FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to climb mount Rwenzori?

Climbing the Rwenzori mountains to Margherita peak (5,109m asl) takes 7 to 8 days depending on the Rwenzori mountains climbing trail used. Several short treks are available to explore the Rwenzori mountains in a shorter time such as a 3 days trek to John Maate camp or Mahoma Nature trail, 5 days trek to summit Mount Speke, 4 days trek to Bujuku camp, 5 or 6 days hike to Weismanns peak, 6 days central circuit trail to explore the beauty of the Rwenzori mountains, etc The standard time taken to summit to Margherita peak the highest point in the Rwenzori mountains is 7 days for the Central circuit trail and 8 days for the Kilembe trail and the Bukurungu trail respectively. However, a 5 days trek is available which also allows hiking mount Rwenzori to Margherita peak (5,109m asl) for those who are fit and with less time.  
The Rwenzori mountains have three (3) major climbing routes; i.e the oldest and shortest Central circuit trail which begins at Mihunga gate, the Kilembe trail in the south and the Bukurungu wilderness camping trail which begins in Omukorukumi. These routes allow you to reach and summit all the 10 peaks of the Rwenzori mountains in either 7 days or 8 days to Margherita peak (5,109m asl) accordingly. Other short trails are available to enable you enjoy nature walks such as the Kazingo trail, Sebwe/Bughalitsa trail, Kinyampanika chimp trail and the new Kyondo trail.

How many peaks are on the Rwenzori mountains?

The Rwenzori mountains consist of six massifs separated by deep gorges i.e Mount Stanley (5,109 metres (16,762 ft)), Mount Speke (4,890 metres (16,040 ft)), Mount Baker (4,844 metres (15,892 ft)), Mount Emin (4,798 metres (15,741 ft)), Mount Gessi (4,715 metres (15,469 ft)) and Mount Luigi di Savoia (4,627 metres (15,180 ft)). Mount Stanley has several subsidiary summits, with Margherita Peak (5,109m asl) being the highest point.
The Maximum number of people to track a single chimpanzee group is 6. The Maximum number of people to habituate a single chimpanzee group is 8 in Kibale national park. Several groups of people are able to track chimpanzees in a single day as interaction with the chimpanzees takes 1 hour for chimpanzee tracking.
How many people can track/habituate a Gorilla group? The Maximum number of people allowed to track gorillas per group per hour is 8. The Maximum number of people allowed to habituate a gorilla group is 4 people for 4 hours per group.    
Chimpanzee habituation experience permit costs in Uganda are as follows; US $ 250 for foreign non residents US $ 250 for foreign residents UGX 150,000 for East African Community citizen   The cost f a habituation experience ranges from $500 per person per day depending on the tour operator and safari.
A chimpanze tracking safari costs from $300 per day for a budget safari for foreigners. Chimpanzee tracking permits costs are as follow; In Kibale National Park (Kanyanchu) US $ 200 for foreign non residents (chimpanzee tracking) US $ 150 for foreign residents (chimpanzee tracking) UGX 150,000 for East African Community citizen (chimpanzee tracking) In Queen Elizabeth National Park US $50 for foreign non residents (chimpanzee tracking) US $50 for foreign residents (chimpanzee tracking) UGX 30,000 for East African Community citizen (chimpanzee tracking)
How much do i pay for the experience? The amount paid for a gorilla trekking or habituation experience largely depends on the type of permit paid for, the country of tracking as Uganda has cheaper permits than Rwanda and DR Congo. The cost will also depend on the type of accommodation and safari agreed with your tour operator. The amount paid for Gorilla permits is as below per category; US $ 700 for foreign non residents (gorilla tracking) US $ 600 for foreign residents (gorilla tracking) UGX 250,000 for East African Community citizen (gorilla tracking) US $ 1,500 for foreign non residents (gorilla habituation) US $ 1,000 for foreign residents (gorilla habituation) UGX 750,000 for East African Community citizen (gorilla habituation)
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