8 Days Rwenzori Mountain Hiking Tour Adventure

8 day trip to Rwenzori mountain is an exciting experience. The mountains of the moon are famous for their steepness and slippery trails and frequent rain. Temperatures and Rainfall are muddy bogs, steep terrain and high altitude make it such an interesting and challenging trekking trip in Africa.

Rwenzori Mountain Hike

The periods of July-August and December-February are relatively dry and for inexperienced hikers the best seasons for a trek. During any season, rain gear, a good sleeping bag, a warm hat, gloves, heavy socks, gum-boots, gaiters, and a walking stick for balance.

Brief itinerary – 8 Days Rwenzori Mountain Hiking Tour

• Day1: Travel from Kampala to Kasese
• Day 02: Nyakalengija (1615m) – Nyabitaba Hut (2651m)
• Day 03: Nyabitaba (2651m) – Mubuku River (2600m) John Matte Hut (3380m)
• Day 04: John Matte – Bujuku Hut – 3962m
• Day 05: Elena or Kitandara Hut – 4023m
• Day 06: Elena Hut (4541m) to Margherita peak/Mt. Stanley Peak– Kitandara hut (4027m)
• Day 07: Kitandara (4027m) – Fresh field Pass (4282m) – Guy Yeoman (3450m)
• Day 8: Nyabitaba (2651m) to Kampala

Detailed Itinerary – 8 Days Rwenzori Mountain Hiking Tour

Day 01: Travel from Kampala – Kasese

After a relaxed breakfast at your hotel, our guide will pick you from your hotel in Kampala then transfer you to Kasese. Dinner and overnight stay at Rwenzori Mountain Lodge

Day 02: Nyakalengija (1615m) – Nyabitaba Hut (2651m)

You will be required to arrive at Rwenzori mountains National park and Rwenzori mountaineering services offices at Nyakalengija early in the morning. This will make you get ample time to rent equipment for hiking and be availed of guides. Rwenzori mountain hiking will begin at the park Headquarters which is about 5400 feet (1,646 m). You will walk past typical mud and wattle and the Bakonzo homes through the elephant grass, walking past typical “mud and wattle. Through this trip, you may hear voices of primates Dinner and Overnight stay at Nyabitaba Hut -2652m

Day 03: Nyabitaba (2651m) – Mubuku River (John Matte Hut 3380m)

Mubuku River

Shift from Nyabitaba to John Matte Hut 3380 m. Crossing the Bujuku and Mubuku rivers. By turning right the bridge you will begin to climb the central circuit in an anticlockwise direction which is much more difficult and adds a considerable danger to your porters and you. You will climb steadily through the bamboo forest. After about five hours of travel from Nyabitaba, you will reach the hut at Nyamuleju. If the day is very clear, you will see from the rock near the hut. Dinner and overnight stay at Nyabitaba. Dinner at Overnight Stay at Nyabitaba

Day 04: John Matte – Bujuku Hut – 3962

Move from John Matte hut across the Bujuku River to the lower Bigo bog. Your real first experience of jumping from tussock will begin from here. A steep section past the hut leads to the upper to Bigo and half of this a boardwalk has been constructed. You will have a lunch break at a beautiful narrow stream at the upper end of this bog. The southern end of the lake is in a majestic setting, with Mt. Baker to the South, Mt. Stanley to the west, and Mt. Speke to the north. Dinner and Overnight stay at John Matte – Bujuku Hut – 3962 m

Day 05: Elena or Kitandara Hut – 4023m

Leave Bujuku hut to a newly newer trail. This trail rises and falls twice before finally climbing steeply through magical moss-draped groundsel vegetation about 14,345 ft (4,372 m) to Scott Elliot Pass. While at the steepest section a short strong ladder after which a right-hand branch will lead to Elena Hut 14,700 ft (4,430 m). It is the steep rocky trail which when hot can be slippery. You will then continue straight, a few steps below the pass, there is a sheltered spot for a very good break before Elena Hut. It is the base camp for climbing 16,763 feet and 5,109m to Margherita peak in the Mt.Stanly Complex and requires an additional day. In case the weather is bad, rain, snow, and wind can occur in any season.

Day 06: Elena Hut (4541m) to Margherita Peak/Mt. Stanley Peak– Kitandara hut (4027m)

Margherita Peak

If you are aiming at Margherita’s peak (5109m), you will continue to the base of the Stanley Glacier. To reach the summit of Margherita, it will take you about 5-7 hours depending on the weather conditions and the pace of climbing this mountain. This tough walk takes you over three glaciers, slippery rock, ice, and very exposed areas which are open on many sides. Note that this climb is for only physically fit and technical climbers. Climbing onto the glacier, cross the Stanley Plateau, and proceed with the ascent. Acclimatized to fog, altitude sickness, and cool weather, scramble up to the summit of Margherita the highest peak of the Rwenzoris. Given the high altitude and the tough conditions even if you do not reach the peak, don’t get disappointed. Prepare for your return through the Scott-Elliot pass, where there are spectacular views back to Bujuku Lake and Mount Speke and down to the Kitandara Lakes. After the trail that passes you through an alpine zone of sparse vegetation and rough boulders, descend past the Kitandara Lakes for dinner and overnight stay at the Kitandara Hut

Day 7: Kitandara (4027m) – Freshfield Pass (4282m) – Guy Yeoman-Nyabitaba (2651m)

Today, from Kitandara, take on the trail that ascends steeply up the headwall, spreading out from the base of Mount Baker and continuing along the south side of the mountain to Fresh field Pass. At this point, you can view the Congo to the west and Mount Stanley to the north. From the pass, take on the long trail passing the rock shelter at Bujongolo, the base camp for the historic expedition by the Duke of Abruzzi in 1906. Overnight at Guy yeoman

Day 8: Nyabitaba (2651m)- Kampala

Move to Nyabitaba. It will take you about 6 -7 hours. For an early start, it is possible to make it until the way down to Nyakalengija. Below Guy Yeoman, the route descends the cliffs of Kichuchu. Beyond Kichuchu the muddy path crosses the Mubuku River twice before climbing upwards to Nyabitaba to complete the circuit. Dinner and overnight stay at Serena Hotel (Luxury)/Cassia Lodge (Mid-range)/The Lodge (budget)

Price Inclusions

• Accommodation
• Ground transportation
• Permit which includes accommodation in huts, porters, guide and rescue fees
• Service of the cook
• Meals while on the trek
• English speaking guide

Price Exclusions

• All drinks apart from those served for breakfast
• Entry permit
• Visas for Uganda if required
• Personal expenses on tips, souvenirs
• Medical at travel Insurance