8 Days mountain Rwenzori hiking tour
8 Days mountain Rwenzori hiking tour :Uganda hiking safari Central circuit safari takes 7-8 days hiking to the summit Margarita peak. Hiking Mountain Rwenzori is one of the challenging experiences of hiking in Uganda and visitors are advised to be prepared to be able to reach the summit. Visitors must be physically fit and in good health. On this trip, you will have large extent of adjustments on the mountain by the trekkers through joining longer routes and stretches. Within the 8 days, you will enjoy the various attractions that the park has to offer
Highlight of the itinerary
- Day 1; Transfer to Kasese
- Day 2: Climb from Nyakalengija to Nyabitaba hut
- Day 3: Climb to John Matte hut (3,503m)
- Day 4: Climb to Bujuku Hut (3,962 m):
- Day 5: Climb from Bujuku to Kitandara (4,023m)
- Day 6; Climb to the Summit Margherita (5,109m)
- Day 7: Climb Mt Stanley to Guy Yeoman Hut (3,260m)
- Day 8: Connect to Nyakalengija/Kampala
Detailed itinerary
Day 1; Transfer to Kasese
Depending on your location in Kampala/Entebbe, you will meet your safari driver guide to transfer to South Western part of Uganda through the beautiful scenery of the countryside and its people. It takes about 6 to 7 hours driving via Mityana-Mubende road. Arrive in Fort portal and stop for lunch at one of the best restaurants in town, thereafter, proceed driving to Kasese close to Mountain Rwenzori national park foothills at your accommodations where you will have your dinner and overnight stay at Ruboni Community Banda for budget/Hotel Margarita for mid-range/Equator Snow Lodge for Luxury
Day 2: Climb from Nyakalengija to Nyabitaba hut
Have breakfast and then drive to Nyakalengija trailhead which is at a height of 1648m at the park headquarters where you will meet your ranger guides and porters for a briefing about the hike. The hike usually starts at 8 am through the foothills of the mountain, following the River Mubuku through the bamboo forest, rock and bluffs. Cross the Mahoma River and climb steeply through break fern slopes and podocarpus forest to Nyabitaba Hut which is about 2,651 meters high for overnight. Expect to see some primates including the Blue monkeys, Colobus monkeys and the Rwenzori Turaco
Day 3: Climb to John Matte hut (3,503m)
From Nyabitaba hut, after taking a hot cup of tea, 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 for some hours. Proceed to the Nyamileju rock shelter where you will have sights of Mount Stanley and Mount Speke into the zone of the giant heather, lobelia and groundsel. You will reach John Matte Hut after passing through the tiring bog, for Dinner and Overnight at the John Matte Hut. While here, you will enjoy the views of Margherita glaciers.
Day 4: Climb to Bujuku Hut (3,962 m):
On this fouth day of the hike, wake up with a cup of Coffee at the hut site, walk across from the John Matte Hut to cross to the Bujuku River to the upper Bigo Bog which gives the real experience of jumping and cross the Bujuku Lake, have a lunch break at a beautiful narrow stream with views of Mt Baker to the South and Mt Stanley to the west and Mount Speke in the north. Retire form the hike at Bujuku hut for dinner and overnight stay
Day 5: Climb from Bujuku to Kitandara
After breakfast, leaving Bujuku hut and connect to the newer trail that raises and falls twice before climbing the steep slopes west of the lake, passing through the magical Groundsels Gully as it ascends to Scott-Elliot Pass at 4,372m. While at the steepest section, there is a short ladder that leads to Elena Hut at 4,430m. You will continue a few steps below the pass to a sheltered spot for a good break before the Elena Hut and Mount Stanley on a steep trail over large boulders. This is a base camp to climb to Margherita peak and requires an extra day. The left path leads to Scott. Elliot passes and down to Kitandara Lakes.
Day 6: Climb to the Summit Margherita
For those interested in reaching the Margherita peaks at 5,109m, continue to the base of the Stanley Glacier to reach the Margarita peak. This hike will take 4 to 7 hours to the summit of Margherita depending on the weather conditions and the climbing pace. This is a tough walk taking you to over three glaciers, slippery rock, Ice and very exposed areas. It is only for the physically fit and is a technical climb which requires roping up, crampons and appropriate equipment for cold, windy and icy conditions walking. It is best to attempt the final climb in a minimum group of 4- two climbers and two guides; climb on to the glacier, cross the Stanley Plateau and proceed with the ascent.
Start to descend, returning to Scott- Elliot pass with incredible views back to Bujuku lake and Mount Speke down to Kitandara Lakes. After the trail, pass via an alpine zone of sparse vegetation and connect to Kitandara Hut for dinner and overnight.
Day 7: Climb Mt Stanley to Guy Yeoman Hut (3,260m)
From Kitandara hut, the trail ascends steeply up the headwall, spreading out from the base of Mount Baker and continuing along the south side of the mountain 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. At this level, you will view into Congo to the west and Mount Stanley to the north. Overnight at the hut
Day 8: Connect to Nyakalengija/Kampala (2,650m)
After breakafts, continue to descend down the mountain, 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. Have lunch at Nyabitaba then proceed to Nyakalengija about 3 hours. Nyabitaba starts the 40 minutes trial to see Lake Mahoma and back to the hut for descending to the Park Head Quarters where you will connect with your driver / guide and transfer back to Kampala or your Lodge in Kasese marking the end of your Rwenzori Hiking central circuit trail.
End of 8 Days mountain Rwenzori hiking tour
