5-Day Rwenzori Hiking to Margherita Peak Central Trail

• A transfer from the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Kasese to Rwenzori mountains gate and hike to nyabitaba camp 2651m asl

Your 5 Days Rwenzori hiking Via the Central Circuit Trail will start at the Rwenzori Mountains National park Mihunga gate at about 1.615m Asl. Your Bujuku Eco Tours driver guide will drive you to Mihunga for the trip briefing and organising your equipment.
The trail begins by passing through farmland to the park boundary beyond which it follows a thick forest along the Mubuku River, crossing its Mahoma River tributary before starting a long, steep climb up onto a massive ridge to reach Nyabitaba hut. During this part of the trip you may hear chimpanzee and see black and white colobus, blue monkey and the brilliantly coloured Rwenzori turraco.
Hike duration: 6 -7 hours. Elevation height: 1,036m Distance: 7km.

Main Destination:

Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range, Uganda)

Accommodation:

Nyabitaba Hut

• Budget mountain hut located in Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Nyabitaba to John matte camp 3505m asl

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 Nyamuleju 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.
Hike duration: 7 – 8 hours. Elevation height: 854m Distance: 11km
Dinner and overnight at John Matte hut.

Main Destination:

Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range, Uganda)

Accommodation:

John Matte Hut

• Budget mountain hut located in Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

John matte to lake Bujukuand Elena camp 4541m asl

Depart John Maate camp with an aim of making it to Elena camp to prepare for your summit of Mount Stanley Margherita peak 5,109m asl.
Cross the Lower Bigo bog before climbing a narrow section to the upper Bigo bog.
Continue to the Omukendeghe shelter for a rest before continuing through the Lake Bujuku valley bog.
Climb westwards towards Elena hut crossing the route to Kitandara camp from Bujuku camp.
Here you will enter the Afro alpine zone climbing through rocky sections before reaching the cold Elena camp at 4,541m asl for an overnight.
Dinner and overnight at Elena hut.
Hike duration: 6 – 8 hours. Elevation height: 1,036m.

Main Destination:

Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range, Uganda)

Accommodation:

Elena Hut

• Budget mountain hut located in Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Ascend Elena hut to margherita peak 5109m asl and back to John matte 3505m asl

Very early in the morning, you attempt climbing the highest peak, Margherita of Mount Stanley. To reach the summit of Margherita, the climb takes about 4 -5 hours depending on the weather conditions and the pace of climbing this mountain covering a distance of 2.5km to 3.5km.
This tough walk takes you over three glaciers, slippery rock, ice and very exposed areas which are open on many sides. 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 Rwenzori mountains. The Descend from Margherita peak back to Elena Hut will take you about 2 – 3hours. Distance: 3km
After your lunch at Elena hut, descend to the Scott-Elliot pass (4372m asl.), where there are spectacular views of Bujuku Lake and Mount Speke.
Proceed downwards to Lake Bujuku continuing the descend down to John Maate camp for an overnight.
Descend duration: 3 – 5 hours.

Main Destination:

Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range, Uganda)

Accommodation:

John Matte Hut

• Budget mountain hut located in Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Descend John matte to Mihunga gate and exit

Wake up and enjoy your morning breakfast and after, start the descend to Mihunga gate.
From John Matte descend on the same trail to Nyabitaba Camp for your lunch. This will take about 4 – 5 hours.

After your lunch, descend back to Mihunga gate for either an overnight at your hotel in Kasese town.
Descent duration: 2 – 3 hours.

Main Destination:

Kasese (Town, Uganda)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• A transfer back to the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.