Itinerary
Explore the Portal Peaks of Mountains of the moon while on an amazing rwenzori trekking tour with Experts from Rwenzori Expeditions the leading commission agents in tailoring and booking Rwenzori Tours. This amazing trip to Rwenzori is recommended to adventurers not tourists since it includes some extra wild camping.
Day 1 : Arrival at Entebbe international Airport
Upon arrival at the airport , you will be welcomed by the experienced tour guide of Primate Safari Experiences and transfer from the airport to kasese at your accommodation Dinner and overnight Equator Snow Lodge ( Luxury) Ruboni Community Camp ( Budget) .
Day 2: Nyakalengija (1615 m) – Nyabitaba Hut (2651 m)
On this 15 Days Rwenzori Mountaineering we are using Central Circuit that is managed by Rwenzori Mountaineering Services. You should arrive in the morning to allow ample time to rent equipment and meet your guides and porters. The trail begins by passing through farmland to the park boundary beyond which it follows the Mubuku River, crossing its Mahoma tributary before starting a long, steep climb up onto a massive ridge to reach Nyabitaba hut.
The hike takes around 5–6 hours. During this part of the trip you may hear chimpanzee and see black and white colobus, blue monkey and the brilliantly coloured Rwenzori turaco.
Day 3: Nyabitaba Hut (2651 m) – Mubuku River (2600 m) John Matte Hut (3380 m)
From Nyabitaba 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. From the Nyamileju rock shelter, Mount Stanley and Mount Speke can be seen before passing into the zone of the giant heather, lobelia and groundsel. Finally reach John Matte Hut after passing through the tiring bog, for Dinner and Overnight at the Hut. The hike takes around 6–7 hours.
Day 4 John Matte (3380 m) to Bujuku (3962 m)
From John Matte Hut the trail drops down to cross the Bujuku River and enters Lower Bigo Bog, the home of giant lobelias. Jumping from tussock to tussock, the bog is finally crossed but rarely without the feet sampling some of the freezing ooze below. The Upper Bigo bog gives way to Bujuku Lake, with views of Mt Baker to the South and Mt Stanley to the West. Bujuku Hut, well located in the shadow of Mount Baker and Mount Speke, is set in a narrow valley below Stuhlmann Pass. Dinner and overnight at Bujuku hut.The hike takes around 5–6 hours.
Day 5 Bujuku (3977 m) to Elena Hut (4541 m)
Leaving Bujuku, the trail takes you through more bog, while climbing the steep slopes west of the lake and through the magical Groundsel Gully as it ascends to Scott-Elliot Pass at 4372m. At the 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 Hut and Mount Stanley on a steep trail over large boulders, while the trail on your left leads to Scott- Elliot Pass and down to Kitandara Lakes the trail on he left leads those who are not climbing Margherita Peak to Kitandara Hut. Those climbing the peak will have their Dinner and Overnight at the coolly and Icy Elena Hut. The hike takes around 4–5 hours.
Day 6: Elena Hut (4541 m) to Margherita peak– Around Hunwick's
For those aiming at reaching Margherita peak (5109 m), continue to the base of the Stanley Glacier. To reach the summit of Margherita, the climb takes about 5–7 hours depending on the weather conditions and the pace of climbing this mountain.
This tough walk takes you over three glaciers, slippery rock, ice and very exposed areas which are open on many sides. Note that this climb is for only physically fit and technical climbers. Climbing on to the glaciers, cross the Stanley Plateau and proceed with the ascent. Acclimatized to fog, altitude sickness and coolly weather, scramble up to the summit of Margherita the highest peak of the Rwenzoris.
Given the high altitude and the tough conditions even if you do not reach the peak, don’t get disappointed. Accommodation will be around Hunwick Camping.
Day 7: Around Huniwick Camping to Bugata Rock Shelter Camping
Day 8 & 9 (Polish peaks) – Bugata Rock Shelter to Tatra Peak (4560 m) and Bernardzikiewicz Peak (4550 m). These are unique Picks and they were named by people from Poland. This is among the key peaks that make 15 days amazing rwenzori tour as you camp in the wild!
Day 10 : Bugata Camp to Kitandara Lakes Camp.
After Morning Breakfast , you will proceed to descend down to Kitandara Lake Camp where you will enjoy the scenic view of lake Kitandara which is among the very exciting crater lakes that are found within Rwenzori Mountains national Park via the rwenzori Central Circuit. Dinner and overnight at Kitandara Lake Camp.
Day 11: Kitandara to Fresh field 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 12: Guy Yeoman Camp to Nyabitaba Hut.
You will take a relaxed walk from Guy Yeoman to Nyabitaba Hut and this is the last lovely night in the slopes of Rwenzori Mountains with experts of Mountains. Dinner and overnight at Nyabitaba Hut.
Day 13: Nyabitaba Hut to Nyakalengija .
You will proceed to descend after morning breakfast and arrive at the base where you will find the safari guide ready to transfer you to Kibale forest national Park for a fresh feel of the primates in the wilderness of Kibale Forest National Park. Dinner and overnight at Isunga Safari Lodge or Chimpundu Lodge .
Day 14: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest National Park
You will wake up at leisure and enjoy the morning breath of the jungle as you prepare for the afternoon Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest national Park that is a home to 13 primates! After Chimpanzee tracking , you will transfer to Emburara Farm which will reward you with the cultural experience of the Ankole at Emburara Farm Lodge.
Day 15: Transfer to the Airport For flight back home.
You will have the morning cultural experience at the lodge and start on the drive back to Kampala with lunch enroute with stop over at Equator before transfer to Entebbe Airport for the flight back home.