16-Day Rwenzori Mountaineering Safari: Margherita Peak & Gorilla Trekking

Price: $5,714 per person (based on 2 pax) | Duration: 16 Days & 15 Nights | Departs/Returns: Entebbe, Uganda

This is Terrain Safaris’ flagship mountaineering itinerary, combining a full Rwenzori summit attempt with classic Uganda wildlife viewing and gorilla trekking. Below is the itinerary organized day-by-day, followed by a summary of costs, destinations, and inclusions.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival at Entebbe Airport & Hotel Transfer Your driver/guide meets you at Entebbe Airport and briefs you on the 16-day Rwenzori Mountain climbing safari. Transfer and check in to Lake Heights Hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 2 — Transfer to Kasese After breakfast, travel west toward Kasese, driving through traditional homesteads and the tea plantations around Fort Portal. The route follows the foothills of Mount Rwenzori, arriving in the afternoon. Check in to Hotel Margherita for dinner and overnight.

Day 3 — Mt. Rwenzori Climb, Day 1: Nyakalengeja to Nyabitaba Trek begins. Dinner and overnight at Nyabitaba Hut.

Day 4 — Mt. Rwenzori Climb, Day 2: Nyabitaba to John Matte Continue the ascent. Dinner and overnight at John Matte Hut.

Day 5 — Mt. Rwenzori Climb, Day 3: John Matte to Bujuku Dinner and overnight at Bujuku Hut.

Day 6 — Mt. Rwenzori Climb, Day 4: Bujuku to Elena Hut Dinner and overnight at Elena Hut.

Day 7 — Mt. Rwenzori Climb, Day 5: Elena Hut to Margherita Peak Summit day. Dinner and overnight near Margherita.

Day 8 — Mt. Rwenzori Climb, Day 6: Margherita to Kitandara Begin the descent. Dinner and overnight at Kitandara Hut.

Day 9 — Mt. Rwenzori Climb, Day 7: Kitandara Hut to Guy Yeoman Hut Continue descending. Dinner and overnight at Guy Yeoman Hut.

Day 10 — Mt. Rwenzori Climb, Day 8: Guy Yeoman Hut to Nyakalengeja Final descent day, arriving back at the trailhead. Dinner and overnight at Margherita Hotel, Kasese.

Day 11 — Kasese to Mweya, Queen Elizabeth National Park After a relaxed breakfast, transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, arriving early afternoon and checking in to Mweya Safari Lodge. After lunch and some rest, head out for a game drive across the Kasenyi plains in search of elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, kobs, warthogs, hyenas, lions, and leopards. The park is also home to more than 612 recorded bird species, among the highest concentrations of birdlife of any park in the world. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 12 — Chimp Trekking, Queen Elizabeth National Park An early start with a packed breakfast for the drive to Kyambura Gorge, where you’ll trek for chimpanzees in the riverine gorge (roughly three hours). Back at the lodge for lunch and some downtime, then an afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel for close-up views of wildlife cooling off in the water, along with hundreds of resident water birds. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Day 13 — Mweya to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park After breakfast, exit the park with a short game drive en route, then transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via the Ishasha sector, where the tree-climbing lions may be spotted depending on the day’s luck. Arrive at Bwindi in the evening and check in to Gorilla Resort for dinner and overnight.

Day 14 — Gorilla Trekking, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest After breakfast, report to the park offices around 7:45am for registration and briefing ahead of the safari’s highlight: gorilla trekking. The trek can be strenuous, with muddy, hilly terrain and occasional rain, and may take anywhere from 2 to 8 hours before reaching a gorilla family. Return to the resort for dinner and overnight.

Day 15 — Bwindi to Entebbe (via Kampala) After breakfast, transfer to Kampala through the rolling hills of Mbarara, with an en-route lunch stop at Agip Motel Mbarara. Arrive in Kampala in the evening and check in to Serena Hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 16 — Kampala City Tour & Departure After breakfast, tour Kampala’s key attractions, including the Uganda Museum, the Martyrs Shrine, the city’s cathedrals, the Baha’i Temple, Kasubi Tombs, and local markets. After lunch, transfer to the airport for your departure home, timed to your flight.

Safari Summary

Tour Duration: 16 Days & 15 Nights Departure / Return Location: Entebbe, Uganda

Destinations on Tour:

• Entebbe
• Kasese
• Mountain Rwenzori
• Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Kampala

Quotation (2 Pax / Per Person):

• High Season: $6,650
• Low Season: $5,745

What’s Included

• Transport
• Private guide
• Accommodation
• All meals
• Selected drinks
• Entrance fees
• Park fees
• Trekking permits

What’s Not Included

• International flights
• Visa costs
• Medical insurance
• Travel insurance
• Selected drinks (beyond those specified as included)
• Gratuities
• Laundry
• Personal expenses
• Other activities

Related Tours from Terrain Safaris

• Ziwa Rhino Trekking Tour
• Wildlife Photography Safari
• Uganda’s Top Safari Destinations
• Uganda Gorilla Trekking – Wildlife Safari Uganda
• Birding Tour Uganda – Kibale Chimpanzee Trekking Tour
• Rwenzori Mountain Climbing Safari
• Bwindi Gorilla Trekking & Uganda Chimps Tour.