During this fantastic 15 days Uganda trekking tour join Holly Budge and you’ll climb Mount Stanley to reach Margherita Peak. Further go on a wildlife drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park, and trek to view endangered mountain gorillas. Holly is an Everest summiteer and the first woman to skydive Everest.
This top trekking travel offer could really turn out to be a trip of a lifetime in every sense. The journey will help ‘How Many Elephants,’ an award-winning NGO Holly established, raise money for frontline rangers and educate a global audience about the terrible effects of the ivory trade on African elephants.
Holly ascended Mount Stanley earlier this year and provides the following impressions of her journey: Three words: awe-inspiring, challenging, rewarding.”
Itinerary Top Trekking Travel Offer
Day 1: Sunday 26th March 2023
Protea Hotel Entebbe
Arrive at Entebbe International Airport
Greet & Meet on arrival. Transfer to your hotel, Protea Hotel Entebbe where you will stay on a B&B basis in a deluxe room.
The afternoon and evening are free. Do as you please with lunch and dinner by your own arrangement.
Day 2: Monday 27th March 2023
Double room at Elephant Plains Lodge
Fly to Kasese
After breakfast, we start your Uganda trekking tour and you will be transferred to Entebbe Airport for your morning domestic flight to Kasese Airstrip. Transfer to Elephant Plains Lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 3: Tuesday 28th March 2023
Waterfall by Sine Camp ©JAMIE NIELD
Trekkers hostel Kilembe the base camp at 1450 meters
You will gain 1,146 meters during the first day of the trek; begin at Trekkers at 1,450 meters, and spend the night in Sine Hut at 2,596 meters.
The Afro Montane Forest Zone is reached after a steady ascent, and there is a chance to view blue monkeys, Colobus monkeys, and, seldom, the L’Hoest monkey.
From forest trees to bamboo thickets, small shrubs, flowers, and lichen-covered vines hanging from the big trees, there are many different types of plants.
Only 200 meters separate Sine Hut from Enock’s Falls, a stunning and refreshing location.
Day 4: Wednesday 29th March 2023
Mountains of the moon in mist ©JAMIE NIELD
Trek to Mutinda Camp at 3,582 meters
On day 4 of our Uganda trekking tour we start at 8.30 am. The trek begins in the Bamboo-Mimulopsis Zone, which is a difficult ascent through a lovely forest with numerous high stairs.
To reach Kalalama Camp at 3,147 meters, climb 551 meters in elevation. Here, you can rest and have some tea or coffee. Have a good break of your Uganda tekking tour.
As you go on, the trail ascends a deep valley that is distinct for having numerous Giant Heather trees that provide a lovely environment that is frequently enveloped in mist.
Reach Mutinda Camp at a height of 3588 meters.
It is a great way to acclimate in the afternoon to hike to the top of the Mutinda Lookout, which offers breathtaking views of the Rwenzori Mountains (1-2 hours up and 1 hour down).
An excellent way to acclimatise and reduce the risk of high altitude sickness. Sleep at Mutinda Camp at 3.582 metres.
Day 5: Thursday 30th March 2023
Porters cooking at Bugata ©JAMIE NIELD
Hike to Bugata Camp at 4062 metres
The path leading to Bugata Camp is muddy, especially during the rainy season, but with a little technique, you may move more easily from tussock to tussock.
Prior to hiking a steep part up to the Namusangi Valley (3,840 meters), with sheer waterfalls, you must first cross the Mutinda valley via the tussock grass and everlasting flowers mixed with several Giant Lobelias.
You have stunning views of Mutinda Peaks as you turn around.
The trail climbs steadily to Bugata Camp at 4,100 meters across the vast Namusangi Valley, which has numerous ups and downs.
Day 6: Friday 31st March 2023
Giant lobelia ©JAMIE NIELD
Hike to Hunwick’s Camp 3974 meters
Ascend to Bamwanjarra Pass at 4,450 meters, where there is a shelter available in case of poor weather.
On a clear day, the three major peaks are very visible from the pass.
The trail then descends the valley and winds its way around several bogs and a dense evergreen forest.
Given that it is known to breed here and feeds on the numerous lobelia flowers, this area of the Rwenzori may be the greatest place in the entire mountain range to watch the Malachite Sunbird.
Before making a steady ascent to Hunwick’s Camp, which is perched on top of a deep valley and offers stunning views of Mount Stanley, there are a few hard sections to go through next.
Day 7: Saturday 1st April 2023
Lake Kitendara ©JAMIE NIELD
On Day 7 of our Uganda trekking tour climb to Margherita Camp at 4,485 meters
You will proceed through Hunwick’s and through the valley level to reach Lake Kitendara, which is breathtaking with deep water and lovely greenery.
From here, you ascend Scott Elliott’s pass before climbing the ridge to Margherita Camp, which is located at 4,485 meters.
It is sandwiched between two enormous rocks that provide some protection from the powerful winds.
Day 8: Sunday 2nd April 2023
Glacier ©JAMIE NIELD
Summit of Margherita peak at 5109 meters and descend to Hunwick’s Camp at 3.874 meters
Get up at 2 a.m., eat a quick breakfast, and leave at 2.30 a.m. to climb Mount Stanley.
This is required since the weather can change fast and the peak is frequently enveloped in thick clouds and snowfall from 1 to 4 p.m.
Due to this change in weather, we have set a strict turnaround time of 10am so if you do not reach the peak before then you must turn around regardless of the disappointment in the interests of safety.
The Margherita glacier has also been impacted by global warming, and as its outer borders retreat, the glacier’s ice is getting steeper, with one area having a gradient of more than 60% for roughly 200 meters.
Additionally, much of the darker has melted from below, resulting in causing caves under the ice which as it gets thinner eventually. So it is a must to take the advice of where the guides suggest passing.
After ascending the peak at 5,109 metres pass down to Hunwick’s Camp at 3.874 metres.
Day 9: Monday 3rd April 2023
Mountains of the moon ©JAMIE NIELD
Descend down to Kiharo Camp at 3430 metres through Oliver’s pass
It takes 4 to 7 hours to trek the 11 kilometres to Kiharo Camp.
Before arriving to Oliver’s Pass at 4,505 meters, we start by ascending a ridge towards McConnell’s Prong, where you can see all three peaks at their best, as well as Scott Elliott’s Pass.
The Nyamwamba River, which flows through Kilembe and Kasese on its way to Lake George in Queen Elisabeth National Park, meets the trail below Weismann’s Peak.
The trail meanders down the valley to Kiharo Camp, which is located in a deep valley with towering cliffs and abundant flora, after crossing the confluence.
Day 10: Tuesday 4th April 2023
Porters on mountains of the moon ©JAMIE NIELD
Descend downhill to base camp in Kilimbe.
12.2 kilometers separate Kiharo Camp from the park’s entrance, while another 2.8 kilometers separate it from Trekkers Hostel.
It takes 5 to 8 hours to walk one mile.
The trail down the Nyamwamba Valley is mostly downhill, incredibly gorgeous, and features some of the nicest trees in the Rwenzori Mountains as well as deep gorges and moss-covered rocks beside the river.
Your guide will pick you up from Trekkers Hostel and take you to Elephant Plains Lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park where you will spend the night and have dinner.
Day 11: Wednesday 5th April 2023
Tree climbing lions
Game drive and fly to Kihihi Airstrip
The Queen Elizabeth National Park offers an optional game drive this morning where you can look for lions, elephants, buffaloes, and other wild species in their natural habitat.
You will be driven to Kasese Airstrip following the game drive in order to catch your afternoon domestic flight to Kihihi Airstrip.
After arrival, you will be driven to Mahogany Springs Lodge for dinner and the following three nights’ lodging.
Day 12: Thursday 6th April 2023
Mountain gorillas in Bwindi
Gorilla trekking at Bwindi
You will travel to the national park offices after breakfast, where the party will be assigned a gorilla family and a tracking guide.
Following a briefing, you’ll set out to discover the gorillas, which might take 45 minutes to 8 hours.
As soon as you spot the gorillas, you are permitted to spend an hour with them watching them go about their everyday lives. This includes feeding, moving around, playing, raising their young, and occasionally wrestling with the young gorillas. It is a completely amazing experience.
Day 13: Friday 7th April 2023
Mahogany Springs Lodge
Day at leisure
Spend a day at leisure in Bwindi and participate in optional activities like a guided forest walk, a cultural experience with the Batwa people, or a community visit.
Day 14: Saturday 8th April 2023
Transfer from Kihihi to Entebbe
You will be taken to Kihihi Airstrip after breakfast to catch your early-morning domestic flight to Entebbe.
You will be taken to the Protea Hotel Entebbe, where you stayed at the beginning of your trip, after landing.
You can unwind at the hotel or explore this beautiful neighborhood; lunch and dinner are on your own.
Day 15: Sunday 9th April 2023
Departure
Transfer to Entebbe Airport so you can board your homeward-bound international aircraft.
Duration: 15 days
Price: £7250pp
The per-person price of £7,250 is based on sharing in twin or double accommodation and excludes international flights. There will be a maximum of 8 people on this trip.
The price includes all accommodation, transfers, all meals and activities as indicated in the itinerary (including Mount Margherita summit, 1 x game drive and 1 x gorilla trekking), all permits and park fees, and all guiding services.
Single room supplement: £600.
Tour Operator: Far & Wild Travel Ltd. Cumbria, United Kingdom
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