Uganda Mountain and Gorilla Trek

Welcome to Uganda!

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be greeted by one of our awesome team members and transferred to the Airport Guest House in Entebbe for an overnight stay before our journey tomorrow towards the Rwenzori mountains. Get to know your fellow EverTrekkers and enjoy the local vibe over dinner as you chat about your future journey into the Mountains of the Moon. 

Following some breakfast, we'll hop into a vehicle to drive to take the road trip to Kasese via Fort Portal. Spend some time taking in what Uganda has to offer as you journey through wild green forests, tea plantations and scenic hills. Enjoy lunch en route as you get out and stretch those legs on the outskirts of the national park. We'll be spending the night at the aptly named Equator Snow Hotel on the outskirts of the Rwenzori mountains. 

The epic journey starts!

Once you arrive at Ibanda, you roll up to the park headquarters in Nyakalengija bright and early. Get all the gear sorted, and meet your guide and porters – they're the real heroes. Then, it's time to kick off your trek.

Start things off by stepping out from the HQ at 5,400 feet (1,646 meters). Cruise by those classic Bankonzo homes made of watt and mud, wade through elephant grass, and before you know it, you're crossing the park boundary in about 40 minutes.

As you follow the Mubuku River trail, you'll watch out for recent landslides along the way. After roughly 2 and a half hours, you'll hit the Makoma River. Once you've crossed that, get ready for a steep climb. You'll be tackling open bracken fern slopes and a podocarpus forest, but all that sweat will be worth it when you reach Nyabitaba Hut at 8,700 feet (2,665 meters). It's just 30 minutes from Mahoma River.

Chow down on some grub and bunk up – you've earned it.

We'll hit the trail west from Nyabitaba Hut for about half a kilometer, and then take a northward plunge to reach Kurf Shafer Bridge. You can sleep at Nyamileju Hut for the night, or if you're feeling it, keep on trekking. This hut signals the beginning of the leather, lobelia, and groundsel zone – unique vegetation you'll only find on high-altitude tropical African mountains.

If you're up for it, keep pushing until you reach John Matte Hut, where you'll grab dinner and set up camp for the night before the ascent tomorrow.

After leaving John Matte Hut, you'll make your way across the Bujuku River and venture into the lower part of the two Bigo-Bogs. Here's where your first real taste of jumping from tussock to tussock in a grassy bog comes into play. The path can get quite muddy as you head southward until you reach the Bigo Hut. This spot is a hit for climbers gearing up for Mt. Speke (bring your special gear), but be prepared, it's seriously chilly for hikers.

Keep on trekking to Bujuku Hut (13,000 feet/3,962 meters) where you'll settle in for dinner and spend the night. Now, if the team are feeling up for it, your guide might decide to pass up staying at Bujuku and instead opt for an overnight stop at Elena Hut. This way, you'll save time for tackling the Margarita Peak climb over the coming days.

To keep the circuit going, you'll head straight west from Bujuku Hut along a newer trail as the terrain starts to open up and change from forests to rock and mountains. This path will take you on a rollercoaster of ups and downs twice before launching into a steep ascent through the enchanting moss-covered Groundsel Gully, leading you to Scott Elicot Pass (14,345 feet/4,372 meters).

Once you're through the Gully, make your way to Elena Hut (14,700 feet/4,472 meters).

We'll be preparing for the summit of Mountain Stanley tomorrow going through safety and instruction on any equipment you are using including crampons and Ice Axes.

We'll be starting the base camp before launching ahead to take on Margarita Peak (16,763 feet/5,109 meters). Keep in mind that summiting requires a tough ascent but it's more than achievable and it's not technical. Once you've achieved the peak, you will have summited the third-highest peak in Africa and the highest in the Uganda and Congo region. 

After your Margarita triumph, start your descent, dropping a few hundred feet from Scott Eliot Pass. You'll venture beneath the towering rock walls at the foot of Mt. Baker. It's worth noting that the impressive "dramatic craters" you'll see are the result of significant rock falls from above. 

Continue on, passing the upper Kitandara Lake, even though you might encounter some challenging muddy terrain. Your destination is the lower lake and the welcoming embrace of Kitandara Hut, where a satisfying dinner and overnight rest await you.

A huge tick off the list here and a massive high five for another summit! 

Time to kick off early so you don't fry under the sun during the steep, and long climb from the lake to Freshfield Pass (14,050 feet/4,282 meters). Freshfield Pass is like a pause button after some long ascents over the last couple of days – you get to enjoy a flat, traverse through these stunning high alpine mossy spots (warning: more mud on the menu).

The end goal is Guy-Yeomen Hut (10,770 feet/3,261 meters) where we will spend the night. This hut was the base camp of the first recorded ascent of Mount Stanley in 1906. The peak itself (Margherita Peak) was named after Queen Margharita of guess where...Italy! Of course! 

To make it back to the park headquarters, it's smart to kick off your trek super early in the morning. Just a heads-up, the path from Guy Yeomen can get pretty sketchy in places. Once you're on the move, you'll hit Kachuchu, where the trail likes to play peek-a-boo with the Mobuku River, crossing it a couple of times – usually through some good old deep mud. But hey, don't let that rain on your parade!

The home stretch isn't too muddy, and you'll cover the last few kilometers to Nyabitaba. If you're feeling it, you can call it a night at Nyabitaba Hut – it's your call. Otherwise, you can keep going to the headquarters for a comfy bed and hot water. Or hey, if you're up for a drive, there are some Kasese hotels waiting to welcome you too.

Today we'll make our final descent before we grab some breakfast, and then hit the road toward Queen Elizabeth National Park.

You've got a chance for an evening game drive in the Kasenyi area – keep your eyes peeled for lions and a bunch of other awesome game animals. When your stomach starts growling, enjoy a tasty lunch back at your lodge or camp. When the day's adventures wind down, you'll be chilling at Kasenyi Safari Camp for an overnight stay.

Another epic day but a huge difference from the trekking and climbing time we've recently had. 

Get up with the sun for an early morning game drive right in the heart of the Kasenyi area within Queen Elizabeth National Park. Your mission? Spotting lions, buffalos, elephants, and a bunch of those cool Uganda Kobs and other antelopes. Once you've worked up an appetite, head back to camp for lunch.

In the afternoon, it's all aboard for a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. You'll be on the lookout for hippos, massive herds of buffalos, and a ton of water birds. If you're still up for more adventure, you can go for an optional evening game drive either around the Peninsula sector or in the enchanting crater lakes area (Katwe). This place is like a real-life postcard – a breath-taking landscape where you might just catch glimpses of elephants, buffalos, antelopes, and if you're super lucky, even a leopard.

Cap off your day with another night's sleep at Kasenyi Safari Camp.

Kickstart your day with an early breakfast and get ready for an exciting journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Ishasha. This place is a special spot known for its iconic Ishasha Tree Climbing Lions – these big cats have a knack for getting high up in the trees. Ishasha is situated around 100 kilometers south of the northern sector of QENP, and it's a real haven for those seeking a genuine wilderness encounter.

When lunchtime rolls around, you'll get to enjoy a picnic right by the riverside campsite in Ishasha – a perfect opportunity to refuel and soak in the surroundings. As the afternoon wears on, hit the road again and make your way to Bwindi. Your resting spot for the night will be the exclusive Gorilla Mist Camp, setting the stage for an unforgettable experience with these magnificent creatures.

Get ready for an incredible adventure – after breakfast, it's time for gorilla tracking. Embark on a journey through the rugged hills where the mountain gorillas reside. Don't worry about a walking stick; you can grab one from the park offices when you need it. Remember, when you're observing these majestic creatures, it's a no-go for camera flashes. This is one of the worlds most incredible opportunities to spot mountain gorillas so we'll spend time here today and make sure we'll have the best chance possible to see them. 

As the day progresses, make your way to Lake Bunyonyi. That's where you'll spend the night at the Lake Bunyonyi Overland Camp – a spot to rest up after your gorilla encounter and prepare for more awesome adventures ahead.

Time to wrap up this amazing journey. Hop in the vehicle and take the drive back to Entebbe. Enjoy lunch on the way, soaking in the last bit of the trip. As the day winds down, you'll head to the airport for your departure.

Safe travels and until we meet again Uganda, you've been amazing!