Adventure Tour

10 Days Uganda Tour - Hiking Rwenzori and Queen Elizabeth National Park

 10 Day 9 Nights Trekking Mountain Rwenzori Hiking and Queen Elizabeth National Park Wildlife Safari Tour , Uganda
 12th Feb - 12th Feb
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Overview

10 Day 9 Nights Rwenzori Mountains Hiking & Queen Elizabeth National Park Wildlife Safari Tour

Experience the ultimate adventure safari in Uganda, combining the Rwenzori Mountains trekking and Queen Elizabeth National Park wildlife safari on this unforgettable 10-day 9-night journey.

This tour blends high-altitude mountain hiking, pristine nature exploration, and classic African wildlife safaris into one powerful itinerary designed for adventure seekers, hikers, birders, and photographers.

Tour Overview

This 10-day, 9-night Rwenzori Mountains Hiking and Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari takes you deep into western Uganda for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

You will explore:

  • Rwenzori Mountains National Park
  • Queen Elizabeth National Park

Optional extensions include combining this experience with gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or focusing exclusively on Rwenzori hiking.

Rwenzori Mountains – The Mountains of the Moon

The Rwenzori Mountains National Park, also known as the “Mountains of the Moon”, is one of Africa’s most spectacular hiking destinations.

  • Highest peak: Margherita Peak (5,109m) on Mount Stanley
  • The third-highest mountain in Africa
  • UNESCO World Heritage Site (since 1994)
  • Located on the equator in western Uganda
  • Covers approximately 996 km²

Three peaks—Mount Stanley, Mount Baker, and Mount Speke—are permanently snow-capped, making Rwenzori one of the few glaciated mountains in Africa.

Why the Rwenzori Mountains Are Special

Rwenzori is not volcanic like other East African mountains. Instead, it is a block mountain formed by tectonic uplift in the Western Rift Valley.

The hiking experience passes through:

  • Montane forest
  • Bamboo forest
  • Heather zone
  • Afro-alpine moorland
  • Glacial landscapes

Safari & Hiking Highlights

Rwenzori Hiking Experience

  • Trekking to alpine zones above 4,000m
  • Snow-capped peaks and glacier views
  • Scenic valleys and waterfalls
  • Professional porters and guides

Wildlife in Rwenzori

  • Elephants
  • Bushbucks
  • Duikers
  • Leopards (rare sightings)
  • Blue monkeys & colobus monkeys
  • Chimpanzees (forest zones)

Bird Watching

Over 177 bird species, including:

  • Rwenzori Turaco
  • Bearded Vulture
  • Long-eared Owl
  • Sunbirds and Albertine Rift endemics

Lakes of Rwenzori

  • Lake Mahoma
  • Lake Kitandara
  • Lake Bajuku
  • Glacial alpine lakes along hiking trails

Cultural Experiences

  • Visit the Bakonzo communities
  • Traditional farming and cooking demonstrations
  • Blacksmiths, healers, and cultural dances

Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari Highlights

  • Game drives across the savannah plains
  • Boat cruise on Kazinga Channel
  • Elephants, lions, buffaloes, hippos & crocodiles
  • Tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector
  • Bird watching (over 600 species recorded)

Detailed 10-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Uganda

Arrival at Entebbe International Airport. Transfer to the hotel in Kampala or Entebbe.

Day 2: Kampala – Kasese (Rwenzori Region)

Drive to western Uganda via Fort Portal, arriving in Kasese near the Rwenzori Mountains.

Day 3: Nyakalengija – Nyabitaba/John Matte Hut

Start the Rwenzori trekking adventure through rainforest and alpine zones.

Day 4: Mountain Hiking Continues

Trek deeper into the mountains with stunning glacier and valley views.

Day 5: Rwenzori Hiking Experience

Continue trekking through rugged terrain and scenic alpine landscapes.

Day 6: Optional Mt. Baker Climb / High Altitude Trek

Advanced trekking experience with breathtaking mountain scenery.

Day 7: Descend from the Rwenzori Mountains

Return from the mountain trails and transfer to Kasese or Queen Elizabeth area.

Day 8: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Drive into the savannah plains of western Uganda.

Day 9: Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Morning game drive followed by an afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel.

Day 10: Return to Kampala – Departure

Drive back to Kampala with a stopover at the equator for photos and souvenirs.

Rwenzori Hiking Tips

  • Be prepared for altitude sickness above 2,500m
  • Carry warm clothing and waterproof gear
  • Good hiking boots are essential
  • Use porters for heavy luggage
  • Carry energy snacks and water
  • Weather changes quickly—always be prepared

Accommodation Options

  • Equator Snow Lodge
  • Snow Heights Lodge
  • Ruboni Community Camp

Access to the Rwenzori Mountains

  • 6-hour drive from Kampala via Fort Portal or Mbarara
  • Flights available from Entebbe to Kasese Airstrip
  • Multiple trekking trailheads (Nyakalengija, Kilembe, Kazingo)

Why Choose This Safari

This tour is perfect for:

  • Adventure hikers
  • Mountain climbers
  • Bird watchers
  • Wildlife safari lovers
  • Photographers
  • Cultural travelers

It combines Africa’s best hiking destination with one of Uganda’s top wildlife parks.

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Tour Overview

Availability

January 01 - December 31

Duration

10D/9N

Pickup Location

pickup avaiable from airport, train and also cruise

Language

English

Car PickUp

Available

Tour Guide

Included

Included

  • Ground Transportation
  • Accommodation
  • All Meals and bottled water
  • All Government Taxes
  • All Tourist attractions and activities charges charges
  • English-speaking driver/guide

Excluded

  • International Flights
  • Visa Fees
  • Airport Taxes
  • Items of personal nature like Laundry
  • Bar bills
  • Tipping and any extra expenses not included above.

Itenary

Day 1
  • 08:00 AM

    Day 1: Drive from Kampala to Kasese
    Pick up from either Kampala or Entebbe by our driver guide, drive via Masaka with a stop in Mbarara town where you will have lunch from. Then embark on the road to Kasese enjoying the magnificent views of Rwenzori Mountain and finally relaxation/dinner at your booked lodge.

    Accommodation Category:
    (Mweya Safari Lodge - Luxury option)
    (Enganzi Lodge - Midrange option)
    (Pumba Safari Cottage - Budget option).

Day 2
  • 08:00 AM

    Day 2: Travel to Nyakalengijo.
    A starting point of hiking the Mountain with a view of the portal peaks which raise above 4000M above sea level. Overnight at Nyabitaba huts.From Rwenzori Mountains National Park Mihunga gate to Nyabitaba Camp is 6.4km.

Day 3
  • 08:00 AM

    Day 3: Start your trekking to John Matte (3550M).
    The trail is a mixture of descend and ascend through the Nyamuleju boggy areas, hiking to John matte may take 7 km for a 5-7 hours hike depending on your mountaineering fitness. After a cup of coffee get ready to set off to Bujuku through the beautiful valley filled with giant lobelias, giant heather trees-have a rest at Bujuku Mountain hut. As from John Matte Camp to Bujuku camp is about 6km hike.

Day 4
  • 08:00 AM

    Day 4: Proceed with hiking.
    It is from here that if you are not a climber you opt to climbing through to Scott-Eliot pass to Kitandara lakes overlooking Mt. Baker and Stanley, it is about 4 km hike while Bujuku to Elena Camp is 2.5km hike. Mountaineers hike to Elena hut 4.899M and prepare themselves for Climbing to Margarita peaks the following day.

Day 5
  • 08:00 AM

    Day 5: Hiking
    Start as early as 5.00am to be able to reach the summit Margherita early enough. The weather here is always clear in the early mornings and late evenings for most of the time Rwenzori will be shy to open up for the visitors. Peak is 5109m from Elena camp to the summit is about 1 km hike to have a clear view of Mt. Speke, Mt. Baker, Mt. Albert.

Day 6
  • 08:00 AM

    Day 6: Climb Mt. Baker.
    Continue climbing Mt.Baker as from Kitandara which is 2km hike and there after descend to Guy Yeoman Camp. Otherwise from Kitandara to Guy Yeoman Camp is 5.4 km. The vegetation here is beautiful of heather trees mixed with moss and Helichrysum.

Day 7
  • 08:00 AM

    Day 7: Proceeding with Hiking,
    Descend to Nyabitaba as from Guy Yeoman Camp 5.3 km walking through boggy areas of Kamatu and Kichuchu and a zone of bamboo forest near Lake Mahoma for an overnight rest at Nyabitaba camp.

Day 8
  • 08:00 AM

    Day 7: Coming back from hiking
    After breakfast, descend and onward to the base where you and your porters welcome each other back to crown the end of the expedition.Lodging in Queen Elizabeth national park.

    Accommodation Category:
    (Mweya Safari Lodge - Luxury option)
    (Enganzi Lodge - Midrange option)
    (Pumba Safari Cottage - Budget option).

Day 9
  • 08:00 AM

    Day 9: Game drive and boat cruise at Queen Elizabeth national park.
    Early in the morning after breakfast, you will be transferred by our driver guide for an early game drive where you will be welcomed by animals like Buffaloes, lions, various Antelopes, elephants, warthogs, and various bird species.

    After the game you will be transfer to your lodge for lunch as you warm up for the afternoon boat cruise that always takes 2 hours on the Kazinga channel; you will closely see giant crocodiles, very many hippos, buffaloes, elephants and many beautiful birds. Have dinner and sleep at your booked lodge.

Day 10
  • 08:00 AM

    Day 10: Drive back to Kampala
    After breakfast, you will be transferred by our driver guide from Queen Elizabeth national park to Kampala with a stop at the Equator to take photographs and lunch. Your driver guide will drop you off at either your hotel in Kampala or at the Airport in Entebbe if your flight is on that very day!

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  • Africa safari tour

    27th Jul, 2023

    very perfect article thanks for sharing it with us. https://africasafaritours.net/

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