Overview
The Rwenzori Mountains National Park offers an extraordinary trekking experience through diverse ecological zones, from lush forests to snow-capped peaks. This 8-day central circuit trek takes you through some of Africa’s most spectacular mountain landscapes, culminating in the opportunity to reach Margherita Peak (5,109m), the highest point in Uganda.
Trip Highlights
The trek features remarkable experiences through various altitude zones and landscapes including:
- Diverse wildlife encounters with chances to spot chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, and mountain elephants
- Unique flora including giant groundsel, lobelias, and heather zones
- Spectacular views of Mount Stanley, Mount Speke, and Mount Baker
- Challenging ascent opportunities including Margherita Peak
- Twin lakes of Kitandara
- Historic routes including the Duke of Abruzzi’s 1906 expedition base camp
- Varied terrain from bamboo forests to alpine glaciers
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Nyakalengija (1,615m) to Nyabitaba Hut (2,651m)
The central circuit begins at the Rwenzori Mountains National Park main gate. Your journey starts with meeting your guides and porters before setting off through local farmland to the park boundary. The trail follows the Mubuku River, crossing its Mohama tributary before a long, steep climb to Nyabitaba camp.
Duration: 4-6 hours depending on pace
Wildlife Opportunities: Chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, Rwenzori turaco, three-horned chameleon
Highlights: Mountain elephant tracks, diverse plant species, forest ecosystem
Day 2: Nyabitaba (2,651m) to John Matte Hut (3,505m)
The day begins with a descent through forest to the Kurt Shafer Bridge, located at the confluence of the Mubuku and Bujuku rivers. The trail continues through bamboo forest and across challenging terrain of moss-covered rocks. From Nyamulieju rock shelter, hikers can see Mount Stanley and Mount Speke before entering the zone of giant heather, lobelia, and groundsel.
Duration: 6-7 hours
Terrain: Forest, bamboo zones, moss-covered rocks
Wildlife Opportunities: Mountain duikers (goats)
Notable Features: Kurt Shafer Bridge, Nyamulieju rock shelter
Day 3: John Matte (3,505m) to Bujuku Hut (3,977m)
Today’s trail descends to cross the Bujuku River before entering Lower Bigo bog, home to giant lobelias. The path continues through Upper Bigo bog to reach Bujuku Lake, offering magnificent views of Mount Baker to the south and Mount Stanley to the west. Bujuku Hut sits in a narrow valley beneath these impressive peaks.
Duration: 4-5 hours
Highlights: Bigo bog, Bujuku Lake, mountain views
Notable Features: Giant lobelias, varying vegetation zones
Day 4: Bujuku (3,977m) to Elena Hut (4,541m)
The trail leads through more bog before climbing the steep slopes west of the lake through the groundsel gully. At Scott-Elliot Pass, a metal ladder helps hikers navigate a particularly steep section. The trail then splits, with the right path leading to Elena Hut via a steep boulder-strewn trail.
Highlights: Groundsel gully, Scott-Elliot Pass
Views: Kitandara twin lakes
Technical Features: Metal ladder climb, boulder navigation
Day 5: Elena Hut (4,541m) to Margherita Peak (5,109m) to Kitandara Hut (4,027m)
For those attempting Margherita Peak, the day begins with a trek to the base of Stanley Glacier. The summit climb involves glacier walking and takes 5-7 hours round trip. The descent passes through alpine vegetation zones before reaching the Kitandara lakes area.
Duration: 5-7 hours for peak attempt
Technical Requirements: Glacier walking
Highlights: Margherita Peak, Stanley Glacier, alpine zones
Day 6: Kitandara (4,027m) to Guy Yeoman (3,505m)
From Kitandara, the trail climbs steeply up the headwall at the base of Mount Baker. This section offers views of the snow-capped peaks and, on clear days, into the Congo. The route passes through Bujongolo, the historic base camp used by the Duke of Abruzzi’s 1906 expedition.
Duration: 5-6 hours
Highlights: Mount Baker views, Congo vistas, historic camp site
Day 7: Guy Yeoman to Nyabitaba
This long descent takes 6-7 hours, passing the cliffs of Kichuchu and crossing the Mubuku River twice. The muddy path eventually climbs back to Nyabitaba, completing the circuit.
Duration: 6-7 hours
Features: Kichuchu cliffs, river crossings
Day 8: Nyabitaba to the Park Main Gate
The final descent from Nyabitaba returns you to the park main gate, concluding your Rwenzori Mountains adventure.