Mountain Club of Uganda

Banff Mountain Film Festival
2016-09-21 08:00 - 17:00 (Africa/Kampala) | Acacia Mall Theater
BANFF UGANDA IS BACK! Preparations are underway to bring to you the Fourth Annual Banff Mountain Film Festival in Uganda.
Save the 21st and 28th of September 2016 for the Festival dates for a selection of this years most impressive and inspiring mountain and outdoor films.
Screenings will take place at Century Cinemax Uganda, Acacia Mall.

Tuesday Night Indoor Climbing
2016-09-20 19:00 - 21:00, 2016-09-13 19:00 - 21:00 | International School of Uganda, Lubowa, Uganda
We hold indoor climbing every Tuesday evening at 7-9pm at the International School of Uganda (ISU) in Lubowa. A range of different routes from beginner to more advanced. If you do not own any climbing equipment the Club has equipment there that you can borrow. Please bring sports clothes and some water. Climbers usually go for some food and beers nearby after climbing. The cost is free for members. Memberships cost 50,000UGX for 1 year and 20,000 for Ugandan students.

Inisita (Luwazi) trip! 17-18th Sept
2016-09-17 - 2016-09-18 | Luwazi Rock, Uganda
Hey climbers,
It’s time the monthly MCU Luwazi trip. It’s going to be a particularly exciting trip as we are having a lead climbing clinic run by our very own Pierre. So this is the occasion for anyone who feels ready to take their climbing to the next level. Climbers of any level of experience are welcome but we are also hoping to attract 5-6 climbers who are ready to learn to lead on this trip. We will also be asking our climbers to help to rate the difficulty of routes in accordance to the French climbing system.

The trip is roughly one hour outside of Kampala in a village near Gayaza, called Kijjo. We meet at Oasis mall near Centenary park at 7.30 on the 17th of Sept on Saturday and climb until we tire on Sunday. All gear is rentable through the club at the rock; just remember to bring lunch, sunscreen and about 5 litres of water. Prices for the trip and gear are as follows:
Trip: The trip itself is 10,000 UGX. This covers all trip costs such as coal, wood, cooking gas, porters, parking and any miscellaneous costs that arise.
Rope: 10,000UGX
Harness + belay device: 10,000UGX
Shoes: 10,000UGX
Fuel: approximately 10,000 (return) unless you make your own way
MCU membership card (annual): 50,000 (necessary for all MCU trips and available for purchase in the parking area)
Sadly there will be no Jamaican food this time as our chef is away. With that in mind I will need some volunteer chefs and some ideas for meals. If you want to take this responsibility it would be greatly appreciated! Contact me if you have any ideas on what to do for dinner, alternatively I will throw out some suggestions of my own, most probably burgers.
If you are interested in the trip please make sure you add your name and email address into the spreadsheet;
https://docs.google.com/…/1gP_ZkcfRs1lNid-p7W4uDRdgU_…/edit…
For any further question don’t hesitate to contact Nicky at stuckin1984@hotmail.com
Look forward to seeing you there!
Nicky

MCU Social BBQ
2016-09-16 18:00
Come get to know & hang out with other MCUers, and play viking chess (**with at least one real viking)!
Bring:
-some meat or vegetables to grill on the BBQ
-beverages to drink
We’re trying to keep this a little low-key, so please only bring other MCU members, or those who are keen to join. We’ll have a reciept book and membership cards if anyone needs to sign-up or renew, and shoot us a message if you are unsure or have questions!

MCU Kayaking Weekend
2016-09-10 - 2016-09-11 | Kayak the Nile, Bujagali, Uganda
Once a month MCU heads to Jinja for discounted group lessons with the stellar team at Kayak the Nile. Paddlers of all levels – including beginners – are welcome. It’s always a fun weekend out of the big city! More info and sign up at the link below:
http://kayakthenile.com/mcu-weekend-booking-form/

Depending on demand there might be the option to take a safety lesson for slightly more advanced kayaker – a decent whitewater roll is required for this. Email Laura if you are interested.
Non-kayakers are more than welcome to join and enjoy a chilled out weekend.

Tuesday Night Indoor Climbing
2016-09-06 19:00 - 21:00, 2016-08-30 19:00 - 21:00, 2016-08-23 19:00 - 21:00, 2016-08-16 19:00 - 21:00, 2016-08-09 19:00 - 21:00, 2016-08-02 19:00 - 21:00, 2016-07-26 19:00 - 21:00, 2016-07-19 19:00 - 21:00 and 4 more dates | International School of Uganda, Lubowa, Uganda
We hold indoor climbing every Tuesday evening at 7-9pm at the International School of Uganda (ISU) in Lubowa. A range of different routes from beginner to more advanced. If you do not own any climbing equipment the Club has equipment there that you can borrow. Please bring sports clothes and some water. Climbers usually go for some food and beers nearby after climbing. The cost is free for members. Memberships cost 50,000UGX for 1 year and 20,000 for students

MCU Monthly Meeting
2016-09-01 19:30 - 21:00
On the first Thursday of every month we hold our monthly meeting. NOTE: This time we will hold it at a different venue at the Backpackers Hostel & Campsite in Rubega backpackers.co.ug.
New and old members welcome, we discuss past trips from the previous months trips and plan upcoming trips. It is also a great way to meet other people in the Club and share a few beers so hope to see you there!

Mabira Forest
2016-08-27 - 2016-08-28 | Griffin Falls Camp, Mabira Forest, Uganda
Are you looking to join a trip that is a little different and offers options for people of all levels of fitness and ability who like to get outdoors in beautiful surrounds?
If so….. then this is the trip you have been waiting for!!!!!
We are planning on heading to Mabira Forest, about 1.5 hours drive east of Kampala. The Mabira Forest is a rainforest area covering about 300 square kilometres (120 sq mi) (30,000 hectares (74,000 acres)) in Uganda, located in Buikwe District, between Lugazi and Jinja. It has been protected as Mabira Forest Reserve since 1932. There are options to bird watch, trek to see Mangabey monkeys, hike (both relaxing and long and adventurous options available) and bike through the forest and nearby sugar cane and tea plantations, or just simply come to relax with the sounds of the forest…
The trip will run from Saturday 27th August to Sunday 28th August, which gives ample time to explore the serene forest and surrounds.
Accommodation:
We will stay at the basic, but peaceful, Griffin Falls camp (also known as Mabira Forest Camp). As part of the MCU, we have been fortunate to be able to negotiate some great savings off their normal prices and rates, and we have all been offered a FREE 2-hour forest walk! (Normal price UGX15k). Longer hikes are also available (UGX10k per person).
The accommodation options are:

3 x Self-contained eco-nests (twin) (UGX80k per night (normal price UGX100k)),
1 x Modest banda (twin) (UGX40k per night (normal price UGX60k)),
1 x Quadruple banda (four beds) (UGX20k per person, per night (normal price UGX30k)) or
Unlimited: Bring your own tent and camp under the stars (UGX10k per person, per night).

Please mention that you are part of the MCU when booking to take advantage of these discounted rates. To get in touch with the camp, please contact them on 0754 031 769, 0751 949 368, 0712 955 671 or 0752 920 515. Alternatively, you can email them on griffinfalls@yahoo.com.
Cold showers are available, and there are eco-friendly toilets. And if you ask nicely, they will heat a bucket of water for you to enjoy a warm shower under the forest canopy.
Food:
Catering wise, the staff at the camp can prepare local meals (UGX10k a plate), and we are also planning on cooking a BBQ on the Saturday night. Please bring your own meat/ vegetables to put on the BBQ, and we will bring some staples (sauces, bread etc). There will be a nominal charge for the BBQ, to cover these costs in addition to the charcoal, UGX5k – UGX10k per person, depending on numbers.
The staff will also prepare a campfire for us in the campsite area. If you have musical talent, feel free to bring along instruments/ voices for us to enjoy whilst we sit around the campfire etc…
Breakfast (eggs/ fruit/ bread/ coffee and tea) can be purchased from the camp for UGX7-10k per person.
Beers and sodas are available for purchase at the camp, although there are no refrigeration facilities, so if you are partial to a cold drink, a cool box/ esky might be a good idea.
Points to Note:
There is a park fee of UGX30k per person for the weekend.
If you would like to bike, the camp does not have bikes for rent, so please bring your own.
And please also remember bug spray/ insect repellent
Directions: The camp can be found on google maps- however, we recommend do not take the “recommended route”, which basically takes you almost through people’s houses… Instead, continue past the recommended turn off the road to Jinja, and in Lugazi, turn left just before the Minnah/ Minah restaurant on a corner on the left in the town. This road is MUCH better than the other one, especially if it has been raining, and there are various signs to the camp along the way to assist- but do keep a watch on google maps, as not every turn is signposted.
Please note: there are options for zip lining in the forest for USD$50 a person. Should you wish to do this, please note that this activity is not supported by the MCU, as we are not able to guarantee the safety of the activity.
Contact: Any questions or if you would like to come but are struggling to find transport, please contact Sally Holbrook at madsally@hotmail.com or on 0752 184057.
Please follow the link to book (please only complete if you are 100% sure you will be attending): Mabira Forest Trip 27th– 28th August 2016: Sign Up Sheet
Hope to see you there!

Two days rafting on the Nile
2016-08-20 - 2016-08-21 | Nalubale Rafting Base & Tea House
Day one: Overtime rapid to the Naluable camp, stopping for a few hours at Superhole. For the non-kayakers we bring river boards and get everyone surfing – then we have lunch there. We pull into the camp around 4pm have some nice snacks, set up camp and have a big BBQ. After the BBQ we usually have a fines meeting to get everyone in the spirit then the local women group come and sing and dance for us around the fire. Lots of beers included.

Day two: big fry up then on the water for about 10am – stop at Nile Special rapid then have lunch either there or floating down to Malalu – finish the day surfing at Malalu then take out.

Food, drinks, tents, transport (including Kampala shuttle) will all be included $210 for rafters (usually $255).

Kayakers are welcome to paddle with the trip but must be signed off by Kayak the Nile. For those that can kayak independently the cost is $65 for food, beers, shuttle… and for the kayakers that are not yet comfortable enough to do a river run on their own, but have done 5 or more lessons with KTN, KTN offers a lesson on the first day along the rafting trip and then you’d join in with the rest of the rafters on the 2nd day. To kayak as a lesson with KTN it will cost $225.

MCU Kayaking Weekend
2016-08-06 - 2016-08-07 | Kayak the Nile, Bujagali, Uganda
Our next MCU kayaking weekend will be on August 6-7th in Bujagali!
Once a month MCU heads to Jinja for discounted group lessons with the stellar team at Kayak the Nile. Paddlers of all levels – including beginners – are welcome. It’s always a fun weekend out of the big city! More info and sign up at the link below:
http://kayakthenile.com/mcu-weekend-booking-form/

Depending on demand there might be the option to take a safety lesson for slightly more advanced kayaker – a decent whitewater roll is required for this. Email Laura if you are interested.
Non-kayakers are more than welcome to join and enjoy a chilled out weekend.

August Monthly Meeting
2016-08-04 19:30 - 21:00 | Athina Club, Kololo, Uganda
On the first Thursday of every month we hold our monthly meeting at 7.30 at Athena Club in Kololo. New and old members welcome, we discuss past trips from the previous months trips and plan upcoming trips. It is also a great way to meet other people in the Club and share a few beers so hope to see you there!

Three Volcano Virunga Hike
2016-07-27 - 2016-08-05 | Virunga’s National Park, Kibati, Congo, The Democratic Republic Of The
Some tireless MCU adventurers are planning the MCU Three Volcano Virunga Hike. It includes the amazingly active Mt. Nyirangongo volcano, Mt. Sabinyo and one other peak along the way. Hikers can join for part or all of the hikes. Contact matt.battani@gmail.com for more info.

Luwazi Rock Climbing
2016-07-23 - 2016-07-24 | Luwazi Rock, Uganda
The MCU is running another overnight climbing/camping trip to Luwazi this weekend July 23-24. Luwazi (actually called Insita) is a rock near Gayaza, in a village called Kijjo ( I think thats the spelling :P). It is roughly an hours drive outside of Kampala. We will meet up at Oasis mall near Centenary park at 7.30 on Saturday morning and we will climb until Sun afternoon.
The rock has a number of different sport routes of varying abilities. If you do not have your own climbing gear then gear can be rented from the Club for the trip. Email Nicky Young at stuckin1984(AT)hotmail(DOT)com

Reel Paddling Film Festival World Tour
2016-07-16 18:30 - 21:00 | Nalubale Rafting Base & Tea House
Since 2006, the Reel Paddling Film Festival World Tour has been showcasing the very best paddling films. The World Tour screens in more than 120 cities around the world. This year for the first time it will be held in Uganda and is currently the only place in Africa.
The Festival will be held at the Nalubale Tea House in Jinja at 6.30pm for a 7pm start on Saturday the 16th July. We would like to highly thank our sponsors Nalubale Rafting Base & Tea House and Kayak the Nile (U) Ltd for their help with this event.
Join us for this year’s best paddling films. You’ll be inspired to explore rivers, lakes and oceans, push extremes, embrace the paddling lifestyle and appreciate the wild places.
For event details please visit http://www.reelpaddlingfilmfestival.com/

MCU July Kayaking Weekend
2016-07-16 - 2016-07-17 | Kayak the Nile, Bujagali, Uganda
Once a month MCU heads to Jinja for group discounted lessons with the stellar team at Kayak the Nile. Paddlers of all levels – including beginners – are welcome. It’s always a fun weekend out of the big city! More info and sign up at the link below:
http://kayakthenile.com/mcu-weekend-booking-form/
After we get off the river, we’ll be heading to the Reel Paddling Film Festival at the Nalubale Tea House in Jinja at 6.30pm for a 7pm start on Saturday the 16th July. Tickets cost 8,000ush for Ugandan Citizens and 15,000ush for everybody else. Tickets can be bought on the door on the night.

MCU Kenya Climbing Trip
2016-07-08 - 2016-07-17 | Hell’s Gate National Park, Kenya
The MCU is planning a climbing trip in Kenya, with three days in Lukenya and 2-3 days in Frog and Hell’s Gate. Climbs are mostly lead, but top rope possible and tons of trad for trad climbers. Email matt.battani@gmail.com for details.

July MCU Meeting
2016-07-07 19:30 - 21:00 | Athina Club, Kololo, Uganda

Climbing and camping at Luwazi
2016-06-25 - 2016-06-26 | Luwazi Rock, Uganda
The MCU is running another overnight climbing/camping trip to Luwazi on the June 25-26. Luwazi Rock is a rock roughly 45mins drive from Kampala where the Club climbs regularly. The rock has a number of different sport routes of varying abilities. If you do not have your own climbing gear then gear can be rented from the Club for the trip. Email Magali at magali.balaud(AT)gmail(DOT)com

With any questions. To register please put your name and contact details in the google doc.

Gear hire is:
Shoes – 10,000
Harness + belay device – 10,000
Rope – 40,000 (shared)
