20 Days Uganda Safari with Mount Elgon Hike, Safari and Rwenzori Mountains Climbing Via the Central Circuit Trail

Day 1: Transfer from Entebbe to Mount Elgon

The drive from Entebbe to Mbale takes approximately 5-7 hours depending on the traffic.

Accommodation options are either budget, midrange or luxury. You can book your preferred accommodation depending on your travel budget.

Budget: Riverine Resort

Mid-range: Mbale Travelers Inn

Luxury: Mount Elgon Hotel, Mbale Resort Hotel

Dinner and overnight in Mbale

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 2: Transfer To Elgon Trekkers Base Camp and Hike to Hunwick’s Camp (2,882m).

You will arrive at Elgon Trekkers Base Camp in preparation for the paperwork and the beginning of your hike. This is a 7.4km walk with an altitude gain above Bugiboni at 1,720m to Hunwick’s Camp at 2,882m giving an altitude gain of 1,162m

The trek starts at Elgon Trekkers Base Camp with a steady climb through coffee plantations, maize, potatoes and onions to Kigoma Primary School.

From here it is a steady walk up to the park boundary directly below the 61m Nabunyifu Falls (meaning cold wind) flanked by sheer cliffs. We have constructed switchbacks in the trail to make it easier and offer excellent views of the community below and distant mountains. This section is a completely new trail which has never been accessible to tourists before and a great addition to the Elgon National Park. The trail climbs steadily up the Dirigana Valley through the montane forest with huge Podacarpus trees and thick vegetation to where you cross the river and stop for lunch at a shelter. From here it is a steady climb up to the Mukoola Ridge and the Hunwick’s Camp at 2,882 metres where you get fantastic views across the hills and valleys to Masaba Summit.

Overnight: Hunwick’s Camp at 2,882 metres.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 3:  Hike to Masaba Camp at 3745 meters.

This is a 7.4km steady climb/walk from 2,882 meters to Masaba Camp at 3,745 meters, total height gain of 863 meters taking around 4 to 5 hours easy going all the way.

Continue climbing up through the montane forest to 3,200m when you enter open ground. This used to be the bamboo zone which due to heavy exploitation by the communities for bamboo shoots and building materials it is almost nonexistent. However, as you continue climbing you will see new bamboo shoots and hope of recovery.

At around 3,000 meters to 3,300 meters, you walk through a newly discovered Giant Heather zone (Erica arborea) after which it breaks into the Heath or Moorland Zone which is open high- altitude grasslands and wildflowers with scattered areas of Giant Heather and rolling hills. We take a short break at a resting point in the upper levels of the Heather Zone before walking the last two kilometers to Masaba Camp 3,745 meters. You will get excellent views from Masaba Camp across the high altitude’s grasslands, the stunning forests and foothills. At night, you see the lights of Mbale City in a distance.

After a short rest you may decide to climb 1.2km to the top of the Masaba Table which is a flat rock with vertical cliffs all around averaging from 70 to 90 meters above the surrounding moorland grasses dotted with the giant lobelia and groundsel plants. Masaba Table is one huge rock that is 700m long and 200m wide and an average height above sea level of 4,000m and offers exceptional views.

Overnight stay at: Masaba Camp 3,745m.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 4: Summit Wagagai peak 4321m, sleep at Mude Cave Camp 3472m.

Wake up early on this day to summit wagagi peak. The distance to peak is 6.4km with an altitude gain of 576 meters up to Wagagai Peak at 4,321 meters, descend back to Mude Camp or you may decide to descend to Sasa River so as to reach the base camp around 11am the following day. The trail to Sasa River Camp from Mude Camp is 6.7km, the trail is in good condition and it can take about two hours. From Sasa River Camp to Base camp it takes about 3 to 4 hours to walk so you may opt to sleep in Mude Camp to enjoy the high-altitude environment and maybe catch the sight of a serval cat or mountain hares at night.

Overnight stay at: Mude Cave Camp 3,472m or Sasa River Camp at 2,880m

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5: Descend Down to Basecamp (1720m) And Transfer to Sipi Falls.

Descend down through the forest along the original Sasa Trail before turning and cutting across to the top of Dirigana Falls through and area of Giant Tree Ferns and down to Elgon Trekkers Base Camp at Bugiboni.

Dinner and overnight in Sipi

Accommodation options include;

Budget: Sipi Falls Lodge, Home of friends Guesthouse

Mid-range: Sipi River Lodge, Sipi Valley Resort

Luxury: Pian Upe Lodges, Pian Upe Cave

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Nature walk to Sipi falls and abseiling down the falls

Prepare for a morning a nature walk to Sipi falls and abseil down the 100m waterfall.

Enjoy a local coffee experience during your nature walk to the falls as you explore the beautiful Kapchorwa landscapes.

Dinner and overnight in Sipi

Budget: Sipi Falls Lodge, Home of friends Guesthouse

Mid-range: Sipi River Lodge, Sipi Valley Resort

Luxury: Pian Upe Lodges, Pian Upe Cave

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Transfer from Sipi falls to Ziwa Rhino sanctuary

From Sipi Falls to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary usually takes 7 to 8 hours by road, covering a distance of approximately 440 km. While it is possible to complete this journey in a single day, many travelers opt to break the trip with a stopover in Jinja. Which may increase the amount of time spent traveling. Ziwa rhino sanctuary is found in Nakasongola district along the Masindi-Gulu highway. It’s a favorite stopover for tourists on their way to Murchison falls and who are interested in rhino tracking. It takes a few hours to track rhinos 

Dinner and overnight at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary

Mid-range: Ziwa Rhino Lodge, Amuka Lodge

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Transfer From Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to Murchison Falls National Park.

You will Arrive in Murchison falls national park in the afternoon and transfer to your booked lodge. Enjoy your lunch as you prepare to go for the afternoon boat cruise on the Nile River.

This cruise is remarkable as it allows you to get an up-close view of some animals such as the hippos, crocodiles, water bucks, buffalos, elephants etc. Among the birds commonly seen along the river Nile during a boat cruise include the goliath heron, pied king fisher, weaver birds, red throated bee-eater, cattle egrets and the beautiful scenery along the bank.

At the bottom of the falls, you will trek to the top of the falls or choose to take photos at the rocks below the falls.

Dinner and overnight in Murchison falls national park

Budget: Ikorom Safari Lodge

Mid-range: Murchison River Lodge

Luxury: Sambiya River Lodge

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 9: Morning Game Drive and Transfer to Kasese

Have breakfast by 5am and thereafter proceed to the wilderness in search of the early morning raisers. The morning game drive starts at about 6:30am, look out for animals such as giraffes, lions, hyenas, antelopes, elephants, buffalos, antelopes- many species of birds such as; egrets, ibis, shoebill stock, marabou stock, king fisher, egrets to mention but a few.

After the game drive you can take a short break at the hippo pool. Transfer to Kasese exiting through the Bugungu gate in Bulisa district through hoima city for an overnight in Kasese town.

Dinner and overnight in Kasese town

Accommodation Options:

Budget: Kanamba Invent Hotel

Moderate: Ngabu Hotel, Sandton Hotel Kasese

Luxury: Hotel Margherita, Snow Heights lodge

Day 10: Transfer To Mihunga Gate (1651m Asl.) and hike to Nyabitaba Camp (2651m Asl.)

The 7 Days Rwenzori hiking Via the Central Circuit Trail starts at the Rwenzori Mountains National park Mihunga gate at about 1615m Asl. Our driver guide will escort you to Mihunga for the trip briefing and organizing your equipment. The trail begins by passing through farmland to the park boundary beyond which it follows a thick forest along the Mubuku River, crossing its Mahoma River tributary before starting a long, steep climb up onto a massive ridge to reach Nyabitaba hut. During this part of the trip, you may hear chimpanzee and see black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkey and the brilliantly colored Rwenzori Turaco.

Hike duration: 6 -7 hours.

Elevation height: 1,036m

Distance: 7km 

Day 11: Nyabitaba (2651m Asl.) – John Matte Camp (3505m Asl.)

From Nyabitaba follow the trail that drops down through the forest to the Kurt Shafer Bridge, just below the meeting point of the Mubuku and Bujuku rivers. Passing through the bamboo forest, traverse through a long and exhausting stretch of slippery moss-covered rock. From the Nyamuleju rock shelter, Mount Stanley and Mount Speke can be seen before passing into the zone of the giant heather, lobelia and groundsel. Finally reach John Matte Hut after passing through the tiring bog, for dinner and overnight at the hut.

Hike duration: 7 – 8 hours.

Elevation height: 854m

Distance: 11km 

Day 12: John Matte (3505m Asl.) – Bujuku Camp (3962m Asl.)

From John Matte Hut the trail drops down to cross the Bujuku River and enters Lower Bigo Bog, the home of giant lobelias. Jumping from tussock to tussock, the bog is finally crossed but rarely without the feet sampling some of the freezing excretion below. The upper Bigo bog gives way to Bujuku Lake, with views of Mt Baker to the South and Mt Stanley to the West. Bujuku Hut, well located in the shadow of Mount Baker and Mount Speke, is set in a narrow valley below Stulman Pass. This camp is good for acclimatization for clients attempting the summits of peaks Mount Stanley and Mount Speke. Dinner and overnight at Bujuku hut.

Hike duration: 4 – 5 hours.

Elevation height: 457m

Distance: 4.6 Km

Early in the morning start the hike through Stulman’s pass (4890m asl.) and spectacular views of Virunga National Park of DR Congo to Victorio Emanuele peak.

Day 13: Bujuku Camp (3962m Asl.) – Mt. Speke (4890m Asl.) – Bujuku Camp (3962m Asl.).

Ascend duration: 4 – 5 hours. Elevation height: 230m

Prepare to descend back to Bujuku camp from Vittorio Emanuele with views of Bujuku valley and Lake Bujuku, Margherita and Albert peaks on Mount Stanley, and Mount Baker for an overnight at Bujuku Camp.

Descend duration: 3 – 4hours.

Day 14: Bujuku (3962m Asl.) – Elena Camp (4505m Asl.)

Leaving Bujuku, the trail takes you through more bog, while climbing the steep slopes west of the lake and through the magical and forest of Groundsel Gully. Turn to your right up to Elena Hut and Mount Stanley on a steep trail over large boulders, while the trail on your left leads to Scott-Elliot Pass and down to Kitandara Lakes the trail on the left leads those who are not climbing Margherita Peak to Kitandara Hut. Those climbing the peak will have their Dinner and overnight at the calmly and Icy Elena Hut.

Hike duration: 5 – 6 hours.

Elevation height: 579m

Distance: 1.5Km

Day 15: Elena Hut (4505m Asl.) – Margherita Peak (5109m Asl.) – Kitandara Camp (4430m asl.)

Very early in the morning, you attempt climbing the highest peak, Margherita peak of Mount Stanley. To reach the summit of Margherita, the climb takes about 4 -5 hours depending on the weather conditions and the pace of climbing this mountain covering a distance of 2.5km to 3.5km.

This tough walk takes you over three glaciers, slippery rock, ice and very exposed areas which are open on many sides. Climbing on to the glaciers, cross the Stanley Plateau and proceed with the ascent. Acclimatized to fog, altitude sickness and coolly weather, scramble up to the summit of Margherita the highest peak of the Rwenzori mountains. The Descend from Margherita peak back to Elena Hut will take you about 2 – 3hours. Distance: 3km

After your lunch at Elena hut, descend to the Scott-Elliot pass (4372m asl.), where there are spectacular views of Bujuku Lake and Mount Speke. After, the trail passes you through an alpine zone of sparse vegetation and rough boulders, descend past the Kitandara Lakes for dinner and overnight at the Kitandara camp.

Descend duration: 3 – 4 hours.

Distance: 2.7km

Day 16: Kitandara (4430m Asl.) – Mt. Baker (4843m Asl.) – Kitandara (4430m Asl.).

Ascend Duration: 5 – 6 hours. Elevation height: 413m

The ascend starts early morning from Kitandara Camp through Fresh Field pass (4215m asl.) with views of DR Congo up to Edward peak.

Ascend Duration: 5 – 6 hours. Elevation height: 413m

From Edward peak descend back to Fresh Field pass and then back to Kitandara camp for an Overnight.

Descend duration: 3 – 4 hours.

Day 17: Kitandara (4,023 M Asl.) – Guy Yeoman (3261m Asl.)

From Kitandara, take on the trail that ascends steeply up the headwall, spreading out from the base of Mount Baker and continuing along the south side of the mountain to Fresh field Pass 4282m asl. At this point you can view into the Congo to the west and Mount Stanley to the north. From the pass, take on the long high alpine mossy. Thereafter start the descend through steep rocky trails and the rock shelter at Bujongolo, the base camp for the historic expedition by the Duke of Abruzzi in 1906 and then an overnight at Guy yeoman camp.

Hike duration: 6 – 7 hours.

Distance: 4.5km

Day 18: Guy Yeoman (3261m Asl.) – Nyabitaba (2651m Asl.) – Mihunga Gate (1651m asl.)

Below Guy Yeoman, the route descends the cliffs of Kichuchu. Beyond Kichuchu the muddy path crosses the Mubuku River twice through a bamboo forest before climbing downwards to Nyabitaba to complete the circuit. Distance covered to Nyabitaba hut from Guy yeoman hut is approximately 5.9km.

Continue descending Nyabitaba Camp and complete your trek by the evening to Mihunga gate a distance of 7km to end your 7 days Rwenzori Margherita peak summit trip.

Descent duration: 7 – 8 hours

Dinner and overnight in Kasese town

Accommodation Options:

Budget: Kanamba Invent Hotel

Moderate: Ngabu Hotel, Sandton Hotel Kasese

Luxury: Hotel Margherita, Snow Heights lodge

Day 19: Game Drive and the Kazinga Channel boat cruise.

You will wake up at 6:00 and have breakfast ready for transfer for a game drive by 7:00am.

You will be transferred to Kasenyi sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park for a morning game drive.

During the game drive, you will drive via the various channel tracks in search of Lions, Elephants, Buffaloes, Leopards, antelopes and several bird species.

You shall also have a view of the salt mining lakes within Queen Elizabeth national park as you relax and stretch.

You will have hot Lunch at Kazinga channel as you enjoy an afternoon rest.

In the afternoon you will go on a boat cruise on the Kazinga channel where you will spot various bird species and different animals.

In the evening, you can visit the Kyambura escarpment and the Kyambura gorge viewing platform to soak in the beautiful views down the gorge

Dinner and overnight

Accommodation Options:

Budget: Kanamba Invent Hotel

Moderate: Ihamba Lakeside safari Lodge, Kikorongo Safari Lodge, Elephant Hab safari Lodge,

DAY 20: Departure

After breakfast at your hotel in Kasese, you will check out ready for transfer back to Entebbe.

Package fees Includes:

All Park entrance fees

Rwenzori mountains Hiking fees

Game drive in PMurchison falls np

Government taxes prescribed in the itinerary

Guides and porters

Meals according to the itinerary

Meals enroute

Mount Elgon hiking fees

Transfer from ENTEBBE airport and back

Drinking water.

Accommodation on the itinerary except accommodation in Entebbe

Accommodation in mountain huts/cabins where necessary

Abseiling and visit to Sipi falls

Transport according to the Itinerary

English-speaking driver/guide

Three meals a day, apart from your stay in ENTEBBE

Drinking bottled water in the safari vehicle

Boat cruise to the bottom of the falls

Camping tents and camping mattresses during Mount Elgon hike

All mentioned activities except for the optional ones.