12 Days Rwenzori Mountain Hiking Safari Holiday, 4PEAKS TREK

12 Days Rwenzori Mountain Hiking Safari 4Peaks Trek.

Mountains of the Moon is found in Africa and lies in the western Uganda on the Congolese border, with snow covered, equatorial peaks rising to the height of 5110m, form the unique mountain national park. Most of the park is accessible only to hikers to yield magnificent scenery.

The distinctive glacial peaks are visible from miles around, but the slopes above 1,600m are the preserve of hikers, who rate the Rwenzori to be the most challenging of all African mountains. This park covers 120 km and is easily accessible through Kasese and Fort Portal. The trails lead through rain forest inhabited with monkeys and birds, then tall bamboo forest, before emerging on the high-altitude moorland zone, a landscape of bizarre giant lobelias, towered over by blackrock and white snow, looking for all the world like the set of a science fiction film An expedition to the Rwenzori is an exhilarating and rewarding experience but one which must be well planned. There are several circuits to the top of the mountain; since the mountain has seven peaks and six are snow capped ones. The mountains altitude is 14000 ft The mountain is renowned for its engineered, steep and slippery trails and frequent rain characterized by cold temperatures, bog, mud, steep terrain and high altitude. Due to hash conditions the best time for hiking is July-August and December-February

ITINERARY This will be planned at arrival according to which circuit the hiker prefers, this is one of the samples we have.

Day 1: Arrival in Uganda, Pickup From Entebbe Airport and Transfer to Kampala.

On arrival , gorilla safaris representative will welcome you and transfer you to your accommodation in Kampala for resting as you wait for your  Rwenzori Mountain Hiking Safari holiday. If you arrive before 16:00 hours local time , we will find you some entertainment depending on which events of the day are there in Kampala.

Day 2: Briefing and hike to Sine Camp 2596metres. 

Start at Trekkers at 1,450 meters and sleep at Sine Hut at 2,596 meters being a height gain of 1,146 meters, or those who are fit and want to proceed to Kalalama Camp at 3,134 metres may do so and apart from the fantastic views gives you more time at Mutinda Camp where you may climb up to Mutinda Lookout at 3,975 metres.

We start by walking up the valley floor through tall forest trees of the Afro Montane Forest Zone. This is a steady climb with multitudes of birds and a chance of seeing blue monkeys scampering off through the forest. At times visitors may see troupes of 15 to 20 black and white Colobus monkeys as they swing through the tree tops. There are rare sightings of the L’Hoest monkey which are part of the Bukonzo cultural emblems and are protected by the virtue of the King or Omusinga or you may hear wild chimpanzee in the distance. There is wide variety of plant species from forest trees to bamboos thickets, low shrubs, flowers, fungi, and with many moss and lichen covered vines hanging from the tall trees creating an awesome appeal. Enock’s Falls are just 200 meters from Sine Hut and offer a splendid opportunity to capture a great screensaver for your memories.

At Sine Camp 2,596 metres we have wooden huts set between tall forest trees on a narrow ridge where you may sit and enjoy the beauty of the Afro Montane forest while you look down at a fantastic waterfall crashing over the rocks far below. Some clients prefer to sit outside enjoying the warmth of the campfire and chat to the guides about the mountains and life in their community. Sine is just below the bamboo zone and the area around has many different bird species. 150 meters from the camp is Enock falls which is set in livid green vegetation and hanging vine. Truly beautiful. Sleep at Sine, or those who are fit and want to proceed to Kalalama Camp at 3,134 metres may do so and apart from the fantastic views gives you more time at Mutinda Camp where you may climb up to Mutinda Lookout at 3,975 metres.

Day 3. Hike to Mutinda Camp 3588 meters.

Trekking starts at 8.30am and almost immediately you enter the Bamboo-Mimulopsis Zone which is steep climb with many high steps. In the wet season the bamboo zone is rather muddy and slippery making the going slow. However the atmosphere and the forest is beautiful as you climb 551 metres altitude and a distance of 1.8km to Kalalama Camp at 3,147 meters which is in the Heather-Rapanea Zone where you can take a rest and a quick cup of tea or coffee before heading on to Mutinda Camp. The trail meanders up and over several small knolls along a ridge top then drops down the side of the valley before climbing again, and in doing so cross several small streams and pass close to moss covered waterfalls. You then climb steadily along the side of a beautiful mossy river which tumbles down over the rocks under the Giant Heather trees whose trunks are covered in green moss with old man beards (Usnea lichen) hanging from the branches. The trail twists and turns as you climb up the deep valley, which has an enormous variety of plants and flowers. This valley is unique with many Giant Heather trees creating a beautiful atmosphere often shrouded in mist. 

In the afternoon you may wish to climb up to the top of the Mutinda Lookout (one to two hours up and one hour down) The views are amazing as you stand on moss covered rocks at 3,925 meters with views across the Rwenzori Mountains and down to Kasese town and Lake George. For those clients who are climbing to Margherita or any of the main peaks climbing Mutinda 3,975 meters is also an excellent way to acclimatise and reduce the risk of high altitude sickness

Sleep at Mutinda Camp at 3.588 metres

Day 4. Hike to Bugata Camp 4062 meters.

The trail to Bugata Camp is boggy particularly in the wet season but with a little skill you can step from tussock to tussock to make the going easier.  First you cross the Mutinda valley through the tussock grass and everlasting flowers interspersed with many Giant Lobelias before climbing a steep section up to the Namusangi Valley (3,840 meters), with sheer waterfalls and looking back you get fantastic views of Mutinda Peaks. The Namusangi Valley is wide, with many ups and downs as the trail climbs steadily to Bugata Camp at 4,100 metres.

Day 5. Hike to Hunwicks Camp 3974metres.

Trek to Hunwick’s Camp via Bamwanjarra Pass. As you leave Bugata Camp you pass up a ridge then drop down slightly before ascending to Bamwanjarra Pass at 4,450 meters where we have a hut should the weather turn bad. From the pass on a clear day you get excellent views of the three main peaks. The trail passes down the valley and around the edge of some bogs and thick ever green vegetation, moss. giant groundsel and lobelia. Here is possibly the best place in all the Rwenzori to observe the Malachite Sunbird as it feeds on the many lobelia flowers and a known breeding site. Farther on there is some steep sections before a steady climb up and over a ridge to Hunwick’s Camp which is situated on the top of a deep valley and has good views of Mt Stanley, Mt Baker, Weismanns Peak and McConnell’s Prong.

Day  6. Summit Mt Baker 4842m and sleep at Hunwicks camp 3974meters.

4.3 kilometer climb 4 to 6 hours up and 2 to 3 hours back down. Set off by 6.30am to climb the Mt Baker Peak 4,842 metres. Ascent time from McConnell’s Camp (Camp 4) to the top is three to four hours and descent three hours. This is a steep rocky climb where you need a good head for heights as some sections like the crevice climbing down to the glacier has a sizeable drop off the side. Although steep Mt Baker is considered non-technical except in the snow season (wet season) of April-May and September-October when it is very slippery on the ice covered rocks, nevertheless safety ropes will be used at all times on steep sections. After climbing up you descend along a crack in the rock face to the glacier and a short 300 metre walk to the peak.

If we have fine weather or a break in the cloud the views of the main peaks of Magherita, Alexandria, Stanley’s plateau and the glaciers are fantastic as you see the splendor of these beautiful snow capped mountains. The view is awesome!! After absorbing this lifetime experience we walk back across the glacier climb back up the crack in the rock face and descend to McConnell’s Camp. Sleep at Camp 4.

Day  7. Hike to Margherita Camp 4485 meters.

Hike to Margherita camp at 4485 meters, passing down and across the valley floor to Lake Kitandara which is very stunning with deep water and beautiful vegetation, climbing through Scoot Elliot pass to Margherita camp. Meals: B,L,D

Day 8. Summit Margherita peak 5109 meters.

Wake up at 2am and catch an early breakfast before heading off to climb Mt Stanley at 2.30am. This is necessary as the weather has changed a lot and often even during the dryer season the mountain is closed in with heavy clouds and snow falls from 1 pm to 4pm and this happens within a short period of 10 to 15 minutes as the clouds rise up from the extensive Congo rainforests. During January and February 2017 clients were closed in and unable to walk during heavy snow storms which previously were not heard of during the dryer season and arrived back at Margherita camp well after dark with one group arriving back at 11pm totally exhausted. Due to this change in weather we have set a strict turnaround 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. Margherita glacier has also suffered with global warming and as the outer edges of the glacier recede the ice is becoming steeper with one section of about 200 meters more than 60% grade. Combined with this much of the blacker has melted underneath causing caves under the ice and as it get thinner eventually caves in. So is necessary that clients understand and take advice of where the guides suggest to pass.

For those clients with less mountaineering experience we suggest that you stay on Stanley glacier and climb up to a good vantage point on a rocky outcrop on the southern edge of Alexandra Peak to enjoy fantastic views over Congo and the lower mountain ridges

After ascending the peak at 5,109 metres you then pass directly to Bujuku Caves and camp for the night.

Day 9. Summit Mt. Speke 4890 meters.

Summit Mt. Speke 4890m and sleep at Hunwicks Camp 3974m. Meals: B,L,D

Day 10. Summit Weismann’s peak 4620m and hike down to Kiharo Camp 3430 meters.

From Hunwicks Camp we start the day by climbing up a ridge towards McConnell’s Prong where you get the best views of all three peaks and Scott Elliott’s Pass before reaching Oliver’s

Pass at 4,505 metres. The distance from Hunwick’s Camp to the top of Oliver’s Pass is 3km The trail then cuts across below Weismann’s Peak to the confluence of the Nyamwamba River. You can opt to take on the summit of Weismann’s peak for those that will still be strong enough coming down and continue to Kiharo camp at 3430 meters. Overnight at Kiharo Camp, set in a deep valley with high cliffs and dense vegetation. Meals : B,L,D

 Day 11. Descend down to the basecamp at  Nyakilegeja then to Kasese

Descend gently to Nyakalengijo trail head (1600m) park headquarters. This can take two to three hours depending on your body fitness. Carry on to your hotel for lunch relax your tired legs and body and prepare for the journey back to Kampala

Distance Kiharo Camp to the park gate 12.2km and another 2.8km down to Trekkers Hostel Time to walk 5 to 8 hours so those who need to connect to flights back to Kampala or travel on to other activities need to leave Kiharo early.

Day12: Drive back to Kampala or Entebbe airport

After breakfast head for Kampala or Entebbe and relax at your hotel before flying to your home the next day. Trekking Notes: Trekking starts on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from Ibanda (starting point) Safari start and end from Kampala/Entebbe Clients will carry hiking shoes, sleeping bags, warm clothes Climbing to the peaks will require ice axe, mountain boots, crampons, ropes and prior arrangements. Mountain hiking takes place throughout the year, however during months of April, May, October and November experience more rains but this does not stop hiking activities. 

The following equipment is available for hire with the Rwenzori Mountaineering Services:

• Crampons Ushs 20,000/-
• Climbing boots Ushs 20,00/-
• Rubber boots Ushs 10,000/-
• Climbing ropes Ushs 20,000/-
• Ice axe Ushs 20,000/-
• Harness Ushs 20,000/-
• Sleeping mats  Ushs 10,000/-
• Sleeping bags Ushs 50,000/-
• Walking sticks Ushs10,000/-

1. Mountain Elgon trekking.

2. Mountain Sabinyo climbing.

3.

3.