Itinerary
Day 1: Mihunga Gate (1615m) to Nyabitaba Camp (2651m)
The trail begins by passing through farmland to the park boundary beyond which it follows a thick forest along the Mubuku River, crossing its Mahoma River tributary before starting a long, steep climb up onto a massive ridge to reach Nyabitaba hut.
During this part of the trip you may hear chimpanzees and see black and white colobus, blue monkey and the brilliantly coloured Rwenzori turraco.The hike takes an average of 5 -8 hours.
Accommodation at Nyabitaba Camp
Day 2: Nyabitaba (2651m) to John Matte Camp (3505m)
From Nyabitaba follow the trail that drops down through the forest to the Kurt Shaffer Bridge, just below the confluence of the Mubuku and Bujuku rivers.
Passing through the bamboo forest, traverse through a long and exhausting stretch of slippery moss-covered rock. From the Nyamuleju rock shelter, Mount Stanley and Mount Speke can be seen before passing into the zone of the giant heather, lobelia and groundsel.
Finally reach John Matte Hut after passing through the tiring bog, for dinner and overnight at the hut. The hike takes an average of 7 – 8 hours.
Accommodation at John Maate Hut
Day 3: John Matte (3505m) – Bujuku Camp (3962m) and back to John Matte Camp (3505m)
From John Matte Hut the trail drops down to cross the Bujuku River and enters Lower Bigo Bog, the home of giant lobelias. Jumping from tussock to tussock, the bog is finally crossed but rarely without the feet sampling some of the freezing ooze below. The upper Bigo bog gives way to Bujuku Lake, with views of Mt Baker to the South and Mt Stanley to the West.
Bujuku Hut, well located in the shadow of Mount Speke, is set in a narrow valley below Stuhlmann’s Pass. This camp is good for acclimatization for clients attempting the summits of peaks Mount Stanley and Mount Speke.
However, the lower Bigo bog currently has walk boards installed more than on the upper Bigo bog which makes them easier to cross than the upper Bigo bog. Dinner and overnight at John Maate hut. The hike takes an average of 6 – 8 hours.
Accommodation at John Maate Hut
Day 4: John Matte, Nyabitaba to Mihunga Gate
From John Matte descend on the same trail to Nyabitaba Camp for your lunch. This will take about 3 – 5 hours. After your lunch, descend back to Mihunga gate for either an overnight at your hotel or proceed to your next destination.
The descend from Nyabitaba to Mihunga will take 2 – 4 hours.
