Invisible

7 Days Rwenzori Hiking To Margherita Peak

Bujuku Eco Tours
Tour activities: Hiking, Trekking, Nature walks, Camping. The 7 Days Rwenzori hiking Via The Central Circuit Trail takes you to the Rwenzori (mountains of the moon), a range of 120 kilometers comprising of various mountains like Mount Stanley (5109 meters), Mount Baker (4844 meters), Mount Speke (4890 meters), Mount Luigi di Savoia (4627 meters), Mount Gessi (4715 meters), and Mount Emin ( 4798 meters) which are separated by deep gorges. Mount Stanley which is the tallest mountain has several summits whereby the highest point is Margherita peak (5109 meters).
Private Tour
Culture and History
Rural Life
Sightseeing
Trekking in Nature
Wildlife Viewing
Rwenzori mountains, Kasese., Uganda
7 days
English, Swahili
2+

What we'll do

Day 1: TRANSFER FROM ENTEBBE TO KASESE

You will be picked by a driver guide at your hotel in Entebbe or at the Airport for transfer to Kasese town for an overnight preparing for your 7 days trek to the Rwenzori mountains.

Day 2: MIHUNGA GATE (1651m asl.) – NYABITABA CAMP (2651m asl.)

The 7 Days Rwenzori hiking Via The Central Circuit Trail starts at the Rwenzori Mountains National park Mihunga gate at about 1.615m Asl. Your Bujuku Ecotours driver guide will drive you to Mihunga for the trip briefing and organising your equipment. The trail begins by passing through farmland to the park boundary beyond which it follows a thick forest along the Mubuku River, crossing its Mahoma River tributary before starting a long, steep climb up onto a massive ridge to reach Nyabitaba hut. During this part of the trip you may hear chimpanzee and see black and white colobus, blue monkey and the brilliantly coloured Rwenzori turraco. Hike duration: 6 -7 hours. Elevation height: 1,036m

Day 3: NYABITABA (2651m asl.) – JOHN MATTE CAMP (3505m asl.)

From Nyabitaba follow the trail that drops down through the forest to the Kurt Shafer Bridge, just below the confluence of the Mubuku and Bujuku rivers. Passing through the bamboo forest, traverse through a long and exhausting stretch of slippery moss-covered rock. From the Nyamuleju rock shelter, Mount Stanley and Mount Speke can be seen before passing into the zone of the giant heather, lobelia and groundsel. Finally reach John Matte Hut after passing through the tiring bog, for dinner and overnight at the hut. Hike duration: 7 – 8 hours. Elevation height: 854m

Day 4: JOHN MATTE (3505m asl.) – BUJUKU CAMP (3962m asl.)

From John Matte Hut the trail drops down to cross the Bujuku River and enters Lower Bigo Bog, the home of giant lobelias. Jumping from tussock to tussock, the bog is finally crossed but rarely without the feet sampling some of the freezing ooze below. The upper Bigo bog gives way to Bujuku Lake, with views of Mt Baker to the South and Mt Stanley to the West. Bujuku Hut, well located in the shadow of Mount Baker and Mount Speke, is set in a narrow valley below Stuhlmann Pass. This camp is good for acclimatization for clients attempting the summits of peaks Mount Stanley and Mount Speke. Dinner and overnight at Bujuku hut. Hike duration: 4 – 5 hours. Elevation height: 457m

Day 5: BUJUKU (3962m asl.) – ELENA CAMP (4505m asl.)

Leaving Bujuku, the trail takes you through more bog, while climbing the steep slopes west of the lake and through the magical and forest of Groundsel Gully. Turn to your right up to Elena Hut and Mount Stanley on a steep trail over large boulders, while the trail on your left leads to Scott-Elliot Pass and down to Kitandara Lakes the trail on he left leads those who are not climbing Margherita Peak to Kitandara Hut. Those climbing the peak will have their Dinner and overnight at the coolly and Icy Elena Hut. Hike duration: 5 – 6 hours. Elevation height: 579m

DAY 6: ELENA HUT (4505m asl.) – MARGHERITA PEAK (5109m asl.) – KITANDARA CAMP (4430m asl.)

Very early in the morning, you attempt climbing the highest peak, Margherita of Mount Stanley. To reach the summit of Margherita, the climb takes about 4 -5 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. Climbing on to the glaciers, cross the Stanley Plateau and proceed with the ascent. Acclimatized to fog, altitude sickness and coolly weather, scramble up to the summit of Margherita the highest peak of the Rwenzori mountains. The Descend from Margherita peak back to Elena Hut will take you about 2 – 3hours. After your lunch at Elena hut, descend to the Scott-Elliot pass (4372m asl.), where there are spectacular views of Bujuku Lake and Mount Speke. After, the trail passes you through an alpine zone of sparse vegetation and rough boulders, descend past the Kitandara Lakes for dinner and overnight at the Kitandara camp. Descend duration: 3 – 4 hours.

Day 7: KITANDARA (4430m asl.) – GUY YEOMAN (3261m asl.)

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 4282m asl. At this point you can view into the Congo to the west and Mount Stanley to the north. From the pass, take on the long high alpine mossy. Thereafter start the descend through steep rocky trails and the rock shelter at Bujongolo, the base camp for the historic expedition by the Duke of Abruzzi in 1906 and then an overnight at Guy yeoman camp. Hike duration: 6 – 7 hours.

Day 8: GUY YEOMAN (3261m asl.) – NYABITABA (2651m asl.) – MIHUNGA GATE (1651m asl.)

Below Guy Yeoman, the route descends the cliffs of Kichuchu. Beyond Kichuchu the muddy path crosses the Mubuku River twice through a bamboo forest before climbing downwards to Nyabitaba to complete the circuit. Continue descending Nyabitaba Camp and complete your trek by the evening to Mihunga gate to end your 7 days Rwenzori Margherita peak summit trip. Descent duration: 7 – 8 hours

DAY 9: TRANSFER FROM KASESE TO ENTEBBE AIRPORT

After breakfast at your hotel in Kasese, you will check out of your accommodation and transfer to Entebbe through the green countryside to catch your departure flight at Entebbe International Airport. Travel Time: 6 to 7 hours. End of Trip!!!

Where we'll go

Map

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Meeting point

Pickup at Entebbe International Airport, Entebbe or Kampala

Good to know

Good to know

TREKKING GEAR/EQUIPMENT REQUIRED 1. Trekking/climbing boots 2. Trekking pole 3. Ice axe 4. Sleeping bag 5. Snow glasses 6. Helmet 7. Crampons 8. Harness 9. Rubber boots 10. Rope 11. Gaiters 12. NOTE: Extra peaks of Mount Baker, Mount Speke, Weismann’s peak and Alexandra peak can be done at $120 per peak per person in addition to the standard 7 days trek to summit Margherita peak.

What is included?

  • Park entrance fees
  • Hiking fees
  • Government taxes prescribed in the itinerary
  • Guides and porters
  • Meals according to the itinerary
  • Meals enroute
  • Drinking water
  • 2 nights’ accommodation in Kasese before and after the hike
  • Airport pickup and drop off
  • Accommodation in mountain huts/cabins
  • Sanitisers where necessary
  • Transport according to the Itinerary

What is not included?

  • Flight fees
  • Visa fees
  • Personal insurance
  • Personal clothing/warm clothing
  • Climbing Equipment
  • Accommodation in Entebbe/Kampala before or after the trip
  • PCR tests where necessary
  • Any changes in the program itinerary while in the Rwenzori mountains

What to bring

  • passport, sunscreen, rain jacket, warm clothing, hiking shoes

Cancellation and refund

The booking fee ($45.00 p.p. included in the displayed price) is non-refundable if you cancel your booking. If a local cancels a booking or does not show up at the agreed time and place, you receive a full refund of the booking fee.

You are buying a unique experience that also empowers local communities and people to improve their lives by sharing their knowledge and lifestyle.

We give space for creativity. The locals themselves decide and develop the activity idea and design it in a way they find interesting.

Locals get 100% of the price they want. The booking fee is added separately.

Meet the Local

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We are specialists in Rwenzori mountains climbing expeditions to Margherita peak (5,109m asl) in Uganda, Gorilla trekking tours, Chimpanzee tracking safaris, Uganda wildlife trips, Uganda cultural tours, food tours, community visits, etc

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