Itinerary
Day 1 Nyakalengija to Nyabitaba
Your trek departs from Nyakalengija at approximately 9:00-9:30 am, meet with your hiker guide, porters for your 6 days Rwenzori trek to Weismann peak, before setting off on foot to Rwenzori Mountains National Park’s Main gate, to begin with your central circuit trekking adventure.
Today’s walk is approximately 8km, which may take about 5-7 hours to reach the first hut of Nyabitaba at 2651m.
Day 2 Nyabitaba to John Matte
After an early morning breakfast, you will follow the trail from Nyabitabba to John Matte, Cross over Kurt Schuffer, lying between Bujuku and Mubuku river, after which you will continue trekking over slippery moss covered and steep rocks a longside bamboo mixed with montane forest. The forest contains various bird species that you may spot as you trek through the forest, continuing upto Nyamileju rock shelter, where you will have your lunch break. Enjoy remarkable views of mount Stanley and speke(only on a clear day). Proceed to john Matte hut through the alpine forest, arriving at the at the hut in the afternoon for dinner, next day’s briefing and an overnight stay.
Day 3 John Matte to Bujuku hut
After an early morning breakfast, you will cross the Bujuku river to the bigo bog region. Follow the steep path to the upper biogo bog, after which you will reach the drier ground up to Lake bujuku. Enjoy the beautiful views of Mount Stanley to the west, Mount Baker to the south and speke to the North. Arrive at Bujuku camp at 3962m, after 4-5 hour walk. Dinner, next day briefing and an overnight stay.
Day 4 Bujuku Hut to Mount Speke Summit to Bujuku
Climbing to the summit of Mount Speke-Vitorio Emanuela is quite challenge, which will frequently require the use of the hands when hiking some parts which requires much attention, as well as ropes and crampons during the ascent and descent.
After Breakfast, you will start hiking along the 20m long rocky ramp, which is slightly stepped and blocked by the roots of the trees, after then , head on for the second critical point of rock crossing of the 3rd degree which is quite exposed. All trekkers at this this point are required to use the ropes during the ascent and descent because it is dangerous to fall from this point. Proceed to the highest point of the trekking where glacier begins which is quite easy to cross over, after then, continue with a short trek through a small rocky surface to the peak.
You will be allowed to spend quality time at the summit, as well as having lunch at the summit. After here, begin descending to Bujuku Hut, though it is highly challenging and difficult for non experts.
However, the use of ropes and crampons is a must for those hiking Mount Speke, since most parts of the trail requires much attention as it is very messy and could be slippery.
Dinner and overnight stay at Bujuku Camp
Day 5 Bujuku Camp to Elena
On this day, you will trek for about 6-7 hours from Bujuku hut to Elena hut. Since the hut is situated within the cold, rocky region of mount Stanley, you will pass via the upper bigo bog, and then through the steep slopes of Lake Bujuku to the West as you ascend to the 4372m Scott-Elliot pass. Proceed through several swamps as well as the beautiful ground gully. Walk through the steep sections above the gully by using a metal ladder reaching a junction with two divided trails, whereby the right trail heads to the Elena Hut, rising through a steep trail above the large boulders to Mount Stanley otherwise the left trail heads to the Scott-Eliiot pass as you descend to Kitandara hut. Arrive at Elena hut in the afternoon, and enjoy the breath views of Mount Baker and Mount Speke, which is sometimes hard to see due to fog. Dinner and an overnight at the hut.
Day 6 Elena hut to Magherita peak to Kitandara
You will wake up at 2:00am, enjoy your breakfast, and embark on your hike to the top of Magheritah peak starting from 3:00am. Hike through the Stanley plateau to the top of Mount Stanley. While using ropes, you will hike through the steep rocky regions, as well as crampons and the ice ax on the glacial axe- as directed by the guide. This may last for a couple of hours, after which you will arrive at the bottom of magheritah glacier-the most challenging part of the 7 days Rwenzori central circuit trekking experience. Proceed to the top of the peak of Mount Stanley (Magheritah Peak) at 5107m.
While at the peak, enjoy the impressive views of Lake Ireen, Mount Speke and the surrounding environment, after then descend Elena hut for lunch and later continue with your trek to Kitandara, through the Scott Elliot pass (also considered as the most beautiful spot of Rwenzori). Dinner and an overnight at Kitandara hut.
However, depending on your group’s strength, you may opt to spend a nother night at Elena Hut, and continue the next day to Kitandara then to Guy Yeoman.
Day 7 Kitandara to Freshfield pass to Guy Yeoman
After an early morning breakfast, spend your entire 6-8 hours’ trekking along the base of mount baker which is quite slippery. Ascend steeply up the headwall, that spreads from the base of Mount baker, as you proceed towards the southern side of Mountain Rwenzori to the Fresh field pass. Continue with the long stretch of the muddy trail, trekking through the Kabamba, Akhendahi and rock shelters of Bujongolo-the base camp for the historic expeditions by Duke of Abruzzi in 1906. Proceed with your trek along the Kabamba trail and later arrive at Guy Yeoman, which is established at the banks of river mubuku. Dinner and overnight at the hut.
Day 8 Guy Yeoman to Nyabitaba to Nyakalengija
On this last day of your 19 days Rwenzori hike, wildlife and primate experience you will descend to Nyabitaba hut, after your early morning breakfast passing through the Bamboo forest. You enjoy great sightings of beautiful flowers and plants, bamboo forests and Kinchuchu and Mubuku Rivers, not forgetting the Kabamba falls. Arrive at Nyabitabba hut after a 4 hours’ trek, after which you will briefly spend 40 minutes visiting Lake mahoma. Return to the hut after Lake Mahoma exploration and embark on your trek to Nyakalengijja where you will meet your guide to transfer you to Queen Elizabeth National Park
