Trekking Mount Rwenzori in
Uganda Margharita peak
The Rwenzori Mountains
climbing... the fabled "mountains of the moon"
(first described by the Greek philosopher and
geographer Ptolemeus in the 2nd Century) ... are
capped with a splendid world of ice and snow,
massive ice-rime sculptures and wonderful and
luxuriant alpine vegetation. Mount Ruenzori covers
996 sq, kms, and provides a magnificent
environment for both experienced climbers and
casual day hikers. The lower slopes are great when
doing mount Ruwenzori safari, hiking country and
the scenic beauty is a backdrop to a unique
habitat for many rare and endemic plants and
animals. These legendary mountains exhibit
spectacular scenic beauty and provide a unique
habitat for many rare and indigenous plants and
animals and for those doing rwenzori Mountains
trekking tour.
The Rwenzori Mountains Summit Range, 120 km long
and 48 km wide, is a huge block of Precambrian
rock rising to over 5000 m high, making it the
highest non volcanic mountain in Africa. Unlike
Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Kenya which are of
volcanic origin, the mountain chain was forced up
during the formation of the East African Rift
Valley system. The range includes the third
highest peak in Africa after Mt. Kilimanjaro and
Mt. Kenya. the 5,109m Mt. Stanley (named
after the explorer who saw the mountains in his
1887 expedition), Mt. Alexandria (5,083 m) and Mt.
Speke (4,089 m). The giant lobelia and the
groundsell are hallmarks of the Rwenzori. All of
the above make this park an unforgettable visitor
destination when dong Mount Rwenzori
Trekking.
Mount Stanley is the largest and has several
subsidiary summits, with Margherita Peak being the
highest point. The rock is metamorphic, and the
mountains are believed to have been tilted and
squeezed upwards by plate movement. They are in an
extremely humid area, and frequently enveloped in
clouds.
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The Rwenzori Mountains climbing
is a World Heritage Site and offers the
opportunity to see nature at its best. The plant
life varies from heavy tropical rainforest, bamboo
forests, montane cloud forests to alpine
vegetation and the scenery is truly spectacular.
Above 4,500 meters the snow and glaciers add that
special dimension to the wondrous views throughout
this pristine mountain range.
Mt Ruwenzori climbing is known for their
vegetation, ranging from tropical rainforest
through alpine meadows to snow; and for their
animal population, including forest elephants,
several primate species and many endemic birds.
One zone is known for its six metre/20 foot high
heather covered in moss, and another for its giant
lobelia. Most of the range is now a World Heritage
Site and is covered jointly by The Rwenzori
Mountains National Park in Uganda and the Parc
National des Virunga in Congo.
The Rwenzori range is a true mountain range with
many climbs and descents and making it a tough
climb however the scenery and beautiful vegetation
are incredible. The high rainfall of more than two
and a half meters per year, the moss covered
rocks, the dense vegetation, the tall peaks and
cliffs towering above to the moss covered valleys
and meandering streams create a 'Alice in
Wonderland atmosphere' which changes through
several biospheres as you climb making the
"Rwenzori Mountains" a truly unique experience.
Decreasing temperatures with increasing altitude
have resulted in a remarkable zoning of
vegetation. The most striking plants can be found
above 3,000 m, where areas of giant tree heathers
support unique aerial epiphytic gardens. The
alpine zone includes the giant lobelias and
groundsels, hallmarks of the Rwenzori.
The Rwenzori Mountains are
located on the border of Uganda and the Democratic
Republic of the Congo. Although the isolated
volcanoes of Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Kenya are
taller, they are the highest range of mountains in
Africa with the highest summit of Mt. Stanley
reaching 5109 meters. When the peaks were first
explored at the end of the 19th century, there
were six separate massifs that held glaciers on
their flanks. At this point, the number has
dwindled down to just three, with one of those
holding only tattered remnants of its earlier
glaciations.
Day 1: Kampala – Kasese
Drive from Kampala to Kasese
Town stopping at Equator crossing, lunch stop in
Mbarara town and continue to Kasese. Arrive in the
earl afternoon, carry out food shopping of all
food needed up in the mountain for the days you
will be trekking. Dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Nyakalengija - Nyabitaba Hut
(8,7000-ft, 2500m, 4-5 hours walking)
Arrive at Ibanda, the park
headquarters and the Rwenzori Mountaineering
Services (RMS) concession building at Nyakalengija
in early morning so as to have ample time to
arrange payments, rent equipment and select guides
and porters. Begin your hike by leaving park
headquarters, located at 5,400ft/1.646m. The trail
then follows the Mubuku River, crossing recent
landslide areas and requires scrambling over rocks
and bluffs before reaching the Mahoma River. After
crossing the river you will have a very steep
climb through open bracken fern slopes and
podocarpus forest up to Nyabitaba Hut (8,7000-ft2,
652m). Slower hikers could take considerably
longer, so insist on leaving park headquarters
before noon to avoid on the trail after dark (7 PM
all year round).
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Day 3: Nyabitaba Hut
(8,7000-ft, 2500m) - John Matte Hut (11,200 ft,
3,414 m) - 4 to 5 hours
From Nyabitaba Hut the trails leads westwards for
a half – km then drops north (right) steeply to
Kurt shafer Bridge, crossing below the confluence
of the Bujuku and Mubuku Rivers. You reach the
poor-condition hut at Nyamileju and it’s
accompanying rock shelter. Walk to John Matte Hut
(11,200 ft/3,414 m) which is newly constructed,
large and comfortable through muddy a round the
site. Many hikers consider this the most tiring
and longest day of the circuit so an early start
is important. The loss of altitude to Kurt Shafer
Bridge means the total elevation to be gained on
this day is at least 3,000ft (915m). Hikers who
feel they have reached their limits by this point
should consider John Matte a reasonable stopping
point. You can just enjoy the unique vegetation in
the bog and the great views and the following day
begin your return to Nyabitaba.
Day 4: John Matte Hut
(11,200 ft, 3,414 m) - Bujuku Hut (13,000ft,
3,962m)
You leave John Matte to cross the Bujuku River and
enter the lower of the Bigo Bogs. The trail is
very muddy and follows the left (southern) edge of
lower Bigo Hut and it’s shelter. Have a lunch
break at the upper edge of the Bigo beyond the
north end of Bujuku Lake is a rock shelter called
Cooking pot and short distance further to Bujuku
Hut (13,000ft/3.962m). The shaded location and
mists can make Bujuku Hut uncomfortably cold for
hikers and especially guides and porters with
simple blankets and light clothing.
Day 5: Bujuku Hut (13,000ft, 3,962m) -
Elena Hut (14,700 ft/4,372m)
Continue the circuit you leave directly west from
Bujuku Hut towards Scott Elliott 14,345 ft (4,372
m) after a right hand branch would lead you to
Elena Hut (14,700 ft/4,372m). As you leave the
Elena and Savoia Glaciers, and Mt. Baker (15,889
ft/4,843 m). The trail descends past upper
Kitandara Lake through bad mud to the lower lake
and Kitandara Hut (13,200-ft/4,023 m). The
elevation gain to the pass from Bujuku is a modest
1,400 ft (425 m) but ups and downs nearly double
that a mount. And because Scott Elliott is the
high point so far, some hikers will be slower due
to greater effort required at these altitudes.
Watch especially for signs of altitude sickness.
Day 6: Elena Hut (14,700
ft/4,372m) - Guy Yeomen Hut (10,700-ft/3,261 m)
Climb from the lake to 14,050-ft (4.292m) Fresh
field Pass. Fresh field is a long flat traverse
through beautiful high alpine mossy glades (and
more mud) until after half an hour the trails
begin the circuit’s long two-day descent. Rock
shelters at Bujongolo and Kabamba are optional
overnight stops but it is best to push on through
the seeming endless mud to newly constructed Guy
Yeomen Hut (10,700-ft/3,261 m).
Day 7: Guy Yeomen Hut (10,700-ft/3,261 m) -
Nyabitaba Hut (8,7000-ft, 2500m)
Begin very early if you have decided to make it
all the way to park headquarters and complete your
trek. An alternative would be to stay another
night at Nyabitaba Hut. In any event the path from
Guy Yoeman is quite dangerous in spots. Helping
each other and descending very slowly facing the
slope instead of facing outward are recommended
especially as you approach Kichuchu down a dry and
dusty crevice. From Kichuchu the trail parallels
and twice crosses the Mubuku River mostly in deep
mud until the last few kilometers of good dry
trail follow the ridge down to Nyabitaba, which
completes the circuit. Should you decide to
continue to park headquarters it is another two or
three hours depending on the condition of your
knees and desire to reach a comfortable bed and
bath.
Day 8: Nyabitaba Hut
(8,7000-ft, 2500m) - Kasese Town
From Nyabitaba Hut, descend to Nyakalengija the
park headquarters. You will meet your driver to
drive you back to Kasese town to your
Hotel/Queen Elizabeth National Park Mweya Safari
Lodge/ Institute Hostel. Take warm showers and
relax. Dinner and overnight.
Day 9: Kasese
Town - Kampala/Entebbe
After breakfast drive to Kampala or Entebbe in
case your flight falls on this day. End of
Central Circuit.
Cost US$: 1800 per person sharing
The Safari Cost Includes:
• 8 nights accommodation and meals at full board
• Park fees
• Hiking fees
• Food and accommodation in Kasese
• Transfer vehicle with fuel and driver/guide
• Mountaineering fee
. two potters per person
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