4 Days Rwenzori Trek to Mutinda Lookout

Start by walking up the valley floor through tall forest trees of the Afro Montane Forest Zone. This is a steady climb with multitudes of birds and a chance of seeing blue monkeys scampering off through the forest. At times visitors may see troupes of 15 to 20 black and white Colobus monkeys as they swing through the tree tops. There are rare sightings of the L’Hoest monkey which are part of the Bukonzo cultural emblems and are protected by the virtue of the King or Omusinga or you may hear wild chimpanzee in the distance.

There is also a wide variety of plant species from forest trees to bamboos thickets, low shrubs, flowers, fungi, and with many moss and lichen covered vines hanging from the tall trees creating an awesome appeal. Enock’s Falls are just 200 meters from Sine Hut and offer a splendid opportunity to capture a great screensaver for your memories.

At Sine Camp 2,596 metres we have wooden huts set between tall forest trees on a narrow ridge where you may sit and enjoy the beauty of the Afro Montane forest while you look down at a fantastic waterfall crashing over the rocks far below. Some clients prefer to sit outside enjoying the warmth of the campfire and chat to the guides about the mountains and life in their community.

Sleep at Sine, or those who are fit and want to proceed to Kalama Camp at 3,134 metres may do so and apart from the fantastic views gives you more time at Mutinda Camp where you may climb up to Mutinda Lookout at 3,975 metres.

After a good breakfast, trekking starts at 8.30am and you enter the Bamboo-Mimulopsis Zone which has several switchbacks in the trail to make the climb easier. However the atmosphere and the forest is beautiful as you climb 551 metres altitude and a distance of 2km to Kalalama Camp at 3,147 meters which is in the Heather-Rapanea Zone where you can take a rest and a quick cup of tea or coffee before heading on to Mutinda Camp.

The trail is fairly easy going as it cuts across the side of the hill then drops down the side of the valley before climbing again, and in doing so cross several small streams and passes close to moss covered waterfalls.

You then climb steadily along the side of a beautiful stream which tumbles down over the moss covered rocks under the Giant Heather trees whose trunks are covered in green moss and old man beards (Usnea lichen) hanging from the branches. The trail twists and turns as you climb up the deep valley with towering cliffs either side where you can explore enormous variety of plants and flowers including Giant Lobelia. This valley is unique with many Giant Heather trees creating a beautiful atmosphere often shrouded in mist. 

Mutinda Camp which is set near a small river and waterfall offers a chance to wash, refresh and relax . In the afternoon you may wish to climb up to the top of the Mutinda Lookout (one to two hours up and one hour down) The views are amazing as you stand on moss covered rocks at 3,975 meters with views across the Rwenzori Mountains and down to Kasese town and Lake George.

We start the day by climbing up a rocky river bed then across a long stretch of bogs with some boardwalks before climbing up to the top of a high waterfall. We then turn right and climb a little before descending down through Hunwick’s Pass which is a new trail which pass through two high peaks called Twin Peaks.

You also be lucky to have a chance of spotting a Hyrax or Red Duiker, with a sharp eye you will see various species of hawks and eagles nesting high on the cliff faces.

At the bottom you pass across a bog with many lobelia plants after which the trail passes through tall heather trees and many huge moss covered rocks to Kiharo Camp. About 200 meters from the camp is a high waterfall, Kiharo Falls, cascading down moss covered rocks which is worth a visit.

The trail down the Nyamwamba Valley from Kiharo Camp is mostly downhill and absolutely stunning with beautiful views. The moss covered rocks along the river, cascading waterfalls, deep valleys and forests are possibly the best in the Rwenzori Mountains.

This part of the trail took us six years to find a way through and a route which is easy enough for tourists to use. In 1937 the explorer and geologist McConnell tried to find a way up this valley but failed and have to turn back and search for another route up the mountain but now you can experience this truly beautiful valley.

A few kilometers down the river, the trail drops down a steep section of the river where we have many switchbacks to make the walking easy. Along this section we have constructed small offshoots from the main trail so as you may enjoy the waterfalls close up and may even decided to have a swim to freshen up.

The first of these falls is Cathy’s Falls which particularly after heavy rain is specular, the next is Nyamwamba Falls which has a total height of 52 meters and a deep pool at the bottom where you may swim, For the next 600 meters the river drops rapidly down a series of rapids to Ajarova Falls and Plozza Falls.

These group of waterfalls were first discovered in August 2020 by John Hunwick who found himself locked down in the National Park during the first Covid lockdown and spent his time exploring new areas and new ideas for trails. 

Half way down these falls the bamboo zone starts creating an amazing atmosphere with the mist from the falls feeding the moss covered bamboo and evergreen grasses and herbs which the Rwenzori Duiker feed on. It is common to see Duiker along this section and is home to the Rwenzori leopard which is rather dark in color and only found in the Rwenzori mountains

The forest along this section is magnificent and full of life with many birds, primates, duikers and hyrax. When you reach Forest View Camp at 2,580 metres above sea level we stop for a well earned lunch and drink while looking over the dense forest to the valley below and Kilembe township.

A great experience and fantastic ending to the trek.