mutinda. Continue through several ridges, descending in valleys after which you will ascend after passing through mossy waterfalls. You will climb steadily along the wonderful mossy river that cascades over the rocks beneath the giant heather trees whose trunks are covered in moss with old man’s beards. Climb through to Mutinda lookout (3925m) for views of the Rwenzori mountains, Kasese town and Lake George. Finally, you arrive at Mutinda camp where you will spend a night and enjoy your dinner while relaxing.

Day 7: Mutinda camp to Bugata camp (4100m)

Start the day with breakfast, ascend to the alpine zone passing by waterfalls. mossy ridges and massive lobelias. During the trek you may encounter the Rwenzori duiker that is endemic to tis region. During the wet season, the trail to Bugata camp can be very boggy and muddy but with enough competence you jump through the different tussocks navigating this challenging part of the path. You will continue ascending a challenging part of the Namusangi valley where you will spot the water falls and as you look back from where you came from you see the stunning views of Mutinda peaks. Passing through tussock grass, everlasting flowers and giant lobelias you will enter the Mutinda valley and then climb steadily to Bugatti camp that is sited at ab elevation of 4100m across the Namusangi valley that has so may inclines and declines.

Day 8: Bugata Camp to Hunwicks Camp (3974m)

Today’s trek takes you through the scenic alpine zone, with views of glaciers and snow-capped peaks of Mount Stanley, Mount Baker and Margherita. You will reach hunwicks camp by climbing across the Bamwanjarra pass. The trail descends to the valley that is having evergreen thickets, lobelia and, moss and giant groundsel before heading into a swamp. Here you may spot the Malachite sunbird because of the many lobelias which are the nesting site for the bird. Continue with the ascent gradually to Hunwicks camp which sits near the valley offering stunning views of the Stanley, Baker and Weisman peaks. Spend the night at the camp resting and enjoy your dinner at the camp.

Day 9: Hunwicks Camp to Margherita Camp(4485m)

You trek to Margherita Camp, the last campsite before the summit, and prepare for the final ascent to Margherita Peak. Set off from the camp descending to the Kitandara lakes where you will walk past and start on an ascent that leads you to a rocky section. Climbing through the Scot Elliot pass via bouldering rocks keep going up the ridge. You’ll spend the night here, resting and acclimatizing for the summit attempt. The scenery is stunning, with breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks. You’ll have time to rest early enough ahead of the summit night where you must wake up at around 2am to start on the long journey and sum it attempt. Spend the evening resting at the camp.

Day 10: Summit Margherita and Descend to Hunwicks camp(3874m)

Today you will wake up as early as 2am, start ff with hot breakfast and then leave for Mount Stanely. During the dry season usually, the peak is covered within the clouds which may result in snowing between 1 and 4pm. Walking through the Stanley plateau, you finally reach the summit of Margherita peak (5109m). The climb is very challenging, but you are assured of breathtaking views rising over the Rwenzori peaks. The scenery is stunning with views of surrounding peaks of Mount Stanley. Take time to celebrate your achievement after which you will start on the descent to Hunwicks camp where you will rest from the long day’s hike.

Day 11: Hunwicks camp to Kiharo camp(3460m)

You will descend after your breakfast starting from the camp along the ridge towards McConnell’s prong. After descending you arrive at Oliver’s pass, standing at an impressive height of 4505m. After ascending down, you will arrive at the confluence of Nyamwamba and Kilembe rivers, at which point the river continues down wards leading to Lake George in Queen Elizabeth national park. A trail meandering down the valley provides access to Kiharo camp located in the valley of the lush greenery. You will navigate walk through the bog till you make your way to the valley.

Day 12: Kiharo Camp to Park Gate

You trek back to park Gate, reflecting on your amazing Rwenzori experience. After Kiharo camp the trail diverges to the right following the river briefly. This area is known for the highest concentration of the Rwenzori red duiker if you are lucky, you may spot one of them. As you slop the river becomes steeper with stunning cascades. You will then ascend a high ridge where you are rewarded with breathtaking views of the valley below. Then proceed descending to dense woodlands. Lunch will be served at Forest view camp before proceeding to Base camp making a perfect return of the remarkable journey through the breathtaking landscapes of the Rwenzori mountains.

Day 13: Transfer to Entebbe and Departure

You drive back to Entebbe, and transfer to the airport for your departure flight. You’ll depart with unforgettable memories of Rwanda’s gentle giants the gorillas and Rwenzori trek of stunning scenery of Uganda.

End of the 13-Day Rwanda Gorilla Trek And Rwenzori Hike