Brief on Rwenzori Mountains National Park

 

The Rwenzori – the fabled Mountains of the Moon – lie in western Uganda along the Uganda-Congo border. The equatorial snow peaks include the third highest point in Africa, while the lower slopes are blanketed in moorland, bamboo and rich, moist montane forest. Huge tree-heathers and colorful mosses are draped across the mountainside with giant lobelias and “everlasting flowers”, creating an enchanting, fairytale scene.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park protects the highest parts of the 120km-long and 65km-wide Rwenzori mountain range. The national park hosts 70 mammals and 217 bird species including 19 Albertine Rift endemics, as well as some of the world’s rarest vegetation.

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The Rwenzoris are a world-class mountaineering and hiking destination. A nine- to twelve-day trek will get skilled climbers to the summit of Margherita – the highest peak – though shorter, non-technical treks are possible to scale the surrounding peaks.

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For those who prefer something a little less strenuous, neighboring Bakonzo villages offer nature walks, homestead visits home cultural performances and accommodation, including home-cooked local cuisine.

Size: 996km2 The Park was gazetted in 1991 and was recognized as a World Heritage site in 1994 and Ramsar site in 2008. Highest point: 5,109m above sea level on Mt Stanley’s Margherita Peak. Mt. Stanley is bisected by the border with the DR Congo. The Rwenzori is not volcanic like East Africa’s other major mountains but is a block of rock upfaulted through the floor of the Western Rift Valley. The Rwenzoris were christened the “Mountains of the Moon” by the Alexandrine geographer Ptolemy in AD 150. The explorer Henry Stanley placed the Rwenzori on the map on 24th May 1888. He labeled it ‘Ruwenzori’, a local name which he recorded as meaning “Rain-Maker” or “Cloud-King.”

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The oldest recorded person to reach Margherita Peak was Ms Beryl Park aged 78 in 2010.

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Day-by-Day During 12 Days Hiking Safari Program 

 

Day One: You will be welcomed at the Airport and taken to your Hotel in Entebbe/Kampala by our local Safaris representative. The selection of city for accommodation will depend on your flight arrival time at Entebbe International Airport.

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Day Two: You will be picked by our driver from your Hotel/Residence in Entebbe/Kampala and drive to Kasese Town in Western Uganda. You will have a brief stop at Fort Portal Town for Lunch. You will spend a night at a Hotel/lodge closer to the base camp.

 

Day Three: Margherita Peak – 8 day trek begins with arrival at the base camp and a Steady walk with a steep climb for the last kilometer. Start at Trekkers at 1,450 meters and sleep at Sine Hut at 2,596 meters being a height gain of 1,146 meters. Guides generally brief clients at the start of the trek or the night before.

 

Day Four: After a good breakfast trekking starts at 8.30am and you soon enter the Bamboo-Mimulopsis Zone which is steep climb with many high steps. In the wet season the bamboo area is rather muddy and slippery making the going slow however the atmosphere and the forest is beautiful as you climb 551 metres altitude and a distance of 1.8km to Kalalama Camp at 3,147 meters which is in the Heather-Rapanea Zone where you can take a rest and a quick cup of tea or coffee before heading on to Mutinda Camp.

 

Day Five: 4.9km starting at 3,688 meters climbing to 4,062 meters. Alpine Zone. The trail here is boggy particularly in the wet season but with a little skill you can step from tussock to tussock to make the going easier. We cross the Mutinda valley through the tussock grass and everlasting flowers interpersed with many Giant Lobelias before we climb a steep section up to the Namusangi Valley (3,840 meters), which ends abruptly with sheer waterfalls and fantastic views of Mutinda Peaks. Bugata Camp has good facilities, solar lights, good toilets and bathrooms where the guides may prepare some warm water in a basin for you to wash.

 

Day Six: 6.2km starting at 4,062 meters climbing over 4,450 meters sleeping at 3,974 meters Commence trekking at 8.30am to climb up Bamwanjara Pass, the trail climbs steadily with several long flat bogs. The area is covered by everlasting flowers and Giant groundsel with the bogs being mainly tussock grass and Giant lobelia of which their nectar is the main food source of the Scarlet-tufted Malachite Sunbird (Nectarinia johnstonu dartmouthi) which is common in this area and epidemic to the Rwenzori Mountains. As you climb you look back to see the glacial lakes far down in the valley. Butawu Camp (3,974m) is set on a ridge high above Butawu River which flows down from Scott Elliott Pass through Kitandara Lakes and has excellent views of the snowcapped Mt Baker.

 

Day Seven: 4.2km starting at 3.974 meters climbing to 4.485 meters Walk back along the ridge before crossing several wet areas and small rivers coming from Mt Baker to join Butawu River. The walk up Scott Elliott Pass is enjoyable as you climb up over the rocks and up to Margherita Camp at 4,485 meters which is below Elena Hut and is sheltered with a ring of high rocks and the original camp used by the Italian Prince Luigi Amadeo di Savoia, Duke of the Abruzzi, who mounted a very powerful expedition in 1906, composed of biologists, surveyors, a geologist and a photographer. Some of the peaks still have the names, which the Duke chose to honor the Italian Kingdom and Queen Margherita hence our naming this camp Margherita Camp. From here you have great views of Mt Baker, Scott Elliot Pass and some of the high glaciers on Mt Stanley.

 

Day Eight: 3.5km Starting at 4,485 meters and climbing to Margherita Peak at 5,109 meters then descend to Butawu Camp at 3,974 meters. Wake up at 4am have a quick snack and start climbing so as to get on the Stanley Glacier before sunrise. The climb up from Elena can be difficult if covered in snow and ice but it is classed as a difficult scramble. Once on the Stanley glacier the going is easy however the climb down to Margherita glacier can be challenging and slippery in bad weather. On getting near to the top of the glacier you then need to climb around an exposed section, which is also bolted and roped, to get on the ridge running up to the top of Margherita Peak. On a clear day the views from Margherita Peak are awesome and your goal is achieved! After summiting you then descend directly to Butawu Camp or in the case of bad weather, you may need to stay in Margherita Camp but the following day it will be necessary to pass Butawu Camp directly to Bugata Camp.

 

Day Nine: Late breakfast at 8.30am and start trekking by 9am. The climb up Bamwanjara Pass is step and in wet weather can be rather slippery making it slow going. While crossing the pass you get the chance to see hyrax sitting at the entrance to their rock shelter warming in the sun. Their main predator is the Rwenzori Leopard Panthera pardus ruwenzori, which is rarely seen, but occasionally people do get a fleeting glimpse. Sleep at Bugata Camp and descend direct to base Camp in one day OR you can get an early start, take lunch at Bugata Camp then descend to Mutinda Camp. Sleep at Mutinda Camp then the following day descend to Base Camp but generally it is better to sleep at Bugata and descend all the way down the following day.

 

Day Ten: Descend to Base Camp, have late lunch at base camp and head to the hotel for a relaxing afternoon and Nigh Accommodation after dinner in Kasese Town.

 

Day Eleven: 05:00am checkout and set off to Queen Elizabeth National Park, about 30 minutes’ drive from your accommodation.  Queen Elizabeth National Park is described by many as the most beautiful park in Africa. Set in the west of the Great African rift valley, and bordered by the mist capped Mountain Rwenzori . Queen Elizabeth incorporates dozens of mirror surfaced crater-lakes, salty and fresh water lakes. There are over 95 mammal including 10 primate species (chimpanzees, vervet, blue, red-tailed, L’Hoest monkey, colobus, baboons), upto 20 predators (lion, leopard, spotted hyena, etc), antelopes, buffaloes, hippos, elephants and More than 610 bird species. If lucky we shall meet face to face with most of the above during our morning guided game drive along the channel tracks. After the game drive we will have our packed breakfast and relax as we head later for a boat cruise which usually takes about two hours on Kazinga Channel that connects Lake George and Edward. The Kazinga Channel is an oasis for many of the fascinating species that inhabit the park, and taking a boat tour along it gives visitors the chance to cruise just meters from hundreds of enormous hippos and buffalos while elephants linger on the shoreline. An average of 60 bird species may sometimes be spotted during the trip. And after which we shall go for a late lunch at Mweya Safari Lodge before embarking on a 6 hours’ drive to Kampala/Entebbe where you will have dinner and spend a night.

 

Day Twelve: Transfer from your hotel to Entebbe International Airport. You will be picked from your hotel in Kampala/Entebbe by our representative and taken to Entebbe International Airport.

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Note:

• Fitness is the greatest necessity for all our treks in the Rwenzoris

• Please let us know if there are specific desires that you may require.

• Please carry heavy jackets because it might get chilly

• An umbrella and other rain gear would also be ideal for this trip

• You may need comfortable rubber boots for the Mountain Trek and also for the hike at the caves and crater lakes in fort portal

• Carrying a camera is valuable for the photographic moments

• Please don’t forget to carry your medicine in case of some illness

• Carry warm sleeping bags

• You may need head gear and hand gloves for safety from severe weather conditions

• The package provides food and a soft drink per person per meal. Extras will be paid for by the client themselves.

• The package does not also include personal expenses outside the package arrangement

 

SAFARI CHARGE 

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No. of PAX      6PAX   5PAX   4PAX   3PAX   2PAX  1PAX 

Backpackers  $2805   $2855  $2935  $3065  $3325  $4325 

Budget           $3025   $3075  $3155  $3285  $3545  $4545

Mid-range      $3380   $3430  $3510  $3640  $3900  $5030

High-end        $4170   $4230  $4320  $4470   $4770  $5670

 

 

Included in the Package:

·       Airport Pick-up and Drop-off

 

·       Mountain Trek to Rwenzori Margherita Peak

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·       Car Entrance Fees to the National Parks to be visited

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·       Car Hire, fuel and Driver expenses

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·       Entrance to Rwenzori National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park

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·       All the main Meals during your holiday

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·       Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park

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·       Game drive, Ranger/guide fees

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·       All the Accommodation during the tour

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·       Porter expenses during the mountain trek (tipping is at your discretion)

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·       Airport Transfers (pick up and drop off)

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Not included: Insurance (Insurance, is mandatory for all our treks and all clients should buy their insurance before arrival covering Medivac and evacuation at an altitude of 4000metres and above. Please note that no trek will depart without insurance)

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IMPORTANT/VITAL INFORMATION FOR THE MOUNTAIN CLIMBING ACTIVITY

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Margherita Peak 12 Days Trek Safari Experience

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Fitness is the greatest necessity for all our treks in the Rwenzoris, I will not compare Rwenzori to Kilimanjaro or Mt. Kenya, “Rwenzoris is a challenge of its own kind!” very rugged hence lots of up and down movements coupled up with mud, though the beauty is seriously rewarding. So please train and be fit for this hike. No extreme technical skills required for this trek, main requirement is fitness.

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Accommodation in mountains

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We do have a mixture of both huts and permanent tents on the trail. In case we do have extra people on board, we do always carry extra tents which we do pitch up for them. We will always know and plan for our clients before they start, hence there will be enough accommodation for everyone in the mountains. In the huts are bunk beds with mattresses  and in the tents there Mattresses only so all you need to carry is a warm sleeping bag rating -2 degrees or more and you will be covered up for sleeping.

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For equipment:

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Harnesses, crampons, caribinas, ice axes, helmets, rubber boots (are must have) and ropes are all provided free of charge. We do hire sleeping bags @ $15 and price is for the whole trek. Please take note of the above personal gear list you will need on your hike. You need to book sleeping bags in advance as we do have less in stores. Temperatures can go as low as -2 degrees above 4000m and 5 degrees below 4000m and highest of 15 degrees which mainly around 2900 and 3500 during day.

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Food

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Good food is provided on all treks and the guides are trained to do the preparation and cooking on all treks .The meals are mainly healthy and designed to keep you healthy throughout your whole trek. Meals provided cater for all meal allergies and we will be happy to receive information about your food allergies. Please note that we don’t supply bottled water on our treks, all water is got from streams and purified, and therefore all clients should carry water purifiers to cater for at least 3ltrs a day. We though do boil water at night for teas and coffee, so some people option to fill up their water bottles the night before with boiled water.

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Porters will be carrying your luggage maximum weight 25kg, we advise that you carry a big backpack which the porters will be carrying and a day pack for your personal equipment which you will be carrying yourself. We also advise that you have backpack covers in case of any rains. 2 porters are provided per client any extra porters can be organised at an extra fee of $15 per day.

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Guides will always be provided which are 2 guides and that’s the minimum standard for 1 to 5pax and 3 guides for 6pax to 15pax. The guides are all well trained, with first aid skills, guiding skills, evacuation skills, flora and fauna, abseiling, cooking, safety & security and customer care. The guides never stop being trained so as to ensure customer satisfaction. Hence training never stops.

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Insurance is mandatory for all our treks and all clients should buy their insurance before arrival covering Medivac and evacuation at an altitude of 4000metres and above. Please note that no trek will depart without insurance. So in case of any emergency, all the huts are equipped with stretchers, and all the teams are always equipped with a first aid box and always have a satellite phone on all treks .

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Guide will analyze the situation and call us to inform us about the emergency, meanwhile a first aid will be done to minimize the effect or any other sickness.

There is a team of porters to run you down the mountains in just hours and straight to kasese hospital which is right at the base camp for more treatment, after which you can be transfered to Entebbe then to an international hospital if its necessary or organize to fly you back home after talking to your family.(please note all this will be catered for by your insurance)

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Tips, we don’t have any standard tipping guideline during mountain climbing expedition, clients should tip according to their satisfaction. We though encourage USD5 tip to porters and guides per day in case one wishes to tip, which is put together in one envelope and handed to the operation manager on ground who helps out on sharing it.