Uganda

Summiting Mount Stanley

Price

3,335 USD

Duration

11 Days

Level

challenging

Date

August 4, 2023

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Overview Itinerary Details What’s Included Get Inspired

11 days

3,335 USD / 1,035 KWD / 12,300 AED / 12,675 SAR

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Overview

Uganda is popularly referred to as “the Pearl of Africa” because of the country’s unwavering natural beauty. Surprisingly, though, it is one of Africa’s less-traveled destinations, so it remains virtually untouched and pristine, offering authentic and breathtaking experiences. The landscape is stunning and diverse, with its savanna, rolling hills, crater lakes, and snowcapped peaks, while the wildlife is rich and abundant, famous for its magnificent gorillas.

In this itinerary, you will focus on Mt Stanley and on summiting Margherita, its highest peak (5,109m) which is also the third highest in Africa, after Kilimanjaro and Mt Kenya. Mt Stanley belongs to the Rwenzori Range that is shared by Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and is part of the Rwenzori Mountains National Park that has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. On your way to the top, you will enjoy the variations of the country’s stunning natural landscapes, ranging from lush forests at the bottom to a rugged terrain at the top.

Trips Highlights:

Hike through the Rwenzori Mountains National Park of Uganda: a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Admire an abundance of wildlife as you hike through spectacular landscapes.
Summit Margherita Peak (5,109m), the highest peak of Mt Stanley, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the third highest peak in Africa after Kilimanjaro and Mt Kenya.

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Activities: hiking/trekking, nature watching

Difficulty analysis

Climbing Mt Stanley demands great physical shape since it requires an average of 5-7 hours of hiking per day for several consecutive days while, at the same time, gaining altitude (i.e., oxygen in the air decreases as one comes closer to the top), which affects one’s breathing, fatigue levels, eating habits and sleep quality. In addition, the mixed terrain on the mountain is occasionally challenging, and trekkers will need to work with ropes and crampons for rock and snow at parts. Your guiding team will train you and help you use such gear, but prior experience is helpful. To further assist you in understanding whether you are fit enough to participate in this adventure, Rahhalah’s expert team will assess your fitness levels before your registration and, once you register, will help you prepare a training routine to guarantee the success of your trip.

Itinerary Details

Day 1 (4th August 2023): Arrival at Entebbe (D)

Upon your arrival at the Entebbe International Airport, you will be welcomed by a Rahhalah representative, and you will be transferred to the hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.
In the evening, the group will assemble for a welcoming dinner on your first night in Uganda.

Accommodation: Papyrus Guest House or similar.

Day 2 (5th August 2023): Drive to Kasese (B, L, D)

After breakfast, you will set out on a scenic drive to the charming town of Kasese. The drive is long (6 hours), but on the way, you will be treated to breathtaking views of the region's diverse ecosystems, each one being distinctly charming and alluring.

Accommodation: The Bush Lodge or similar.

Day 3 (6th August 2023): Hiking to Sine Hut (2,596 m) (B, L, D)

You will begin your expedition by hiking up the valley floor passing through the tall forest tress of the Afro Montane Forest Zone. This is a steady climb through a lush forest, where you can spot many species of birds or, even, blue monkeys.

Hiking details:
Trekking time: approx. 5-6 hrs.
Altitude gain: about 1,146m

Accommodation: Sine Hut (altitude: 2,596m).
The accommodation units throughout the hike are wooden huts, dormitory style. Each hut can accommodate up to 8 people. There are beds and mattresses, but trekkers should carry their own sleeping bags.

Day 4 (7th August 2023): Hiking to Mutinda Camp (3,582 m) (B, L, D)

Today you will enter the Bamboo-Mimulopsis Zone, which is accessed via a steep climb with many high steps. You will then continue to Kalalama camp located in the Heather-Rapanea Zone where you will most likely pause for a quick cup of coffee and a few minutes of rest. The trail continues meandering up and down the hills, while the surrounding valley is adorned with many giant heather trees that appear even more beautiful when shrouded in mist.

Hiking details:
Trekking time: approx. 6-8 hrs.
Altitude gain: about 986m.

Accommodation: Mutinda Camp (altitude: 3,582m).

Day 5 (8th August 2023): Hiking to Bugata Camp (4,100 m) (B, L, D)

Today you will cross the Mutinda valley passing through tussock grass and colorful flowers intertwined with numerous Giant-Lobelias. The next part of the trail is a steep ascend to Namusangi Valley (altitude: 3,840m) which has many waterfalls and gurgling running streams, and from then on, a further ascend to Bugata Camp.

Hiking details:
Trekking time: approx. 4-6 hrs.
Altitude gain: about 518m.

Accommodation: Bugata Camp (altitude: 4,100m)

Day 6 (9th August 2023): Hiking to Hunwick’s Camp via Bamwanjarra Pass (4,450m) (B, L, D)

You will start the day with an ascend over a ridge before reaching Bamwanjarra Pass (at 4450 m.) where there is a hut for resting in case the weather turns bad. The trail passes through the valley and around the edge of some marshes with thick ever-green vegetation, moss, giant groundsel and lobelia.

Hiking details:
Trekking time: approx. 4-6 hrs.
Altitude gain: 350m.

Accommodation: Hunwick’s Camp (altitude: 4,450m).

Day 7 (10th August 2023): Hiking to Margherita camp (4,485 m) (B, L, D)

You will start the day by crossing the valley towards Lake Kitendara, where you will enjoy the views of the deep clear waters and the surrounding vegetation. You will then climb up Scott Elliott’s Pass and the ridge to Margherita Camp, situated between huge rocks that provide some shelter from the strong winds.

Hiking details:
Trekking time: approx. 4-6 hrs.
Altitude gain: 511m

Accommodation: Margherita Camp (altitude: 4,485m).

Day 8 (11th August 2023): Summiting Margherita Peak (5,109 m) (B, L, D)

On the summit day, you will wake up very early, at 2:00 am, for a 30-minutes breakfast and then proceed with the final stretch to the top of Mt Stanley. Depending on the weather conditions and the pace of the group, you are expected to arrive at Margherita Peak by 10:00 am (before heavy clouds and, even snow, appear, as it occasionally happens after mid-day).
From the summit, you will descend directly to Hunwick’s Camp (at 3,874 m).

Hiking details:
Trekking time: approx. 7-10 hrs.
Altitude gain: 624m

Accommodation: Hunwick’s Camp (altitude: 3,874m)

Day 9 (12th August 2023): Hiking to Kiharo Camp (3,430m) (B, L, D)

You will start the day by climbing the ridge towards McConnell’s Prong, from where you can enjoy beautiful views of the mountain’s three main peaks. From there, the trail meanders down to Kiharo Camp, situated in a deep valley with high cliffs and dense vegetation.

Hiking distance: 11 km

Accommodation: Kiharo Camp (altitude: 3,430m).

Day 10 (13th August 2023): Hiking to the park gate (1,720 m) and the mountain’s base (1,450 m) (B, L, D)

You will continue descending (for about 12 km), passing through Nyamwamba valley, and enjoying stunning views and a landscape full of moss-covered, cascading waterfalls, and forests full of life, birds and primates. Once you reach the base, you will be driven to the lodge for a well-deserved relaxing evening.

Accommodation: The Bush Lodge or similar.

Day 11 (14th August 2023): Transfer to Kampala / Departure (B)

Early morning, you will head back to Kampala and Entebbe Airport for your departure flight back home (a 6-hour drive).
It is recommended that you book a flight that departs between 18:00 - 20:00 hrs.

Note: Only one group transfer is included in the price. Additional arrangements can be made at an extra cost.

Optional: Instead of driving from Kampala to Kasese and back, a domestic flight can be arranged at an extra cost and subject to availability/weather conditions.

Notes

All accommodations during the climb are in a dormitory style, so single accommodation is possible only on Day 1 and 10.
All services stipulated above are subject to availability at the time of booking/reservation. All prices are subject to change.
All hotels and camps mentioned hereby are subject to change to similar ones depending on availability.
The cost is based on a group of min 4 people. Rahhalah reserves the right to change the price if the trip runs with fewer participants.

The Price Includes:

Accommodation as indicated in the itinerary or similar.
Transport by a 4x4 Toyota Hiace Van.
Airport transfers on Day 1 and one group airport transfer on Day 11.
All meals as indicated above (B, L, D).
Services of an English-speaking professional driver/guide.
Park entrance fees.
Free, pre-registration assessment by Rahhalah’s expert team and, post-registration, suggestion of a personalized training plan.

The Price Excludes:

International airfare to/from Entebbe International Airport.
Domestic flights (if chosen).
Visa costs and charges.
Costs due to an early descent.
Travel Insurance.
Beverages.
Optional activities.
Meals not included in the itinerary.
Tips and gratuities.
All Items of personal nature (laundry, etc).
PCR test or extra days if needed.

Important: The itinerary and schedule are subject to change due to weather, road challenges or operating conditions. At any moment, the guide has the RIGHT to change the program for the safety and convenience of the travelers.

Also, the trip's price does not cover expenses that may occur due to conditions beyond Rahhalah's control (force majeure). Such cases include but are not limited to extreme weather conditions, flight cancellations or delays, and natural phenomena (earthquakes, volcano eruptions, hurricanes, etc.). We, the Rahhalah team, both in our HQ and on the ground, will do our best to assist you with alternative arrangements (like new accommodation and/or transportation arrangements, revised itinerary and activities etc.), but ALL NEW COSTS incurred because of force majeure are to be covered by the traveler.

We strongly recommend that, before your departure, you purchase travel insurance that covers trip cancellation costs, loss of baggage or personal items, medical emergencies, and other unexpected circumstances that cannot be controlled by Rahhalah or any traveler.