Mt Rwenzori Hike, Margherita

Safari summary

This Adventure takes place at Mt Rwenzori National Park on the Rwenzori Ranges; to engage in this activity you can either start and end in Kampala, Uganda or Kigali Rwanda with a night stay in Kasese before kicking off with the Mountain Climbing Excursion the following over the steep slopes of the Rwenzori Ranges.

The Margherita Peak, standing at 5109M on the rugged side of Mount Stanley, is the highest peak of the snowcapped Mt Rwenzori. Mt Rwenzori, is actually the highest Mountain, there’s in Uganda but the 3rd highest in Africa after Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and Mount Kenya in Kenya. The Rwenzori ranges stretch from Lake Albert, to Lake Edward and continue to the south of Uganda Congo border.
The climb to the peak of Mt Rwenzori, Margherita can be covered between 6 and 7 days depending on one’s trekking ability and speed.

Mountain Rwenzori was first climbed by the early European Explorers; Samuel Baker in 1864 calling them “The Blue Mountain” and Henry M Stanley in 1875and 1888 who later referred to them as the “Ruwenzori for Rain Maker”. They later visited by Luigi Amedeo Abruzzi in1906 - Duke of Abruzzi, JPetigax, J Brocherel and C Ollier who climbed up to the top of the Margherita Peak, which was actually named after Margherita, The Queen of Italy at that time.

The hike to the top of the Margherita Peak, is quite challenging as it requires one to trail over the rugged slippery glacier slopes of the Rwenzori Ranges; this surely is not an activity for the faint hearted, you must have strong determination to engage in the hike to the highest peak of Mount Rwenzori; hat rests within the clouds.

The day you set off for this Expedition, you report to the Rwenzori Mountaineering Services Offices at 7:00AM; register and engage in morning briefing, receive porter for your backpack, hiking sticks and later embark of this amazing Adventure.
This hike runs through series of vegetation types; usually kicks off from the bushes and elephant grass at the Nyakalengija gate, ascends to the shrubs and forest around the Mubuku and Bujuku rivers’ confluence, at this point, is the Swampy vegetation around the Bigobog swamp. After crossing the Bujuku, the trail continues to Elena Hut at 4541M with limited vegetation. At this point, you are about 568M away from The Margheriata Peak.
Here, are two trails that’s the left trail going through Scott Elliot and Lake Kitandara and the right route of the rugged slippery southern part of Mount Stanley - yet the most rewarding route with clear views of Mount Baker and Mount Speke. After hiking for several hours, you will get to the Margherita Peak; rewarding you with beautiful views Mt Speke, Lake Ireen. This is now the coldest spot of the Mt The Rwenzori Ranges. After hitting the top of Margherita Peak, you descend back to the Elena Hut, Lake Kitandara, Hut Guy Yeom, proceed to Nyabitaba and finally the Nyakalengija – the Mountain Base.
You will head straight to the Uganda Wildlife Authority for rollcall and Certificate of Participation, later, meet your tour guide for the transfer to your next destination like Kasese, Kampala or even Kigali accordingly.
This is usually covered in the period of 7 Days. However, there are also shorter trips of 1 Day hike,3 and 4 or 5 Days hikes without reaching the Margherita Peak but reach Mount Stanley, Mount Speke and Baker a few to mention.

To Mountain Climbing lovers, this is a must visit site!

About this tour

	Tour type	Custom, tailor-made, private
	Main focus	Hiking | trekking
	Activity level	Strenuous activity
	Best months	January, February, June, July, August, December
	Countries	Uganda
	Parks

Fine details

Safari highlights

• Bird watching—with professional guide
• Hiking | trekking
• Volunteer—culture, environment or wildlife

What’s included?

• Accommodation
• Airport transfers
• All drinks
• Meals
• Park fees
• Private vehicle and driver

What’s not included?

• Alcoholic beverages
• All drinks
• Hot air balloons
• Internal flights
• International flights
• Laundry
• Premium alcoholic beverages
• Spa treatments
• Tips and gratuities
• Visas