3-Day Mahoma Nature Walk in Rwenzori Mountains with Lake Mahoma

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Trek through the pristine rainforest of Kyambogho Ridge with views of the Mubuku Valley
• 02 Spot primates such as black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, and occasionally L'hoest monkeys
• 03 Hike a moss-covered ridge through giant heather, bamboo, and everlasting flowers to Lake Mahoma
• 04 Enjoy magnificent views from Omu'kaKizza Rest Camp at 2,977 metres above the Rwenzori foothills and Kasese town
• 05 See Mount Baker and Mount Stanley from Lake Mahoma on a clear day

Embark on a thrilling 3-day Mahoma Nature Walk from Fort Portal or Kasese into the Rwenzori Mountains. Trek through pristine rainforest, bamboo, and giant heather landscapes while spotting primates and, occasionally, mountain elephants along the trail. Camp at Omu'kaKizza Rest Camp and Lake Mahoma, with magnificent views over the Rwenzori foothills, Kasese town, and, on a clear day, Mount Baker and Mount Stanley. This guided camping trek offers a rewarding nature experience through some of the park's most beautiful high-altitude scenery.

From Lake Mahoma, with a clear sky, you can see Mount Baker and Mount Stanley.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Budget

Transport Not included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Kasese, Fort Portal, Rwenzori Mountains National Park

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Fort Portal or Kasese to Mihunga Gate and Omu'kaKizza Rest Camp

• Your 3-day Mahoma Nature Walk and camping trail trek starts in the morning after breakfast.
• Our driver-guide will pick you up from either Fort Portal town or Kasese at 8:00 am after breakfast and take you to the Rwenzori, where you will meet the guides, porters, and chefs. The guide will then lead you to the park gate, where you will register with the Uganda Wildlife Authority and attend a briefing with our professional and expert guide before starting the hike.
• This hike starts at the park gate, taking the trail to the left. You will gradually reach garden plots and elephant grass before joining the forest zone.
• The trail takes you through the pristine rainforest of Kyambogho Ridge with views of the Mubuku Valley. Thereafter, you will climb the heavily forested ridge, which is home to many primates. Spot several primates such as the black and white colobus monkey, blue monkey, and occasionally the L'hoest monkey, while following the first peaks in the mountain called the Portal Peaks.
• Reach Omu'kaKizza Rest Camp at 2,977 metres for an overnight stay. Enjoy the magnificent views over the Rwenzori foothills and Kasese town from 2,977 metres above.

2

Day 02

Omu'kaKizza Rest Camp to Lake Mahoma Camp

• On the second day, you hike to Lake Mahoma. The forest gives way to a long, narrow, moss-covered ridge up to 3,515 metres.
• Trek through an incredibly beautiful forest of giant heather covered in layers of bright green moss.
• You will follow the footprints of mountain elephants through the bamboo and heather forest. You may spot and watch them having a drink at the hot spring. The ridge will lead you to the Rukenga Valley, where you will see the everlasting flowers (mimulopsiseliotti) and the giant lobelia. You then cross to Lake Mahoma Camp for the night.
• From Lake Mahoma, with a clear sky, you can see Mount Baker and Mount Stanley.

3

Day 03

Lake Mahoma to Nyabitaba and Mihunga Gate

• After breakfast, go for a walk around Lake Mahoma. Thereafter, descend back through the bamboo zone to the junction of the Central Circuit Trail.
• Descend past Nyabitaba to the Mpanga Ridge to adjoin the Mubuku Valley. This is the home of the three-horned chameleon.
• After a rest at the resting point, descend back to Mihunga Park Gate to end your beautiful 3-day trek in Rwenzori.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• Park fees for three days
• All meals
• Camping tents and warm sleeping bags
• Porters
• Chefs' and guides' allowances
• Bottled drinking water

What's Not Included

• Visas and flights
• Hiking shoes
• Hiking pants and rain jackets
• Transportation and photos

What to bring

• Rain gear, hiking shoes, warm hand gloves, passport
• A small bag to carry your water, rain jacket, and lunch

Know before you go

• There are no visas on arrival, so you need to get your visa before you arrive. You will need to present a photocopy of your passport. We provide all meals and bottled drinking water. Park fees are included in the given price, so there is no need to pay entrance fees at the gate.
• We provide expert guides who have been guiding in the Rwenzori for the last 20 years and above. In case you need transport and accommodation before the hike and after the trek, feel free to contact us in advance, and we will be happy to organise it at an extra cost.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Kasese, Uganda

Tour start

Fort Portal, Uganda

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.