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Rwenzori, John Matte Hut

Trekking to John Matte Hut (3505 m)

Easy and comfortable 3-day round trip to the heart of the Rwenzori massif to John Matte's hut at an altitude of 3505 m. The trail is rich in various flora and fauna, and the stunning views of the main peaks of the mountain range will give you a fabulous experience. Unsurprisingly, UNESCO calls Rwenzori "Africa's great botanical game."

  • This is the second of the shortest routes in popularity in Rwenzori after trekking to Lake Mahoma. But you will climb 500 meters higher on this route.
Rwenzori, John Matte Hut
Article:
225
Country:
Uganda
Tour type:
Trekking and day walks
Directions:
Ruvenzory
Complexity:
Easy
Number of participants:
From 2 people
Duration:
3 days
Price:
690 USD
Count:
Tours dates
  
01.11.202431.12.2024
01.01.202531.12.2025
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Day 1 
In the morning after breakfast, you will have a pick-up from your hotel in Kasese town, on the road around Nyakalejia, to the gate of Rwenzori Mountains Park. Your 3-day nature walk to John Matte Camp will follow the Central Circle Trail and begin at the gates of Mount Rwenzori National Park in Nyakalejia. Here you will have instructions from the park rangers and an introduction to the route,
as well as meeting with your guides and porters. After that, you will embark on a journey along a path that passes through a dense forest along the Mubuku River, crosses its tributary of the Mahoma River, and then a long climb to the massive ridge begins, along which you will reach the Nyabitaba hut (2651 m). During this part of the journey, you can hear chimpanzees and see black and white colobus, blue monkey and brightly colored turraco Rwenzori. Duration of the hike: 6-7 hours. Elevation height: 1036 m

Day 2 
After breakfast, from Nyabitaba hut you follow a trail that descends through the forest to the Kurt Shafer Bridge, just below the confluence of the Mubuku and Bujuku rivers. Next, you will pass a bamboo forest and a long, tiring stretch of slippery moss-covered cliffs. From the Nyamuleju rock shelter, you can see the Stanley Mountains (Margherita Peak (5109m)) and Speke (4890m). And then you will find yourself in the zone of giant heather, lobelia and agriculture. Finally reach John Matte's hut (3505 m). Dinner and overnight at the hut. Duration of the hike: 7-8 hours. Elevation height: 854 m
 
Day 3 
After breakfast in the morning, take in the stunning views, pack your bags and prepare for your return trip. From John Matte's hut, you will follow the same trail to Nyabitaba's hut. Here you will have lunch. It will take you about 5-6 hours. After lunch, you will descend back to the park gate, where you will be met by our driver-guide who will take you back to Kasese for the night or take you to your next destination, or take you to Entebbe International Airport for your departure. Descent from Nyabitaba to the gates of the park will take 3-4 hours.

So:
Central Circle standard program:

  • with the ascent to the Margherita peak takes 9 days
  • with ascent to 2 (two) peaks: Peak Spik and Peak Margherita takes 11 days
  • with ascent to 3 (three) peaks: Spik, Margherita and Baker takes 12 (13) days

Accordingly, the program along the Bukurungu route:

  • with the ascent to Margherita peak takes 10 days
  • with ascent to 2 (two) peaks: Spik peak and Margherita peak takes 12 days
  • with ascent to 3 (three) peaks: Spik, Margherita and Baker takes 13 (14) days

What can be added to this tour !!

  • A trip to the city of Jinja - full white water rafting at the source of the Nile River (+1 day)
  • Drive to Sipi Falls (Mount Elgon National Park, a series of three falls, the main 100-meter waterfall) (+1 day)
  • Drive to Ziva Rhino Shelter for
  • A trip to Murchison Falls National Park: safari, climbing to Cabarega Falls, sailing on a boat to Cabarega Falls (+2 days)
  • Drive to the Mahoma waterfall and Lake Nkuruba (Nature Reserve) (+1 day)
  • Trip to Semliki National Park, Sempaya hot springs (+1 day)
  • A trip to Queen Elizabeth National Park: safari, a place of lions climbing trees, sailing on a boat along the canal (+1 (3) days)
  • A trip to the Virunga Mountains, a hike to the crater of Mount Muhavura, one of the Virunga mountain ranges in Uganda. (+1 (2) days)
  • Trip to Lake Mburo National Park (+2 days)
  • Trip to Kibal National Park, safari, observation of chimpanzees (+2 (3) days)
  • Trip to Bwindi National Park (impenetrable forest and gorilla habitat) and Lake Bunioni (+3 (4) days) 

Kampala/Entebbe - Kasese - Nyakalengija (1615 m) - Nyabitaba hut (2651 m) - John Matte Hut (3505 m) - Nyabitaba Camp (2651 m) - Nyakalengijja (1615 m) - Kampala/Entebbe

Brief information on the area and route:

The Rwenzoris are a world-class hiking and mountaineering destination that offers multi-day (6-12 day) treks around and up to the highest peaks. For those who prefer something a little less strenuous but offering the same experience, the Mahoma Loop nature trail offers that experience which has made it the most hiked trail of the Rwenzoris ever since its opening.

Uganda is a country in East Africa, surrounded by countries: in the north with South Sudan, in the west with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in the south with Rwanda and Tanzania, in the east with Kenya. The capital city is Kampala.

Kasese, located in western Uganda, is the administrative center. It is located at an altitude of 959 meters above sea level, the population of about 100 thousand people. The city has a modern international airport. Near the city there are national parks: Ruvenzori Mountains and Queen Victoria, as well as the famous Mahoma Falls, etc.

Uganda has the snow-capped Ruvenzori Mountains, Victoria's large freshwater lake, and 10 National Parks. Here are some of them:

  • The Ruvenzori Mountains National Park is located in southwestern Uganda. The park has the third highest peak in Africa (Margherita peak, 5109 m).
  • Mount Elgon National Park - Elgon Volcanic Massif has 5 peaks above 4 thousand meters
  • The ghorillas of Mgaching and Bwindi are located in southwestern Uganda. They are famous for mountain gorillas. These are the largest apes. The park also has volcanoes: Sabinho (3669 m), Gachinga (3473 m) and Muhabura (4127 m).
  • Murchison Falls (Kabarega) National Park is marked by the beautiful waterfall of the same name in the lower reaches of the Victoria Nile River in Uganda, located 32 km east of Lake Mobutu-Sese-Seko.

Additional Information

  • Children under 14 years old are allowed on the route only accompanied by adults
  • The receiving party has the right to change the route according to weather conditions and the condition of the group
  • The price does not include: additional excursions, transfers outside the program, environmental fees, etc.
  • It is possible to provide additional services by prior arrangement: additional transfers, rental of personal equipment, hotel reservation, organization of leisure, etc.

The cost of the full package of services -  from 690,00 USD*

* depends on the number of participants

The price includes:

  • Park entrance fees
  • Airport pick up and drop off  
  • Transfer from / to Kasese
  • Accommodation on the trip ((2 nights in Kasese) excluding accommodation in Kampala or Entebbe which can be arranged at an extra cost.
  • Hiking fees where applicable
  • Government taxes prescribed in the itinerary.
  • Guides and porters
  • Meals according to the itinerary
  • Drinking water.
  • Transport according to the Itinerary.

The price does not include:

  • Climbing equipment which can be hired at our head office for between $ 20 - $ 25 per equipment (Approximately 7 equipment per person)
  • Accommodation in Kampala or Entebbe before or after the trip
  • Climbing the peaks and Alps gear (can be rented from our head office)
  • Visa fees
  • Laundry services
  • Flight fees
  • Increase in Government taxes in relation to the Itinerary.

         

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