This 4-Day Rwenzori Hike takes you on a trek skyward towards one of the Rwenzori Mountains National Park’s most beautiful viewpoints: the Mutinda Lookout at 3,975 metres. This hiking tour is a perfect adventure that works great as a standalone trip or as part of a wider Uganda safari itinerary.
Highlights
Day 1: Hike to the Sine Camp
Day 2: Sine Camp to Mutinda Camp
Day 3: Mutinda Camp to Kiharo Camp
Day 4: Return to Base Camp
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Hike to the Sine Camp
As the adventure begins, complete a briefing with your guides at Kilembe (1,450m), before beginning the trek to Sine Camp at 2,596 metres. You will hike through the valley floor and the forests of the Afro-montane rainforest zone. It is a steady climb for about 6 kilometers before passing through a steep section towards Sine Camp.
The hike is a great opportunity to see multitudes of birds and a chance of seeing blue monkeys scampering off through the forest At times visitors may see troupes of 15 to 20 black and white Colobus monkeys as they swing through the tree tops. There are rare sightings of the L’Hoest’s monkey which are part of the Bukonzo cultural emblems and are protected by the virtue of the King or Omusinga or you may hear wild chimpanzee in the distance.
There is wide variety of plant species from forest trees to bamboos thickets, low shrubs, flowers, fungi, and with many moss and lichen covered vines hanging from the tall trees creating an awesome appeal.
- Height gain: 1,146 meters
- Hiking Distance: Approx. 9.5km
- Hiking Time: Approx. 5-6 hours.
- Accommodation: Sine Camp
Day 2: Sine Camp to Mutinda Camp
After a delightful breakfast, you will hike to Mutinda Camp at 3,688 metres.
This hike will take you through the Bamboo and Heather Zones. The path meanders up over several small knolls along a ridge top before dropping down the side of the valley. You cross several small streams and pass close to the moss covered waterfalls. Once you pass 3,000 metres, you will see unique plant species like Giant Heather covered in Usnea lichen. Mutinda Camp is located near a small river and waterfall and offers a chance to wash, refresh and relax.
In the afternoon, you can choose summit Mutinda Lookout at 3,975 meres (one to two hours up and one hour down).The views are breathtaking as you stand on moss covered rocks at 3,975 meters with views across the Rwenzori Mountains National Park and down to the town of Kasese town and Lake George in Queen Elizabeth National Park. For trekkers who are climbing to Margherita Peak or any of the main peaks climbing Mutinda to 3,975 meters is also an excellent way to acclimatize and reduce the risk of high altitude sickness at higher levels.
- Hiking Distance: Approx. 6km
- Hiking Time: Approx. 6-8 hours
- Accommodation: Mutinda Camp
Day 3: Mutinda Camp to Kiharo Camp
Have a good breakfast today and hike slightly higher. You climb up a Rocky River bed and before crossing a long stretch of bogs with some board walks. Then hike up to the top of a high waterfall before taking a right turn and descending through Hunwick’s pass.
This trail takes you through two high peaks called Twin Peaks and where those with sharp eyes can spot a Rock Hyrax or Red Diker. At the bottom you walk across a bog with Giant lobelias after which hike through tall heather trees and many huge moss covered rocks to Kiharo Camp at 3,420 metres. About 200 meters from the camp is a high waterfall, Kiharo Falls, cascading down moss covered rocks which is worth a visit.
Day 4: Return to Base Camp
Descend via the stunning Nyamwamba River Valley past the moss covered rocks, along rivers and beautiful forests as you make your way back to the base camp in Kilembe. You will cover approximately 15km over 7-9 hours of hiking.
End of 4-Day Rwenzori Hike
Prices
- 1-2 person group: US$659 per person for the trek starting and ending in Kilembe.
- 3+ person group: US$627 per person for the trek starting and ending in Kilembe
Prices are per person based on 2 people travelling together.
Additional $35/night park fee payable at the Rwenzori park gates
Includes
- Guides & porters throughout the 4-day trek
- 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.
