Mt Rwenzori Hiking - The ragged Experience
Hike to the Peak!
Also known as the mountains of the moon, the Rwenzori mountains harbor Africa’s third highest peak at 5109m. The highest Rwenzori peaks are snow capped. This is the only place in Uganda with snow. The mountain is a natural habitat of many endangered species and is also a permanent source of the River Nile. They are a reflection of the mist-shrouded mountains of this rugged massif that tower almost 4,000 m above the Albertine Rift Valley, making them visible from great distances. These mountains offer a unique and pristine landscape of alpine vegetation studded with charismatic giant lobelias, groundsels, and heathers which have been called “Africa’s botanical big game”. The combination of spectacular snow-capped peaks, glaciers, V-shaped valleys, fast flowing rivers with magnificent waterfalls, clear blue lakes and unique flora contributes to the area’s exceptional natural beauty.
ItineraryDay 1: Scenic Drive to Rwenzori MountainsPass By: Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Western Region
Today we have an idle road trip to your accommodation at the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains. The drive is approximately 7 hours and is the perfect chance to learn about history, tribes and cultures along this route. Your guide is very knowledgeable, please take advantage.
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Rwenzori Trekkers hostel kilembe
Day 2: Nyakalengijja to Nyabitaba hutStop At: Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Western Region
tart the hike from Nyakalengija through the Bakonzo settlements to mount Rwenzori national park gate where you will be registered before entering the park. You will start the central circuit trail trek through the thick tropical with high elephant grass and dense bushes.
This forest is home to various animal species like forest elephant, chimpanzee, hyrax, black-and-white colobus, L'Hoest's monkeys, duiker, and three-horned chameleon among many more. Some of the bird species include; the Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Turaco, Long-eared Owl, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Strange Weaver, Archers’ Robin-chat, Rwenzori Batis among many others as well as various tree and plant species
Duration: 7 hours
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Nyabitaba hut
Day 3: Nyabitaba to John matte hut Stop At: Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Western Region
Have breakfast at the hut, you will move through thick shrubs and forest for about 30 minutes to the Kurt Shafer bright which is at the confluence of the Mubuku and Bujuku rivers. You will then move through the bamboo mixed with montane forests and slippery moss-covered rocks for a couple of hours. As you hike you will also expect to see various bird species that live in the forest.
You will continue to move up to Nyamulejju rock shelter where the first hikers used to at times camp and also spend the night, you will have a stopover here for lunch. At this point, you will have a view of mount Stanley and mount Speke if the weather is clear. You will then continue to move through the alpine forest to John Matte hut where you will have dinner and spend the night. The hut is near river Bujuku and most hikers take a bath there, the water is so cold but refreshing as well. You will also have a view of the Margherita glacier which is on mount Stanley between Alexandra and Margherita peaks.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: John matte hut
Day 4: John matte to Bujuku hut Stop At: Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Western Region
After breakfast at the hut, you will cross river Bujuku and through the forest to the lower bigo bog. This is a swampy area in a valley and is home to the giant lobelias. This area used to be the hardest part of the Rwenzori since the area is so boggy, jumping from one tussock to another was not so easy for most hikers more so females.
Currently, there is a walk board up to the end of the boggy area which makes the walk much easier for trekkers. As you move you will expect to see giant lobelias, everlasting flowers and groundsels. You will then take a steep hike along a ridge which will lead you to the start of the upper bigo bog. There is also a boardwalk up to Lake Bujuku. After the boardwalk, you will try to move through the remaining small boggy area with no walk boards to Bujuku hut. At this point, you will have a view of Lake Bujuku, mount Speke, Mount Baker and mount Stanley. At this point, you are able to ascend mount Speke and mount Stanley
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: John matte to Bujuku hut
Day 5: Bujuku to Elena hut Stop At: Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Western Region
Have breakfast at Bujuku hut then continue with the hike to Elena hut, which is 5-7 hour hike. You will move through the sides of the upper Bigo bog. You will then hike through the steep slopes of Lake Bujuku. While climbing Lake Bujuku’s steep slopes on the west, the trail ascends to the 4372-meter Scott-Elliot pass, and you will pass through more swamps and the thrilling Ground gully. You will go over a steep section at the top of the gully using a metal ladder.
The trail is then divided into two. The two trails, the left trail leads to the Scott-Elliot pass descending to Kitandara Lakes while the right trail heads to the Elena Hut and on a steep trail above large boulders to Mt Stanley.
Elena hut is on the rocky part of Mount Stanley and the area is too cold. At this point, you are at the highest mountain of the Rwenzori and you will have a direct view of Mount Baker and Mount Speke
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Elena Hut
Day 6: Elena hut (4563m) - Kitandara (3979m)Stop At: Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Western Region
On this day you will have to wake up as early as 2 am, Have breakfast at Elena hut, be ready in your warmest gear, put on your harness, warm hand gloves and headsock, have your headlamps and helmets and make sure you have sunglasses in the day pack on. Hike to the top of mount Stanley, Magherita peak, through the Stanley plateau. On steep rocky areas, you will use the ropes to help you move. The guide will teach you how to use the equipment while on the ice. On the glacial parts, you will be required to use your, crampons, and an ice axe.
After moving for a couple of hours after the Stanley plateau glacier, you will reach the bottom of the Margherita glacier. This is the most challenging part of the entire hiking Rwenzori experience. You will hike through this glacier up to the top of mount Stanley, Margherita peak (5109m). At the top, you will have a view of Ireen Lake, mount Speke and the surrounding environment.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Kitandara Camp
Day 7: Kitandara hut (3979m) - Guy Yeoman hut (3505m)Stop At: Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Western Region
Have breakfast at Kitandara then move through the base of Mount Baker, which can be slippery so you will need to be so careful. From Kitandara, the trail ascends steeply up the headwall, spreading out from the base of Mount Baker and continuing along the south side of the Rwenzori Mountain to Fresh field pass. From the pass, the long muddy descent continues, passing the rock shelter at Bujangolo, the base camp for the historic expedition by the Duke of Abruzzi in 1906. This will take you around 5-7 hours then reach Guy Yeoman hut which is located at the banks of river Mubuku, have dinner and spend the night.
Duration: 7 hours
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Guy Yeoman hut
Day 8: Guy Yeoman to Nyabitaba to NyakalengijaStop At: Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Western Region
From Guy Yeoman, you will descend to Nyabitaba through the bamboo forests. The path down can be slippery and muddy with little to hold on to and requires careful balancing over the vertical mud or steep rock. After about 5 hours of trekking, you will reach Nyabitaba hut where you will have a stopover for lunch. You will then continue to descend for more than 3 hours to Nyakalengija.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Rwenzori Trekkers hostel kilembe
Day 9: DeparturePass By: Kampala, Kampala, Central Region
Today, we drive back to Kampala/Entebbe for drop off
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Informacion Adicional
"Not wheelchair accessible"
"Minimum age is 18 years"
"Most travelers can participate"
"This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers"
"Confirmation will be received at time of booking"
Horário de Início:
Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.
Mt Rwenzori Hiking - The ragged Experience
1/2/2022 - 3/6/2025| Monday - Friday : | 12:00 AM - 05:30 PM |
| Saturday : | 12:00 AM - 05:00 PM |
| Sunday : | 08:00 AM - 05:30 PM |
Duração: 9 Days
Ponto de partida: Kampala, Kampala, Central Region
Traveler pickup is offered
Airports- Entebbe Airport, Entebbe Uganda
- Kigali Intl. Airport, Kigali Rwanda
Cancelamentos e reembolsos:
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
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