11 DAY MT. RWENZORI  HIKING ADVENTURE

Mountain Rwenzori’s Margherita Peak is Africa’s third highest peak. The climb to this peak is a really an exciting but energy-draining experience and certainly requires a conducive weather. The journey to the peak is breathtaking as you pass various beauty points of forests, valleys, flora diversity, the scenery of the mountains, streams of water and various lakes. You will also enjoy the various bird species and several primates like the chimps. Mountain Rwenzori is also known as the Mountain of the Moon because of its snow-capped ranges, which Greek explorers thought were the source of the Nile..

 

Day 1: Arrival for your Rwenzori Hiking Safari (47Km)

After a long flight, our friendly guide will be waiting for you at Entebbe airport to transfer you to a pre-booked hotel in Entebbe or Kampala. Depending on the time of arrival, we will take a short town tour around Entebbe and enjoy the fresh breeze from Lake Victoria, the world's second-largest lake.

 

Day 2: Road Trip to Rwenzori Mountains National Park (393km)

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On day two, you will be transferred to Kasese Town in Western Uganda and then to the foothills of the Mountains of the Moon – the Rwenzori Mountains. You will have time to rest and prepare for your trek the following day at a preferred area of accommodation such as Rwenzori backpackers, trekkers hostel, or Ruboni Community Camp.

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Day 3: Hike to Sine Hut Or Kalalama Camp

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Start at Trekkers at 1,450 meters and sleep at Sine Hut at 2,596 meters, a height gain of 1,146 meters, or those who are fit and want to proceed to Kalalama Camp at 3,134 meters, which gives you more time at Mutinda Camp and allows you to climb to Mutinda Lookout at 3,975 meters.

There are wooden huts set among tall forest trees on a narrow ridge where you can sit and admire the beauty of the Afro Montane Forest while looking down at a spectacular waterfall crashing over the rocks far below. Being below the bamboo zone, this area is also rich in bird species. Enjoy the waterfalls located approximately 150 meters from the camp.

 

Day 4: Hike to Mutinda Camp

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Trekking begins at 8.30 a.m., and you enter the Bamboo Zone almost immediately, which is a steep climb with many high steps. During the wet season, the bamboo zone becomes muddy and slippery, making progress slow. However, the atmosphere and the forest are beautiful as you climb 551 meters in altitude and 1.8 kilometers to Kalalama Camp at 3,147 meters in the Heather-Rapanea Zone, where you can rest and have a quick cup of tea or coffee before continuing on to Mutinda Camp.

In the afternoon you may wish to climb up to the top of the Mutinda Lookout (one to two hours up and one hour down) The views are amazing as you stand on moss-covered rocks at 3,925 meters with views across the Rwenzori Mountains and down to Kasese town and Lake George. Mutinda Camp is at 3582 metres.

 

Day 5: Hike to Bugata Camp at 4100 metres

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The trail to Bugata Camp is muddy, especially during the rainy season, but with a little skill, you can make it. Before climbing a steep section up to the Namusangi Valley, you must first cross the Mutinda valley through grass and everlasting flowers interspersed with many Giant Lobelias (3,840 meters). The Namusangi Valley is vast, with numerous ups and downs as the trail steadily ascends to Bugata Camp at 4,100 meters.

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Day 6: Hike to Hunwick’s Camp

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As you leave Bugata Camp, you will ascend a ridge, then descend slightly before ascending to Bamwanjarra Pass at 4,450 meters, where we have a hut in case of bad weather. This is possibly the best place in the Rwenzori to see the Malachite Sunbird, which feeds on the numerous Lobelia flowers and is a known breeding site. There are some steep sections further on before a steady climb up and over a ridge to Hunwick's Camp, which is located on the top of a deep valley with views of Mt Stanley, Mt Baker, Weismann's Peak, and McConnell's Prong.

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Day 7: Hike to Margherita Camp

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Day 7 begins with a hike to the Margherita Camp at 4485 meters, which is nestled between some massive rocks and provides some shelter from the strong winds. You will pass by Lake Kitandara, which has deep water and beautiful vegetation.

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Day 8: Summit Margherita

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Wake up at 2 a.m. and take a quick breakfast before setting out to climb Mount Stanley at 2.30 a.m. This is necessary because the weather can change dramatically quickly. The mountain is frequently closed in with heavy clouds and snow falls from 1 pm to 4 pm, and this happens in a matter of 10 to 15 minutes as the clouds rise from the extensive Congo rainforests. Because of the weather change, we have set a strict turnaround time of 10 a.m., so if you do not reach the peak by then, you must turn around for your own safety regardless of any possible disappointment.

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Margherita glacier has also been affected by global warming, and as the glacier's outer edges recede, the ice becomes steeper, with one section of about 200 meters exceeding a 60 per cent grade. In addition, much of the blacker has melted beneath the ice, forming tunnels beneath the ice, which will eventually sink in as the ice thins. As a result, clients must comprehend and follow the recommendations of the guides.

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We recommend that those with less mountaineering experience stay on Stanley glacier and climb up to a good vantage point on a rocky outcrop on the southern edge of Alexandra Peak to enjoy fantastic views over Congo and the lower mountain ridges.

After climbing to the peak at 5,109 meters, you descend directly to Hunwick's Camp at 3.874 meters.

 

Day 9: Descend to Kiharo Camp

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Kiharo Camp is 11 kilometres away. Walking time ranges from 4 to 7 hours. We begin the day by climbing up a ridge towards McConnell's Prong, where you can get the best views of all three peaks and Scott Elliott's Pass, before arriving at Oliver's Pass at 4,505 meters. The trail then descends below Weismann's Peak to the Nyamwamba River, which flows through Kilembe and Kasese to Lake George in Queen Elisabeth National Park.

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The trail meanders down the valley after crossing the confluence to Kiharo Camp, which is located in a deep valley with high cliffs and dense vegetation. After each bog, climb over a ridge of stones and earth that appears out of place but was pushed there by slow-moving glaciers that eventually stopped moving, melted, and left a pile of rocks and debris in front of where the glacier once stood.

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Day 10: Descend to the starting point and continue to your hotel

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Kiharo Camp is 12.2 kilometres from the park's entrance. The trail down the Nyamwamba Valley is mostly downhill and stunning, with beautiful views, moss-covered rocks along the river, cascading waterfalls, deep valleys, and forests.

A few kilometres from Kiharo Camp, the path diverges to the right to follow the river. As you pass along the river, you may catch a glimpse of a Duiker quietly feeding in small clearings. If you prefer, you can walk down the river itself, hopping across the rocks as you go.

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Day 11: Transfer to Entebbe (393 km)

You'll have one last chance to admire the enchanting peaks of the Mountains of the Moon after a restful night. You will say your goodbyes and depart for Kampala with unforgettable memories. Then proceed to Entebbe Airport for your evening flight. Or you might choose to enjoy the beauty of Uganda a little longer and visit other beautiful national parks.