12-Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Rwenzori Hike to Margherita

Embark on an unforgettable 12-day adventure that showcases the very best of Uganda’s pristine wilderness. In this carefully curated safari itinerary, enjoy an intimate encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas in the lush, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and a thrilling trek to Margherita Peak, the third-highest summit in Africa, nestled in the majestic Rwenzori Mountains. Known as the “Mountains of the Moon,” the Rwenzori Mountains are famed for their breathtaking glaciers, alpine vegetation, and diverse ecosystems.

On this 12-day Uganda safari starting from and ending in Entebbe, immerse yourself in Uganda’s spectacular landscapes, from rolling savannahs to misty mountain trails, and discover its unique wildlife, indigenous Ugandan cultures, and warm hospitality. This detailed itinerary includes daily safari activities including gorilla trekking and hiking, accommodations, and highlights to ensure an unforgettable journey.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe

Arrive at Entebbe International Airport. Upon your arrival, meet and greet with our expert safari guide who will brief you about your 12-day safari trip while he drops you off at your hotel for the night in Entebbe.

Accommodation: Luxury – Protea Hotel by Marriott |Midrange – Lake Victoria View Guesthouse | Budget – Papyrus Guesthouse.

Day 2: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

After breakfast at your hotel, start your journey to Bwindi national park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and home to the endangered mountain gorillas. Located in southwestern Uganda, this park is home to half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas, making it the best place to see these endangered giants in their natural habitat in Africa. En route, enjoy scenic stops at the Equator for photos and souvenir shopping, as well as lunch stopovers in Mbarara.

While you proceed to Bwindi, enjoy beautiful scenery driving through the breathtaking rolling terraced hills of Kisoro, often dubbed the “Switzerland of Uganda.” On arrival, check into your lodge and relax. Dinner and overnight stay.

Drive Time: Approximately 8-9 hours.

Accommodation; Buhoma Sector: Buhoma Lodge (Luxury) | Engagi Lodge (Midrange) | Ride 4 a Woman Guesthouse (Budget).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

Wake up to an early breakfast and transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing in preparation for your gorilla trek, which starts at 8 am. Here, the park wardens and rangers will take you through guidelines for gorilla trekking and what to expect during your trek. In a group of eight, you will be led into the misty jungle for a once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking experience. Enjoy scenic sightings of beautiful flora and fauna en route and after finding them, spend an hour observing a gorilla family in their natural habitat, guided by expert rangers. For many travelers, this experience is often the highlight of any Uganda safari!

Trekking time: 1 to 6 hours (depending on gorilla location)

Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging (dependent on gorilla location).

Optional Activities: Visit the Batwa community or take a forest walk in the afternoon.

Accommodation: Buhoma Sector: Buhoma Lodge (Luxury) | Engagi Lodge (Midrange) | Ride 4 a Woman Guesthouse (Budget).

Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner.

Day 4: Transfer to Rwenzori Mountains National Park

After an early breakfast, bid Bwindi goodbye and drive through the scenic southwestern highlands of Kanungu toward Rwenzori Mountains National Park. Arrive at your lodge in Kasese for check-in and a pre-trek briefing.

Drive Time: Approximately 4 to 5 hours.

Accommodation: Equator Snow Lodge (Luxury) | Ruboni Community Camp (Budget).

Meals: Dinner, Breakfast

Day 5: Begin the Rwenzori Hike – Nyakalengija to Nyabitaba Hut (2,652m)

Have breakfast at your hotel and head to Nyakalengija (1,615m), to begin your 7-day central circuit summit to Margherita Peak (5,109m). After a briefing from expert hiking guides, embark on a 10-kilometer trail, passing through tropical rainforests and cultivated land encountering monkeys, birds, and other wildlife. The hike will take about 5 to 6 hours to reach the Nyabitaba Hut, depending on your speed and physical fitness.

Accommodation: Nyabitaba Hut.

Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner.

Day 6: Nyabitaba to John Matte Hut (3,414m)

After an early breakfast, embark on your hike to the John Matte Hut, which is also considered to be the longest trail. The 7-hour trail offers spectacular views of the Rwenzori peaks while trekking through attractive bamboo forests before crossing the Kurt Schefer Bridge over the Bujuku River. Enjoy a stopover for lunch at the Nyamileju Hut, which can be reached seamlessly and in a few hours. However, the higher you go, expect a steeper and more mountainous climb, traversing through plenty of heather plants. After lunch at Nyamileju Hut, proceed with your hike through a vast heather forest. Finally, arrive at the John Matte Hut via the route along the River Bujuku.

Accommodation: John Matte Hut.

Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner.

Day 7: John Matte Hut to Bujuku Hut (3,962m)

Today is the third day of your hike to Margherita Peak which starts from John Matte Hut to Bujuku Hut (3,962m). This route will take you through boggy landscapes and the famous Bigo Swamp which is home to enormous lobelias. While approaching Lake Bujuku, enjoy stunning views of Mount Stanley.

Accommodation: Bujuku Hut.

Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner.

Day 8: Bujuku Hut to Elena Hut (4,541m)

This 4km hiking trail will take you through alpine zones as you approach the glaciers reaching Elena Hut (4,541m) which is the starting point for the Margherita Peak ascent. Traverse through the breathtaking Upper Bigo Bog and then down the steep slopes of Lake Bujuku to the west. Proceed to the 4372-meter Scott-Elliot pass, and trek through scenic wetlands.

From there, ascend the amazing ground gully with a metal ladder and arrive at a junction where the trail is split into two: The left trail leads to the Scott-Eliiot pass, which descends to Kitandara hut, while the right trail leads to the Elena Hut, which climbs through a steep trail above the large boulders to Mount Stanley.

Elena Hut is situated in a frigid area on the rocky side of Mount Stanley, and the trail to the hut is a challenging path, dotted with large stones. Nonetheless, the hut offers striking views of Mount Baker and Mount Speke, which are occasionally obscured by fog. Dinner and overnight stay at Elena hut.

Accommodation: Elena Hut.

Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner.

Day 9: Summit Margherita Peak (5,109m) and Descend to Kitandara Hut (4,023m)

Today, expect to wake up as early as 2 am and have your breakfast, before beginning your summit hike to Margherita Peak at around 3 am. Navigating steep terrain and glaciers, hike across the Stanley plateau with views of Mount Stanley and proceed through jagged rocky areas on ropes. This level of hiking can be quite challenging as it requires physical and mental strength. Ensure you have your hiking tools with you including crampons and an ice and glacier axe. The most difficult portion of the Rwenzori hike to Margherita is reaching the edge of the Margherita glacier, which takes a few hours. While on the peak, enjoy photography and take a few moments to relax, after achieving such an incredible experience.

After taking in the breathtaking views of Mount Speke, Lake Ireen, and the surroundings, descend to Elena Hut which takes about 3 hours depending on the weather and your speed. Have lunch at Elena Hut and continue to Kitandara, where you will have dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Kitandara Hut.

Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner.

Day 10: Descend to Guy Yeoman Hut (3,261m)

After breakfast, trek downhill a 4280-meter cliff from the foot of Mount Baker to the fresh field that traverses the southern Rwenzori. From here enjoy spectacular views of waterfalls flowing down the trail, Mount Stanley in the north, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the west. Following the route, the muddy pass descends via the rock shelter at Bujangolo, a site of a 1906 historical expedition by the Duke of Abruzzi. Overnight stay at Guy Yeoman Hut.

Accommodation: Guy Yeoman Hut.

Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner.

Day 11: Final Descend to Nyakalengija

Following breakfast, begin the descent down to Nyabitaba Hut, which will take between 6 to 7 hours, and take you through the Moss Zone and the heather region, and neighboring Lake Mahoma and Nyabitaba. Enjoy a lunch break and proceed to the Nyakalengija Hut which takes between 2 to 3 hours. Overnight stay at Nyakalengija Hut.

Accommodation: Nyakalengija Hut

Meals: Dinner and Breakfast

Day 12: Travel back to Entebbe

Following breakfast, depart from Nyakalengija and embark on your journey back to Entebbe. Enjoy scenic stopovers for sightseeing and lunch. Depending on your flight schedule, transfer to Entebbe International Airport for your departure.

Drive Time: 6 to 7 hours

Meals: Breakfast

Safari Inclusions

• Gorilla trekking permit.
• Rwenzori hiking fees and guide services.
• Accommodations
• Meals
• Ground transportation in a 4WD safari vehicle.
• Bottled water.

Safari Exclusions

• International flights.
• Personal expenses.
• Optional activities and gratuities
• Hiking gear

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