Rwenzori Hike to Margherita

10days Mountain Rwenzori Hike to Margherita Summit

$3150-5200 USD

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Safari summary

Starting from Entebbe to 5,109m, 120km length, Mountain Rwenzori also known as the ‘Mountains of the Moon’ in Western Uganda along the Uganda-Congo border. The permanently snow-capped peaks are among the highest range mountains in Africa. The Rwenzori Mountains offer a stunning view of glaciers and landscapes. The central circuit is the main trail up the Ruwenzori Mountains. The circuit offers the opportunity to see the peaks and glaciers of Mount Speke, Mount Stanley, Mount Luigi di Savoia and Mount Baker up close, then fly back home.

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	Queen Elizabeth

Fine details

Safari highlights

Hiking | trekking

What’s included?

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

What’s not included?

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

Itinerary

Day 1

Upon arrival we are met by a ikiya primate safari representative. We are transferred to our hotel for a pre-briefing. Later dine and spend the night at papyrus Guest House

papyrus Guest House

Day 2

After breakfast we drive to the western part of the country through central Uganda. It is a 5 to 6 hour long drive. We arrive just in time for a late lunch in one of Fort Portal Restaurants. The town is the centre of Uganda’s tea growing area. After lunch, we have time to take a stroll through arguably the prettiest town in Uganda. Later we drive to Kasese for dinner and overnight at Hotel Margherita.

Hotel Margherita

Day3

The climbing adventure starts today on Rwwenzori. after breakfast, we drive to Ruwenzori Mountaineering Services-RMS and UWA for a detailed briefing at Nyakalengija, we start our hike through the plantations and homes of the Bakonjo, the people of the mountain. We then follow the Mobuku River, cross the Mahoma River, pass through an open bracken fern slopes and Podorcarpus Forest, up to Nyabitaba Hut (2.652m). This will take about 5 to 6 hours. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the hut.

Nyabitaba Hut

Day 4

From Nyabitaba Hut, we cross the Kurt Shaffer Bridge through a muddy area. Then the trail climbs up through the bamboo forest. We reach a steep rocky area, which leads to Nyamuleju Hut. This point marks the start of the giant lobelia and groundsel zone. The way proceeds through a swampy area along the Bujuku River full of plants. After a 6 hour hike we arrive at John Matte Hut, (3.414m) for dinner and overnight stay.

John Matte Hut

Day 5

From John Matte Hut we cross the Bujuku River and enter the lower Bigo bog, a grassy bog where we jump from tussock to tussock. Upon reaching Bigo Hut, we enter the upper Bigo bog and proceed to Lake Bujuku, where the alpine savannah zone starts. At the southern end of Lake Bujuku is a sighting with Mt Baker in the South, Mt Speke in the North and Mt Stanley in the west. We finally arrive at Bujuku Hut (3.962m). Today’s hike can take up to 5 hours. Dinner and overnight

Bujuku Hut

Day 6

From Bujuku Hut we go through moss draped groundsel vegetation to Scott Elliot Pass, (4.372m) between Mt. Baker and Mt. Stanley. Hiking to the highest point in the Rwenzoris (Margherita 5109m) making Elena Hut the base. It takes 3-4 hours from Bujuku Hut and 2km off the central circuit trail.

Elena Hut

Day 7

We continue our hike to Kitandara Hut on the shores of Kitandara lakes. We spend the day on leisure hikes along the scenic Lake shores with beautiful views over the Congo and her famous tropical forests. Dinner and overnight will be at the Kitandara hut.

Kitandara Hut

Day 8

From Lake Kitandara we climb to Freshfield Pass, (4.282m), a long flat area of high alpine mossy glades, before descending the circuit among rocky and boggy areas. The panorama is dominated by the glaciers of Mt Stanley and Mt Baker. A muddy trail leads to Akendahi, Bujongolo and Kabamba rock shelters, where the Kabamba valley starts down to Guy Yeoman Hut, (3.261m). Dinner and overnight stay.

Guy Yeoman Hut

Day 9

After breakfast, start our long and final descend at 6.00 am. First we tackle a steep descend down a valley to Kichuchu rock shelter. The trail is difficult and muddy in some spots therefore we need to help each other descend slowly. Finally, we reach the bamboo forest and a tussock grass bog, before we cross the Mahoma River and other two minor streams. We are back in the tropical forest and follow the ridge down to Nyabitaba Hut (5 hours). Dinner and Overnight stay.

Nyabitaba Hut

Day 10

We continue our hike which will take us another 2 to 3 hours and we reach Nyakalenjija where our car is waiting to take us to Ihamba Safari Lodge soon after a short farewell ceremony with our crew. Dinner and Overnight stay will be at the lodge.

Ihamba Safari Lodge