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A 10 day safari which starts and finishes in Kampala.
This safari can also be done on a private basis.
"The entire length of the range burst out of
the cloudy darkness . . . a giant among the mountains,
the melting snow of whose tops has been for some 50
centuries most vital to the peoples of Egypt" -
Henry Morton Stanley.
The Rwenzoris, or the Mountains of the Moon, so named
by the Hellenic astronomer Ptolemy, have a legendary
beauty. They were explored and mapped out by Henry
Morton Stanley, Emin Pasha and Prince Luigi Amedeo
di Savoia. At the centre of the range are six peaks
capped with ice and snow and three glaciers. The mountains
- about 120 km long - were forced up during the creation
of the Great Rift Valley. The highest peak of Mount
Stanley is Margherita, which rises to 5,109m, the third
highest in Africa after Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount
Kenya.
The heavy rain makes the mountain flora luxuriant,
growing to absurd
proportions, with giant lobelia and groundsel shooting
up to 10 metres. The wild flowers and birds are enchanting.
A hike through the lower reaches of the central Rwenzori
needs about six days; ascent of the peaks is a technical
climb and takes a further two days and requires climbers
to be physically fit and equipped with ropes, crampons
and appropriate mountaineering equipment (see Travel
Notes for details). The best time to climb the mountain
is from June through to August and from December to
February. Climbing is organised by Rwenzori Mountaineering
Services and includes 1 guide and 2 porters per person,
meals, accommodation and entrance fees. A minimum number
of 4 climbers on the peaks is advised – 2 climbers
and 2 guides. For solo climbers a second guide should
be taken for which a supplement has to be paid. Maximum
recommended group number on Volcanoes climbs is 8.
Clients stay 1 night at Margherita Hotel or Volcanoes
Queen Elizabeth site on the way to the mountain, where
they sleep in the basic mountain huts or in tents.
On return they sleep 1 night at Mweya/Jacana.
UGS5 CLIMBING
THE RWENZORIS (UGANDA)
A TEN-DAY SAFARI
Departs 2008: 10 Jan, 7 Feb, 19 Jun, 10 Jul, 7 Aug, 18 Sep, 18 Dec
Departs 2009: 8 Jan, 5 Feb, 4 Jun, 2 Jul, 6 Aug, 3 Sep, 3 Dec |
CLIMBING THE RWENZORIS
Starts Thursday ends Saturday |
US$ |
£ |
Euros |
| Per person sharing a twin room |
1,962 |
1,006 |
1,521 |
| Single room supplement |
106 |
54 |
82 |
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1. Published prices may change without notice in case of unforeseen circumstances beyond our control.
2. Prices for safaris in 2008 are valid until 31 December 2008. Prices for the dates shown in 2009 will be published at a later date.
3. Prices are based on exchange rates with the US dollar in May 2007: 1.95 US dollars to the £ sterling and 1.29 dollars to the euro. For payments in £ sterling and euro the dollar shall be converted at the prevailing exchange rate at the time of payment.
4. Prices include transport and a driver/guide for the itinerary agreed, accommodation on a shared basis and meals stated (in Kampala, Entebbe and Kigali bed and breakfast only and on safari full board) and, where appropriate, boat trips, park fees, chimpanzee permits and one gorilla permit. At Volcanoes gorilla lodges (Bwindi, Mount Gahinga and Virunga), the tariffs are on an all-inclusive basis and, in addition to accommodation and meals, include unlimited consumption of all alcoholic and soft drinks; laundry services; and any activities clients wish to do around the lodges. A complimentary massage is also offered.
5. Prices exclude airfares to Uganda/Rwanda, entry visas and airport taxes. At non-Volcanoes lodges all personal expenditure such as laundry and drinks are excluded.
6. All gorilla permits need to be purchased at the time of booking or a deposit equivalent to 20% of the cost of the safari paid, whichever is higher. Gorilla viewing is subject to availability of permits, which are limited; any additional gorilla permits required should be purchased when booking. Gorilla permit prices are subject to change without warning.
7. From the safari price paid by clients Volcanoes contributes $100 per client to the Volcanoes Partnership Trust, a separate non-profit organisation which undertakes community and conservation activities.
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For dates and prices of all scheduled safaris please
click here.
For information on tailor-made safaris Click Here For more information or to book a safari please email salesug@volcanoessafaris.com
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Day 1 THURSDAY
Briefing on your safari. Depart for Kasese, via Queen Elizabeth National
Park. Set off on the southbound road at 10am. On the way see the royal
drum makers, stand on the Equator, bargain at the roadside markets. Descend
to the Queen Elizabeth National Park, keeping an eye out for game. O/N:
Margherita Hotel, Kasese/Volcanoes Queen Elizabeth site (FB).
Day 2 FRIDAY
Begin the climb - to Nyabitaba Hut (2650m). After breakfast drive to
Nyakalengija trailhead (1600m). Make final arrangements for a guide and
porters. Begin hiking up to Nyabitaba hut. Walk through the banana shambas
on the side of the steep foothills, past the typical Bakonjo homesteads
with the children waving you on! Follow the trail along the Mubuku River,
through landslides and up and down rocks and bluffs. Cross the Mahoma
River and climb steeply through bracken fern slopes and Podocarpus forest
to Nyabitaba Hut for overnight (FB).
Day 3 SATURDAY
To John Matte Hut (3350m). The trail from Nyabitaba drops down through
the forest to the Kurt Shafer Bridge, just below the confluence of the
Bujuku and Mubuku Rivers. A steep ascent through bamboo forest, traversing
a long and exhausting stretch of slippery moss-covered rock. From Nyamileju
rock shelter, on clear days, Mount Stanley and Mount Speke can be glimpsed
before passing into the zone of the giant heather, lobelia and groundsel.
The final stretch to the hut is across a tiring bog, the first of many
for which the mountain is infamous (FB).
Day 4 SUNDAY
To Bujuku Hut (3900m). Immediately after John Matte Hut, the trail drops down
to cross the Bujuku River and enters Lower Bigo Bog, home of giant lobelias.
Jumping from tussock to tussock, the bog is finally crossed but rarely without
the feet sampling some of the freezing ooze below. The Upper Bigo bog gives
way to Bujuku Lake, with views of Mt Baker to the South and Mt Stanley to the
West. Bujuku Hut, well located in the shadow of Mount Baker and Mount Speke,
is set in a narrow valley below Stuhlmann Pass. A spectacular setting but it
can be very cold, even for the Rwenzoris. (FB).
Day 5 MONDAY
To Elena Hut (4541m). Leaving Bujuku, through more bog, the trail climbs the
steep slopes west of the lake, passing through the magical Groundsel Gully
as it ascends to Scott-Elliot Pass at 4372m. At the head of the gully a metal
ladder takes you over a steep section after which the trail splits into two.
The right leads up to Elena Hut and Mount Stanley on a steep trail over large
boulders. The left path leads to Scott-Elliot Pass and down to Kitandara Lakes.
For those sleeping at the basic Elena Hut be prepared for a cold and icy night
(FB).
Day 6 TUESDAY
For those climbing Margherita peak (5109m) continue to the base of the Stanley
Glacier. Depending on the weather and the individual’s acclimatisation,
it can be a four to seven hour walk to the summit of Margherita. This is a
tough walk over three glaciers, slippery rock, ice and very exposed areas which
are open on many sides. It is only for the physically fit and is a technical
climb which requires roping up, crampons and appropriate equipment for cold,
windy and icy conditions. It is best to attempt the final climb in a minimum
group of 4 - two climbers and two guides; (a supplement for the extra guide
has to be paid for at the time of booking). Climb on to the glacier, cross
the Stanley Plateau and proceed with the ascent. Subject to altitude sickness,
fog and weather, scramble up to the summit of Margherita, crown of the Rwenzoris.
Due to the altitude and the tough conditions not everybody will make it to
the summit so do not be disappointed if you do not. Returning to Scott-Elliot
pass, there are spectacular views back to Bujuku Lake and Mount Speke, up to
Mount Stanley and down to the Kitandara Lakes. Once over the pass the trail
enters an alpine zone of sparse vegetation and rough boulders. Descend to the
Kitandara Hut for overnight, past the Kitandara Lakes. (For those who do not
wish to climb the peak, a more restful day walking from Elena Hut to Kitandara
Hut 4,023m.) (FB).
Day 7 WEDNESDAY
To Guy Yeoman Hut (3260m). From Kitandara, the trail ascends steeply up the
headwall, spreading out from the base of Mount Baker and continuing along the
south side of the mountain to Freshfield Pass. On a clear day there are views
into the Congo to the west and Mount Stanley to the north. From the pass, the
long muddy descent continues, passing the rock shelter at Bujangolo, the base
camp for the historic expedition by the Duke of Abruzzi in 1906 (FB).
Day 8 THURSDAY
To Nyabitaba (2650m). The path down can be slippery and muddy with little to
hold on to and requires careful balancing over the vertical mud or steep rock.
An overnight stop at the Nyabitaba Hut is a pleasant rest after the exertion
of the previous days (FB).
Day 9 FRIDAY
To Nyakalengija trailhead (1600m). A gentle descent down the muddy paths to
the trailhead, arriving late morning. Lunch in Kasese. Drive to Queen Elizabeth
National Park, game viewing on the way. In the afternoon time permitting, a
boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel where the wildlife and a vast array of birds
come to drink O/N: Mweya/Jacana (FB).
Day 10 SATURDAY
Early morning game drive. Depart for Kampala, lunch en route, arriving late afternoon
(HB). |
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