Rwenzori Kilembe Trek ( 7 Days)

Itinerary

Book 7 Days Rwenzori trekking tour with Rwenzori Expeditions via the Kilembe route which is the second oldest trail in Rwenzori Mountains after the Rwenzori Central Circuit that was used by the Duke of Abuzz to summit magherita in 1906 on his rwenzori expeditions into Uganda. The Adventure starts at Kilembe point at 8:00am and its advisable to have spent your night at Rwenzori Backpackers for better arrangement, we do book these hotels at affordable rates. Gabe the discounted rate for the lodge if your booking the Rwenzori trek with us . Contact us now to tailor for you a group or private trip to Rwenzori Mountains.

Day 1 : Kilembe Camp to Kalalama camp

Depending on where you have spent your night before ( Most Recommended is Rwenzori Backpackers) you will head to the Uganda Wildlife Authority headquarter for briefing,  and start on the trek through various vegetation covers with chances of encountering various bird species and monkeys. Troops of monkeys are seen hanging or jumping from one tree branch to another. There is a steep climb with many high steps as you enter the Bamboo zone, which is muddy and slippery, thus making movements so slow. You will stop at Sine for lunch and later proceed to trek upto Kalalama Camp for the dinner and overnight: Dinner at Kalalama Camp (3147m).

Day 2: Trek from Kalalama Camp to Bugata Camp

After Breakfast,  You will set off for the wonderful trek to Bugata Camp with stop overs at the Mutinda Camp for the beautiful view of the rivers and lakes along side over vegetation covers that are unique in the wilderness of Rwenzori Mountains.   You will enjoy your lunch at Mutinda camp at 3.688m, that was named after the Mutinda Peaks found within the park and later proceed to connect to Bugata camp by passing through the Valleys and crossing Big bogs which requires you to have unique waking gears. You will Have your dinner and overnight at Bugata Camp.

Upon arrival at Bugata Camp you will enjoy the scenic view of Weismann’s Peak of Mount Luigi di Savoia that is often covered by the snow.

Note: Bugata also has a helicopter pad (GPS reading N 18.312 E29 53.457) in case of any need for rescue by helicopter but be warned that a helicopter in Uganda costs around $10,000 per hour flying time which is way more than other countries so you need insurance in case of rescue.

Day 3: Bugata Camp Trek to Hunwick’s Camp

You will enjoy breakfast and later start on the walk along the ridge, crossing several wet areas and small rivers flowing from both Mount Baker and the fresh fields pass.

Here is possibly the best place in all the Rwenzori to observe the Malachite Sun bird as it feeds on the many lobelia flowers and a known breeding site.

Dinner and overnight at Hunwick camp.

Day 4: Hunwick Camp to Magherita Camp

From Hunwick’ camp you will pass down and across the valley floor to Lake Kitendara which is very stunning with deep water and beautiful vegetation. From here you climb up Scott Elliott’s pass then up the ridge to Margherita Camp 4,485 metres which is situated between some huge rocks and offering some shelter from the strong winds. This is the very spot where the Duke of Abruzzi camped when making his climb to Margherita Peak in 1906.

Climbing upto Scott Elliott Pass which is an amazing as you walk through and rising up the ridge of Mt Stanley to Margherita Camp at 4,485 meters which is below Elena Camp . Later you will proceed to connect to Hunwick camp where you roll be spending your night.

The Ellen Camp is the one that was used by the an Italian Prince Luigi Amadeo di Savoia, and Duke of the Abruzzi  in 1906 during their expedition into Rwenzori Mountains.  While at Hunwick camp you will be able to view the Scenic view of the famous Mt Baker, Scott Elliot Pass and some of the Rwenzori glaciers. 

Dinner and overnight at Magherita Camp.

Day 5: Ascend to Magherita Summit and back to Hunwick camp

You will wake up at 2:00am for your early morning breakfast, after which you will set off for the longest and strenuous walk to the summit of Margherita which will start at 3:00am The early movement to Margherita peak of Mount Stanley is mainly aimed at reaching the glaciers before sunrise since the heat from the sun causes the glaciers to melt, thus making the roots to be totally impassable.

Hiking through the steep heights to Margherita peak requires enough physical strength. Proceed with your hike over the glaciers close, after then you will climb to an exposed section of the rock, which is bolted and roped, to get on the ridge running up to the top of the Margherita peak at 5.109m

Upon reaching the peak, you will be endowed by the beautiful scene of the whole country, as you are now at the highest point of Uganda. You will descend at 10am from the peak due to the weather issues, after which you will descend to Hunwick’s camp for dinner and an overnight stay.

Note: Due to this change in weather we have set a strict turn around time of 10am so if you do not reach the peak before then you must turn around regardless of the disappointment in the interests of safety.

History of Rwenzori Mountains - Locations Video credit to Nastasia Kruso

Day 6: Descend to Kiharo Camp

You will set off from Hunwick Camp and start to descend to Kiharo Camp as you enjoy the scenic view of the Rwenzori Mountains . During this trail, you will be rewarded with impressive views of the three peaks  of Mount Stanley, Mount Baker and Mount Speke as well as  the Scott Elliot pass before reaching Oliver’s pass at 4,505m.

The total distance between Hunwick’s Camp and Oliver’s pass is 3km. The trail then cuts across below Weismanns peak to the confluence of the Nyamwamba River which flows down through Kilembe and Kasese to Lake George in Queen Elizabeth National park.

Note: If you wish to climb Weismanns Peak 4,620 metres from Oliver pass you may do so at an extra cost of $20 each. On a clear day you get fantastic views of Margherita and Mt Stanley, Mt Speke and Mt Baker.

The confluence then meanders down the valley to Kiharo camp, which is established in a deep valley with high cliffs and dense vegetation. Dinner and overnight stay at the camp.

Day 7:  Descend to the base of the Camp

After morning breakfast at the Kiharo Camp , you will start to descend connecting  to the base, the distance Kiharo Camp to the park gate 16km and another 2.8km down to Trekkers Hostel. Time to walk 5 to 8 hours. The trail down the Nyamwamba Valley is mostly downhill and absolutely stunning with beautiful views, moss covered rocks along the river, cascading waterfalls, deep valleys and forests

A few kilometres from Kiharo Camp the path turns off to the right to pass along the river. In the clear areas you may catch a glimpse of a Duiker quietly feeding in small clearings as you pass along the river. After waterfalls we climb up and over a high ridge then down though the dense forests with stunning views of the valley below. We stop at Forest View Camp for lunch before proceeding back to Base Camp.