Rwenzori Mountains Trek 🌄 – 9-Day Margherita Peak Climb via the Central Circuit

🌍 Overview — A Technical, High-Altitude Ascent in the Heart of the Rwenzoris

This 9-day expedition follows the Rwenzori Central Circuit, offering a demanding but rewarding ascent to Margherita Peak (5,109 m) on Mount Stanley. The route is designed for trekkers seeking a classic alpine experience on one of Africa’s most dramatic mountain ranges.

The climb features:

• Varied ecosystems (forest, bamboo, heather, alpine zone, glaciers)

• Technical glacier sections on the summit day

• High-altitude terrain requires good fitness and proper acclimatization

• Support from experienced Rwenzori mountain guides certified and trained for glacier travel

💰 Rwenzori Expedition Pricing (USD)

✅ East African Citizens

✅ Foreign Residents

✅ Foreign Non-Residents

✅ Optional Peak Add-Ons

Any additional peak: $150 per person, per peak

✅ Inclusions

• Airport pickup and transfers

• Accommodation in Kasese before and after the trek

• Park entrance fees

• Professional mountain guide

• Porters

• Chef and all meals in the mountain

• Camping tents or cabins

• Sleeping mats

• Activity fees

• Gas cooker and cooking appliances

• Transport from Kasese to the park gate and back

• Community fees

• VAT

❌ Exclusions

• Personal gear

• Tips

• Travel insurance

• Extra nights in Kasese (if required)

• Items not listed in the inclusions

🧭 Full 9-Day Rwenzori Central Circuit Itinerary

🗓️ Day 1: Kampala → Kasese

Depart Kampala in the morning. Drive toward western Uganda via either:

• Masaka – Mbarara – Kasese (422 km, approx. 7–8 hours), or

• Mityana – Fort Portal – Kasese (372 km, approx. 6–7 hours).

The route includes a stop at the Equator. Lunch en route in Mbarara or Fort Portal. Continue to Kasese for overnight at your hotel.

🥾 Day 2: Nyakalengija (1,646 m) → Nyabitaba Hut (2,652 m)

Meet your guide at the Rwenzori Mountains National Park Headquarters. Receive a mandatory safety briefing.
Begin trekking through:

• Bakonzo farmlands

• Elephant grass

• Riverine forest along the Mubuku and Mahoma Rivers

Expect wildlife such as:
monkeys, Rwenzori turaco, chameleons, yellow-eyed birds, and occasional elephants.

Arrival at Nyabitaba Hut in 5–6 hours.

🥾 Day 3: Nyabitaba Hut → John Matte Hut (3,414 m)

Cross the Kurt Shaffer Bridge and enter the bamboo zone. Continue through a mossy, muddy area up to Nyamuleju Camp (old hut site).
This marks the beginning of the heather zone, home to giant lobelias, groundsel, and ericaceous trees.

Wildlife may include red duikers and colobus monkeys.

Reach John Matte Hut in 6–7 hours.
If the weather is clear, enjoy views of Mount Stanley and the snow-covered Margherita and Elena peaks.

🥾 Day 4: John Matte Hut → Bujuku Hut (3,962 m)

Cross the Bujuku River. Traverse the lower and upper Bigo Bogs using constructed boardwalks.

This day transitions into the alpine savannah zone, with sightings of:

• Giant lobelia gardens

• Wild berries

• Alpine plants

• Sunbirds

• Red duikers

• Rock hyrax

Arrive at Bujuku Hut after 4–5 hours.
This is the junction for climbers heading to Mount Speke.

🧗‍♂️ Day 5: Bujuku Hut → Elena Hut (4,541 m)

Climb steep slopes west of Lake Bujuku. Continue through the Groundsel Gully to Scott-Elliot Pass (4,372 m).
A metal ladder assists at a steep rock section.

The trail splits:

• Right → Elena Hut and Mount Stanley

• Left → Kitandara Lakes

Arrive at Elena Hut, an icy and high-altitude shelter.
This stage takes 4–5 hours.

❄️ Day 6: Elena Hut → Margherita Peak (5,109 m) → Kitandara Hut

Summit day.
Begin early and head toward the Stanley Glacier.
Expect:

• Glacier crossings

• Slippery rock

• Exposed ridges

• High altitude conditions

The ascent to Margherita Peak takes 5–7 hours. The weather can vary significantly.
Even experienced climbers may turn back due to conditions — safety is prioritized.

Descend to Elena Hut, then continue down to Kitandara Hut beside the Kitandara Lakes (2–3 hours).
Your guide may recommend staying again at Elena Hut depending on timing and conditions.

🥾 Day 7: Kitandara Hut → Guy Yeoman Hut (3,261 m)

Climb the headwall toward Freshfield Pass (4,282 m), with views toward the Congo basin and Mount Stanley.
Descend along muddy and rocky trails to Guy Yeoman Hut, passing Bujongolo Rock Shelter, a historic climbing site from the 1906 Abruzzi expedition.

This day takes 5–6 hours.

🥾 Day 8: Guy Yeoman Hut → Nyabitaba Hut → Nyakalengija → Kasese

Descend through the heather zone to the bamboo forest.
Continue to Nyabitaba Hut (4–5 hours).
You may choose:

• Overnight at Nyabitaba Hut
  OR

• Continue directly to Nyakalengija (additional 2–3 hours).

Your driver will transfer you back to Kasese for overnight.

🗓️ Day 9: Kasese → Kampala / Entebbe

Drive back to Kampala or Entebbe via either Fort Portal or Mbarara–Masaka.
End of expedition.

📞 Booking & Contact Information

For reservations and support:
📱 +254 729 257 317
📱 +254 734 417 496
📧 [email protected]