7-Day Hiking Rwenzori Central Circuit Trail
per person
The 7-Day Hiking Rwenzori Central Circuit Trail begins at Nyakalengija and goes through various locations like Nyabitaba and Bujuku. It passes five vegetation zones and reaches altitudes between 2,800 and 3,500 meters above sea level. The trek to Margherita Peak goes through 5 vegetation zones. The trek starts and ends in Kasese.
The 7-Day Hiking Rwenzori Central Circuit Trail is for people in Kasese or hotels in Nakalengija. It starts at Nyakalengija and follows the Central Circuit Trail. Hikers can see the Rwenzori ranges, including notable peaks such as Mount Stanley (5109 meters), Mount Emin (4798), Mount Speke (4890 meters), Mount Baker (4843 meters), Mount Gessi (4715), Mount Luigi di Saviola (4627 meters), all spread apart by scenic deep gorges. Mount Stanley, the tallest, has the highest point at Margherita Peak (5109 meters).
Safari Highlight
- Day 1: Nyakalengija (1615m) to Nyabitaba Hut (2651m).
- Day 2: Nyabitaba Hut to John Matte Hut (3505m)
- Day 3: Trek from John Matte to Bujuku Hut (3,9620m)
- Day 4: From Bujuku Hut to Kitandara Hut (4,023).
- Day 5: Kitandara hut to Guy Yeoman Hut (3505m)
- Day 6: From Guy Yeoman Hut to Nyakalengija.
- Day 7: Drive Back to Kampala
Day 1: Nyakalengija (1615m) to Nyabitaba Hut (2651m).
After breakfast, leave your hotel early to go to the Rwenzori offices for a briefing. Then, transfer to the starting point and hike about 10 kilometers through farmland and forest, taking around 5 hours to reach Nyabitaba Hut for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation: At the Camp
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Nyabitaba Hut to John Matte Hut (3505m).
On day 2 of the 7-Day Hiking Rwenzori Central Circuit Trail, you will start your climb to John Matte Hut after breakfast. This hike is one of the longest, taking at least seven hours. You will walk through the forest briefly before crossing Kurt Schefer Bridge on River Bujuku. The trail to Nyamileju Hut is smooth and clear for a few hours, but it gets steeper as you climb higher into the heather plant area. You will stop for lunch at Nyamileju Hut before continuing through the heather forest, taking about 3 hours to reach John Matte Hut. Dinner and overnight stay at John Matte Hut.
Accommodation: At the Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 3: Trek from John Matte to Bujuku Hut (3,9620).
Your day 3 of the 7-day Rwenzori trekking safari starts from John Matte to Bujuku hut. The trail crosses the Bujuku River and Inferior Bigo Swamp, leading to Higher Bigo Swamp and finally Lake Bujuku, with views of mountain Stanley. Dinner and overnight stay at Bujuku Hut.
Accommodation: At the Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 4: From Bujuku Hut to Elenah Hut (4,023).
On this day, you will hike a 4km path that takes about 5-7 hours to climb to 4,372m. The trek goes through groundsel vegetation and includes ascending the Upper Bigo bog, followed by steep slopes down to Lake Bujuku. You’ll reach the Scott-Elliot pass and navigate through swamps and a ground gully. A metal ladder will help you climb a steep section, leading to a junction with two trails: the right leads to Elena Hut, while the left goes to the Scott-Elliot pass and Kitandara Hut.
The trail splits into two. The left trail goes to Scott-Elliot pass and Kitandara Lakes, while the right trail leads to Elena Hut, climbing steeply above large boulders to Mt Stanley. Elena Hut is in a cold area with nice views of Mount Baker and Mount Speke, though fog can obscure them. Dinner and an overnight stay at Elena Hut.
Accommodation: At the Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 5: From Elena to Margherita to Kitandara
Today, you will wake up at 2:00am to have breakfast and begin your hike to Magheritah Peak, starting at 3:00am. The hike will take you through the Stanley Plateau to Mount Stanley. You will navigate sharp rocky areas using ropes and will use crampons and an ice axe on the glacier as your guide directs. After a few hours, you will reach the edge of Margherita Glacier, the toughest part of the trek, then proceed to the top of Margherita Peak at 5107m.
Enjoy the beautiful views of Lake Ireen, Mount Speke, and the area around them. After this, descend to Elena Hut for lunch and dinner. You can also go to Kitandara through the Scott Elliot pass, where you will have dinner and spend the night. Depending on your group’s strength, you can choose to stay another night at Elena Hut before continuing to Kitandara and then to Guy Yeoman.
Accommodation: At the camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and DinnerDay 6: Kitandara hut to Guy Yeoman Hut (3505m)
After breakfast, hike from the base of Mt Baker to the fresh field pass south of Rwenzori, covering 4280m. You can see the Congo to the west and Mt Stanley to the north. The trail leads downhill through historical Bujangolo, visited by the Duke of Abruzzi in 1906. Dinner and overnight stay at Guy Yeoman Hut.
Accommodation: At the Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and DinnerDay 7: From Guy Yeoman Hut to Nyakalengija
After breakfast, start descending to Nyabitaba Hut, which takes around six walks. The trek passes Lake Mahoma and through the heather area and Moss Zone. You may stay at Nyabitaba or continue down if you have energy. Overnight in Kasese Town at Margherita Hotel.
Accommodation: Margherita Hotel
7-Day Hiking Rwenzori Central Circuit Trail Includes and Excludes
Inclusions:
- All ground transport to and from the Rwenzori National Park
- Park Entrance and hiking fees
- All accommodation and guiding fees
- All porters and ranger guides
- Bottled drinking water
- All government taxes
- All meals during the hiking experience
Exclusions
- Life Insurance
- Travel ticket
- Visa Ticket
Extra activities
- Extra accommodation and meals
- Alcoholic and none alcoholic drinks
- All personal gear essential for hiking
- All personal expences and items such as laundry, phone charges, tips, souveniors,etc.