Mount Rwenzori Climbing to Margarita Peak

HIGHLIGHTS

Starts/Ends: Entebbe, Uganda

Country Visited: Uganda

Main Activities: Mountain Climbing/Hiking

Strength Demand: Highly Demanding

10 Day Mt Rwenzori Climbing to Margarita Peak

Route: Entebbe – Rwenzori National Park – Entebbe

5,109 metres – Margherita Peak is Africa’s third highest peak – however the real beauty is in the climb up the Kilembe route where the forests, valleys and flora is diverse with trees and valleys of ferns. The trees are alive with many species of birds and primates and as you walk up the trail you will see chimp nests high up in the tall trees. If you’re lucky you may catch a glimpse of the resident chimpanzee as they scamper away.

Mt Rwenzori Climbing to Magherita Peak is more of a hard scramble than a climb except for a few difficult moves (when it snows it is more difficult) however the reward and exhilaration of reaching the top is enormous as you look across Albert Peak to the Congo, then east across the spectra of the Rwenzori Mountains.

Day 1: Travel to Rwenzori Mountains National Park (7-8hrs)

You will have breakfast and set off for a 7-8 hour drive to the Rwenzori Mountains National Park in Western Uganda. We will drive through the towns of Masaka, Mbarara and Kasese with a stopover at the Equator line for you to get the opportunity of standing in two hemispheres at the same spot and take memorable photos.

Another stopover will be in Mbarara for lunch. We shall arrive in Kasese town in the late afternoon and proceed to Rwenzori Base Camp Guest House where we shall have dinner and overnight.

Day 2: Climb to Nyabitaba Hut (2651m) (5 hour hike)

After an early breakfast you will be taken to the Rwenzori National Park offices at Nyakalenjija for a briefing. At this location you will organize your luggage, hire mountaineering equipment and get a porter to help you with the luggage.

You will then begin your 5 hour Trek(hike) to Nyabitaba Hut(2,652m), your destination for the day.

Dinner and Overnight will be at this Hut.

Day 3: Hike to John Matte Hut (3380m) (6 hours)

You will leave Nyabitaba hut after an early breakfast and descend through the forest for a short time before crossing the Bujuku River at the Kurt Schafer Bridge to start the ascent.

This is the longest and most strenuous part of the Margherita Peak Climb and will take a minimum of six hours. You will have a lunch break at Nyamileju Hut after which you will proceed to John Matte Hut, 3,505m.

From this location you will be able to see the snow capped peaks of Mount Stanley. Dinner and overnight will be at the John Matte Hut.

Day 4: Trek to Bujuku Hut (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 a 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 5: Hike 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 6: Climb to Margherita Peak– Kitandara hut (4027m) (6 hours)

After an early breakfast you will begin the final climb to the Margherita Peak (highest peak) on Mount Stanley (5.109 m). It may take about 6 hours to complete the ascent.

This last part of the ascent will necessitate application of special equipment such as crampons, ice axe and rope to walk through the glacier area of Mount Stanley.

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 will be at Kitandara Hut

Day 7: Descent to Guy Yeoman Hut (5 hours)

You will have an early breakfast followed by a short 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 will be at Guy Yeoman Hut.

Day 8: Descent to Nyabitaba (2651m) (3-4 hours)

You will have an early breakfast and continue the descent to Nyabitaba (2651m) Dinner and overnight will be spent here.

Day 9: Descent to 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 10: Transfer to Kampala

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