7 Days Rwenzori Mountains Trekking & Gorilla Tour Safari

Upon arrival at Entebbe international airport, you will be met by Tranquil Kilimanjaro representatives then proceed to have a nice, morning breakfast before you embark on your 8-hour journey from the capital city of Uganda, Kampala to the Rwenzori Mountains with a stop for lunch along the way in fort portal and arrive at Rwenzori Park, later on in the evening. Check-in at Ruboni Community Banda for dinner and overnight stay.

After breakfast, leave early in the morning to hike up Ruboni Hill in Rwenzori for a nature walk that will have you marveling at the scenic views on display at River Mubuku and a view of Mount Baker and portal peaks on your way down the Ruboni Hill. While on top of the hill, you will get an amazing panoramic view of Rwenzori Mountains and a stunning view of the ever-snow-capped Margherita Peak. Head back to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.

After an early breakfast at your accommodation point, embark on cultural tour set off on the Bulemba- Ihandiro Cultural Trail for a cultural immersion trip with the local Bakonzo culture. This 6-7 hours hike revolves around a hilltop cultural museum that goes through the “Bat Valley” – a holy place for the Bakonzo, and crosses the River Kamusonge. There is also a chance to visit a traditional healer that will elaborate how he uses his “Muhima” or powers, to cure the sick. Alternatively, you may opt to visit the neighboring villages of Ruboni (with Ruboni Community Camp) or Mihunga (with Rwenzori Turaco View) for a cultural tour that will feature traditional dance performances and the chance to buy locally made handcrafts, souvenirs and artefacts. Dinner and overnight at the Banda.

After having breakfast, early in morning at the Banda, you will be transferred from the hotel for a scenic journey to explore the landscape of Uganda’s hills and arrive at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, or Mgahinga national park depending on the gorilla group your visiting as indicated on your gorilla permits. Dinner and overnight at Gorilla Forest Camp/Gorilla resort/Buhoma community Bandas/ Buhoma Homestead or similar..

Take an early morning breakfast, head to the park office headquarters with packed lunch for an inevitable briefing ready to trek for the gorillas in the thick impenetrable forests. You get to spend an hour with the gorillas after having trekked for about 3-5 hours. If you are not so worn out in the evening, head for a brief nature walk to the Batwa community. Also available are curio shops, drinking joints, a children’s school among others. You can try the other option being Munyanja river trail, where you can see the waterfalls and an array of bird life or the Muzabajiro/ Ruhija trails which offer forest and grassland bird species plus more primates. Return to Ruhija Gorilla Mist, or Bakiga Lodge / Buhoma community Bandas/ Buhoma Homestead.

After having that encounter with those mysterious mountain gorillas, say farewell to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and head to Lake Bunyonyi. Lake Bunyonyi is another major tourist stopover that is undeniably amazing. The word Bunyonyi means “small birds” in direct translation which means that the lake is a must stopover for committed birders and besides that its serpentine shape and numerous islands other highlights one must look out for. When you reach do a canoe ride, check out several islands like Bwama Island good for birders or you could take a nature walk helping you to appreciate a variety of small birds. Sleep and dine at Arcadia Cottages/ Bunyonyi Overland Camp.

Take breakfast and walk towards the northern tip of Bunyonyi to Ruvuma swamp, one of the best places to appreciate birds such as the papyrus yellow warbler among others. In the afternoon return to Kampala which brings us to the end of this trip.