9-Day Rwenzori Central Circuit Trek with Margherita Peak

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Transfer from entebbe airport to Kasese

Upon arrival or after breakfast in Entebbe, meet your Ngoni Safaris driver-guide and begin the scenic journey towards Kasese in western Uganda.

The drive takes you through Uganda’s beautiful countryside, passing traditional villages, plantations and rolling hills. There will be stops along the way for refreshments and lunch.

Continue to the Kasese area and check in at Kikorongo Safari Lodge, conveniently located near Queen Elizabeth National Park and within comfortable reach of the Rwenzori Mountains. Spend the evening relaxing and preparing for the trekking adventure ahead.

Main Destination:

Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Accommodation:

Kikorongo Safari Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located outside Queen Elizabeth NP

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Meals & Drinks:

• Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Nyakalengija to Nyabitaba Camp

Transfer from Kikorongo Safari Lodge to Nyakalengija,
Starting altitude: Approximately 1,650 metres
Overnight altitude: Approximately 2,650 metres
Trekking distance: Approximately 7 kilometres
Trekking time: 5–6 hours
Your Rwenzori adventure begins at Nyakalengija, where you will complete registration and meet your mountain guides, porters and chef. There will also be an opportunity to check your trekking equipment and hire any additional gear you may require. The hike begins near the national park entrance and passes through local farmland before entering the dense montane forest. The trail continues through tall elephant grass, thick vegetation and beautiful forest scenery.
You will cross the Mahoma River and climb steadily towards Nyabitaba Camp. Along the way, look out for black-and-white colobus monkeys, three-horned chameleons and colourful Rwenzori turacos.

After arriving at the camp, you will enjoy dinner and settle in for your first night in the Mountains of the Moon.

Main Destination:

Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Accommodation:

Nyabitaba Hut

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

Meals & Drinks:

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

Nyabitaba Camp to John Matte Camp

Starting altitude: Approximately 2,650 metres
Overnight altitude: Approximately 3,505 metres
Trekking time: Approximately 6–8 hours

After breakfast, descend through the forest towards the Kurt Shafer Bridge, located close to the meeting point of the Mubuku and Bujuku rivers. The trail initially provides relatively comfortable walking before entering the bamboo forest. As you climb higher, the terrain becomes steeper, wetter and more demanding. You will negotiate moss-covered rocks, exposed roots and slippery sections of the trail.

From Nyamileju Rock Shelter, weather permitting, you may enjoy magnificent views of Mount Stanley and Mount Speke. The landscape gradually changes as you enter the giant heather zone, where enormous lobelias, groundsels and other unusual Afro-alpine plants dominate the scenery.

The final section crosses a challenging bog before reaching John Matte Camp. On a clear evening, the camp provides beautiful views of Mount Stanley and the distant glaciers.

Main Destination:

Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Accommodation:

John Matte Hut

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

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

John Matte Camp to Bujuku Camp

Starting altitude: Approximately 3,505 metres
Overnight altitude: Approximately 3,900 metres
Trekking time: Approximately 5–7 hours

Today’s journey begins with a descent to the Bujuku River before entering the Lower Bigo Bog. This wetland is surrounded by giant lobelias and is one of the most remarkable landscapes in the Rwenzori Mountains. Wooden walkways cover some sections, but trekkers should still expect mud, water and slippery ground. The route continues through the Upper Bigo Bog and follows the Bujuku River, which occasionally disappears beneath the ground.

As you approach Lake Bujuku, enjoy impressive views of Mount Baker to the south, Mount Stanley to the west and Mount Speke to the north. Bujuku Camp is positioned in a narrow glacial valley beneath Stuhlmann Pass and surrounded by some of the Rwenzori’s most dramatic peaks.

Main Destination:

Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Accommodation:

Bujuku Hut

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

Meals & Drinks:

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

Bujuku Camp to Elena Hut

Starting altitude: Approximately 3,900 metres
Overnight altitude: Approximately 4,541 metres
Trekking time: Approximately 5–7 hours

After breakfast, leave Bujuku Camp and climb through additional boggy terrain along the western side of Lake Bujuku. The route continues through the beautiful Groundsel Gully towards Scott Elliot Pass.

A metal ladder assists trekkers over one of the steepest sections. Beyond this point, the trail divides. The left-hand route continues towards Scott Elliot Pass and the Kitandara Lakes, while the right-hand trail climbs steeply over large rocks towards Elena Hut and Mount Stanley.

The ascent to Elena Hut is demanding, with rough terrain and rapidly changing weather. The hut stands in a cold, exposed location beneath the glaciers of Mount Stanley. Temperatures can fall well below freezing, particularly during the night.

You will have an early dinner, prepare your technical climbing equipment and rest before the summit attempt.

Main Destination:

Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Accommodation:

Elena Hut

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

Meals & Drinks:

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

Elena Hut to Margherita Peak and Kitandara Lakes Camp

Summit altitude: 5,109 metres
Overnight altitude: Approximately 4,022 metres
Trekking time: Approximately 10–14 hours

This is the most challenging and rewarding day of the expedition. You will wake during the night and begin the summit attempt before sunrise, depending on the weather and the guidance of the mountain team. The climb continues towards the base of Stanley Glacier. Using ropes, crampons, harnesses and other technical equipment, you will cross glacial terrain and negotiate steep ice, exposed rocks and slippery sections.

The ascent usually takes approximately five to seven hours. After crossing Stanley Plateau, you will continue towards Margherita Peak, standing at 5,109 metres above sea level. Reaching the summit is an extraordinary achievement and provides breathtaking views across the Rwenzori range. After the summit attempt, descend past Elena Hut and continue through Scott Elliot Pass. The route offers outstanding views of Lake Bujuku, Mount Speke and Mount Stanley.

Main Destination:

Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Accommodation:

Kitandara Hut

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

Meals & Drinks:

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

Kitandara Lakes Camp to Guy Yeoman Camp

Starting altitude: Approximately 4,022 metres
Overnight altitude: Approximately 3,505 metres
Highest point: Freshfield Pass at approximately 4,280 metres
Trekking time: Approximately 6–8 hours

Following breakfast beside the Kitandara Lakes, climb the steep headwall beneath Mount Baker. The route continues along the southern side of the mountain towards Freshfield Pass.

At approximately 4,280 metres, the pass offers impressive views towards the Democratic Republic of Congo in the west and Mount Stanley in the north.

From Freshfield Pass, begin the long descent past Bujongolo Rock Shelter. This historic site served as a base camp for the Duke of Abruzzi’s famous 1906 expedition into the Rwenzori Mountains.

Continue through rocky valleys, boggy areas and unique Afro-alpine vegetation until you reach Guy Yeoman Camp.

Main Destination:

Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Accommodation:

Guy Yeoman Hut

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

Meals & Drinks:

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

Guy Yeoman Camp to Nyakalengija

Starting altitude: Approximately 3,505 metres
Finishing altitude: Approximately 1,650 metres
Trekking time: Approximately 7–10 hours

After an early breakfast, begin the final descent towards Nyakalengija. The trail descends past the cliffs of Kichuchu and through sections that may be muddy and slippery.

You will continue through the bamboo forest before returning to Nyabitaba. After a short rest or lunch stop, proceed through the montane forest, cross the Mahoma River and continue towards the park headquarters at Nyakalengija.

Upon arrival, celebrate the completion of your remarkable seven-day journey through the Rwenzori Mountains. A hot shower and well-earned rest await you after one of Africa’s most memorable trekking adventures.

End of the Rwenzori Central Circuit Trek.

Main Destination:

Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range)

Accommodation:

Kikorongo Safari Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located outside Queen Elizabeth NP

Meals & Drinks:

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

Transfer back to Entebbe

After breakfast, check out and begin the return journey to Entebbe. Drive through the scenic countryside, with suitable stops for lunch and refreshments.

Arrive in Entebbe in the late afternoon or evening for drop-off at your hotel or Entebbe International Airport, depending on your onward travel arrangements.

Clients flying out on this day should book an evening departure or arrange an additional night in Entebbe to avoid complications caused by traffic or delays.

End of the 9-day Rwenzori adventure with Ngoni Safaris Uganda Ltd.

Main Destination:

Entebbe International Airport (Entebbe)

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.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.