Mount Rwenzoris must be explored on foot which means you must be physically fitness and used to endurance activities. Margherita peak has recently been reclassified as a technical climb and although you don’t need to be an expert climber in winter conditions, some experience is recommended.
A good variety of treks, from one to twelve days, are available to suit different interests from ‘peak baggers’ to birders keen to trace the region’s endemic species.
Routes can also be extended where necessary for private groups to provide more opportunity to acclimatize to the altitude or to simply enjoy the peace, seclusion and beauty of the mountains.
Two trekking circuits provide access to the Rwenzori’s peaks: the Central Circuit out of Nyakalengija and the Southern Circuit out of Kilembe. While the Southern Circuit was the route first followed (largely) by Professor Scott Elliott in 1895, it is the central circuit, pioneered by Luigi di Savoia in 1906, that for many years provided the only access to the mountains.
At Boma hills, we only organize treks for the Northern Circuit. This is because it provides the most intense and impressive experience of almost unbelievable landscapes. This central circuit provides some longer routes that benefit acclimatization (and the overall experience).
Day 1: Arrivaland Transfer to Hotel.
On arrival our team will warmly welcome you and pick you from the Airport and transfer you to your hotel in Entebbe.
Day 2: A drive to the Rwenzori Mountains.
In the morning after breakfast at 8:00am, you will embark on a 5 hour drive to the western part of the country at the slopes of Mountain Rwenzori. You will pass through tea estates before getting to Fort Portal town. On arrival, you will have lunch at Gardens Restaurant and later at 3:00pm proceed to Rwenzori Mountains for the night.
Day 3: Transfer to Nyakalengija (1615m) and Hike to Nyabitaba Hut (2651m).
You will have your breakfast as there is a check on the supplies, hiking gears and equipment with the guides, potters and chefs. After that, you will head over to the Uganda wildlife Authority in the Rwenzori park gate for some briefing before we officially begin the hike by passing through farmland to the park boundary, which follows along the Mubuku River. You will cross the Mahoma tributary before starting a long, steep ascent onto a giant ridge until you reach Nyabitaba Hut at 2651m. During this part of the trail, you will pass in the grass land, Montana forest zone and hither which are tropical rain forests and on the right hand side you will see Portal peaks. If you are lucky, you will hear chimpanzee calls and to catch a glimpse of the Black and White Colobus monkeys, Blue monkeys, the brilliant RwenzoriTuraco as well as the different species of chameleons including the most attractive one with 3 horns. (Approximate hiking time: 5-6 hours).
After this, you will have lunch and spend the night in the hut.
Day 4: Nyabitaba camp 2651m – Johnmaate camp 3505m
You will continue ascendingearly in the morning and cross the confluence of the Mubuku and Bujuku rivers by Kurtshuffer Bridge, climbing and descending through bamboo Forest to Johnmaate camp 3505m.
Here,the afternoon sun often brings a tantalizing glimpse of gold struck Margherita and Alexanderia peaks where you will enjoy seeing the snows and spend the night.
Day 5: Johnmaate camp 3505m – Bujuku camp 3900m.
Breathtaking views down the valley start your day and five hours of difficult boggy but rewarding conditions will see you through the bigo bogs and passing to the aerial beauty of Lake Bujuku. It’s a black cold and still body of water overlooked by the Bujuku camp at 3900m where you will spend the night.
Day 6: Resting at Bujuku camp.
The afternoon walk up to the Stuhlmanspass, will reward you with breathtaking views of the Congolese homesteads, Mount speke,Mount Stanley Mount Baker and you will also enjoy the panoramic view of the Bujuku valley.
It was called Stuhlmans pass because he discovered that Rwenzori is not a single mountain but a range and he was also the first European to describe accurately the successive zones of vegetation from the foothills to the snowline.
After this, you will head back to Bujuku for dinner and an overnight.
Day 7: Bujuku camp 3900m – Elena camp 4500m
From bujuku, climb a head of the gully a metal ladder takes you over a steep section after which the trail is divided into two. The trail on your right leads up to Elena camp and Mount Stanley on a steep trail over large boulders, while the trail on your left leads to scot-eliot pass and down to kitandara beautiful lakes for those who are not Climbing margharita peak to kitandara lakes camp 4027m.
Dinner and overnight stay at Elena camp.
Day 8: Elena camp – Margaret peak 5109m.
You will wake up early with your guide for a more difficult day of traversing more boulders and steep slopping rock followed by an easier but still challenging (remember the attitude) trudge in crampons along the Stanley plateau before the final ascent leading up to the summit. You will thereafter descend back carefully to Elena camp for dinner and overnight again.
Day 9: Elena camp – Lake kitandara camp 4027m.
After breakfast, you will descend down to Scott Elliot pass and continue through the afro alpine zone to Kandara Lakes camp.
It’s a four hours walk.
Day 10: Kitandara lakes camp – Guyeoman camp.
A thigh bursting climbs but worthy doing leads you to fresh field pass and is rewarded with fabulous views of Lake kitandara and the DR.congo.
The Mubuku valley leads you on a visually stunning descent to Guyeoman camp 3505m.
Day 11: Guyeoman camp to Nyabitaba and down to Nyakalengija.
On your final day (where all you can think of is a hot shower), you will have a much longer walk through the bogs and bamboo forest before proceeding to your second glimpse of Nyabitaba and also having a brief cup of coffee and lunch. Thereafter, you will continue down to Nyakalengija for transfer by the tour driver. You arrive in mid afternoon, exhausted but with a smile and memories that won’t wash off with the dirt and tiredness in your hot shower.
Day 12: Drive back to Entebbe from Lake Bunyonyi Island.
You will depart after breakfast for Entebbe town with a stopover at Mbarara town for lunch and at the Equator for Photos, crafts and water.
Day 13: Fly Home.
Max Guest per Tour:
Age: Adults and Children
Tour Location: Uganda
Language: English, Kiswahili and Luganda.
