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6 Days Rwenzori Mountains Trek to John Matte Hut

  • 6 days
  • Uganda
  • Luxury
  • Private

Four days on foot in the Rwenzori, the snow-capped Mountains of the Moon, with huts, guides and porters, and two nights at Mweya.

From US$2,444 per person

Request a free quote See the itinerary
Duration
6 days · 5 nights
Route
Starts and ends in Entebbe
Comfort
Luxury lodges
Group
Private, 1 to 6 travellers
Best time
Jan to Feb, Jun to Aug

Overview

The Rwenzori Mountains rise to snow-capped peaks on the equator, the old Mountains of the Moon. The Central Circuit climbs the Mubuku Valley from the foothills into bamboo, giant heather and moss, and this route takes you as far as John Matte Hut, at about 3,500 metres, without any glacier travel.

You walk with a mountain guide and porters, sleep in huts, and finish with two nights at Mweya and a cruise on the Kazinga Channel to ease your legs. It is a hard, wet and beautiful walk. Expect mud and cold, and clear views of the snow peaks only on the good days.

Highlights

  • Four days on foot on the Central Circuit trail
  • Bamboo forest, giant heather and moss above the Mubuku Valley
  • Nyamileju rock shelter and views of Mount Stanley and Mount Speke
  • Mountain huts, guides and porters included
  • Two nights at Mweya and a Kazinga Channel cruise

Route

UGANDARWANDAKENYATANZANIASOUTH SUDANDR CONGOLake AlbertLake VictoriaLake EdwardLake Turkana 1 · 6 Entebbe 1 · 5 Queen Elizabeth National Park 2 Rwenzori Mountains National Park

Uganda

  1. StartEntebbe (Day 1)
  2. Day 1Queen Elizabeth National Park
  3. Day 2Rwenzori Mountains National Park
  4. Day 5Queen Elizabeth National Park
  5. EndEntebbe (Day 6)

What to expect

  • Luxury safari

    Handpicked luxury lodges and camps, chosen for their setting, service and guiding.

  • Private safari

    Your own vehicle and guide for the whole journey, never shared with other travellers.

  • Made to measure

    Change the pace, a lodge or an activity and we rebuild the itinerary around you.

  • Start any day

    Travel on the dates that suit you, subject to lodge and permit availability.

  • Solo travellers welcome

    Priced for one on request, with the single supplement shown under Rates.

  • Pace and fitness

    Active, fitness: challenging.

Activities
Birding, Hiking & Walking, Relaxation
Getting around
Private 4x4 safari vehicle with a professional driver-guide

Day by day

Day 1 Fly to Kasese Queen Elizabeth National Park

Fly from Entebbe to Kasese and drive to Mweya Safari Lodge. Spend the afternoon resting above the Kazinga Channel, with your trek briefing in the evening.

  • Travel 1 hr flight, then 1 hr drive
  • Meals Lunch & dinner
  • Relaxation

Overnight

Mweya Safari Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)

The classic lodge of Queen Elizabeth, on the Mweya Peninsula above the Kazinga Channel.

Mweya Safari Lodge, Mweya PeninsulaMweya Safari Lodge, Mweya PeninsulaMweya Safari Lodge, Mweya PeninsulaMweya Safari Lodge, Mweya Peninsula+2 photos
Day 2 Nyakalengija to Nyabitaba Hut Rwenzori Mountains National Park

Drive to the park headquarters at Nyakalengija for registration and to meet your guides and porters. Then walk through village farmland to the park gate and up to Nyabitaba Hut, at about 2,650 metres. Expect six to seven hours of steady walking. You sleep in the hut.

  • Travel 2 hr drive, then 6 to 7 hr walk
  • Meals Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Hiking & Walking
Day 3 Nyabitaba to John Matte Hut Rwenzori Mountains National Park

Climb through bamboo and montane forest along the Mubuku Valley, stopping for lunch at the Nyamileju rock shelter. You reach John Matte Hut, at about 3,500 metres, in the afternoon, with views to Mount Stanley and Mount Speke on a clear day. You sleep in the hut.

  • Travel Full day on foot
  • Meals Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Hiking & Walking
  • Birding
Day 4 Back down to Nyabitaba Rwenzori Mountains National Park

Walk back down the valley, with a different light on the same forest and more time to look for birds and the giant heathers. A short walk to Lake Mahoma is possible if your legs allow. You sleep at Nyabitaba Hut.

  • Travel Full day on foot
  • Meals Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Hiking & Walking
  • Birding
Day 5 Down to Nyakalengija and Mweya Queen Elizabeth National Park

Walk down to Nyakalengija, say goodbye to your guides and porters, and drive to Mweya Safari Lodge. A hot shower, a launch cruise on the Kazinga Channel if time allows, and dinner above the water.

  • Travel 3 to 4 hr walk, then 2 hr drive
  • Meals Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Hiking & Walking
  • Relaxation

Overnight

Mweya Safari Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)

The classic lodge of Queen Elizabeth, on the Mweya Peninsula above the Kazinga Channel.

Mweya Safari Lodge, Mweya PeninsulaMweya Safari Lodge, Mweya PeninsulaMweya Safari Lodge, Mweya PeninsulaMweya Safari Lodge, Mweya Peninsula+2 photos
Day 6 Fly to Entebbe Queen Elizabeth National Park

A slow morning at the lodge, then the drive to Kasese for the flight to Entebbe.

  • Travel Drive to Kasese, then 1 hr flight
  • Meals Breakfast

Where you stay

DaysAccommodation & meals
Day 1

Mweya Safari Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)

The classic lodge of Queen Elizabeth, on the Mweya Peninsula above the Kazinga Channel.

Lunch & dinner

Mweya Safari Lodge, Mweya PeninsulaMweya Safari Lodge, Mweya PeninsulaMweya Safari Lodge, Mweya PeninsulaMweya Safari Lodge, Mweya Peninsula+2 photos
Day 5

Mweya Safari Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)

The classic lodge of Queen Elizabeth, on the Mweya Peninsula above the Kazinga Channel.

Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Mweya Safari Lodge, Mweya PeninsulaMweya Safari Lodge, Mweya PeninsulaMweya Safari Lodge, Mweya PeninsulaMweya Safari Lodge, Mweya Peninsula+2 photos

Rates

Important to know

  • Rates are per person, shown in USD, and do not include international flights to and from your home country.
  • The price per person depends on how many travellers share the vehicle and guide.

Rates per person

Price per person by number of travellers
SeasonSolo2 people3 people4 people5 people6 people7+ people
High season (Jun to Oct, Dec to Feb)US$3,490US$2,960US$2,782US$2,782US$2,782US$2,782Get quote
Low season (Mar to May, Nov)US$3,070US$2,600US$2,444US$2,444US$2,444US$2,444Get quote
Deposit to confirm
30%

Prices are per person, in US dollars, and depend on the number of travellers sharing the vehicle and guide. They are sample rates for planning and will be confirmed when you enquire, as lodge and permit prices change each year. The mountain weather decides each day, and your guides may change the plan for safety. Please tell us about your fitness and any health conditions when you enquire.

  • Rates can change when lodge, permit and park fees are updated, and are confirmed when you enquire.
  • The order and content of the safari can be adjusted to suit you, and a change may affect the price.
  • If a lodge is fully booked, we will offer a comparable one.
  • This safari is subject to our terms and conditions.

Best time to go

Best time for this trip Jan to Feb, Jun to Aug

  1. January: best
  2. February: best
  3. March: possible
  4. April: possible
  5. May: possible
  6. June: best
  7. July: best
  8. August: best
  9. September: possible
  10. October: possible
  11. November: possible
  12. December: possible

What is included

Included

  • Rwenzori Mountains National Park entry fees
  • Licensed mountain guide, assistant guide and porters
  • Mountain hut accommodation with meals on the trail
  • Accommodation at Mweya Safari Lodge as listed
  • Scheduled flights between Entebbe and Kasese
  • Private vehicle with a driver-guide for the transfers
  • Airport meet and greet

Not included

  • International flights and visas
  • Travel insurance (required)
  • Tips for guides, trackers and lodge staff
  • Premium drinks and personal spending
  • Optional activities not listed in the itinerary

Good to know

Bring waterproof hiking boots with good grip, gaiters, a waterproof jacket and trousers, warm layers for the huts, a warm hat and gloves, a headlamp and a trekking pole. The trail is muddy for long stretches, and gumboots can usually be hired locally, so ask us when you enquire.

Pack in a soft bag, which suits both the porters and the light aircraft. The soft-bag limit on the flights is 15 kg per person including hand luggage.

Made to measure

Make this safari your own

Every Uwera safari is private. Slow the pace, add a night by a lake, swap a lodge or bring the children: tell us in your request and we will rebuild the itinerary around you.

Request a free quote

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