Travel and explore the best safari destinations on the African continent under the guidance of Rwenzori Expeditions. The continent is home to over 55 countries scattered in different sub-regions – East, west, North, and Southern parts. Among these regions include the East African region which includes; Uganda – the pearl of Africa, the magical Kenya, and the mighty Republic of Tanzania. While looking for a suitable destination for the safari, Uganda is ready to welcome you with a smiling face.

Stretching over an area of approximately 241,038 square kilometers, Uganda is home to various attractions including the African third highest mountain – Rwenzori, and other wildlife and primate destinations. For a splendid and amazing adventure, a combined Rwenzori climbing and big game safari is designed for you so as to ease your movements, and plans and also gain enough knowledge about the destinations.

Rwenzori hiking experience

In this combined trip, you will hike up to the summit of the Rwenzori Mountains for about 6 to 9 days where you will enjoy the beautiful view and several features like waterfalls, lakes, rivers, rocks, and the rare vegetation zone of the mountains. Protected by Rwenzori mountains national park, the mountains stand as the first-highest mountain in Uganda and the third-highest African mountain after Kilimanjaro of Tanzania and Mount Kenya.

The Rwenzori Mountains are a range of mountains located in eastern equatorial Africa on the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The highest peak of the mountains – Margherita on Mount Stanley, one of the 6 massifs of the mountain reaches a height of approximately 5,109 meters and it’s known for being permanently snow-capped and glaciated. For one to reach to this highest summit he/she has to climb through different massifs and among these includes; Mount Speke at 4,890 meters, Mount Baker at 4,843 meters, Mount Emin at 4,798 meters, Mount Gessi at 4,715 meters and Mount Luigi di Savoia at 4,627 meters.

For a perfect and safe hike to the mountain summit, there are two routes to use including the Kilembe route which is governed by the private organization, and the Central Circuit Route which is governed by the locals. All these routes can perfectly help you reach Margherita though with different features on the way and at different costs.

Big 5 Africa watching

From the mountains, you will proceed to other wildlife national parks where you will watch the five big African animals during different park activities like game drives.

Africa big five is a term coined in the 1800s by hunters, referring to the most challenging and dangerous animals to hunt on foot. Among the animals, they categorized include the African elephant, Lion, Leopard, African buffalo, and Rhinoceros. These big five African animals are present in Uganda and can be easily seen in the different wildlife and savanna national parks during the park activities like;

A guided game drive in the national parks of Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, Kidepo Valley, and Lake Mburo will be the best way to watch four of the five animals – Lions, African elephants, Leopards, and African buffaloes.

A boat cruise on the Nile in Murchison Falls and on the Kazinga channel is a great way to spot the four of the five African big five in Uganda. These will be around the water body shores, especially in the dry season with the aim of quenching their thirst.

The Rhinoceros can only be seen in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary on your way to Murchison falls national park and at Entebbe UWEC Zoo.

The combined safari trip of Rwenzori hikes and the big five African animals will lead you to Uganda destinations like Rwenzori mountains national park, Queen Elizabeth national park, Murchison falls national park, Kidepo valley national park, or Lake Mburo national park for about 10 to 13 days.