Email us: ruboni.communitytourism@gmail.com | WhatsApp|Call Us: +256752503445
Email us: ruboni.communitytourism@gmail.com | WhatsApp|Call Us: +256752503445
This 28km trail takes you to explore a cross section of the scenic Rwenzori mountains. The trail is an alternative to longer treks that lead to the high peaks. On this three days two nights mahoma trip, you will traverses the lower slopes of the mountains finishing at Lake Mahoma where the trail joins the existing ‘Central Circuit’ trail to return to the park gate. The entire circuit can be completed in 1-2 nights, or parts of it can be done as a day hike.
During this trip, you will explore some of the 70 mammals and 217 birds that are found in Rwenzori that include 19 species that are endemics to the Albertine Rift, as well as some of the world’s rarest plants. The plant life is mixture of lush forest, bamboo forest, heather, everlasting flowers, giant lobelia and a multitude of plant life endemic to this mountain.
Day 1: Arrive at the base camp of Rwenzori Mountains at Nyakalengija. Arrival day from your previous destination to the base camp to be welcomed by Ruboni community camp. Walk in the village, meet the local people, and eat the fresh fruits and vegetables from the Rwenzori foothills. This afternoon, you will be briefed by the camp manager and introduced to the guide. Check all the luggage to approve if you have packed all the inessentials. This is the day you will determine what to hire and put everything together before dinner. (D).
Day 2: Start trekking from the base camp (1615m) to Omuka Kiiza Camp (2,977 mtrs) With your local guide you will trek 7.2 km through a lush forested ridge with breath taking and the Mubuku river trailing along the valley. Common wildlife on the trail you might see include Blue Monkeys, Columbus Monkeys, Chimpanzees and the three horned chameleon. The forest is home to a multitude of birds with the Rwenzori Turaco as the most favorite bird of the day (BLD).
Day 3: Omuka Kiiza camp to Lake Mahoma camp (3,515 mtrs). On the second day, After an early breakfast, you will head to heading to lake Mahoma on the 6.6km journey. The camp is located besides the largest lake in Rwenzori Mountains. The trail is dominated by the Bamboo and heather forest. You will be following the forest elephant trails as you trail their footmarks, sometimes with ponds of water. On a lucky day, you may spot them taking a drink from the hot springs. Other commune sight will be the giant lobelia and everlasting flowers, later on the trail. (BLD).
Day 4: Complete the Mahoma trail trek today to Nyakalengija gate. From Lake Mahoma descend to the base camp via Nyabitaba camp through the central circuit trail. In the morning before you start off, with a ranger, you may choose to take views of the lake at different angles when you take one of the best pictures of the lake. The ranger will suggest the best nature rail of the day. After breakfast you will head to the central circuit trail looking for the outlet back to the park gate. The trail will be forested with heather and bamboo forest before you pass by Nyabitaba camp and ranger post in the Mubuku valley and descend to the park gate. Common sight will be the lush forested trail, monkeys and the three horned chameleons. Arrive to Ruboni community camp in the afternoon (BLD)
Day 5 Transfer from the base camp to Kampala, Uganda’s capital city or any other destination of choice(B)
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Excluded:
Whether in need of trekking 3 days, 2 nights Mahoma trek or interested in making the 7-8 days trek on the central circuit, you’re at the right place with Ruboni community camp.
Climbing Rwenzori Mountains through Ibanda gate starts at Nyakalengijo base camp (1615m). One can do two optional Rwenzori treks through this gate. The first option is trekking the Mahoma trail loop (highest point at (3515m) that takes three days two nights. The second option is trekking the central circuit that takes 7 days (central circuit) or 8 days (up to Margarita peak – 5109m). You can view the optional itineraries of the respective tours here;
Ruboni community camp will organize your trek both on the Mahoma trail (3 days 2 nights trek)or on the central circuit trail (7 days) that can also go up to margarita (8 days). Please feel free contact us if you want us to arrange your trek or if you need suggestion of other the tour operator.
Other trekking options are the one day nature walks. These can be organized by Ruboni community camp in partnership with the national park rangers. These walks will take you into the park and you return to the base camp on the same day. For options that involve enjoying the Rwenzori without entering into the park, Ruboni community camp has three optional village treks that include a forest walk, a hill climb trek up to 2400m on the community peak and a village walk. You can view the community trekking activities here.
From the camp, your guide will lead you into the mountains, where you can explore the lush forest surrounding the Mountains. throughout the walk, you will be engulfed in the rain forest, cross glacial rivers and learn more about the wildlife in the community. if you’re lucky, you may even come across the elusive three-horned chameleon, which can only be found at altitudes of over 3,000 meters
Try out the Ruboni Hill Walk, which takes you past the local homes and forest valleys to a stunning viewpoint to see margarita peak, the highest point on the Rwenzori ranges, that stands on the Uganda Congo border. The hill is estimated to be 2500m and the tallest in the community. As you relax, you will have a chance to view the Mubuku valley all the way to the lakes in the plains of Queen Elizabeth national park and the snow peaks on the Rwenzoris at the same time.
You will also take the panoramic view of the homesteads sparkling on the community hills.
You can choose to stay overnight on the hill campground at an affordable added small cost reflected on our activities and rates.
This is the perfect way to experience the community life of the Bakonzo tribe, indigenous to the Rwenzori mountains of the moon and Eastern Congo. Meet the village blacksmith, storyteller, farmer, traditional healer and local basket weavers through this village tour.
You will see how the Bakonzo tend their animals and crops. Visit with the black smith, traditional healer, basket weavers story teller and local farmer.
From the black smith, you can make or buy and take home your own traditional tools like knives, spears etc.
