Probably the leading accommodation in the gateway and the pioneer of community tourism within the Rwenzori foothills. It is located 500 meters before the National park gate. This makes the lodge an ideal accommodation for travelers before and after their trek to the Rwenzori Mountains.
Ruboni community camp has 8 twin/ double rooms, a restaurant and bar and a small camping site. The hotel has secure parking at the entrance.
Many guests love the great views of the mountain from the facility balcony. The green lush vegetation, forest setting and silence is another catch. The staff is very hospitable and has mastered how to prepare the most delicious meals.
Community Visitor Centre:
Ruboni community visitor center is a central base in for exploring all attractions Ruboni village within the Rwenzori gateway. During the late afternoon, the local community members showcase the traditional dances and music.
Located 2km from the park gate, the centre is an attraction on its own. It offers a gift shop selling locally made crafts, local food experience, and all sorts of drinks including the locally made banana wine, other agro-produce such as coffee, Honey and vanilla.
While here, guests have an opportunity participate in the dances, songs and traditional instrument playing as they get guided by the locals. This makes the center an ideal place to meet up with the locals in their true cultural setup.
Rwenzori Homestay:
It is a home in a rural setting located on the farm. This home show cases the true life of a farmer in the Rwenzori foothills. The crops grown include; coffee, bananas, vanilla and vegetables.
Alongside farming, the family members share their life experience through the chain of livelihoods including; animal rearing, and food processing when they make drinking coffee, vanilla curing and wine from the bananas that they harvest.
Rwenzori home stay has two bedrooms that can take up to four people a night. The home is neighboring with the community visitor center that offers a camping ground, local meals, drinks, a crafts market, village tours and cultural events.
Description
A trip to the legendary Mountains is the next challenge to every adventure seeker, that is none comparable to any Mountain in Africa. Traversing the four of the five vegetation zones of the Rwenzori Mountains in one journey. The mountain is a complete beauty all the way from the communities and the foothills. You will be entering through the local subsistence farming plots mixed with traditional homesteads in the peripheries of the forest. At a higher altitude, common sites are the extensive bogs, great scenery of the glacier valleys, the glacial rivers with glittering falls, rapids, and of course the beautiful fauna and flora with unique flowers and colorful birds, most of which are endemic to this mountain.
I have provided four options for trekking on the central circuit as follows;
Option 1 – Six days Central circuit trail: This is a full circuit completed
Option 2 – Four days, trek to john Mathe: This is a return journey that ascends for two days and descends for two days on the same trail
Option 3 – Three days Mahoma trail loop: This is a loop south of the central circuit trail and is a complete three days circuit.
Option 4 – Two days overnight trek to Nyabitaba campl: This is an ovrnight trek tah takes guests to Nyabithaba, the soectacular lake mahoma and great views over the labe before returing to the base camp
On the first trekking day, we start Rwenzori climbing. After a briefing with the local porters and guides, you will trek from 1646 meters to Nyabitaba hut at 2632 m Dinner and overnight at the mountain camp. (5-6hrs)
On the second trekking day, Leave Nyabitaba and take the central circuit loop anticlockwise. The trail leads to the crossing point of rivers Mubuku and Bujuku. After a slippery and difficult path, you will reach Nyamuleju hut at 3000 meters a simple shelter among rocks. It’s better to hike for the other 3 hours and reach John Matte hut at 3414 meters and spend the night. (7 hrs)
The third trekking day will lead you to Bujuku hut after 5 hours of hiking passing through the Bigo bog where there is an old shelter. Bujuku hut is located at 3962 meters near Bujuku Lake in a valley among 3 mountains: Mt Stanley, Mt Baker, and Mt Speke. (5hrs)
From Bujuku Hut climb through moss-draped groundsel vegetation to Scott Elliot Pass, 4.372 m., between Mt. Baker and Stanley. After you will head to Upper Kitandara Lake and through thick mud to Lower Kitandara Lake where Kitandara Hut is located, 4.023 m. Time to complete the hike about 3 hours more. From Kitandara Hut you can proceed to climb Mount Baker or Mount Luigi di Savoia and the peak Vittorio Sella. Enjoy the view of Mt. Luigi di Savoia.
Some people consider the fifth trekking day as hard as the second! After crossing Fresh Field pass the head for the new Guy Yeoman hut at 3261 meters. In case of fog or bad weather, it could be hard to follow the trail and remember that the last part is full of bogs. Before Guy Yeoman hut there are other two shelters: Bujongolo and Kaijongo. Bujongolo is well known for having been the base camp of Luigi di Savoia, Duke of Abruzzi who conquered and fully explored the Rwenzori in 1906. (6hrs)
The sixth trekking day is dedicated to descending to the camp of Nyabitaba. On the descent, there are some tricky points since the terrain is often slippery and boggy. Thanks to the newly developed ladders and boardwalks that make it a lot easier. After Kichunchu rock the trail will become easier passing through bamboo forests interesting to many birdwatchers. (5-6 hrs)
On the same day (after lunch at Nyabitaba) you will continue to the Rwenzori National Park headquarters Ruboni community. After a well-earned rest with the entire trekking group, porters, and guides, you go to Ruboni community camp for dinner and a night. (3hrs)
Price per person: 1050$ (two or more people going)
On the first trekking day, we start Rwenzori climbing. After a briefing with the local porters and guides, you will trek from 1646 meters to Nyabitaba hut at 2632 m Dinner and overnight at the mountain camp. (5-6hrs)
On the second trekking day, Leave Nyabitaba and take the central circuit loop anticlockwise. The trail leads to the crossing point of rivers Mubuku and Bujuku. After a slippery and difficult path, you will reach Nyamuleju hut at 3000 meters a simple shelter among rocks. It’s better to hike for the other 3 hours and reach John Matte hut at 3414 meters and spend the night. (7 hrs)
On the third day, you will retune back to Nyabitaba on the same trail. this will lead you back to your previous camp for dinner and overnight.
After breakfast at Nyabitaba, you will descend to the Rwenzori National Park headquarters Ruboni community. After a well-earned rest with the entire trekking group, porters, and guides, you go to Ruboni community camp for dinner and a night. (3hrs)
Price per person: 670$ (three or more people going)
THREE DAYS/ TWO NIGHTS MAHOMA TREK
The first trekking day starts at Nyakalengijo base camp at Omuka Kiiza Camp. Today’s trek starts with a relatively steep trail. However, the trail has been designed to cut the terrain making it easy for all guests. The guide will take you through the 7.2 km trek that goes through a lush forest on the ridge that offers breathtaking views of the Mubuku River trailing the valley. You have high chances of spotting some wildlife which includes; chimpanzees, Blue Monkeys, Columbus Monkeys, the three-horned chameleon, and some unique forest birds. The favorite bird of the day will be the colorful Rwenzori Turaco. This bird shares this forest with a multitude of other birds, making the journey a good one for bird lovers.
Early morning, you have a choice to do morning walks around the camp, return to breakfast and set off to the next camp that will be at 2990 meters. The trek today will take you an estimate of 6.6km, up to the highest point of 3030 meters (the highest point on this trail) before descending to Lake Mahoma. Today’s night camping will be at Lake Mahoma. Lake Mahoma is the largest and most accessible of over–twenty lakes in the Rwenzori Mountains. The common vegetation on today’s trail is bamboo sparse trees and some mountain shrubs. The trail will sometimes lead you through the mountain elephant tracks. Look out for the fresh footmarks of this large mammal. Mountain elephants are known to be shy and more aggressive. This makes it hard to find. Lucky guests have sometimes spotted them at a distance as they take a drink from the hot springs. As you near the lake you will find some unique alpine vegetation such as the giant lobelia, tussocks, and everlasting flowers.
On this day, you will complete the Mahoma trail trek ending at the park gate to the base camp. With a ranger, the morning is a good time to take a short walk that gives you an opportunity to take some pictures of the scenic lake views. Take the suggestion of the ranger which walk will be the best based on his knowledge of the area. Return to breakfast and then descend through the forest zone with a mix of bamboo, heather, and lichen handing off trees like “old man’s beard”, from Lake Mahoma to Nyabitaba hut. At Nyabitaba, you will join the central circuit that will lead you to the park gate.
Price per person: 460$ (three or more people going)
On the first trekking day, we start Rwenzori climbing. After a briefing with the local
porters and guides, you will trek from 1646 meters to Nyabitaba hut at 2632 m Dinner
and overnight at the mountain camp. (5-6hrs)
After breakfast at Nyabitaba, you will trek through the mix of bamboo and tree forest to
Lake Mahoma to take the great views and picture moments over the lake. on this trek,
you have chances of finding Rwenzori Turaco birds chameleons, primates in the
canopy, elephant spoors, birds, and or ducks swimming on lake Mahoma. Lake Mahoma
is the largest of all the lakes on Mount Rwenzori. After a good time at Lake Mahoma,
return to lunch at Nyabitaba and then descend to the Rwenzori National Park
headquarters Ruboni community. (3hrs)
Price per person: 295$ (three or more people going)
Each of the trips includes:
Trip excludes:
Please note that these are the prices for 2022 and my change without notice; please contact us today to find out the current prices.
Day 1: Nyakalengija gate1646m – Nyabitaba 2632 m:
On the first trekking day, we start Rwenzori climbing. After a briefing with the local
porters and guides, you will trek from 1646 meters to Nyabitaba hut at 2632 m Dinner
and overnight at the mountain camp. (5-6hrs)
Day 2: Nyabitaba 2632 m: – Nyakalengija gate1646m:
After breakfast at Nyabitaba, you will trek through the mix of bamboo and tree forest to
Lake Mahoma to take the great views and picture moments over the lake. on this trek,
you have chances of finding Rwenzori Turaco birds chameleons, primates in the
canopy, elephant spoors, birds, and or ducks swimming on lake Mahoma. Lake Mahoma
is the largest of all the lakes on Mount Rwenzori. After a good time at Lake Mahoma,
return to lunch at Nyabitaba and then descend to the Rwenzori National Park
headquarters Ruboni community. (3hrs)
Price per person: 295$ (three or more people going)
We thank you for choosing to visit Ruboni to either stay with us or to do our activities. By choosing Ruboni community, you have chosen that your trip benefits should go directly to the local community that owns and runs Ruboni community camp and her associated tourism activities. Thank you very much for choosing to put a smile on the rural economically challenged households.
As you set up for your visit, I would like to give you a few hints that may help you to be more prepared for your visit/ stay with us. Please read on…
Packing:
The main packing list for Ruboni includes a warm layer, rain gear, and insect repellant. A specific detailed packing list will be provided based on the activities you want to do. These activities may range from walking in the community forest, trekking to the hills, walking in the village, to trekking the Ruwenzori Mountains up the margarita. Here you will find a packing list for the margarita trek that covers the general items you will need for this trek to the highest and lower peaks of the Rwenzori mountains.
Activities:
Ruboni community camp provides accommodation, restaurant, and bar. We also coordinate a list of over eight different community activities that you can participate in during your stay with us. Though it is easy to arrange the activity of choice on arrival, it is better to have a peek idea of what activities you will have to select from. The activities that we offer can be found on this link.
Payments and finance:
We are not a cash-only business. You have three options of payment methods you can use. These include; Credit card payment, mobile money, wire transfer, and cash on arrival.
All credit card and mobile money payments will call for a surcharge to cater to the withdrawal and transaction fees. On a credit card, it will be a 4% charge while on mobile money it will be on a case-by-case basis, mainly depending on which mobile money network provider, but won’t exceed 3%. You can contact us to find the local mobile money rates at your time of travel to Uganda.
Ruboni community camp is located 26km from the nearest ATM machine. Please plan appropriately. Even if you will pay cashless, we recommend that you can carry some cash to buy local gifts and give some tips. Tips and purchase of gifts are not compulsory but are one way to increase a smile on the local service providers so we highly recommend them.
Conduct: We guarantee that you will have a good stay with us. This is based on our past experience and our knowledge of the local hospitable and friendly people. However, we encourage you to listen to your guide regarding the local way of life. This way, you will be able to express yourself to the locals in the most appropriate way that allows the people to welcome and entertain you in their local culture and way of life.
Rooms and capacity:
Ruboni community camp is a small lodge that takes a maximum of 20 people per night. Our rooms are twin and double basis. We have self-contained and none self-contained rooms. Hopefully, by the time you receive this, you have gone through the reservation processes and have selected which room you will take. It is important to specify if you want a twin or double so that we can arrange for you before arrival.
Diet and special diet requirements:
At Ruboni, we prepare both vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals. Vegan meals can be prepared at prior request. We cater to special diet requirements on request. Please share with us if you have any special diet requirements that we must know.
How to get to Ruboni Community Camp:
Ruboni community camp is located 26km from Kasese town. For those coming from Fort portal, you don’t have to drive all the way to Kasese town. You will branch off right, at Nkenda electric terminal on Kasese fort portal road, 9km before Kasese town or 8km from Hima cement factory. The main landmark here is the many metallic electric poles on your right just after crossing the river Mubuku bridge. From the branch off, you will drive for 17km towards the Rwenzori Mountains National park gate. The accommodation is located on the left, about 1km before the park gate.
Ruboni Community Camp can also be found on Google maps. This app will show you directions from any location if you ask for directions to Ruboni Community Camp.
Contactless check-in (zero space for covid19):
Due to the emergence of covid19, we have modified some services. We are always committed to keeping our guests, staff, and community safe from covid19 and other emerging health risks. This is done through our “zero space for covid19 strategy”.
Since we can only succeed by preventing covid19 as a team, we encourage you to help us minimize the chances of spreading the virus by using our contactless check-in system. You can contact us for the contactless check-in form. you will then have to fill out this form and return it to Ruboni Community camp through ruboni.communitytourism@gmail.com or WhatsApp at +256752503445
VOLUNTEERS/INTERNS REQUIRED 2022/ 2023
If you’re looking to participate in changing the world or someone’s life, complete your study thesis, and share your experience, here is an opportunity to travel differently as you seek your goal.
You have an opportunity to stay and work with local communities in Uganda. The placements are commonly located next to the National Parks and wildlife reserves offering one of Uganda’s most commendable beauties and landscapes. During the placement time, you will have an opportunity to take days off to enjoy sightseeing, wildlife safaris and community encounters, using your residence as the base. If this sounds interesting or closer to your dreams, take the time to volunteer with us.
Space is available for volunteers and interns in Uganda. We will place interested volunteers in our community projects around the country.
Our projects implement activities in rural Uganda, in areas of;
Choose your theme of interest and apply today. We have available slots for the following time table;
| Dates | Period | Number | Deadline |
| 20th Apr. – 25th Jul. 2022 | Three Months | Ten volunteers | subject to availability |
| 20th Jul. – 25th Oct. 2022 | Three months | Ten volunteers | subject to availability |
| 20th Oct. – 25th Jan. 2022 | Three months | Ten volunteers | subject to availability |
| 20th Jan – 2th April 2023 | Three months | Ten volunteers | subject to availability |
| 20th Apr. – 25th Jul. 2023 | Three months | Ten volunteers | subject to availability |
| 20th Jul. – 25th Oct. 2023 | Three months | Ten volunteers | subject to availability |
Please note:
Contact us today:
Rainforest and Community Tours (RFCT)
Nyakalengijo Cell, Ibanda-Kyanya town Council
P. O. Box 320 Kasese
Western Uganda
Tel: +256 706581477
Whatsapp: +256 752503445
Email:theugandatrips@gmail.com
Website: www.theugandatrips.com
This is probably the best and most flexible place you will find that career opportunity in a volunteer placement you have been looking for. Save your time, and money and earn peace of mind when you arrange your volunteer placement in Uganda with one of the most varied lists of community development initiatives.
At Rainforest ad community tours, we have built the capacity of tens of Community based development initiatives around Uganda. The majority of them offer volunteer placements that are easy to arrange in the shortest time and at zero cost. You’re able to take the placement for any duration you plan to spend. You can read more about the volunteer placement projects here.
Contact us if you need any more information on how you can get placements that don’t require you to pay any money to secure them.
It is necessary to start descending the margarita by 10:00 am (latest) as the weather has changed a lot and often even during the dryer season the mountain is closed in with heavy clouds and snow falls from 1 pm to 4 pm and this happens within a short period of 10 to 15 minutes as the clouds rise up from the extensive Congo rainforests.
During January and February 2017 clients were closed in and unable to walk during heavy snowstorms which previously were not heard of during the dryer season and arrived back at Margarita camp well after dark with one group arriving back at 11 pm totally exhausted. Due to this change in weather, we have set a strict turnaround time of 10 am so if you do not reach the peak before then you must turn around regardless of the disappointment in the interests of safety.
Margherita glacier has also suffered from global warming and as the outer edges of the glacier recede the ice is becoming steeper with one section of about 200 meters more than 60% grade. Combined with this much of the blacker has melted underneath causing caves under the ice and as it gets thinner eventually caves in. So is necessary that clients understand and take the advice of where the guides suggest passing.
For those clients with less mountaineering experience, we suggest that you stay on Stanley glacier and climb up to a good vantage point on a rocky outcrop on the southern edge of Alexandra Peak to enjoy fantastic views over Congo and the lower mountain ridges
Entering Uganda with a drone requires prior approval by the government security and civil aviation authority (CAA).
Are you planning a trip to Uganda with your drone, for the memorable moments of your dream safari? Please know that you will need to plan well ahead so that you get it through the airport without any hustle.
Please read-on to get more information about the guidelines. You can also contact us or any other travel agent of your choice to get this simple procedure completed in time.
This is how it works
Use of a drone will require application to and assessment by the Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) who will then forward the applicant to Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
Provisional process for CAA authorization to operate.
On satisfying the previous requirements, UCAA issues the Applicant
Currently, CAA accepts use of VLSO type of drones. If you have a BVLOS, you will have to first inquire at the time of travel, to see if it will be accepted.
The guidelines are subject to change and will be checked for the time of travel. Please contact us at your time of travel.
Our phones are on, seven days a week.
