15 Days Uganda Mountain Hiking Tour will take you to Mountain Elgon National Park for a Mountain Hiking Tour mountain trekking and an adventure tour to Sipi Falls in Sipi. You will then transfer to Rwenzori mountains in western Uganda for A mountain trekking tour to the top of the mountain. The 15-day Uganda Mountain Hiking Tour will take you on a mountain gorilla trekking tour in Bwindi Impenetrable national park and a lake Bunyonyi tour for a relaxation and birding trip.
At 4,000km² Mt. Elgon has the largest volcanic base in the world. Located on the Uganda-Kenya border it is also the oldest and largest solitary, volcanic mountain in East Africa. Its vast form, 80km in diameter, rises more than 3,000m above the surrounding plains. The mountain’s cool heights offer respite from the hot plains below, with the higher altitudes providing a refuge for flora and fauna.
Mount Elgon National Park is home to over 300 species of birds, including the endangered Lammergeyer. The higher slopes are protected by national parks in Uganda and Kenya, creating an extensive transboundary conservation area that has been declared a UNESCO Man & Biosphere Reserve.
A climb on Mt. Elgon’s deserted moorlands unveils a magnificent and uncluttered wilderness without the summit-oriented approach common to many mountains: the ultimate goal of reaching the top of Mt. Elgon is not the final ascent to the 4321m Wagagai Peak, but the descent into the vast 40km² calderas.
Day 1 of the 15 Days Uganda Mountain Hiking Tour: Transfer to Mbale
On arrival in Uganda, our driver/guide will transfer you to Mbale for dinner and overnight at Lacam Lodge.
Day 2 of the 15 Days Uganda Mountain Hiking Tour: From Budadiri to Sasa Camp (2.900m)
In the morning you reach Budadiri (1250 m), near Mbale town, at the gate of the Mount Elgon National Park. After arranging the guide and porters, with food and camping gear, you start walking to Sasa River Camp (2.900 m) for dinner and overnight. The distance is about 8 km. and takes an average of 7 to 8 hours to walk. Altitude in a day: 1.700m.
From Sasa Camp to Mude Camp (3.500m): After breakfast at the campsite, proceed through the forest to Mude Cave Campsite for dinner and overnight. The distance of the day is about 5 km. and 4 to 5 hours walk. The altitude of the day: is 600m.
From Mude Camp to Wagagay Peak (4321 m) and return to Mude Continue with the walk through the moorland zone up to the main peak, Wagagai, and return to the Mude campsite for dinner and overnight. The distance of the day: 18 km. and 8 to 9 hours walk. The altitude of the day: is 820m.
From Mude Camp back to Budadiri After breakfast descend to Budadiri and back to Mbale. Later, transfer back to Kampala for dinner and overnight at The Lodge.
Transfer to Rwenzori Transfer to Kasese, lunch in Fort Portal town. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Margherita.
Start of the Weismann’s and Stella Peaks – 6-day trek The trek starts from Kyanjuki, which is situated 1,450 meters above sea level and 12 kilometers from Kasese at around 9 am. You will be briefed by your guides at the UWA rangers post at 1,727 meters. We start by walking up the valley floor through the tall forest trees of the Afro-Montane Forest Zone. In this beautiful environment, you will be able to see a variety of Flora and Fauna. Sleep at Sine Hut – 2,585 meters Sleep at Sine Hut – 2,585 meters
After a good breakfast, trekking starts at 8.30 am to Kalalama Camp at 3,147 meters through the Bamboo-Mimulopsis Zone which is a steep climb. Reaching Kalalama Camp take a rest and a quick cup of tea or coffee before heading on to Mutinda Camp. The trail meanders up and over several small knolls along a ridge top then drops down the side of the valley before climbing again, and in doing so crosses several small streams and passes close to moss-covered waterfalls.
The trail twists and turns as you climb up the deep valley, which has an enormous variety of plants and flowers. Eventually, you get to Mutinda Camp which is set near a small river that drops off a waterfall and offers a chance to wash, refresh, and relax or, you may wish to climb up to the top of the Mutinda Lookout (one and a half hours up and one hour down).
4.9km starting at 3,688 meters and climbing to 4,062 meters You cross the Mutinda Valley through the tussock grass and everlasting flowers interspersed with many Giant Lobelias before climbing a steep section up to the Namusangi Valley (3,840 meters), which ends abruptly with sheer waterfalls and fantastic views of Mutinda Peaks. The trail climbs steadily to Bugata Camp at 4,062 meters.
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. Bugata also has a helipad (GPS reading N 18.312 E29 53.457) in case of any need for rescue by helicopter.
Total distance 9km 4 to 6 hours. The trek starts by walking across the hillside below high cliffs above Bugata Lake then around a ridge point to Lake Kopello. The last section of the peak is steep on solid rock and can be difficult when snowing or iced up and it may be necessary to use ropes for safety. On a clear day, you get fantastic views of all the main peaks, Mt Stanley, Mt Speke, and Mt Baker.
The top of Weismann’s Peak is relativity flat or dome-shaped with deep moss growing on the rocks creating a beautiful atmosphere. For those who want to climb the highest point, we can take a gentle walk across the moss-covered domed-shaped ridge to Stella Peak 4,626 meters. Return to Bugata Camp. Sleep at Bugata Camp.
Descend to either Kiharo Camp 3,460 meters or Samalira Camp 3,170 meters Early morning set off around Lake Bugata and the outlet of Kopello Lake then climb 200 meters to the confluence of the two valleys. The valley is home to many Red Forest Duiker (Cephalophuc nigrifrons rubidus) At night you may stay in Kiharo Camp at 3,460 meters an area rich in evergreen plants and babbling streams. At night the air is filled with the calls of the rock hyrax as they sit on the rocky cliffs high above.
After a hearty breakfast, you walk down the valley which is home to many species of birds who dive in and out of the thick vegetation. After descending a few kilometers you climb two hundred meters height to a ridge overlooking the valley before crossing several small valleys and streams to Kyalavula. Samalira Camp 3,147 meters is situated in a closed valley at the top of several waterfalls and is the alternative to sleeping In Kihara Camp. From here you descend a long ridge, through the Bamboo-Mimulopsis Zone and Afro Montane Forest Zone back down to base camp in Kilembe. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Margherita.
Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable NP Transfer to Bwindi, have lunch en route, and continue to the park. Dinner and overnight Buhoma Community.
A morning briefing from the rangers at 8.00 a.m. before you enter the gorilla sanctuary. The thrill of your encounter will erase the difficulties of the potentially strenuous trek. Bring jungle boots and rain jackets because the park is often wet. Spend time in awe watching the gorillas go about their activities. Each encounter is different and has its rewards, but you are likely to enjoy the close view of adults feeding, grooming, and resting as the youngsters frolic and swing from vines in a delightfully playful display.
A recently proclaimed World Heritage site, it’s one of the most biologically diverse areas on earth and its unique, precious flora sustains roughly half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas – believed to number just 600. There’s also a substantial chimpanzee population and research shows that Bwindi is the only forest in Africa in which these two apes live together. Dinner and overnight Buhoma Community.
Day 15 of the 15-Day Uganda Mountain Hiking Tour: Departure After an early breakfast, return to Kampala for departure.
End of the 15 Days Uganda Mountain Hiking Tour