Email us: ruboni.communitytourism@gmail.com | WhatsApp|Call Us: +256752503445
Email us: ruboni.communitytourism@gmail.com | WhatsApp|Call Us: +256752503445
Besides the improvement of the camp infrastructure, we have applied a number of improvements to the services and tour activities. From now on, guests will find a wider range of activities to participate in during their stay at Ruboni Community Camp. With some activities added, the list of available experiences includes a total of eight different tours and activities. All activities showcase the beauty of Rwenzori natural and cultural heritage in the local social setting. they include;
Village cultural walk. This is for guests who want to learn or participate in the local cultural life while learning how the Rwenzori nature and culture integrate into the local life setting.
Forest walk. A visit to the community forest neighboring Rwenzori Mountains National Park. While here, trekkers enjoy nature as in any tropical rain forest or inside the park itself. The forest is rich with plants, trees, waterfalls and glacier rivers, birds, insects, chameleons, and other wildlife unique to the area. On a lucky day, you may encounter primates having crossed from the park.
Hill climb walk Trekking to 2400m on the highest hill in the village. This gives guests the possibility to scan the surrounding natural features and the Rwenzori Mountains from one point. On a clear day, Margarita peak is also visible. Coming atop with a binocular gives an added advantage of a panoramic view across the Rwenzori ranges landscape.
Overnight hill trek: Spending a night outdoors camping on the hilltop. In the evenings and mornings, campers look for margarita peak and see Lake George in Queen Elizabeth national park. Again, a pair of binoculars is handy during this overnight trek.
The traditional hunting experience: This is done with the guidance of the ex-poachers as they show guests how they used to hunt in and around the park. The activity promotes the conservation of wildlife through community sensitization, research, and education. the ex poachers are used as conservation educators. This creat an alternative income for the reformed poachers when they get payment from guiding guests and educating locals about wildlife. The tour takes a minimum of seven hours in the wild outside the park.
The cultural events: This is a cultural event conducted on certain days of the week. It is a show within the village where community members get together to celebrate culture. They participate in cultural activities including dances, songs, local beer, demo cooking, and crafts making. Guests are given tickets to join the festival and they are required to book directly in advance.
Rwenzori trekking on Mahoma trail: The three days and two nights of trekking up to 3500m in the lower peaks of Rwenzori Mountains. This wilderness, camping trail goes through the bamboo zone following Elephant tracks. Trekkers stay in exclusively beautiful spots on ridges and lakesides. The trail is a true paradise of Rwenzori. It is an alternative for trekking on the central circuit and Margarita peak.
Trekking on the central circuit and Margarita peak: Ruboni Community Camp is prepared to guide you inside the park on the central circuit trail. The 6-8 day trail takes guests up to the highest point Margarita at 5109 meters above sea level.
With a variety of natural, social, and cultural activities to participate in, visiting Ruboni is worthy of our guests’ time. From now on, a visit to this village will leave every guest in full excitement, satisfaction, and full knowledge of Rwenzori and the Bakonzo people. All activity prices and duration of time have not changed. We continue to offer the smallest budget and the shortest time that you will have at hand.
Now that you have started planning to visit Rwenzori Mountains, you may be wondering what specific activities you can do during your visit. There are allot of activities to do in the Rwenzori area. Unlike other destinations, Rwenzori mountain is a unique destination. Here you mainly meet the people to show you their heritage; the wildlife and culture.
You will be able to find activities that last one day, giving you an overview of Rwenzori mountain off the beaten path. Despite the diversity of Rwenzori, you will be impressed to learn that three hours can be enough to do a complete experience that will give you good knowledge of the entire landscape. these are the short one-day activities you can select from;
For those who want to stay long or do multiday tours, there is great opportunities too. The area has lodges, campsites and homestays where you will comfortably spend all nights of your choice. The most popular lodge in the area is Ruboni Community Camp. You can also choose to spend multiple nights in the mountains on multiday treks ranging from 2 to 10 days; that lead you to margarita peak. Besides going to margarita, multiple trails have been opened up on the mountains giving trekkers a change to scale the lower peaks of this beautiful mountain. Theas are some of the longer experiences you can participate in;
Rwenzori is not a stand alone. It is in the middle of other attractions. A visit to Rwenzori can be well integrated with going to other National parks in the western Uganda. The nearby parks include;
If you’re already planning to visit western Uganda you will find adding Ruboni community camp, ideal. If you have already decided on this trip or still conteplate if you should take it, please find important information you must know about the lodge location and attractions you can visit on your journey.
Ruboni is accessed from the sole highway that connects all other attractions of western Uganda. This road connects from Mugahinga/ Bwindi, up to Murchison falls National Park. It is therefore ideal to have a day or night break at Ruboni Community Camp to relax in the Rwenzori foothills as you explore western uganda region from south to north.
From the location of this lodge, you have a pool of attractions to explore in the surrounding villages. these include, the village forest trail, the hill trekking tour, the village culture walk, the nature walk inside rwenzori mountains national park, the village community center where you meet the local life, Rwenzori coffee experince and th multiday treks inside the Rwenzori mountains or overnight treks in the village.
To the south, you have Queen Elizabeth National park (48km south). Guests are able to set off early morning to take a morning game drive in this park and or return for dinner at Ruboni community camp, after the safaris. If you’re on public transport, the camp can arrange a guide that can make this transfer and safari. To the far south, you find several National Parks and attractions. These include; Queen Elizabeth national park (50km) Bwindi gorilla forest (4 hours 196km), Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (341km), other attarctions in the way include, Kalinzu forest, Kyambura gorge, Rwenzori founders, Kilembe mines
To the north, you have Kibale and Semuliki National Parks around Fortportal (100-140km north). The other four National Parks are just one day’s journey from Ruboni. These include; Murchison Falls National Park, and Lake Mburo National Park. T
Some people like to explore the local communities around Kasese and fort portal districts. In this area you will find; Toro amabere cultural tour, Tooro botanical gardens, Rubona baskets workshop, Bunyangabu beekeeper community, the crater lakes area, and other interesting local areas visiting the farmer communities on the hills.
You can contact us today, to arrange your stay at Ruboni community camp, participation in the village tours or to arrange the treks into the Rwenzori Mountains. You can also request for transfers and we will be happy to link you to reliable tour guides.
Those who want to go inside the park, should know that, it is very easy to arrange the trek from Ruboni Community Camp. The camp is strategically located at the park gate. This gate next to Ruboni camp is the prime entry point to several trails including;
Unlike other East African high mountains, Rwenzori is a block mountain. This accounts for the existence of a chain of shorter peaks enhancing the beauty. The ranges are spread all over this landscape. This Mountain range extends approximately 120km long and 65km wide.
Up to six main peaks can be found over the Rwenzori ranges, some of which are permanently snow-capped. These six include; Stanley, Speak, Baker, Emin, Gessi and Luigi di Savoia. Their height ranges between 4627 – 5109 meters above sea level where mount Stanley with Margherita peak is the highest. Scaling the lower peaks, you will be able to find very many other short peaks offering great scenery through the ranges. These shorter peaks include Kameli peak the recently discovered on the newly opened, Bughalitsa trail.
The scenery on all peaks is breathtaking. During the trek, most experienced climbers are able to confirm that this mountain offers the best scenery in Africa. Those looking to climb the high peaks should be well prepared and know that specialized equipment and high alpine insurance are required to ascend to the peaks.
Rwenzori is a cross border habitat that crosses to the democratic republic of Congo, connected to the Virunga National Park in Congo. On her five distinct vegetation zones, Rwenzori Mountains is home to unique habitat to other mountain ranges of the region.
Climbing experience is required to trek to the high peaks. Special equipment which can be easily hired at the base camp will be worn on the trek to margarita. This requires that, a parking list has to be provided to the trekkers as they plan the trip.
Ruboni community camp is privileged with the opportunity and capacity of organizing all treks to the Rwenzori communities and mountains. Being the most popular accommodation in the area, and the location at the park gate, makes it easy for you to arrange your trek at the same time with accommodation. You can also arrange your trek in the comfort of the lodge if you want to do the logistics after arrival. Please note that; though treks can be easily arranged after arrival at the camp, they require a bunch of logistics that may need to be purchased in advance. This puts whoever arranges the trek before arrival at an advantage of avoiding any inconveniences. Contact us any time, to arrange your trek today.
This lodge is located in the Rwenzori foothills, giving an opportunity to live a purely natural moment in life while you stay here. The location offers one of the best Mountain views in the area. You will be emotionally energized in nature full of color, silence, scenery and surrounded with wildlife sounds. From the balcony overlooking the Mountains, you will be sure to have the best moment as you sip your cup of locally grown herbal tea or coffee. Being in this location is the best moment to reach out for the book you have always wanted to complete.
Local guided tours
At Ruboni Community Camp, you will be introduced to the local guides who offer to take you around the village. The staff and guides provide timely and accurate information through the entire period from the first contact. The rural household members show you the local way of life as it is lived in the Rwenzori Mountains. The walks through the local villages give you a true feeling of being like one of the community members yourself. The community has created its own nature reserve in the border of Rwenzori Mountains National Park. Walking in this forest feels like walking in the National Park itself.
In the community forest, you will be looking to spot the elusive three-horned chameleons, looking for the primates and birds or the waterfalls in the jungle. All this is seen outside the park without paying any park entry fees.
When you visit the local farmer, the traditional storyteller, the blacksmith or the basket weaver, you have opportunities of participating in their work as much as you may wish. This experience is an opportunity to connect to what you may have always dreamt about, being in Africa. Other thrilling experiences include; the hill climb walk, the traditional dance performance, the coffee farming tour and the social life or the evening cultural festivals. Using her same experienced local guides, Ruboni community camp is also able to take you on longer experiences of trekking Rwenzori Mountains.
Other local benefit
It is also such an inspiring initiative that will leave you impressed by how a rural community has put up such an amazing project. Besides, the camp is an ideal venue for small conferences, retreats, family outings and study visits with other rural communities wanting to sustainably change their livelihoods.
Generally, the project is greatly contributing to conservation and community development to transform lives in this remote area. Staying at Ruboni community camp or doing one of their activities, directly contributes to their conservation and community development effort. As the tagline states; “All profits going back to the local community”.
Have you ever heard about the Rwenzori Mountains? If not, you’re probably still missing on Uganda’s most unique travel destination. Located in western Uganda, on the boarder with democratic republic of Congo, Rwenzori Mountains is the highest mountain Range in Africa. It is also the highest point in Uganda at 15109m above sea level. Until now, a very small number of people visit the Rwenzori Mountains. This is why this, extremely beautiful landscape is still off the touristy path.
Ruboni community Camp is uniquely located in the foot of Rwenzori Mountains. The lodge accommodates both mountain trekkers and the lowland travelers, on their safari between Queen Elizabeth and Kibale National National Parks. Ruboni community camp is the place to be, if you want to Trek the Rwenzori Mountains or add an interesting highlight to your wildlife safari in western Uganda.
From this lodge you will be able to explore the outskirts of Uganda like never before. Whether you’re new to Uganda or on your repeat trip, you will be sure to find a new experience every time you visit. A journey destined this lodge is a mix of holiday opportunities including; nature walks, mountain trekking and or living like a local in a unique mountain setting.
It is easy to book your stay. You can also follow our FaceBook page to learn about the many opportunities and offers that there is to make this beautiful destination to be yours for one moment.
When it comes to payment in the new normal, cashless payments are the first priority. Since we know the pleasure of choosing the most secure, reliable and affordable means of payment, we now provide a variety to select from. Up to four options of payment are now available at Ruboni Community Camp. These include,
We have made payment much easier and safer. Now guests can pay by credit card on site through Pesapal POS machine. The cards accepted are visa, master card and American Express through online link option.
We are working around the clock to ensure every guest is catered for in the areas of payment while ensuring safety for all. Very soon TAB will be on board to unlock the easier, cheaper and faster deposit payments before arrival. If TAB is your preferred payment system, please contact us to find out how far we have gone on this.
Besides the camp service and facility upgrade, our prices have not changed. We are still selling our services on the same old prices. The current prices can be shared with any guest on request or can be found with tour operators, online price-lists and at our sales points in Rwenzori and Kampala.
As a welcome gesture from corona pandemic lockdown we have offered an over 50% discount on our accommodation packages, lasting until the end of November 2020. This offer can also be found along the other products at our sales points.
Please follow our Facebook , Instagram and twitter accounts for current updates.
Tucked in the Rwenzori foothills, Ruboni Community is probably the safest and most Hidden nature and culture hub in Uganda. We have not been reluctant about ensuring a safe and secure residence for our guest in the new normal, during and after the pandemic.
All areas have been prepared to safely receive and host guests while preventing the spread of the deadly corona virus. The following has been done to ensure a save stay for our guest;
Entebbe international airport reopening for tourists on 1st October 2020, is good timing for Ruboni community Camp. We have done all that is required to be compliant for post covid-19 operation. We have fulfilled the standard operating procedures and requirements of the Uganda ministry of Health.
It is important to note that, our area and location has not had any case of corona virus. With the strict following of the SOPs, we highly believe that Ruboni Community will continue to be the safest for our guests and community, making it an ideal stopover on every travel around Uganda.
We saw the travel trends changing and realized that our guests deserved more and better, thus we have had to uplift the services and facilities to suite traveler expectations. If you haven’t heard about our new improvements, especially since there has not been much travel during the global lock-down, you can read our previous news here.
All recent improvements at the camp are influenced by our previous guest feedback, tour operator suggestions, community interests and consideration of sustainability requirements. All areas have been touched and we are still collecting feedback to make it better every time we have an opportunity.
We want to make sure that, our guests, partners and community members continues to get the be pleasure of being part of the success story of Ruboni community camp. Besides offering the best location, service and hospitality to Rwenzori trekkers and other visitors to the Rwenzori foothills, the camp has influenced positive change in the local economy, among community households and on the local environment.
The camp is placed to demonstrate how, tourism and travel facilitates the sustainability process. Through the this effort, we have seen degraded landscapes being brought back to their natural status and local livelihoods being improved. This contribution from our guests needs to be sustained by keeping up to standard as we provide the best to our guests.
Communities and the environment need more from tourism, especially during and after this critical time of COVID-19 when the households incomes have gone down to zero and natural resource depletion has more than doubled in our area.
At this moment, we need our visitors more than ever before. However, we understand that Covid-19 pandemic, the new normal, has influenced changes of travel needs and trends, making safety and Hygiene for the traveler and their communities, more critical. It is therefore necessary that our guests travel and stay safe at Ruboni community camp. This has been made possible by Keeping safety and hygiene top on our service list.
We are making sure that, your next stay makes successful and positive travel experience more likely. We hope to welcome you to Ruboni Community Camp again, Soon! please contact us any time.
We welcome you back to nature for a moment, at Ruboni Community Camp. The camp is located in a natural setting, allowing every visitor to explore nature and culture of Rwenzori Mountains. Post covid19 pandemic lock-down is a whole new chapter on the journey of service at Ruboni, the Rwenzori basecamp. The camp facilities have been improved in a new style to make sure the camp matches with your travel needs of the time. Never the less, we continue to offer the same best services in a scenic and quiet environment.
Considering the cozy restaurant, the safe pathways, full time power supply, improved beds and netting, re-tiled sparkling clean bathrooms, the camp is a perfect holiday destination than ever before, for all travelers choosing Rwenzori destination.
If you have stayed here before, your next visit will be like a new first visit to this camp. Guests who have never been here before will also be impressed by the level of service in this serene and scenic facility located in the heart of nature.
With our guest interests in mind, everything has been touched. We have improved the safety on the walks by building environmentally friendly and safe pathways. The cold weather is now history. We got several natural heat options set. They have been tried and proved to work well. With full time power supply, all guests can charge their gadgets in the restaurant or guestrooms as they wish. The lighting systems are being improved and input is still welcome. We want to ensure that the camp is lit in the most liked way that equally caters for people and the environment.
The service levels have definitely gone high, meals are being prepared in a standard and reliable kitchen. We are using 90% local ingredients in our kitchen, some of which are grown on the site. Our private packing area is lit and attended all the night. To ensure there is low interference with the ecosystem, the board walks and walk ways are constructed using improved natural materials to protect the ground.
We have improved our guest rooms too. Bedding with new mattresses, mosquito netting, bathroom tiling and finishing. With provision of double beds option, couples now find the camp more accommodating than in the past when the camp has had only twin beds. Now guests can request for either a twin, single or double room.
