Rwenzori Expeditions…. Take the challenge!!

Tour overview

The Rwenzori Mountains are the highest mountain ranges in Africa and are located on the border of Uganda with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The range is about 120 km long and 65 km wide and consists of six massifs separated by deep gorges. Mount Stanley is the highest and has several subsidiary summits, with Margherita Peak being the highest point; permanently snow capped – named after the Italian Queen Margherita who sponsored the first climbing expedition.

Climbing the Rwenzoris – “Mountains of the Moon” (as described by Ptolemy in A.D. 150), is the toughest expedition and yet most rewarding adventure in Africa.

Safari Highlights

To trek the Rwenzoris does not need any training, one needs to be physically fit so as to manage walking for long hours. There are several climbing possibilities available, and our crew are there to help you choose from the different levels of climbing based on your interest and level of fitness. Again, the Rwenzoris range supports a diversity of animals including mammals such as elephants and 177 bird species, several of the latter being Albertine Rift Endemics; making the expeditions most exciting.

Transfer to Kasese (7-8hrs)

You will be picked up after breakfast followed by a drive to Kasese with en route stops for lunch. You will check-in at the Rwenzori Base Camp Guesthouse, and relax till dinner and overnight.

OPTION ONE:

MARGHERITA PEAK CLIMB (8DAYS) Itinerary

Enjoy a challenging hike to the highest peak – the Margherita peak; the highest at 5109m named after the Italian Queen Margherita who sponsored the first climbing expedition. This peak is permanently snow-capped despite being astride the Equator. Its beautiful sceneries: ox-bow lakes, hanging valleys, Crater lakes, cliffs, waterfalls, and rivers plus ever green tropical rain forests forms a natural habitat for various flora and faunas including humans “Bakonjo-pygmies”.

Included

All meals and Accommodation as per itinerary
All ground transportation in a comfortable 4*4 Vehicle
Services of a full time English speaking Guide / driver
Water /Coffee/ Tea while on Safari
Ranger Fees
Park entrance fees
All Government taxes / Levies
All attraction sites and activities as per itinerary

Not Included

Airfare To and from Uganda
Visa and departure taxes at the Airport
Activities not mentioned in the Itinerary
Wines ,beers and spirits & all the beverages other than the mineral water on the safari
Personal Insurance
Items of personal nature e.g. telephone calls, tips and gratuity, laundry and souvenir

Day 1: Nyakalengija(1615m) – Nyabitaba Hut (2651m) (5 hours hike)

After an early breakfast you will be taken to the Rwenzori National Park offices in Nyakalenjija, 1615 m for a briefing. At this location you can organise your luggage and hire mountain equipment from the store and a porter. You will then begin your 5 hour hike to Nyabitaba Hut, 2,652m, your destination for today. Dinner and Overnight at Nyabitaba Hut

Day 2: Nyabitaba (2651m) – Mubuku River (2600m) John Matte Hut (3380m) (6 hours)

This is the longest and most strenuous day's hike and will take a minimum of six hours.

After an early breakfast you will leave Nyabitaba hut and descend through the forest for a short time before crossing the Bujuku River at the Kurt Schafer Bridge. You will stop for lunch at Nyamileju Hut after which you will proceed to John Matte Hut, 3,505m. From this location you will see for the first time the snow capped peaks of Mount Stanley. Dinner and overnight at John Matte Hut

Day 3: John Matte (3380m) to Bujuku (3962m) (4-5 hours)

After an early breakfast you will leave John Matte Hut and cross the Bujuku River entering the two Bigo Bogs, which are often knee-deep in mud. From this boggy valley you will have good view of Mount Stanley. You will then reach the Lake Bujuku, and then proceed through a muddy swampy area to Bujuku Hut, 3.962 m. Dinner and overnight at Bujuku Hut.

Day 4: Bujuku (3977m) to Elena Hut (4541m) (3-4 hours)

After an early breakfast you will begin the steep climb through the forest of giant groundsels up to the Groundsel Gully. A branch in the trail leads to Elena Hut, 4,430 m. Dinner and overnight at Elena Hut

Day 5: Elena Hut (4541m) to Margherita peak– Kitandara hut (4027m) (6 hours)

After an early breakfast you will begin the final climb to the Margherita (highest peak) on Mount Stanley, 5.109 m. You may take about 3-4 hours to complete the ascent. You will need special equipment such as crampons, ice axe and rope since you will walk through what remains of the glacier area of Mount Stanley. The first alpinist who climbed up to the peak was Prince Luigi Amedeo the Duke of Abruzzi, who reached there at 9.30 am on 18th June 1906.

You will then descend down to Upper Kitandara Lake and Lower Kitandara Lake, to Kitandara Hut, 4023m. The descent will take approximately 3 hours. Dinner and overnight at Kitandara Hut

Day 6: Kitandara Hut – Guy yeoman Hut (5 hours)

You will have an early breakfast followed by a climb in the direction of Mount Baker up to Freshfield Pass, 4282m. You will then begin the descent through steep rocky trails passing the rock shelters of Akendahi, Bujongolo and Kabamba before reaching Guy Yeoman Hut, 3261 m.

From the hut you can enjoy breathtaking views of Mount Baker. Dinner and overnight at Guy Yeoman Hut

Day 7: Guy Yeoman (3450m) – Nyabitaba (2651m) (3-4 hours)

After an early breakfast at the hut you will descend down to Nyabitaba (2651m)

Day 8: Nyabitaba (2651m) - Nyakalengija (1615m) (3-4 hours)

After breakfast you will descend to Nyakalenjija camp. On arrival at Nyakalenjija you will be checked into Rwenzori Base Camp Guest house for dinner and overnight.

Day 9: Transfer to Kampala

You will have breakfast followed by checkout and drive to Kampala, lunch en route arriving in the late afternoon.

OPTION TWO : 7 DAYS CENTRAL CIRCUIT Itinerary

Day 1: Nyakalengija (1615m) – Nyabitaba Hut (2651m)

Day 2: Nyabitaba (2651m) – Mubuku River (2600m) John Matte Hut (3380m)

Day 3: John Matte (3380m) to Bujuku (3962m)

Day 4: Bujuku (3977m) - Kitandara Hut

Day5: Kitandara Hut – Guy yeoman Hut

Day 6: Guy Yeoman (3450m) – Nyabitaba (2651m)

OPTION THREE: 5 DAYS TO BUJUKU HUT Itinerary