Rwenzori Mountains National Park

Day 1: Arrival and transfer to Kalinzu Forest (chimpanzee tracking)

After arriving at the Entebbe International Airport, you are welcomed by a driver guide who takes you through precise briefing on the 9 Days Cheptegei Peak & Chimpanzee Trek.

He shall then transfer you on journey to the South Western part of Uganda at Kalinzu Forest which is located close to the vast Queen Elizabeth National Park. En-route, you shall by pass various features i.e plantations, valleys, hills, craters etc. You shall travel for a period of 4 to 5 hours and when you get here, embark o chimpanzee trekking in the afternoon.

Trek the chimpanzees for 2 to 4 hours in the forest vegetation and when you meet them in an hour, take many photos of them to keep with you. After trekking the chimpanzees, you shall return to the park headquarters to pick your chimpanzee trekking certificate. After the adventure, proceed to lodge for Dinner and Overnight. Bush Lodge.

Day 2: Transfer to Nyakalengija then Nyabitaba Hut

Transfer to the Nyakalengija Base Camp (for 2 hours) where you meet park ranger guides who take you through short briefing on conduct as you hike the majestic Mountain in groups.

You shall rent items as well as be allocated guides and porters then start your hike from the base camp to Nyabitaba Hut. Follow the trail to Mubuku River which traverses the landslide areas, climbing over rocks, bluffs before reaching River.

After traversing the river, you shall proceed through open fern slopes and the podocarpus forest till you reach the Nyabitaba Hut 87000 ft – 2 652m. After a while, you shall reach the Nyabitaba Hut where you rest and have an over night.

Day 3: Nyabitaba Hut to John Matte Hut

Breakfast then embark on a hike for a period of 4 to 5 hours following the trail west wards for 1 and a half kilometers. You shall continue Northwards steeply to Kurt Shafer Bridge then cross beneath the confluence of River Bujuku and River Mubuku.

The hike along the Kurf Shafer Bridge is known to be most tiring as hikers tend to lose altitude, you watch unique vegetation inclusive of bog. After a while, you shall reach the poor condition hut at Nyamileju which is accompanied by rock shelter. Proceed on hike till you reach John Matte hut at 3414m.

Day 4: From John Matte to Bujuku Hut

Breakfast then leave John Matte and traverse to River Bujuku and then enter the lower Bigo bogs via a muddy trail that continues to the lower Bigo hut and its shelter.

Proceed on hike under a shaded area under mist that make the hike challenging to conquer as you follow through cold weather that affects travelers bringing about altitude sickness.

You shall break off for lunch at the upper edge of Bigo close to Lake Bujuku then later proceed to the Bujuku Hut for relaxation and here there is a rock shelter called Cooking pot and the shorter distance to Bujuku hut.

Day 5: From Bujuku Hut to Elena Hut

Today, we continue with the circuit and leave west from Bujuku hut to scott Elliot at 4372 m after a right hand branch that would lead you to Elena hut at 4,372m. as you depart the Elena and savoia glaciers as well as mt Baker, this trail slopes past the upper Kitandara lake through the bad mud to the lower lake as well as the kitandara hut at 4,023m.

The elevation to the pass from Bujuku is also modest and the downs and up double that amount. And since Scott Elliot is the most high point, therefore some hikers will be slower due to the efforts that are needed at these altitude.

Day 6: Elena hut to Cheptegei peak 4907m and back to Kitandara lakes camp

Breakfast then transfer on hike to reach Cheptegei peak as you follow trail to the base of Stanley glacier.

The hike to summit to the Cheptegei peak will take you a period of 2 – 3 hours depending on the weather conditions and pace at which you climb the mountain. You shall follow through slippery Rock, ice on the Stanley plateau and very exposed areas which are open on various edges.

Whether you are physically fit or not, this hike can be done by all. It includes climbing onto the Stanley plateau as you get acclimatized to fog, altitude sickness and colly weather.

Conquering this hike might be tough as you are required to have altitude sickness issues, tougher conditions hence making getting there quite hard but even if you don’t make it to the peak, don’t feel bad you would have won still.

For those that have made it can take many photos then later return following the Scott Eliot pass as they watch the stunning Lake Bujuku, Mount Speke, Mount Stanley and lake Kitandara. You shall then rest and have Dinner to Overnight at the Kitandara lakes camp.

Day 7: Kitandara lakes camp to Guyeoman camp

From Kitandara, follow the trail as you ascend steeply up the headwall, spreading out from the base of mount Baker. You shall continue following the Southside of the mountain to the fresh field pass 4280m.

At this point you can view into the DR Congo to the west and Mount Stanley to the North. From the pass, take on the long trail passing the rock shelter of Bujongolo the base camp for the historic expedition by the Duke of Abruzzi in 1906. Proceed on hike till you reach the Guyeoman camp for Dinner and Overnight.

Day 8: Guyeoman to Nyabitaba camp and drive to Queen Elizabeth national park

Breakfast then embark on descent to Nyabitaba Camp for a period of 6-7 hours. You shall proceed till you reach Nyakalengija via the cliffs of Kichuchu through the bamboo forest zones down to Nyabitaba for either dinner and an over night or lunch and continue down to Nyakalengija for hot showers.

Day 9: Drive back to Kampala

Have your breakfast at the lodge and meet your guide for the transfer back to Kampala for an overnight or departure flight.