5-Day Rwenzori Trekking to Margherita Peak
per person
The 5-Day Rwenzori Trekking to Margherita Peak begins in Ibanda with a briefing about the dos and don’ts, as well as instructions for the porters. The 5-day hiking to Margherita peak of the Rwenzori mountains. Your day one in Rwenzori Mountains National Park will take you to the central circuit trail route from the base of the Rwenzori Mountains to Nyabitaba Hut (2651m). Your second day takes you to John Matte hut, through Bujuku Hut to Elena Hut on day 3. Margherita Peak at 5109m is reached on day 4, which combines with an immediate slope to the John Matte hut. You will then descend to the base of the Rwenzori Mountains via Nyabitaba Hut to Nyakalengija.
Safari Highlights
- Day 1: Kasese – Nyabitaba Hut, 2651m.
- Day 2: Nyabitaba Hut – John Matte Hut, 3505 m.
- Day 3: From John Matte Hut- Elena Hut (4541m).
- Day 4: Elena Hut – Margherita peak (5109m) back to John Maate
- Day 5: John Matte Hut – Nyabitaba Hut -Kasese
Day 1: Kasese-Nyakalengija to Nyabitaba Hut, 2.651m
After breakfast, go to Ibanda for a briefing and meet the porters. Begin the hike with a 30-minute walk through Bankonzo homesteads, via the forest zones to the Rwenzori Mountains National Park gate. Hike 10 kilometers to Nyabitaba Hut for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation: At the Camp
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Naybitabah – John Matte
On day 2 of the 7-day Rwenzori trekking safari, you will start your climb to John Matte Hut after breakfast. This hike is long, taking at least seven hours. You will walk through the forest briefly before crossing the Kurt Schefer bridge over the Bujuku River. The trail to Nyamileju Hut is easy for a short while, but becomes steeper as you go higher, where heather plants grow. After having lunch at Nyamileju Hut, you will continue through the heather forest along the Bujuka River, taking about 3 hours to reach John Matte Hut.
Accommodation: At John Matte Hut
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 3: From John Matte Hut to Elena Hut (4541m)
After breakfast, leave John Matte for Bujuku hut, then Elenah hut. The trail crosses the Bujuku River and the minor Bigo Swamp, known for large lobelias. Cross this swamp to reach Higher Bigo swamp and then Lake Bujuku, where you can see the upper mountain, Stanley. Take a short lunch break at Bujuku hut, then hike 4 km through groundsel vegetation, ascending to 4,372 m over about 5-7 hours, before descending steeply towards Lake Bujuku.
You will continue trekking up to the 4372m Scott-Elliot pass, passing swamps and a ground gully. You will climb a steep section using a metal ladder, reaching a junction with two trails. The right trail goes to Elena Hut and leads steeply to Mount Stanley, while the left trail descends to the Scott-Elliot pass and Kitandara Hut. Elena hut sits on a rocky part of Mount Stanley in a cold area. It has lovely views of Mount Baker and Mount Speke, often obscured by fog. Dinner and an overnight at the Elena Hut.
Accommodation: At Elena Hut
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 4: Elena Hut – Margherita peak (5109m) and then John Maate
Today, you will wake up at 2:00 am for breakfast and start your hike to Margherita Peak at 3:00 am. The hike will take you through the Stanley Plateau to Mount Stanley. You will use ropes in rocky areas and wear crampons and use an ice axe on glaciers as instructed by your guide. This challenging part of the Rwenzori trekking Safari will last several hours until you reach the edge of the Margherita glacier. After enjoying views of Lake Ireen and Mount Speke from the top of Mount Stanley, you will descend to Elena hut for lunch, then go to John Matte for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: At John Matte
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 5: John Matte hut – Back to Nyabitaba Hut and proceed out of the park
Inclusions:
- All transfers, including pick-ups and drop-offs
- All ground transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Mount Rwenzori hiking fee and camp fees
- Park entrance fees
- Ranger fees
- Accommodation as per the Itinerary
- All meals as per the Itinerary
- All activities included in the Itinerary
- Bottled drinking water
- Hiking stick
- Porter
Exclusions:
- Optional activities
- Life insurance
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
- Tips
- Other drinks apart from water
- Other expenses of a personal nature, such as Email services, airtime, and laundry.
- Hiking gears such as shoes, raincoat, long-sleeved attire, insect repellent, sunglasses, cap,etc.
3-Day Rwenzori Hiking Mahoma Trail Includes and Excludes
Inclusions:
- All transfers, including pick-ups and drop-offs
- All ground transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Mount Rwenzori hiking fee and camp fees
- Park entrance fees
- Ranger fees
- Accommodation as per the Itinerary
- All meals as per the Itinerary
- All activities included in the Itinerary
- Bottled drinking water
- Hiking stick
- Porter
Exclusions:
- Optional activities
- Life insurance
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
- Tips
- Other drinks apart from water
- Other expenses of a personal nature, such as Email services, airtime, and laundry.
- Hiking gear such as shoes, a raincoat, long-sleeved attire, insect repellent, sunglasses, a cap,etc.