For those who want to experience the Rwenzori without spending too long, a 3-day Rwenzori Mountains Hike is the perfect add-on to a wider adventure safari across the country.
If you are not quite sure whether you are ready for a full Rwenzori adventure, you might want to take one of our short 3-day hike in Rwenzori Mountains National Park via Kilembe route. Only three days on the mountain will be enough to give you a full picture of what it takes to be part of a Rwenzori trekking expedition. This adventure is perfect if you travel with those who are not ready for the full hike yet, or if your holiday is too short but you still want to enjoy the trip.
On these hike you will reach the lower camps of Rwenzori, delve into pristine tropical wilderness and see breathtaking landscapes around. Overall, it is a short, yet fascinating adventure,
Highlights
Day 1: Hike to the Sine Camp or Kalalama Camp
Day 2: Sine Camp to Samalira Camp
Day 3: Return to base camp
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Hike to the Sine Camp or Kalalama Camp
Your hike commences at Trekkers Hostel in Kilembe at around 1,450 meters and ends at Sine Hut at 2,596 meters being a height gain of 1,146 meters.
You start by hiking up the valley floor through the beautiful Afro Montane Forest Zone. This is a steady climb for the first 6km then after crossing a river it is a steep climb up to Sine Camp.
The trees in the Afro Montane Forest Zone are tall with multitudes of birds and monkeys.
Enock’s waterfalls are just 200 meters from Sine Hut. The falls are beautiful as brightly clouded green lichen grow on the many lives hanging from the trees with the waterfall as a background. They offer a wonderful opportunity to capture great photos for your memories.
At Sine Camp, you will sleep in wooden huts that are set between tall forest trees on a narrow ridge. Here, you may sit and enjoy the beauty forest as you look down at a long set of rapids and waterfall crashing over the rocks. Sine Camp is at the bottom edge of the bamboo forest zone and the area around are home to different bird species.
Day 2: Sine Camp to Samalira Camp
From Sine Camp you will start by hiking up via the bamboo forests which is quite steep but very beautiful and inspiring.
As you hike through the upper part of the bamboo forest zone there is small patches of mixed forest trees many of which bear fruit and berries and attracts several bird species.
You will hear the calls of the colourful Rwenzori Turacos. And during the dry season, the female Malachite Sunbird comes down the mountain to feed on nectar producing flowers before heading back to the high altitudes to mate and rear their young.
At about 3,000 metres altitude you reach the Heather zone where the Giant Heather trees reach 15 metres in height and are truly magnificent.
At 3,147 metres you find Kalalama Camp. Here you stop for a quick snack and where you have the option to climb further up the mountain towards Mutinda Peaks for about 2km and where you can see the beautiful Giant Lobelia plants and flowers in a vast peat bog.
After that you will return to Kalalama Camp for lunch before crossing to Samalira Camp at 3,170 metres for the night. The walk across to Samalira is more or less level as it cuts across the high ridge covered with Giant Heather trees and an incredible atmosphere particularly in their fog as you cross beautiful streams which then drop over the edge and away.
At Samalira the dinning hut is perched on the side of the gorge and where you look down on two of the five waterfalls while you enjoy your meal or cup of tea.
After a break you can walk down a trail to the base of the waterfalls and look up to see the water tumbling over the falls though the magnificent Giant Heather trees. You may also take a short walk above the camp, although steep up a narrow ridge where the ground and rocks covered with bright green moss and you look down on the camp
Day 3: Return to base camp
In the morning you descend through the bamboo forest zone with amazing views across the lower hills and valleys to Forest View Camp where you have a small snack or lunch before proceeding down through the Afro Montane Forest Zone with a variety birds and primates. At the bottom of the steeper descent you will arrive at Nyamwamba Camp where you may rest again before walking out the final 6km to the Rwenzori Mountains National Park gate.
End of 3-Day Rwenzori Mountains Hike
Prices
This 3 day Rwenzori Mountains hike costs:
- $550 for one or 2 persons
- $450 for 3 people or more
Prices are per person based on 2 people travelling together.
Additional $35/night park fee payable at the Rwenzori Mountains National Park gate.
Includes
- Guides & porters
- All meals
- Accommodation throughout the trek in dormitory-style huts along the trail
- All technical equipment (except crampons) – none required on low altitude treks.
Excludes
- Accommodation before and after the trek
- Transport to and from Kilembe
- Flights or visa fees
- Anything not mentioned as included
- Note that we can arrange transfers to and from the trailhead for you at additional cost, or if you’re including the Rwenzoris as part of a wider itinerary with us, then transport to and from Kilembe and accommodation before/after the trek will be included.
