8 Days Rwenzori Mountains hiking trip is a hiking tour in Uganda to Rwenzori Mountains National Park for hikers on Uganda safaris. Rwenzori Mountains National Park is host to the highest peak of Rwenzori mountain ranges with the Magherita peak at 5109m above sea level. The 8 days trail hike takes hikers to the central circuit and reach the peak of Magherita.
Uganda hiking safaris require prior preparation in terms of packing the right clothing and foot ware, bookings and porter fees. The hike offers a perfect opportunity for scenic views in a fairy tale setting with sight of several endemic bird species and beautiful floral species.
Day 1:Start of hike from Nyakalengija to Nyabitaba Hut (2651m)
Day 2: Hike from Nyabitaba (2651m) to John Matte Hut (3380m)
Day 3: Hike from John Matte (3380m) to Bujuku (3962m)
Day 4: Hike from Bujuku (3977m) to Elena Hut (4541m)
Day 5: Hike from Elena Hut (4541m) to Margherita peak then Kitandara hut (4027m)
Day 6: Descend from Kitandara hut (4027m) to Fresh field Pass (4282m) then Guy Yeoman (3450m)
Day 7: Descend from Guy Yeoman (3450m) to Nyabitaba (2651m)
Day 8: Descend from Nyabitaba (2651m) to Nyakalengija (1615m) hike start point
On the first day of your hiking trip, the central circuit hike starts at the Rwenzori Mountaineering Services offices at Nyakalengija. It’s recommended to arrive early in the morning just to allow ample time to rent equipment and meet your guides and porters. From Nyakalengija, the trail begins by passing through farmland to the park boundary beyond which it follows the Mubuku River, crossing its Mahoma tributary before starting a long, steep climb up onto a massive ridge to reach Nyabitaba hut. From Nyakalengija to Nyabitaba the hike takes about 5 -6 hours depending on the hikers speed. Luckily, during this first trail hike, you could hear chimpanzees and see other primates like the black and white colobus monkey, Blue monkey alongside birds like the Rwenzori Turaco.
Hike time: 5-6 hours
Accommodation: Nyabitaba hut
From Nyabitaba hut, the hike continues as you follow the trail that drops down through the forest to the Kurt Shafer Bridge, just below the confluence of the Mubuku and Bujuku rivers. The hike continues, passing through the bamboo forest, a long and exhausting stretch of slippery moss-covered rock. From the Nyamileju rock shelter, the peaks of Mount Stanley and Mount Speke can be seen. The trail passes through the zone of the giant heather, lobelia and groundsel through the tiring bog, finally reaching John Matte Hut.
Hike time: 6 -7 hours.
Accommodation: John Matte Hut
From John Matte Hut in the morning, the trail drops down to cross the Bujuku River and enters Lower Bigo Bog, the home of giant lobelias. Jumping from tussock to tussock, you finally cross the bog with your feet probably 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. You then arrive at Bujuku Hut located in the shadow of Mount Baker and Mount Speke in a narrow valley below Stuhlmann Pass.
Hike time: 5-6 hours
Accommodation: Bujuku Hut
The hike to the peak is a tough walk that takes you over three glaciers, slippery rock, ice and very exposed areas which are open on many sides. The hike to the peak requires physical fitness and technical climbers. Climbing on to the glaciers, you cross the Stanley Plateau and proceed with the ascent. Adapting to fog, altitude sickness and coolly weather, rush up to the summit of Margherita the highest peak of the Rwenzoris (5109m). Descend through the Scott-Elliot pass where there are spectacular views back to Bujuku Lake and Mount Speke , up to Mount Stanley 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 at the Kitandara hut.
Hike time: About 5-7 hours
Accommodation: Kitandara hut
In the morning, you leave Bujuku Hut, then continue with the trail through more bog to the steep slopes west of the lake and through the magical Groundsel Gully as it ascends to Scott-Elliot Pass at 4372m. At the head of the gully there’s a metal ladder that helps to take you over a steep section after which the trail is divided into two. The trail on your right leads up to Elena Hut and Mount Stanley on a steep trail over large boulders.
Hike time: 4-5 hours
Accommodation: Elena Hut
Continuing from Elena Hut you hike to the Margherita peak (5109m), then to the base of the Stanley Glacier.
From Kitandara hut the next morning, take on the trail that ascends steeply up the headwall, spreading out from the base of Mount Baker then continue along the south side of the mountain to Fresh field Pass. From here you have views from the west of the Congo and those of Mount Stanley in 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.
Descend time: 5-6 hours
Accommodation: Guy Yeoman
On your descend journey, the descent to Nyabitaba takes an early start. 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.
Descend time: 6 -7 hours
Accommodation: Nyabitaba hut
Finally on the last day of your hiking tour in Uganda, you descend from Nyabitaba hut to Nyakalengji point. With return to the hike start point you complete the central circuit hike to Uganda’s highest point.
Descend time: 3-4 hours
End of 8 Days Rwenzori Mountains hiking trip – Central Circuit with Margherita peak
This 8 Days Rwenzori Mountains hiking trip – Central Circuit with Margherita peakcan be customized to suit your interests when you contact our expert Uganda safari team.. contact us.
Your Might Also Reach Us on; Email Address: tours@wildjungletrails.com Tel No: (+256)-777-690-798 Or Office No: (+256)-414-663-115
Accommodation facilities on the trip itinerary are subject to availability and could lead to slight change in prices.
This 8 Days Rwenzori Mountains hiking trip – Central Circuit with Margherita peak can be customized to suit your interests when you contact our expert Uganda safari team. contact us.
Your Might Also Reach Us on; Email Address: tours@wildjungletrails.com Tel No: (+256)-777-690-798 Or Office No: (+256)-414-663-115
Accommodation facilities on the trip itinerary are subject to availability and could lead to slight change in prices.
1 day bag (for Small bag but enough to carry your packed lunch Rain gear drinking water and a camera), 1 sleeping bag, A pair of mountain boots, 1 jogging suit, Pairs of woolen socks, Pairs of trekking trousers, cotton shirts warm, Woolen cap, gloves, A torch, headlamp including. Batteries, 1 trekking bag, 1 pair of jogging shoes, 1 sun hat, Handkerchiefs, Pairs of socks, 1 pair of snow glasses, Leggings up to the knee (Gaiters), Rain proof and warm gear, Walking sticks, Photo equipment, Pocket knife, Rubber boots
Carry drugs against: Stomach upsets, Headache, 1 elastic bandage, Elastoplasts, Water purification tablets, Vitamin C tablets, Sun lotion, Lip ointment
For summit climbers: 1 ice axe, 1 Harnesses, 1 pair of crampons, 1 climbing rope, Note: for summit climbers, these are all available for hire, In case of equipment hire, remember to contact us early for preparations.
| Items – Super Market | Items – Super Market | Local Market |
|---|---|---|
| Spaghetti | Cheese | Irish potatoes |
| Rice | Blue band | Tomatoes |
| Minced Meat | Salt | Onions |
| Beef fillet | wetabix | Green paper |
| Chicken | Tea leaves | Carrots |
| Fish fillet / Sardines / tuna | Nido | Pease |
| Garlic | Oats porridge | French beans |
| Sausage | Macrons | Greens |
| Soup | Plate towels | Pineapples |
| Tomato Sauce | Drinking chocolates | Water melon |
| Mixed spices | Tooth picks | Corn flour |
| Baked beans | Washing pads | Bogoya |
| Chili sauce | Zesta | Egg plants |
| Mucuzi Mix | Tomato pest | Cabbages |
| Cooking oil | Baking powder | Mangoes |
| Apples | Carry powder | Fruits |
| Nodules | White paper | lemons |
| Eggs | Popes | |
| Loaves of Bread | Boda TP | |
| Juice - Splash | ||
| Chocolate bars | ||
| Sugar | ||
| Coffee | ||
| Honey | ||
| Toilet papers | ||
| Aluminum foil | ||
| Baking flour | ||
| Biscuits | ||
| Peanut Butter | ||
| Toilet soap | ||
| Napkins | ||
| Aromat | ||
| Cornflex | ||
| Liquid milk | ||
| Washing soap |
This 8 Days Rwenzori Mountains hiking trip – Central Circuit with Margherita peakcan be customized to suit your interests when you contact our expert Uganda safari team. contact us.
Your Might Also Reach Us on; Email Address: tours@wildjungletrails.com Tel No: (+256)-777-690-798 Or Office No: (+256)-414-663-115
Accommodation facilities on the trip itinerary are subject to availability and could lead to slight change in prices.
7 – 8 Days trek central cercuit with margharita peak ascent
Foreign non residents $1365, Foreign residents $1200, Ugandans $550
6-7 days trekcentral circuit only
Foreign non residents $1100, Foreign residents $1000, Ugandans $450
5-6 Days trek to bujuku camp 3977m
Foreign non residents $900, Foreign residents $800, Ugandans $350
3-4 Days trek to Johnmaate camp 3505m
Foreign non residents $640, Foreign residents $500, Ugandans $220
2 days trek to nyabitaba camp 2651m (one night)
Foreign non residents $254, Foreign residents $220, Ugandans $100
1 day trek to and from
Foreign non residents $135, Foreign residents $115, Ugandans $20, Extra peak $130, Extra day $120
This 8 Days Rwenzori Mountains hiking trip – Central Circuit with Margherita peak can be customized to suit your interests when you contact our expert Uganda safari team.. contact us.
Your Might Also Reach Us on; Email Address: tours@wildjungletrails.com Tel No: (+256)-777-690-798 Or Office No: (+256)-414-663-115
Accommodation facilities on the trip itinerary are subject to availability and could lead to slight change in prices.
This 8 Days Rwenzori Mountains hiking trip – Central Circuit with Margherita peak can be customized to suit your interests when you contact our expert Uganda safari team.. contact us.
Your Might Also Reach Us on; Email Address: tours@wildjungletrails.com Tel No: (+256)-777-690-798 Or Office No: (+256)-414-663-115
Accommodation facilities on the trip itinerary are subject to availability and could lead to slight change in prices.
