A 10 day safari which starts and finishes in Kampala. This safari can also be done on a private basis.

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.

Safari Highlights
HIKE the central Rwenzoris.
CLIMB the Margherita peak.
STAND on the Equator.
GAME DRIVE in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
BOAT CRUISE on the Kazinga Channel.

Safari Accommodation
1 Night Margherita Hotel or Volcanoes Kyambura Gorge Lodge
7 Nights nights basic mountain huts or in tents
1 Night Mweya Lodge (or Jacana Safari Lodge)

Great Ape Guide: