Rwenzori to Rwanda Discovery Tour

Following an early morning breakfast, you will be transported to the Kanyanchu Visitors Centre. There, you will meet an experienced ranger guide who will take you on a hike through the forest in search of a family of chimpanzees. Once you locate them, you will have the opportunity to spend an hour with them.

Afterward, you will return to the starting point to receive your trekking certificate.

Following this incredible experience, you'll be transferred to Rwenzori Mountains National Park in preparation for your hiking and trekking adventure in the Rwenzori Mountains. You'll spend the night at Trekkers Hostel.

Begin your journey at Trekkers, located at an elevation of 1,450 meters, and ascend to Sine Hut, which sits at 2,596 meters, resulting in a height gain of 1,146 meters.

The trek starts with a gradual ascent along the valley floor, surrounded by the towering trees of the Afro Montane Forest Zone. This steady climb offers opportunities to observe numerous bird species and the possibility of spotting blue monkeys darting through the foliage. Occasionally, you might encounter groups of 15 to 20 black and white Colobus monkeys as they swing through the treetops. Rare sightings of the L’Hoest monkey, a symbol of Bukonzo culture and protected by the local king, may occur, and you might also hear wild chimpanzees in the distance. The area boasts a rich diversity of plant life, including forest trees, bamboo thickets, low shrubs, flowers, fungi, and numerous moss and lichen-covered vines draping from the tall trees, creating a stunning landscape. Just 200 meters from Sine Hut are Enock’s Falls, providing a perfect opportunity for memorable photographs.

At Sine Camp, situated at 2,596 meters, you'll find wooden huts nestled among tall forest trees on a narrow ridge. Here, you can relax and appreciate the beauty of the Afro Montane forest while gazing at a magnificent waterfall cascading over the rocks below. Some visitors prefer to sit outside by the warmth of the campfire, engaging in conversations with guides about the mountains and local life. Sine Camp is located just below the bamboo zone, where a variety of bird species can be found. Enock Falls, only 150 meters from the camp, is surrounded by vibrant green vegetation and hanging vines—truly a sight to behold. You can spend the night at Sine, or for those in good shape who wish to continue, there's the option to hike to Kalama Camp at 3,134 meters. This route not only offers breathtaking views but also allows for more time at Mutinda Camp, where you can trek up to Mutinda Lookout at an elevation of 3,975 meters.

After a hearty breakfast, the trekking begins at 8:30 AM as you enter the Bamboo-Mimulopsis Zone, which features a steep ascent with numerous high steps. During the wet season, this bamboo area can be quite muddy and slippery, slowing your progress.

Despite the challenging conditions, the enchanting atmosphere and stunning forest make the climb worthwhile as you ascend 551 meters over a distance of 2 kilometers to reach Kalalama Camp at an elevation of 3,147 meters. Here, in the Heather-Rapanea Zone, you can take a break to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee along with a snack before continuing up the valley. You'll pass by magnificent moss-covered waterfalls and arrive at a large bog where you'll encounter the impressive Giant Lobelia and their beautiful blooms.

After taking in the sights of the Lobelia, you'll head back to Kalalama Camp for lunch. Following your meal, you'll trek along the ridge, surrounded by breathtaking Giant Heather trees, on your way to Samalaira Camp at 3,170 meters. Along this route, you'll cross two picturesque small streams.

Upon reaching Samalira Camp, you can relax for a bit and may choose to explore the path leading to the base of Samalira Falls, which cascade down a narrow valley adorned with Giant Heather trees, creating a stunning view. Just a hundred meters from the camp, you’ll have reliable Airtel network coverage, allowing you to catch up on messages or emails if you wish.

The path from Samalira Camp ascends 200 meters to cross a ridge before descending into a long valley that leads to the Nyamwamba Valley and Cathy’s Falls, which are particularly breathtaking after heavy rainfall. A few kilometers downstream, the river plunges into a deep valley. These waterfalls were first discovered in August 2020 by John Hunwick, who found himself confined in the National Park during the initial Covid lockdown and took the opportunity to explore new areas and potential trail ideas.

The first waterfall encountered is Nyamwamba Falls, which has a height of 52 meters and features a deep pool at its base suitable for swimming. For the next 600 meters, the river rapidly descends through a series of rapids leading to Ajarova Falls and Plozza Falls.

John named the third set of falls after his mother, Kathleen Plozza, as well as in honor of his great-great-grandfather, Antonio Plozza (1850–1923), who lived high in the mountains of the lower Poschavio Valley on the Swiss-Italian border near Tirano and had a passion for walking and exploring the mountains. Adjacent to Plozza Falls, there is a covered platform where visitors can enjoy views of the falls and have a light snack before continuing. Below Plozza Falls, additional waterfalls lead to Bridal Falls, where water cascades over a large flat rock, resembling a bride's veil.

Halfway down these falls, a bamboo zone begins, creating an enchanting atmosphere as mist from the falls nourishes moss-covered bamboo, evergreen grasses, and herbs that the Rwenzori Duiker feed on. It’s common to spot Duikers in this area, which is also home to the Rwenzori leopard, known for its dark coloration and exclusive presence in the Rwenzori Mountains.

The forest along this section is vibrant and teeming with life, featuring numerous birds, primates, duikers, and hyraxes. Eventually, you will arrive at Forest View Camp, situated at an elevation of 2,580 meters above sea level, where we will spend the night.

The path from Forest View Camp winds down through towering trees and along ridges, offering stunning views of the valley beneath.

At the end of the steeper part, you'll reach Nyamwamba Camp at an elevation of 1,973 meters, where you can take a break for snacks and drinks.

Afterward, you'll continue down a gentle slope to the park offices, then head back to Kilembe before making your way to Queen Elizabeth National Park. You'll spend the night at Bush Lodge or a similar accommodation.

After an early breakfast, you'll be transferred to Kasenyi for a game drive. The Kasenyi plains, known for their high concentration of prey, draw in predators, offering opportunities to spot some of the big cats found in Queen Elizabeth National Park during this thrilling adventure.

In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, which links Lake Edward and Lake George. This two-hour boat safari will allow you to observe a variety of aquatic, semi-aquatic, terrestrial wildlife, and birds, making it a memorable day in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

You'll spend the night at Bush Lodge or a similar accommodation.

After a leisurely morning breakfast transfer to Bwindi Mgahinga Gorilla National Park a head of Uganda gorilla trekking adventure.

Overnight at Travelers Rest Hotel or similar.

Following an early breakfast, you'll head to the ranger station for a briefing on the guidelines for interacting with gorillas.

Then, accompanied by an experienced ranger guide, you'll trek into the forest to look for the gorillas. Once located, you'll have the opportunity to spend an hour with them.

After this memorable experience, you'll return to the lodge for the night at Travelers Rest Hotel or a similar accommodation.

Following an early breakfast, you'll be transferred to Ntebeko in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for a golden monkey trekking adventure.

After the trekking experience, you'll head to Kigali, Rwanda.

Spend the night at Hotel Des Melli Collines or a comparable accommodation.

Enjoy a relaxed morning breakfast before heading to the Kigali Genocide Museum to honor the victims of the 1994 Rwandan genocide against the Tutsi.

Depending on your flight schedule, you will then be transferred to the airport for your departure, concluding your trip.