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10 Day Mountains of the Moon |
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| Rwenzori
mountains also known as the mountains of the moon or the 'the
Alps of Africa' is located in western Uganda on the border with
the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Rwenzori is range covering
100 Km long and about 40 Km wide. |
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Day
1: |
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Drive
through the towns of Masaka, then Mbarara to Kasese with lunch enroute.
Dinner and overnight at Hotel Margherita. |
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Day
2: Nyakalengija to Nyabitaba Hut |
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Reach
the Rwenzori mountaineering services head office early, hire equipment
and arrange for guides and porters. Immediately after, hiking
starts from the park headquarters 1,646 meters. The trail to Nyabitaba
a distance of 10 Km takes 4 to 5 hours and an ascent of 1200 meters.
The trail at the beginning goes through homes and fields progressing
through bamboo and high elephant grass, dense bushes. You will
climb over rocks and bluff, crossing river Mahoma then ascending
steeply Nyabitaba hut. Watch out for white Colobus and blue monkeys
and also the Rwenzori turaco. Over night at the Nyabitaba hut.
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Day
3: Nyabitaba Hut to John Matte hut |
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This
trail takes between 5 to 6 hours with an ascent of 762 meters.
From Nyabitaba hut take the trail to the left of the hut for about
half a kilometer then right fork then dropping to the Kurt Shafer
Bridge just below the confluence of the Bujuku and Mubuku rivers.
After ascending and then descending though muddy, slippery paths
and passing through rocks and rocks, we finally reach Nyamuleju
hut. This also marks the beginning of the giant lobelia found
only in very high altitude tropical African mountains. From Nyabuleju
hut take the left pass through Kisalala water fall, the path drops
to a river then up through heather to John Matte hut 3,414 meters.
This should take about one hour. Over night at John Matte hut.
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Day
4: John Matte hut to Bujuku hut |
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This
6 Km trail takes 5 to 6 hours and gaining an ascent of 560 meters.
After one and a half of wading your way through fords and crossing
a river, this muddy trail leads to the edge of lower Bigo bog
and eventually to the Bigo hut which also commands a very good
view of the surrounding peaks. Continue through the upper Biggo
bog. The leads to drier ground and after criss crossing the river,
this leads to the Bujuku Lake. This is also the best place for
seeing the Margherita, the summit of Stanley. Continue the trail
for about 30 minutes up the valley to Bujuku hut at 3962 meters.
This hut is very popular because of being the closest to the peaks
of Speke, Baker and Stanley. Watch out for red duikers. Over night
at Bujuku hut. |
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Day
5: Bujuku hut to Kitandara hut |
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This
trail which covers only 4 Km begins by ascension of 390 meters
then a descent of 340 meters. The trail starts by ascending and
then falling twice followed by a steep ascend giving way to a
groundsel vegetation 4372 meters then to Scott-Elliot pass which
is also the main col between mount Stanley and Baker. Another
descend leading to Kitandara hut 4023 meters. Also for over night.
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Day
6: Kitandara hut to Guy yeoman hut |
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This
5 Km stretch involves ascent and descent and takes 5 to 6 hours.
While at Lake Kitandara take a view of the Democratic Republic
of Congo. Prepare for a steep climb over boulders and through
thick mud before the path gives way to a more level ground at
the Fresh field pass. You can get a clear view of mount Stanley.
A steep descend, climbing rocks and wadding through thick muddy
to Guy Yeoman hut 3262 meters. |
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Day
7: Guy Yeoman hut to Nyabitaba |
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This
trail which covers 6 Km takes 4 to 5 hours. This involves descending
a very steep slope and calls for support from one another. It
passes deep mud, crossing rivers to Nyabitaba hut for over night.
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Day
8: Nyabitaba hut to Nyakalengija to Queen Elizabeth |
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Leave
Nyabitaba hut early retracing out route back to the Rwenzori mountain
services offices. This 10 Km trail usually takes 2 to 3 hours.
Descending through Mobuku river and through fields to the RM's
offices to hand over the rented equipments. Drive to Queen Elizabeth
Relax at the Mweya Lodge and later in the evening have an evening
game drive.
Dinner and over night at Mweya Safari Lodge. |
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Day
9: Queen Elizabeth |
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Have
warm up tea and head to see the wild at there best. Get rewarded
with the Lions, elephants, Buffaloes and variety of Antelope species.
After lunch go for a boat cruise on the Kazinga channel for close
range viewing of hippos, crocodiles and variety of birds.
Dinner and overnight at Mweya safari lodge.
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Day
10: Kampala |
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After
breakfast, drive at leisure to Kampala dropping you at your accommodation
or the Airport. |
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