For people who love hiking, Uganda is the best destination in the region because it has got so may spots where hiking can be done including the Rwenzori mountains, the dormant volcanoes and in some areas like in the western part of the country, hiking is done from hills to get to another point.
There are various Uganda hiking Safaris that can be organized in Uganda which include the Gorilla- Hiking through the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Park; there is the Chimpanzee trek and then hiking through Kibale Forest Park. Rwenzori Mountain Hiking is a very amazing adventure, Volcano Mountain hiking safari to Mt. Elgon, hiking safaris are also done in Mgahinga Gorilla Park, in Murchison Falls Park you can hike to the top of the fall for example and many more others can be organized.
Hiking gives you the chance to see the different attraction with in the area closely rather than you do during the game drive. AA safaris and tours offers the best hiking safari to any destination of your choice in Uganda and this will help you discover Africa the more. All hiking Safaris can always be arranged basing on your therefore you can have a Budget, a Moderate or an Up market Lodging arrangement during your safari so the choice is always yours. You can also choose which ever you are more interested in for example;
Rwenzori Hike-Following the Mahoma Trail
This hike can be done in 2 phases depending on the amount of time that you have. You may choose to do a 3 days hike which is half of the 5 day hiking safari. For this such a hike,
Day 1 – Transfer to the starting point
You will drive to the starting point which is at Ruboni before you start the hike, you will go through the local communities and this village walk is an en-route activity which gives you the chance to interact with the keepers of the Mountains who are the Bakonjo People. During your Village Walk, you will get to meet the locals weaving baskets, there are the village blacksmith and also the traditional healer as well as the village storyteller among others. With proper preparations, you can always get a host home which you will visit a home and assist them in their daily activity including the food preparation.
Later in the evening, to relax a little bit you can go for dancing and drumming lessons at an extra charge of course. After such a tiresome day, you can spend your night at either budget facility Ruboni community camp or the Equator snow lodge which is a luxury hotel.
Day 2 – Begins from Nyakalengija Gate to Omuka Kizza Rest Camp and goes as high as 2,977 meters.
From this point, you will pass through the lush rainforest located along the Kyambogho Ride and from there you can clearly see the Mubuku Valley below you. During the hike, you can expect to see the primates like the Colobus Monkeys, the Blue Monkeys and sometimes Chimpanzees are also spotted. There are also forest elephants although they are rarely seen but their tracks are very visible.
This forest is a great home a huge population of birds and the most sought is the Rwenzori Turaco. There is also the colorful Three-Horned Chameleon so you watch out for them.
You will hike up to Kizza Camp and that is where you will have your dinner and spend the night. While at the camp area, you will have a closer and clear view of the famous Rwenzori Mountain foothills as well as the Kasese town in the distance. Dinner will be prepared from here which means will have to survive on the water and snack you will have eaten during the hike. It is important that you carry enough snacks and water you. You will be provided with bottled water during your stay at on the Mahoma Trail.
Day 3; On this day you will leave Omuka Kizza Rest Camp and hike up to Lake Mahoma which is located 3,515 meters above.
After having your breakfast in the morning, you will continue with the hike. And the target in this case is to get to Lake Mahoma where you will have your dinner and spend the night. During your hike to Mahoma, you will go through huge Bamboo and heather forest and there you will find lots of Forest elephants’ footprints which you can follow if you wish to see these elephants. You might find them by the hot spring quenching their thirst.
This trail goes via the Rukenga Valley and while there, you will be able to see the amazingly beautiful Everlasting Flowers as well as the Giant Lobelias which grow as tall as about 8 meters or so above the ground. When you get there, you will have to make dinner for yourself before you go to bed.
Day 4 – You will be leaving Lake Mahoma descending back to Nyakalengija Gate in Ruboni Village.
On this day, you will start your journey back to the foot of the mountain. In the morning after having your breakfast, you will go for walk around the lake region and from their you will start descending back going through the Nyabitaba ranger along the Mpanga ridge which connects to Mubuku valley. If you missed seeing those unique three horned chameleons, you should look out this time for at least one of them.
You should be able to get back to Ruboni village and spend the night at the Ruboni Community Camp or the luxury Equator Snow Lodge for. You will have dinner first before to rest in those slightly comfortable beds.
Day 5 – Return to Kampala
You will be returning to Kampala on that day and if you have a flight to catch, the guide/ drive will drive you to the airport in Entebbe. You will have your breakfast from the hotel where you will have spent the night and then drive back to Kampala. You will have a lunch break along the way after which you will continue.
This 5 days Mahoma trail is one of the many trails that you can follow. It is fun and not that challenging therefore very suitable even for those that are not exactly experienced hikers. To enjoy your hike, you should read hiking tips and pack all the required materials to make your tour more comfortable for you and in fun.
