ATTACK RWENZORI CENTRAL CIRCUIT:
12 Days - 11Nights

Rwenzori Mountains Expedition. In 1906 these mountain ranges were climbed by the Duke of Italy and who carried out scientific expedition that solved all the hurdles and hear say for the last centuries talked about these mountains.
 
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In conjunction with the Italian Franchise and the people of Uganda a number of hikers have climbed and trekked these mountain block ranges.

The 1906 expedition of the Duke came in contact with different local groups: Baganda, Batoro and Bakonjo. When he reached Entebbe, he first encountered the Baganda and he organised a caravan of porters of over 220 people. The expedition arrived in Kabarole and the Duke entered the palace of the Tooro King Kasagama.
This expedition is being repeated to remember the last 100 years when the major scientific expedition was done and completed to feel the history gaps since Plotomey mentioned the (“the mountains of the moon”). Starting the month of June 2006 a number of climbers from Italy together with other climbers from all over the parts of the world ascended to the tops of Rwenzori. We hope this will be another chance for you to join the enthusiastic climbers.
On the slopes of the mountain, at Ibanda, the Duke met the Bakonjo, whose villages are located up to 2.300 metres of altitude. The Bakonjo porters substituted the Baganda. The food for the porters was provided by the local chiefs. The climbing was full of difficulties:
The Central Circuit Attack : The “central circuit” trial of Rwenzori ( 7 days on the mountain) is the main hiking activity which people undertake when visiting the mountain range. The trip begins from Entebbe or Kampala. Overnight in Kampala can be arranged on request.1st overnight will be in  Fortportal town or at the base camp next day starting on the expedition. It consists of a hike lasting six nights and seven days, starting from the headquarter of the Rwenzori Mountains National Park at Nyakalengija. Then the trail follows a circular path around Mount Baker, spending the night in five different Huts, and reaching a maximum altitude of 4.372 m. at Scott Elliot Pass. Returning to Entebbe Airport will take 10 days in total for the whole trip.

 

The circuit gives the opportunity to see very close the peaks and glaciers of Mount Speke, Mount Stanley, Mount Luigi di Savoia, Mount Baker. Everybody is able to manage the hike, as the level of difficulty is not so high. For the mountains climbers, it is possible to reach all the major peaks, only adding one day or two extension to the highest peak ‘The Margherita Peak”  The central circuit is the best experience of Rwenzori, for  its landscape and vegetation.

Programme of the Central Circuit Attack follows this itinerary :
Day 1 :  Arrivals at Entebbe airport you will met by Representatives from Uganda Wildlife Scene Safaris and transfer you  to your Hotel in Kampala. Stay at the Castle Apartments. www.castleuganda.com  refresh and relax meal plans dinner and overnight.

Day 2 : Kampala to Ibanda Base Camp. Drive from Kampala in the morning and proceed to the western part of the country. After  lunch carryout food shopping together with your guide. Dinner and overnight at the Foot Hills of the Rwenzori Mountain, The Ibanda Base Camp.
Day 3 :  Nyakalengija to Nyabitaba Hut, 2.652 m.After breakfast head to the Rwenzori Mountains National Park Head Quarter at Nyakalengija, 1.646 m., you will receive the briefing from RMS (Rwenzori Mountaineering Services) and UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority), with the possibility of renting equipment. The hike starts through the plantations and homes of the Bakonjo, the people of the mountain, gradually reaching garden plots and elephants grass. You follow the Mobuku river, until crossing the Mahoma river. The trail passes through an open bracken fern slopes and Podorcarpus Forest, up to Nyabitaba Hut, 2.652 m., which is the arrival point for the day. This will take from 5 to 6 hours. From the location, you are facing on the North the Portal Peaks, 4.627 m., in front Mount Kyniangoma. During the day, you might see monkeys, the Rwenzori Turaco and hearing the chimpanzees.

Day 4 : Nyabitaba Hut to John Matte Hut, 3.414 m. From Nyabitaba Hut you cross the Kurt Shaffer Bridge, through a muddy area. Then the trail climbs up through the bamboo forest. You reach a steep rocky area, which leads to Nyamuleju Hut. This point marks the start of the giant lobelia and groundsel zone. The way proceeds through a bog full of typical plants along the Bujuku river. The final point is John Matte Hut, 3.414 m. for spending the night. From Nyabitaba Hut to John Matte it can take approximately 6 hours. Enjoy the view of Mount Stanley and snow capped Margherita and Elena Peaks.

Day 5 :  From John Matte Hut to Bujuku Hut, 3.962 m. From John Matte Hut you cross the Bujuku River and enter the lower Bigo bog, a grassy bog where you experience how to jump from tussock to tussock. You reach Bigo Hut and enter the upper Bigo bog, proceeding to Lake Bujuku, where it is starting the alpine savannah zone of little vegetation. You finally arrive at Bujuku Hut, 3.962 m. This day hike can take up to 5 hours. There you have a view on the peaks of Mount Stanley, Mount Baker and Mount Speke. From Bujuku starts the diversion for whom intends to climb Mount Speke. For climbing Margherita and Alexandra peaks it is advised to proceed to Elena Hut for overnight.

Day 6 :  From Bujuku Hut to Kitandara Hut, 4.023 m. From Bujuku Hut you climb through moss draped groundsel vegetation, to Scott Elliot Pass, 4.372 m., the highest point of the loop trail. The path is very rocky and steep, at the foothills of Mount Baker. Enjoy a spectacular view of Margherita peak, Elena and Savoia glaciers and Mount Baker. You reach Upper Kitandara lake through thick mud to Lower Kitandara lake where is located Kitandara Hut, 4.023 m. Kitandara in the local language means “fresh field”, as a cold wind is blowing into the valley. Time to complete the hike about 5 hours. During this tract, it is recommended to check any sign of altitudes sickness or hypothermia. From Kitandara Hut you can proceed for climbing the peaks -Mount Baker or Mount Luigi di Savoia and the peak Vittorio Sella.

Day 7 :   Kitandara Hut to Guy Yeoman Hut, 3.261 m. From Lake Kitandara you climb to Freshfield Pass, 4.282 m., a long flat of high alpine mossy glades, before descending the circuit among rocky and boggy areas. The panorama is dominated by the glaciers of Mounts Stanley and Baker. A muddy trail leads to Akendahi, Bujongolo and Kabamba rock shelters, where starts the Kabamba valley down to Guy Yeoman Hut, 3.261 m. This can take up to 6 hours. The hut is surrounded by a beautiful landscape of mountains, vegetations and rivers.

Day 8 :   Guy Yeoman Hut back to Nyabitaba Hut, 2.652 m. In this day you complete the central circuit by going back to Nyabitaba Hut. The trial is attractive along the valley of the Mobuku and Kichuchu rivers, rich in plants and flowers of the heather zone before reaching the bamboo forest. See Kabamba falls on the way. Time to reach Nyabitaba is about 6 hours. Eventually, you decide to terminate the trial by descending directly to Nyakalengija, adding 2 to 3 more hours.

Day 9 :  Nyabitaba to Nyakalengija. From Nyabitaba to reach Nyakalengija it can take up to three hours. From Nyabitaba starts the 40 minutes trial to see Lake Mamoha and back to the hut for descending to the Park Head Quarter. Proceed to your Hotel in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Sign out from the Rwenzori National park  and then proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Arrive and check in to the Mweya Safari Lodge. www.mweyalodge.com

 Introduction : Queen Elizabeth National Park:  The park spreads over an area of 1978 sq kilometres in the western arm of the Great East African Rift Valley 418 km from the capital Kampala.

Attractions : The park is a home to a variety of wildlife including elephants, lions, hippos, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, baboons and birds all typical riverrine savannah habitats and the famous Kazinga Channel. The Northern part is traversed by the equator and is dominated by the scenery of crater lakes with lots of flamingos. There is a launch trip on the Kazinga channel which joins Lake George to Lake Edward.

Day 10 :   Early Morning Game Drive After an early warm coffee game drive begins at 6:30am to be in time to see the big cats in action. Game heck in at the Mweya Safari Lodge. At 3:00pm proceed for the launch cruise on the Kazinga channel which links Lake George to Lake Edward. The cruise will last for 2hrs, get back and go for an evening game drive which will get you back by at 7:00pm to the lodge refresh, meal plans dinner, Campfire and overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge www.mweyalodge.com

Day 11 :   Later prepare to drive back to Kampala stopping by the Equator buy some African souvenirs and the water experience at the Equator. Arrive in Kampala early evening check in your hotel refresh dinner and overnight. Castle Estate. www.castleuganda.com

Day 12:  After breakfast prepare to go to town and do your African souvenir shopping, after which you will have your lunch at a selected place. Later prepare to transfer to Entebbe Airport to be in time for your home bound Flight.End of Safari !!!


 

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