Get ready to explore the second-highest mountain in Africa, known as the mountain of the moon, the snowcapped Rwenzori Mountains, and reunite with mountain gorillas in their natural habitat at one of the sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in western Uganda.
This trip combines gorilla trekking in Bwindi with a hike through the Rwenzori Mountains, giving you a chance to take in the landscape, the gorillas, and the range’s crater lakes in one trip.
8-Day Rwenzori Climbing and Gorilla Trekking Tour Highlights
- Day 1: Arrival and Kampala city tour
- Day 2: Transfer to Rwenzori Mountains National Park
- Day 3: Hike the mountain
- Day 4: Half-day Rwenzori hiking and village tour
- Day 5: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
- Day 6: Gorilla trekking and Batwa pygmies visit
- Day 7: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
- Day 8: Departure to Kampala
Detailed 8-Day Rwenzori Climbing and Gorilla Trekking Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and Kampala City Tour
Meet your tour guide at the airport for a warm welcome and a briefing on the trip ahead over a glass of juice.
Afterward, take a city tour through Kampala’s historical and cultural sites, including the craft market, the Uganda Museum, and local markets to pick up a few items for the trip. Drive to your hotel for rest, dinner, and an overnight stay.
Day 2: Transfer to Rwenzori Mountains National Park
After breakfast, check out of your Kampala hotel for a 5 to 6 hour drive to Rwenzori National Park in western Uganda, passing varied landscape and vegetation along the way.
Your driver-guide will point out sights along the route, with a stop for lunch. Arrive at your accommodation in the evening for a light refreshment, dinner, and rest.
Day 3: Hike the Mountain
After breakfast at sunrise, hike Ruboni Hill, which reaches 2,300 meters, taking in green vegetation home to a range of reptiles and birds, including the three-horned chameleon.
Enjoy a picnic lunch with views of the Baker and Mubuku Rivers, the Portal Peaks, and the snow-capped Margherita summit in the distance. Climb back to the lodge for dinner and rest.
Day 4: Half-Day Rwenzori Hiking and Village Tour
After a relaxed breakfast, continue exploring some of the range’s most rewarding trails, taking in plantations, crater lakes, and rolling hills. The base of the mountain offers good opportunities for photography.
Return to the lodge for lunch, then head out for a village tour with the Bakonzo people, including songs and dances over about 2 to 3 hours. Return to the lodge for dinner and rest.
Day 5: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
After breakfast, set off for Bwindi, home to roughly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. The drive takes about 4 to 5 hours, passing the Rwenzori backdrop, plantations, and local life along the way. Stop for lunch en route, arriving at the park in the afternoon for rest, dinner, and sleep.
Day 6: Gorilla Trekking and Batwa Pygmies Visit
After coffee early in the morning, drive to the sector headquarters for registration and a briefing from park rangers on the rules of gorilla trekking, followed by assignment to your gorilla family.
The trek can take 1 to 6 hours, plus one hour spent observing the gorillas eating, playing, and resting once found. Along the way, watch for tree species, other primates, reptiles, and birds throughout the forest.
After the trek, return to the lodge for lunch, followed by a visit to the Batwa pygmies, former forest hunters and gatherers known as some of the shortest people in Africa. Take part in dancing, singing, and a visit to their caves before returning to the lodge for dinner and rest.
Day 7: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
After breakfast, depart for Lake Bunyonyi, home to over 27 islands, a range of bird species, and cool weather. The drive takes about 3 to 4 hours, passing rolling hills, vegetation, and clear water along the way.
It is a relaxing day. On arrival, have lunch, then spend the afternoon relaxing by the shoreline, swimming, or taking a canoe ride before dinner and rest.
Day 8: Departure to Kampala
After breakfast, begin the 7-hour drive to the airport, with a stop along the way for lunch, photos, and the equator line demonstration.
What to Bring
Pack hiking boots, a rain jacket, long trousers, a long-sleeved shirt, gardening gloves, insect repellent, sunscreen, drinking water, and energy snacks for the treks. A camera and binoculars help you capture wildlife along the way.
What’s Included
This tour includes transport, a professional driver-guide, accommodation, and park entry and permit fees. Personal expenses are not included unless agreed at booking.
