10 DAYS RWENZORI HIKKING

Day 1: Depart From Kasese via Queen Elizabeth.

Depart from kasese via Queen Elizabeth National Park. set off on the south bound road at 10:am. Along the way, see the royal drum makers, stand on the equator and bargain at the roadside markets. Descend to the Queen Elizabeth National Park, keeping an eye out for game. Overnight at Margherita hotel, kases/Volcanoes Queen Elizabeth site (FB)

 

Day 2: Climb -to Nyabitaba through Bakonjo homesteads.

Begin the climb -to Nyabitaba hut. (2650m). After breakfast, drive to Nyakalengija trail head (1600m). Make final arrangements for a guide and porters, begin hiking up to Nyabitaba hut. walk through the banana shambas on the side of the steep foothills, past typical Bakonjo homesteads with the children waving you on! Follow the trail along the Mubuku River, through landslides and up and down rocks and bluffs. Cross the Mahoma River and climb steeply through bracken fern slopes and Podocarpus forest to Nyabitaba hut for overnight (FB)

Day 3:

The trail from Nyabitaba drops down through the forest to the Kurt Shafer Bridge, just below the confluence of the Bujuku and Mubuku Rivers. A steep ascent through bamboo forest,traversing a long and exhosting stretch of slippery moss-covered rock. From Nyamileju rock shelter, on clear days, Mount Stanley and Mount Speke can be glimpsed before passing into the zone of the giant heather, lobelia and groundsel,. The final stretch to the hut is across a tiring bog, the first of many for which the mountain is famous (FB)

Day 4: Enter the lower Bigobog

Immediately after John Matte Hut, the trail drops down to cross the Bujuku River and enters lower Bigo Bog, home of giant lobelias. Jumping from tussock to tussock, the bog is finally crossed but rarely without the feet sampling some of the fleezing ooze below. The upper Bigo bog mgives 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 Mt Baker and Mount Speke, is set in a narrow valley below Stuhlmann pass. A spectacular setting but it can be very cold , even for the Rwenzoris. (FB)

Day 5: Mount Stanley

Leaving Bujuku,through more bog, the trail climbs the steep slopes west of the lakeully, passing through the magical Groundsel Gully as it ascends to Scott-Elliot pass at 4372m. At the head of the gully, a metal ladder leads you over a steep section after which the trail splits into two. The right leads up to Elena Hut and Mount Stanley on a steep trail over large boulders. The left path leads to Scott-Elliot pass and down to kitandara Lakes. For those sleeping at the basic Elena Hut, be prepared for a cold and icy night (FB)

 

Day 6: Climb the summit of Margherita

For those climbing Margherita Peak (5109m), continue to the base of the stanley Glacier. Depending on the weather and the individual's acclimatisation, it can be a four to seven hour walk to the summit of Margherita. This is a tough walk over three glaciers. slippery rock, ice and very exposed areas which are open on many sides. It is only for the physically fit and is a technical climb which requires roping up, crampons and appropriate equipment for cold, windy and icy conditins. It is best to attempt the final climb in a minimum group of 4-two climbers and two guides; (a suppliment for the extra guide has to be paid for at the time of booking). Climb on to the glacier, cross the stanley plateau and proceed with the ascent. subject to altitudeto sickness, fog and water, scramble up to the summit of Margherita, crown of the Rwenzoris. Due to the altitude and the tough conditions, not everybody will make it to the summit so do not be disappointed if you do not. Returning to Scott-Elliot pass, their are spectacular views back to Bujuku lake and Mount Speke, up to Mount Stanley and down to the Kitandara Lakes. Once over the pass, the trail enters an alpine zone of sparse vegetation and rough boulders. Descend to Kitandara Hut for overnight, past the Kitandara Lakes. (For those who do not wish to climb the peak, a more restful day walking from Elena Hut to Kitandara Hut 4,023m). (FB).

 

Day 7: Climb Mt Stanley

To Guy Youman Hut (3260m). From kitandara, the trail ascends steeply up the headwall, spreding out from the base of Mount Baker and countinuing along the south side of the Mountain to the Freshfeild pass. On a clear day their are views into the congo to the west and Mount Stanley to the north. From the pass, the long muddy descent continues , passing the rock shelter at Bujangolo, the base camp for the historic expedition by the Duke of Abruzzi in 1906 (FB).

Day 8: climb Nyabitaba

To Nyabitaba (2650m). Thw path down can be slippery and muddy with litle to hold on to and requires careful balancing over the vertical mud or steep rock. An overnight spot at the Nyabitaba Hut is a pleasant rest after the exostion of the previous days (FB).

Day 9: Game Viewing in QENP

To Nyakalengija trailhead (1600m). the A gentle descent down the muddy paths to the trailhead, arriving late morning. Lunch in Kasese. Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, game viewing on the way. In the afternoon time permiting, a boat cruising on the Kazinga channel where the wildlife and a vast array of birds come to drink. Overnight at Mweya/jacana (FB).

 

 

Day 10: Back to Kampala

Early morning game drive. Depart for kampala, lunch enroute, arriving late afternoon (HB).