This 9 days hiking Rwenzori central circuit is the best way to ascend this big African mountain. The hike to the Rwenzori central circuit starts from Nyakalengija; the base camp on the mountain slopes where the park headquarters are situated. It then follows the Mobuku river valley, then slopes around Mount Baker, where the final trail to climb Mount Stanley with Margherita peak is found.
This adventurous 9 days hiking Rwenzori central circuit passes through five different vegetation zones; from the mountain forest to bamboo zone and alpine zone, with difference in level of altitude from 2,800m to 3,500m when you climb the peak. Hikers are advised to respect the gradual acclimatization process to avoid altitude sickness.
Book this Rwenzori central circuit hiking tour with the mountain experts today and we will ensure your Rwenzori climbing in Uganda is memorable.
Hiking Rwenzori Central Circuit Itinerary:
Day 1: Kampala – Mbarara – Kasese
Our driver-guide picks you up from your hotel or place of residence in Kampala, then transfer you to Kasese via Mbarara with lunch at Agip Motel in Mbarara. You may make a first stop over at the Equator crossing for snacks and photography, before proceeding.
The journey takes you along the Lake Victoria on a good road to Mbarara. From here, the landscape changes to a hilly and fertile area with various tea and banana plantations.
Dinner and overnight stay at Margherita Hotel. Meal Plan: Lunch and dinner
Day 2: Kasese – Nyakalengija. First Day Trek – Nyakalengija 1,600m – Nybitaba Hut 2,650m
From the Rwenzori Mountains National Park headqarters at Nyakalengija (1,646m), you will receive the briefing from the guides, with the possibility of hiring climbing equipment. The hike starts through the plantations and homes of the Bakonjo People, people of the mountain, gradually reaching garden plots and elephants grass. You will follow the Mobuku River and cross the Mahoma River.
The trail passes through an open bracken fern slopes and Podorcarpus Forest, up to Nyabitaba Hut, (2,652m), which is the arrival point for the day. This will take from 5 to 6 hours. From this location, you are facing the North of the portal peaks, 4.627m, that is in front of Mount Kyniangoma. During the day, you might see monkeys, the Rwenzori Turaco and hear the sounds of chimpanzees.
Day 3: Second Day Trek – Nyabitaba Hut 2,650m – John Matte Hut 3,380m
Descend the ridge to the Mubuku River then climb through bamboo forest toward John Matte Hut (3,380m). The afternoon is tiring boulder hopping ascending along the north side of the Bujuku river, through the giant heather forest (4.1/2-5.1/2 hours).
Day 4: Third Day Trek – John Matte Hut (3,380m) – Bujuku Hut 3,972m
Trek from John Matte Hut (3380m) to Bujuku Hut (3,977m). We encounter the first of notorious bogs for which the Uganda approach to the peaks is famous. Traverse around Bigo Bog and Lake Bujuku. Look for the ‘everlasting flower’ known to remain on the plants for 40 years.
Day 5: Hiking Rwenzori Central Circuit Fourth Day Trek – Bujuku Hut 3,900m- Elena Hut 4,541m
From Bujuku Hut you will climb through moss draped groundsel vegetation, to Scott Elliot Pass (4,372 m), between Mt. Baker and Stanley. Here you will divert to Elena Hut (4,540m), to spend the night, before climbing to Mt. Stanley.
Day 6: Fifth Day Trek – Mt. Stanley/Margherita Peak – 5,109m
Elena Hut (4,541m) – Punta Margherita (5,109m) – Elena Hut (4,541m) – Kitandara Hut (4,023m). Elena Hut to Margherita Peak (5,109m) then down to Elena Hut (4,541m). Early morning traverse of the Elena glacier to the Stanley Plateau where crampons may be required.
You will then cross through NW direction and follow the Margherita glacier to the col and then to the summit, within 3 hours. You will then descend to Elena Hut and then to Upper Lake Kitandara and through the thick mud, to Lower Lake Kitandara where Kitandara Hut (4,023m) is located. Time to complete this hike is about 3 hours.
From Kitandara Hut, you can proceed to climb Mount Baker or Mount Luigi di Savoia and the peak of Vittorio Sella. As a result, you will enjoy the view of Mt. Luigi di Savoia, from this point.
Day 7 : Sixth Day Trek – Kitandara Hut – Guy Yeoman Hut, 3,261m
From Lake Kitandara, you will climb to Freshfield Pass (4,282m), along the flat high alpine mossy glades, before descending the circuit among rocky and boggy areas. The panorama view here is dominated by glaciers of Mount Stanley, Baker and Savoy.
A muddy trail leads to Akendahi, Bujongolo and Kabamba rock shelters, where you will descend the Kabamba valley down to Guy Yeoman Hut (3,261m). This can take up to 6 hours, but worth it because the hut is surrounded by a beautiful views of landscape of mountains, vegetation and rivers.
Day 8: Hiking Rwenzori Central Circuit Seventh Day Trek – Guy Yeoman Hut – Nyabitaba
From Guy Yeoman Hut you will head to Nyabitaba hut. Drop very steeply alongside the Mubuku River, past Kichuchu, another rocky shelter and join our original route near the confluence of the Bujuku River (3.1/2 hours).
Day 9: Eighth Day Trek – Nyabitaba – Nyakalengija
From Nyabitaba Hut, you will head to the Nyakalengija road, that is about 2 hours. Descend steeply off the ridge and enter the warm rain forest. Here, you can look for tropical forest birds and various monkey species.
From here the car shall pick up the guests and drive you back to Entebbe, with lunch on the way, for either a return flight or connect to your Mt. Elgon climbing challenge.
Hiking Rwenzori Central Circuit Inclusions and Exclusions:
Includes
- Accommodation and meals during the hike
- Accommodation in Mountain huts and camps/Hotels
- Transfers from Kampala and return
- Park Entrance fees
- Professional Guide fees
- Porters 25kg per person
- Professional 2cook
- Gas fees for cooking
- Rescue fees in case of emergency rescue on Rwenzori Mountains
Excludes
- Flight fares
- Personal insurance
- Equipment for the hike
- Extra Luggage (extra 25kg per person)
- Any changes in the program itinerary while in the Rwenzori
Important to Climbers on Hiking Rwenzori Central Circuit:
- Climbers must be prepared to walk for up to 8 hours every day via steep cliff and muddy paths.
- Climbers must bring along their own climbing gear or hire it at the base camp.
- Our porters carry 8 kg of personal climbing gear