Hiking in the Rwenzori Mountains

Things to know

• Covid measures in Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Uganda

  57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

  We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Uganda, please refer to the UK Government’s travel advice for Uganda and the US Embassy’s COVID-19 information website for Uganda.

  Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

• What’s included?

  What you get on this adventure:

  • • Experienced, local hiking guides with extensive knowledge of the area
    • Camp crew, a cook, and porters
    • A full 8 days of trekking and climbing
    • Meals during the climb (3 meals per day)
    • Drinks on the hike (water, tea, coffee & hot chocolate)
    • Transportation from the Trekkers Hostel in Kyanjuki to the trailhead and back
    • Tents and camping gear
    • Medical evacuation in case of emergency
    • Supplemental oxygen and pulse oximeters

  What’s not included:

  • • Transportation to Kyanjuki
    • Accommodations prior to and after the trip
    • UWA (Ugandan Wildlife Authority) gate entrance fee of 35$ per night (paid separately in cash)
    • Hospital bills and international evacuation in the event of an emergency
• How fit do I need to be?

  Trekking in the Rwenzori Mountains is very tough. Therefore, you should be in great physical condition before starting the trip. The eight-day tour is recommended for most people of average fitness and climbing ability. However, some people can do the trek in seven days, hence the seven-day trek option. But be warned — you must be in peak physical condition to do it in seven days. For larger groups, it’s highly recommended to choose the eight-day option, as in many cases there will be one person who can not keep the pace.

• What do I need to bring?

  All climbing and camping equipment will be provided by your guiding service. Here’s what you’ll need to bring:

  • • Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 35-45L bag)
    • Rucksack with cover (around a 55-65L bag, for a porter to carry your main gear)
    • Dry bags
    • Hiking poles — optional
    • Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
    • Warm hat and a buff or scarf
    • Sun hat
    • Warm gloves or mitts and thin liner gloves are also useful
    • Waterproof jacket and trousers
    • Waterproof gaiters
    • Warm jacket – fleece or down jacket, potentially ski jacket
    • Waterproof jacket over the top
    • Fleece tops or hiking shirts/sweatshirts
    • Base layers or T-shirts
    • Pair of trekking trousers and shorts
    • Leggings or thermal bottoms or running tights
    • Several sets of underwear – cotton best avoided
    • Several pairs of good quality trekking socks
    • Waterproof trekking boots
    • Trainers or flip flops/sandals
    • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
    • Favorite snack bars
    • Headtorch
    • Powerpack for charging phones etc
    • Wash kit — no showers on the mountain but you can have a bucket wash
    • Flask for hot drinks — optional, useful on summit night
    • Earplugs — optional
    • Sunglasses
    • Camera — optional (but recommended)

  For camping, you need to bring:

  • • Sleeping bag
    • Sleeping bag thermal liner
    • Pillow
    • Thick foam mat or self-inflating mat (like a Therm-A-Rest) — can be provided by the guide

  Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans. Keep in mind that it can get very cold in some of the camps due to strong winds.
  A porter can carry a max of 18kg/39.6Lbs, including food, accommodation, wages, etc. There will be multiple porters depending on the amount of baggage and in case your baggage weighs more, you can hire another porter for an additional fee.

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and prices:

  • • For this group adventure, the max client-to-guide ratio is 2:1.
    • The cost per person decreases as the group grows, so it’s the perfect opportunity to hike with friends and family!

  Climbing days in the Rwenzori Mountains can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements:

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

  If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  Registration for an adventure with your guide requires a 50% non-refundable deposit. The balance of program fees will generally be due 90 days prior to the starting date of the program. It is your responsibility to adhere to the fee payment schedule. Late payment will result in cancellation of program reservations and forfeiture of all fees paid.

  If your guide has to make an alteration to the time of departure or return to the your home exceeding 12 hours between the date of your booking and the date of departure to, you can decide no to proceed with the booking. In that case, you can:

  • transfer your booking to another trip without incurring a transfer charge but subject to an appropriate adjustment up or down to the sums payable
  • cancel your booking without penalty.

  If your guide increases the basic price of the trip by 10% or more and you do not wish to continue with the trip, you may cancel your booking and get a full refund in respect of the basic cost of the trip but your guide will not be responsible for other incurred costs.

  Should you cancel for any other reason the following charges will apply:

  • more than 30 days before the expedition – loss of deposit
  • 20 to 29 days before departure – 30% of total cost
  • 11 to 19 days before departure – 60% of total cost
  • less than 10 days before departure – 100% of total cost.

  If your guide is forced to cancel your trip, you will be given the opportunity either to:

  • receive a refund of the basic cost of the trip paid to African Ascents
  • transfer to another trip without charge. If there is a difference in price between the cancelled trip and the trip to which you elect to transfer your booking, your guide will refund the difference if it is cheaper or invoice you for the supplement if it is more expensive.

  If the reason for the cancellation less than 8 weeks before the advertised departure date is a lack of bookings, a compensation of $30 per properly booked person will be paid.

• Getting there and meeting location

  To get to the Rwenzori Mountains National Park, most people fly into Entebbe International Airport. From Entebbe, you can rent a car and take a 6-hour drive straight to Kyanjuki village, or you can take a bus ride (5 hours) or local flight (45 minutes) to Kasese, which is a 15-minute cab ride away from Kyanjuki village.

  Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the Trekkers Hostel in Kyanjuki, Kilembe, or a predetermined location. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.