FTTMKIL 10 Days climbing rwenzoris mountains
The Rwenzori mountains range stretches for sixty miles along the Ugandan-Congo (Zaire) border. Often dubbed 'the Mountains of the Moon' , their glacial summits are enshrouded in cloud and midst for much of the year. The Rwenzoris were formed millions of years ago when violent tectonic activity forced together two halves of the African continent, creating the Great Rift Valley.
The Rwenzori mountains offer challenging trekking opportunties through difficult terrain - a combination of dense forests and boglands. The highest peak in the range is Marghuerita Summit on Mount Stanley . At a staggering 15,000ft, this is the third highest point in all of Africa.
TREKKERS TIPS
The Rwenzori moutain are notoriously wet, even during the dry seasons (May to October and November to March). Make sure you have adequate wet weather clothing and foot wear. Many people wear wellies for the entire trek.
Guides and porters are essential for trekking in the Rwenzoris. If your headed for Marghuerita Summit expect to pay about three hundred dollars for the six days trek, as well as tips and park entry fees.
Overnight accommodation in the rwenzori mountain is available in huts. These are very basic, you'll need to take your own bedding and cooking equipment.
Rwenzori Mountain Climb and Queen Elizabeth National Park 
Day One: Arrive at Entebbe and transfer to Kasese through Fort portal. Overnight at Hotel Margherita.
Day Two: Travel to Nyakalengija. Start trekking to Nyabitaba hut 2650m. The trek is through coffee plantations and crossing the Mahoma River travelling through forest to the Nyabitataba hut set on forested ridge with a view of portal peaks and Bujuku Valley.
Day Three: Trek to John Matte Hut, 7 hours walk 3550m our trail descends through forest to cross to Bujuku river at Kurt Shaffer Bridge and through a Giant Heath and Grounsel forest you will stop at Nyamileju hut "Place of Beards" name that refers to the moss and lichen hanging from the trees. We carry on to John matte which is close to the river in a grove of Giant heather.
Day Four: Trek to Lake Bujuku Hut.3900m. We travel through the two Bigo Bogs to Bigo Hut, crossing Kibatisi Bog to cooking pot cave and on to the beautiful set of Lake Bujuku (where Jesus learnt how to walk on the water) Here you should be able to have a wonderful view of mounts stanley, Speke and Baker and the incredible ice cave on Mount Speke should be clearly visible. You may now chose to ascend to mount Speke.
Day Five: Trek to Elena Hut 4541m. Travelling through groundsel gully and via Scott Eliot pass (highest point of loop trail 4372m) we ascend to Elena Hut.
Day Six: We climb Margherita peak 5109m, summit of the highest mountain in the Rwenzori and descend to Kitandara hut.
Day Seven: We trek to Guy yeoman 3450m. 5 hours walk. we will make a steep ascent to the fresh field pass 4282m and then descend to Bujonglo Cave. 3720m the base used for Duke of Abruzzi's 1906 expedition. We will pass the kabamba cave 3450m the waterfall and rock shelter staying overnight at Guy yeoman hut set in giant heather zone.
Day Eight: Descend from Guy yeoman to Nyakalengija to Mweya. Steep descent through the Bamboo Zone via Lake Mahoma to the trail head at Nyakalengija and to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Arrive in Queen Elizabeth National park. After an evening game drive, transfer to your accommodations for dinner and overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge****. (B,L,D)
Day Nine: After an early morning cup of tea at 6:30am, depart for a game drive on the northern part of the park along the Kasenyi track. This is the best time for opportunities of viewing the cats in action. Later, return for breakfast. In the afternoon, take another boat cruise on the Kazinga for solitary Buffalo, Hippo and other animals at the edge of the channel as they cool off. European migrant birds like the terns and gulls congregate here in large flocks. Dinner and overnight either at Mweya Safari Lodge (B,L,D)
Day Ten: After breakfast, transfer to Mbarara arriving in time for lunch at the Lake view Hotel ,continue to Kampala to Fairway hotel.
Day Eleven: Optional white water rafting day.
Day Twelve: Transfer to airport for flight out.
The best season for Rwenzori climbing is from mid - November to mid - March and July - August.
Includes: Accommodation, Transport, Airport Transfer, Trekking/Hiking fee, Hotel meals, Mountain food, Park Entry Fee, Rescue fee, Tents, Mountain Fuel (Charcoal), Guides fee, Porters fees (Food and wages).
You must come with Climbing gear i.e Crampons, Ice axe, Snow glasses.
Rwenzori Mountains lie along the western border of Uganda and rise to a height of 5,1OO metres. Here are the legendary 'Mountains of the Moon', a World Heritage Site - and these incomparable, beautiful, mist-shrouded peaks provide a unique backdrop to one of our most magnificent national parks.
In the centre of the range, which boasts Africa's third highest mountain, some of the peaks carry permanent snow and glaciers, while the lower slopes are covered with dense forest. Walking trails on the lower slopes do not call for mountaineering experience, although the higher you go the fitter you need to be. Excellent walking routes, including the Bujuku circuit, are provided through wonderful and unique scenery. For those who want to attempt a climb, several peaks provide challenges that match those in the Alps. These fabled mist-covered "Mountains of the Moon," 120 km in length and 48 km in width, were formed from a block which was thrust up during the creation of the western arm of the Great East African Rift Valley. At the centre of the range, there are six peaks carrying permanent snow, three with glaciers.
The highest of these peaks, and the third highest peak in Africa, is Mt. Margherita rising 5100 metre above sea level. The Rwenzori Mountains were gazetted as a National Park in 1991. The Park covers 996 km 2 of rugged mountain terrain. Whether they are experienced climbers or casual day-hikers, Rwenzori Mountain National Park offers visitors a unique experience of an Afro-Montane rainforest.
The main attraction is the luxuriant vegetation found above 3000 m which includes the giant forms of Lobelia, Heather and Groundsel. Rwenzori Mountains National Park is also home to the hyrax, blue monkey, chimpanzee, giant forest hog and many unique bird species
such as the Rwenzori touraco, the handsome francolin and the olive pigeon.
The best time for mountaineering is during the dry seasons from mid-December to the end of March and from June through mid-August.
Access
By Road : From Kampala via Mbarara to Kasese, then continue 18km to Ibanda. Also from Kampala through Fort Portal and then 75km on the Fort Portal/Kasese road south. The Park is 25 km from Kasese. Take a left turn 4 km after leaving Kasese on the Kasese-Fort Portal road.
Wildlife
Elephant , Genet, Chimpanzee, Golden Cat, Forest Hog, Rock Hyrax, Sitatunga , Mongoose, Duiker, Vervet, Monkey, Rwenzori Colobus.
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Kenya Wildlife Safari
