Uganda Safari and Tours

3 Days Rwenzori Mountains Climbing Tour Uganda / 3 Days Hiking Tour to Rwenzori Mountains Park

3 Days Rwenzori Mountains Climbing Tour Uganda Never before has this part of the park been developed or open to tourists, although it is often described in guide books as the most beautiful section of the park. You now have a chance for the first time to see this fantastic scenery, the amazing plant-like, and the incredibly beautiful Nyamwamba Valley.

All treks include accommodation (camping) and meals, ropes, harnesses, and crampons if necessary. Equipment such as boots, sleeping bags, woolen beanies (hat), gloves, and raincoats are available for hire. Stretchers and mattresses are provided but you need to bring a warm sleeping bag and clothes.
Please note: UWA gate entrance fees are beyond our control and may change without notice.

Day 1 of the 3 days Rwenzori Mountains Climbing Tour Uganda

Rwenzori mountains national park

The trek starts at Trekkers Hostel in Kyanjiki 12 kilometers from Kasese past Kilembe. Best to start by 8.30 am but can leave as late as 10 am. Meet your guides and briefing. You walk 2.2km to the UWA ranger’s post at 1,727metres. Here the rangers brief you on the day’s activities and rules of the National Park. Today’s walk is 8.6 km expected time of 5 to 6 hours Start height is 1,667 meters climbing to 3,171 meters

The first two kilometers climb steadily through a montane forest, with tall trees thick undergrowth, and a multitude of different bird species and primates, followed by a steep climb up the main ridge with few rocks and firm footing except immediately after a heavy downpour. The forests are untouched and carry a wide variety of trees and plants. Many bird species can be heard and seen in this rich environment.

At our lunch spot at 2,570m, you may see troops of 15 to 20 black and white Colobus monkeys or Blue monkeys as they dash through the trees. A few hundred meters beyond the lunch spot the bamboo zone commences and we climb up another half kilometers to a small cave that was previously used by poachers. The dense bamboo is home to different bird and insects species.

We climb steadily and as we approach the 3,000-meter level, the bamboo thins and gives way to giant heather trees covered in bearded moss. Samalira Camp has spectacular views across the foothills to Lake George and Queen Elizabeth National Park while on the left you can clearly see Kasese town.

The equator lies just north of Lake George. Samalira Camp is at 3,147 meters,( meaning views or lookout ) offers great views of the surrounding landscape and Kasese town. (Mobile network available at this camp)

Day 2 of the 3 days Rwenzori Mountains Climbing Tour Uganda: 6.9 kilometres 4 to 5 hours.

After a hearty breakfast, we commence walking at 8.15 and initially climb steadily then cross a small stream and the climb becomes steep for about 200 meters up a narrow moss-covered ridge. The thick moss covering the ground and rocks under the giant heather trees is spectacular and we ask you to help preserve this pristine environment by keeping to the pathway.

The views give us the impression that we could fly as we look across the many ridges and valleys far below. You can see Kilembe village deep in the valley and across Lake George. After a relatively short climb, the trail becomes less steep as we reach Chavumba (meaning heaven) at 3,316m then walk down to a small valley where you may see Giant lobelias (lobelia gibberoa).

From here we continue climbing passing through trees covered with deep green moss and a host of plants that thrive in the ever misty environment to 3,515 meters where we take a left turn on a path leading to the trail to Kalalama.

At Kalalama Camp we prepare our evening meals while overlooking Kasese and Lake George from a different perspective. To the south the rugged cliff faces Rwatamaguta and Karasimbi rising far above us and creating the wonder of the diversity of the Rwenzori Mountains.

Day 3 of the 3 days Rwenzori Mountains Climbing Tour Uganda: We slowly descend through the bamboo forests.

Here it is much wetter than the climb up to Samalira Camp as the trail is on the southern windward side of the mountain and gets much more rain. At around 2,600 meters the bamboo gives way to afro montane forests as we pass just above Sine Rock Shelter.

This rock shelter was the home of a gentleman called Sine who spent over thirty years in the mountains poaching animals. We reach the bottom of the ridge we cross a rather large fast-flowing stream and on the Musenge rock shelter.

Here we have lunch and a short break before we walk the final 6 km through thick mountain montane forest to the rangers post. After a short debriefing, we sign off and walk the 1.2 kilometers to our waiting vehicles and down to Trekkers Hostel

End of the 3 days Rwenzori Mountains Climbing Tour Uganda