Rwenzori Mountains
From the earliest recorded history reference has been make to the snows of the Nile, the mystical ‘Mountains of the Moon’ that hide for months at a time in the clouds of the Western Rift Valley. There is no other range that captured the imagination of Ptolemy and the old world philosophers in quite the same way.
Forest elephant and wild chimpanzees crash through the undergrowth in the lower slopes, shy bushbuck hide amidst giant lobelia forests and the elusive endemic Turaco cuts a dash across the thundering streams.
Clouds hide the range for most of the year (it took Stanley over three months to see the peaks despite camping 50kms them), torrential rains drench the Ugandan side of the range and the icefields are hidden from all but the hardiest of creatures.
However, a trek up the deep valleys of the Rwenzori is an immersion in a different world. The vegetation that thrives on this rain-soaked massif is nothing short of phenomenal and with each gain in altitude it changes.
Nature does its best to hide the secrets of these mountains from us because even when the cloud lifts, remarkable plants cling to sheer rock walls, giant heathers, draped with ‘old mens beard’ grow from amidst slippery boulders and vivid green mosses blanket the range.
The further we climb the Rwenzoris, the more awed we become with what has been hidden from us.
Leaving steamy tropical rainforest we hike through mist shrouded bamboo, past hidden lakes, marvel at thundering waterfalls and eventually traverse an equatorial icefield to the snow capped peak of Marguerita at 5109m on Mt. Stanley.
‘It felt as though we had emerged from a world of fantasy, where nothing was real but only a wild and lovely flight of imagination. I think perhaps the range is unique. It is well named the Mountains of the Moon’ Eric Shipton, Upon that Mountain
Ruwenzoris – Margherita Peak – Itinerary
Day 1: Drive from Kampala to Ibanda (near the trail head) and stay overnight. Evening briefing, distribution of food loads and final preparation.
Day 2: Drive from Ibanda to Nyakalengija road head (1900m). Register with Uganda Wildlife Authority, listen to briefs and arrange porter loads. Walk from the trail head up the Mubuku river system to Nyabitaba Hut (2650m) 3-4 hours walk. Look for fresh forest elephant trails, listen to the magic of the tumbling rivers and watch for monkeys and chimpanzees.
Day 3: Descend the ridge to the Mubuku river then climb through bamboo forest toward John Matte Hut (3380m). The trail is steep and challenging ascending along the north side of the Bujuku river through giant heather forest (6-7 hours)
Day 4: Trek from John Matte Hut (3380m) to Bujuku Hut (3977m). We encounter the first of notorious bogs for which the Uganda approach to the peaks is famous. Traverse around Bigo Bog and Lake Bujuku. Look for the Everlasting Flower (known to remain on the plants for 40-years) and giant lobelias.
Day 5: Bujuku Hut to Elena Hut (4580m). Climb steeply from Lake Bujuku to Abruzzi’s camp and then on to Elena Hut near the foot of the Mt. Stanley Plateau. From the valley floor, scree slopes heavily populated with giant lobelias give way to polished slabs of rock and short wall climbs lead to Elena Hut (2.1/2 hours). Sleeping space is tight.
Day 6: Elena Hut to Margherita peak (5109m) then down to Kitandara Hut (4027m). Early morning traverse of the Elena glacier to the Stanley Plateau where crampons will be required. Cross this in a NW direction and follow the Margherita glacier to the col and to choose a route to the summit. Descend to Kitandara Hut for a comfortable night.
Day 7: Kitandara Hut (4027m) to Guy Yeoman Hut (3450m) Climb steeply to the Freshfied pass (4280m) then down follow open ridges to the spectacular Bujongolo rock shelter. Enjoy dozens of waterfalls of the upper Mubuku river system en route to Guy Yeoman hut.
Day 8: Guy Yeoman Hut to Nyabitaba hut. Drop very steeply alongside the Mubuku river, past Kichuchu (another rock shelter) and join our original route near the confluence of the Bujuku river (3.1/2 hours).
Day 9: Nyabitaba Hut to the Nyakalengija road head (2-hours). Descend steeply off the ridge and notice enter the warm rainforest. Look for the tropical forest birds and monkeys. Drive directly back to Kampala.
The price includes: transfers ex Kampala (Coaster bus), park entrance fees, peak fees, international trip leader, local guides and porters, accommodation in basic mountain huts, heating fees, rescue fees, all meals whilst on the mountains, instruction and the use of harnesses, ice axes, crampons and ropes. Please ask for an itinerary and our detailed personal equipment list.
