Dates: January 3 – 14, 2026

Duration: 12 days / 11 nights

Number of the participants: 8 – 12

Cost per person:

• 4 390 USD for 11 – 12 participants,
• 4 650 USD for 9 – 10 participants,
• 4 790 USD for 8 participants.

Early-booking discount 10% (in case of booking before July 3, 2025)

Everything is included, except for:
– international flight to Uganda (Entebbe),
– medical insurance for traveling abroad,
– Ugandan visa (about 55 US dollars),
– permission to visit gorillas in Uganda (the official state tariff is 800 US dollars),
– partial lunches and dinners (about 200 US dollars for all days).

Estimated cost of an international flight Moscow – Entebbe – Moscow: 700 - 800 USD.

Additional payment for visiting gorillas (state tariff): 800 USD (if the state tariff is changed, the amount of the additional payment is subject to change)

Single accommodation in hotels: USD 600 (available for the entire route. Single accommodation in tents is provided by default)


TRAVEL PROGRAM: tour to Uganda peak Margherita

Day 1. January 3, 2026 (Saturday). ENTEBBE – MABAMBA – FORT PORTAL

Arrival in Entebbe early in the morning on January 3.
We meet the guide in the airport and go straight to the point! We are in the area of Lake Victoria — the largest lake on the African continent, its area is twice bigger than the area of Lake Baikal, and here the longest river in the world, the Nile, originates.
We go to Mabamba to explore Lake Victoria by boat, looking for the unique shoebill bird.
This living relic with a unique appearance resembles both a stork and a dinosaur. The shoebill bird can remain motionless for hours in swampy areas, waiting for its prey - protopter fish that can breathe air. It is a rare opportunity to encounter one, as only a few thousand remain in the wild. After that, transfer to Fort Portal, approximately 5 hours away.
Overnight stay at the hotel for rest.

Meals included: breakfast, dinner
Accommodation included: Nyaika Hotel

* Recommended flights to Entebbe:
– Egypt Air, departure from Moscow on January 2 at 15:45, transfer in Cairo 1h 5min, arrival in Entebbe on January 3 at 03:15 am, or
– Ethiopian Airlines, departure from Addis Ababa on January 2 at 22:45, arrival in Entebbe on January 3 at 00:55 am (AN ADDITIONAL NIGHT IN ENTEBBE WILL BE REQUIRED), or
– any other flight arriving in Entebbe no later than 08:00 am on January 3.


Day 2. January 4, 2026 (Sunday). TREK'S START AT RWENZORI: FROM NYAKALENGIJA (1 646m) TO NYABITABA MOUNTAIN SHELTER (2 652 m)

After breakfast at hotel in Kasese town, head to the Rwenzori Mountains National Park Head Quarter at Nyakalengija (1646 m), we will receive the briefing from our guide. The hike starts through the plantations and homes of the Bakonjo, the people of the mountain, gradually reaching garden plots and elephants grass.
We will follow the Mubuku river, until crossing the Mahoma river. The trail passes through an open bracken fern slopes and Podorcarpus Forest, up to Nyabitaba mountain shelter, (2652 m), which is the arrival point for the day. This will take from 5 to 6 hours. From the location, we will face on the North the Portal Peaks (4627 m), in front Mount Kinyangoma. During the day, you might see monkeys, the Rwenzori Turaco and hearing the voices of the chimpanzee, etc.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: mountain shelter Nyabitaba


Day 3. January 5, 2026 (Monday). TRAIL TO JOHN MATTE MOUNTAIN SHELTER (3 500 m)

From Nyabitaba mountain shelter hike cross the Kurt Shaffer Bridge, through a muddy area. Then the trail climbs up through the bamboo forest, where you reach a steep rocky area, which leads to Nyamuleju mountain shelter. This point marks the start of the giant lobelia and groundsel zone.
The way proceeds through a bog full of typical plants along the Bujuku river. The final point is John Matte mountain shelter (3414 m) for spending the night. From Nyabitaba mountain shelter to John Matte it can take approximately 6 hours. Enjoy the view of Mount Stanley and snow capped Margherita and Elena Peaks.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: mountain shelter John Matte


Day 4. January 6, 2026 (Tuesday). TRAIL TO BUJUKU MOUNTAIN SHELTER (3 962 m)

We continue our way crossing the Bujuku River and enter the lower Bigo bog, a grassy bog where you experience how to jump from tussock to tussock. You reach Bigo Hut and enter the upper Bigo bog, proceeding to Lake Bujuku, where it is starting the alpine savannah zone of little vegetation. We finally arrive at Bujuku mountain shelter (3962 m). This day hike can take up to 5 hours. There you have a view on the peaks of Mount Stanley, Mount Baker and Mount Speke.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: mountain shelter Bujuku


Day 5. January 7, 2026 (Wednesday). ASCENT TO ELENA MOUNTAIN SHELTER (4 541 m)

From Bujuku, the trail takes you through more swamps, while climbing the steep slopes west of the lake and through the magical Groundsel Gully as it ascends to Scott-Elliot Pass at 4372 m. After overcoming the last section of the path, we reach the Elena mountain shelter, which serves as a base camp before storming the Margherita peak.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: mountain shelter Elena


Day 6. January 8, 2026 (Thursday). CLIMBING MARGHERITA SUMMIT (5 109 m) AND THE DESCENT TO THE KITANDARA LAKES (4 062 m)

For those aiming at reaching Margherita peak (5109 m), continue to the base of the Stanley Glacier. To reach the summit of Margherita, the climb takes about 5-7 hours depending on the weather conditions and the pace of climbing this mountain. This tough walk takes you over three glaciers, slippery rock, ice and very exposed areas which are open on many sides. Note that this climb is for only physically fit and technical climbers.
Climbing on to the glaciers, cross the Stanley Plateau and proceed with the ascent. Acclimatized to fog, altitude sickness and coolly weather, scramble up to the summit of Margherita the highest peak of the Ruwenzori’s. Given the high altitude and the tough conditions even if you do not reach the peak, don’t get disappointed. Return way through the Scott-Elliot pass, where there are spectacular views back to Bujuku Lake and Mount Speke, up to Mount Stanley and down to the Kitandara Lakes. After the trail that passes you through an alpine zone of sparse vegetation and rough boulders, descend past the Kitandara Lakes for dinner and overnight at the Kitandara mountain shelter.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: mountain shelter Kitandara


Day 7. January 9, 2026 (Friday). DESCENT TO GUY YEOMAN MOUNTAIN SHELTER (3 261 m)

From Lake Kitandara we climb to Freshfield Pass (4282 m), a long flat of high alpine mossy glades, before descending the circuit among rocky and boggy areas. The panorama is dominated by the glaciers of Mounts Stanley and Baker.
A muddy trail leads to Kandahi, Bujongolo and Kabamba rock shelters, where starts the Kabamba valley down to Guy Yeoman mountain shelter (3261 m). This can take up to 6-7 hours. Our stay is surrounded by a beautiful landscape of mountains, vegetations and rivers. This 5 km stretch also involves ascent and descent. While at Fresh field pass take a view of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: mountain shelter Guy Yeoman


Day 8. January 10, 2026 (Saturday). DESCENT TO NYABITABA (2 652 m)

In this day we complete the central circuit by going back to Nyabitaba mountain shelter. The trial is attractive along the valley of the Mubuku and Kichuchu rivers, rich in plants and flowers of the heather zone before reaching the bamboo forest. See Kabamba falls on the way. Time to reach Nyabitaba is about 5 - 6 hours. Eventually, you decide to terminate the trial by descending directly to Nyakalengija, adding 2 to 3 more hours. Here it may depend on the decision of the group to either make it a one way journey from Guy Yeoman mountain shelter direct to Nyakalengija park gate.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: Elephant Hub Lodge or similar


Day 9. January 11, 2026 (Sunday). SAFARI IN KASENI AND ISHASHA SECTOR, TRANSFER TO BWINDI

After an early breakfast, we will embark on a morning safari in the Kaseni area, where you can encounter lions, buffalo, elephants, antelope, warthog, water goat, hyena, leopard, hippo and other animals.
After lunch, we will transfer to the Ishasha sector to search for climbing lions, where you will see the kings of the jungle resting on the branches of acacia trees, waiting for their prey - antelope and other animals - to pass by.
Then, we will continue to Bwindi National Park where we will arrive late in the afternoon.


Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Ruhija Gorilla Mist Lodge or similar


Day 10. January 12, 2026 (Monday). GORILLAS IN BWINDI NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast at the hotel, we go to one of the most exciting adventures, the quintessence of any expedition to Central Africa – visiting one of the families of gorillas living in Bwindi National Park. Eastern gorillas are the largest primates living on Earth, reaching a height of about 2 meters and weighing more than 200 kg, and, at the same time, some of the rarest. Their population is slightly more than 700, with more than half currently living in Uganda, in the Bwindi forest. Mountain Eastern Gorillas are the endemics of Central Africa, with tiny populations also in Virunga NP in the DRC and Volcanoes Park in Rwanda. The visit costs a lot of money, but it's worth it!
Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable is a thing in itself, and the name of the national park speaks for itself. In addition to a large number of herbivores and forest elephants, here you can find a huge number of other primates, including chimpanzees. Those who want to take a day rest, can spend it in the hotel.

Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Ruhija Gorilla Mist Lodge or similar


Day 11. January 13, 2026 (Tuesday). RETURN TO ENTEBBE VIA THE EQUATOR

After breakfast we leave for Entebbe. Along the way, we make a stop at the equator, where you can see a demonstration of the Coriolis force and take memorable photos. Upon arrival, check into the hotel and relax.

Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Sienna Beach Hotel


Day 12. January 14, 2026 (Wednesday). RETURN FRILGHT

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for further international flight home.

Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: no

* Recommended flights from Entebbe:
– Air Arabia, departure from Entebbe on January 14 at 18:55, transfer in Sharjah 7h 20min, arrival in Moscow on January 15 at 13:30, or
– Ethiopian Airlines, departure from Entebbe on January 14 at 18:45, transfer in Addis-Abeba 2h 25min, arrival in Moscow on January 15 at 07:50, or
– any flight departing from Entebbe on January 13 no earlier than 22:00 or at any time on January 14.