Demanding summit ascent on the border of Uganda and Congo

• Climb the Margherita peak – the third highest mountain on the black continent
• Look down at the steaming jungle from the highest peak of Rwenzori
• Experience an intensive journey with an adventure character
• Hike in a group of alpinists or mountain hikers
• Spend the night in the huts protected from the weather
• Marvel at the UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Admire a unique fauna and flora

The Mountains of the moon in Uganda with their unique flora await you. The attraction of this circular trek on Rwenzori is not limited to an exotic summit experience! We are accompanied by a team that carries the luggage and equipment. The path leads through high elephant grass, lush bush and fern landscape along the Mubuku River to the Nyabitaba hut. We continue up the Bujuku Valley through dense forest and over streams. Meter-high fern trees, giant asenecia and orchids line the path. St. John’s wort or lobelias, which are just 50 cm high in our latitudes, grows into giant trees on the Rwenzori. High mountain research attributes this “gigantism” to the large amounts of precipitation, the relatively high daytime temperatures, the intense ultraviolet radiation and the acidic soils. The light is subdued; the sun’s rays barely penetrate the thick canopy of leaves. Through rooted and boggy passages and over bleached moss, jumping from tussock to tuft of grass, we work our way to the Bujuku lakes located between the peaks.
If a trekking that is physically very demanding, but technically not that difficult, is enough, hike to the Kitandara lakes. Summit ascents and the entire route of the route depend on the weather – it is not for nothing that the African explorer Henry Morton Stanley described the Rwenzori as “rainmaker”. Snow and fog are not un common; the peaks are often hidden behind masses of clouds.

Program schedule

(Meals: B = breakfast L = lunch A = dinner)

Day 1: Arrival from Europe to Entebbe

Flight to Entebbe

As per the appointment with Safaria Wild Adventure, journey is by day, or any time of the day flight to Entebbe. After the late arrival in EBB, the transfer to the hotel in Kampala takes place by the company representative.

In the afternoon we can explore the immediate vicinity of the hotel on foot.

• Driving time: approx. 1 hour
• Driving distance of: approx. 40 km
• Boma Hotel or similar lodge based on availability

Day 2: Kampala – Kasese

The drive on the north route is long; on the way we get first impressions of the life of the population. The well-developed road winds through extensive hill country with loose acacia forests, passes extensive tea plantations and small water-filled depressions with a dense population of papyrus. At lunchtime we take a break in a restaurant on the route. In the afternoon we arrive in Kasese and move into our hotel. Here we sort our equipment, prepare the mountain luggage and we can still do one or two errands in town. Kasese is the meeting point for all Rwenzori mountaineers from all over the world. From the veranda of our hotel we enjoy the first glimpses of the Rwenzori Mountains.

• Driving time: approx. 7 hours
• Driving distance of: approx. 340 km
• Sandton Hotel or similar (B, L, D)

Day3: Kasese – Ibanda – Nyabitaba Hut

After breakfast, we will store the luggage that is not required at the hotel. (Attach name tags to the pockets). After a short drive we reach Nyakalengija (1,615 m), a village near Ibanda, our starting point for the Rwenzori ascent. With our escort team (guides, cooks and porters) we make the final preparations; the luggage is weighed and distributed. We leave around noon or early. Along the banks of the Mubuku (a source river of the Nile) and past the fields of the Bakonjo mountain farmers, we find our way through tall elephant grass and thick bush. On the steep bank slopes of the Mubuku we hike up and down through tropical forest, twice we cross the river on bridges. The last part of the approximately four-hour stage leads steeply up a ridge to which, like all accommodations in the Rwenzori National Park, very simple Nyabitaba hut (2,650 m). From here we have a nice view of the Portal Peaks.

• 1035 m
• Time: about 4 -5 hours.
• Driving distance of: approx. 36 km
• Tent or hut (B, L, D)

Day4: Nyabitaba Hut – John Matte Hut

Today’s stage is characterized by fantastic and lush vegetation. First the route leads down to the Mubuku River and a little further upstream, then at the confluence of the Mubuku and Bujuku over a suspension bridge to the other bank. A newly laid wooden staircase helps us over the steep bank slope. Muddy forest floor, slippery roots and slippery rocks: this is pure jungle and correspondingly exhausting in rainy weather. At an altitude of about 3,000 m we meet the first Senecia. Continuously up and down, we reach the Nyamileju refuge after about 5 hours. This is where the bleaching moss zone, Bigo Bog, with the tussock grass begins. Another hour and our destination for the day, the John Matte Hut (3,480 m), is in sight. We walk through a beautiful Senecien forest, past huge flowers,

• 960 m
• Time: about 5 -6 hours.
• (F, M, A)

Day5: John Matte Hut – Bujuku Hut

As soon as we have crossed the Bujuku River on rocks, we go on a newly constructed boardwalk through the “Lower Bog”, a large plain with lots of swamp and tussock grass. Then we climb over roots and through mud, past long lichens and thick moss up the steep mountain slopes. The “Upper Bog”, a high valley, the texture of which is similar to that of the “Lower Bog”, extends at around 3,400 m. Walking forward sometimes means laborious “hopping forward” from tuft to tuft of grass; sometimes a piece of boardwalk leads through the moor. The mostly irregular movement through mud and morass costs strength and concentration. On the way we come across the river again, which we cross several times today. The route leads steeply through Bigo Bog and dense Senecia forest up to Lake Bujuku and on to Bujuku Hut (3,970 m). The hut is located a little above the lake in the middle of a light Senecia forest with high grass cover and, in good weather, offers wonderful views of Lake Bujuku, Mt. Baker, the Stanley massif and Mt. Speke. Incidentally, the Ruwenzori massif consists of six mountain parts. The highest peaks are with the twin peaks Margherita (5,109 m) and Alexandra (4,990 m) in the Stanley group.

• 625 m
• Walking time: approx. 6 hours
• Tent or hut (B, L, D)

Day6: Bujuku Hut – Elena Hut (mountaineer)

At the beginning through Bigo Bog, we climb a boggy hill through dense Senecien forest. We climb over tree trunks and under them. Because of the altitude, we have to walk slowly and steadily. A long metal ladder takes us to a good vantage point, from which we can look over the entire basin with the Bujuku Lake on fog-free days. This is where our paths separate: Today, the Ruwenzori aspirants climb in another 2 hours to the Elena Hut (4,540 m) below the Elena Glacier. Depending on the weather conditions, you have the opportunity to climb the summit twice (tomorrow and the day after tomorrow). The luggage and food are carried up by porters who then return to the Bujuku hut.

• 670 m
• Time: about 4 -5 hours.
• Hut (B, L, D)

Day7: Ascent of the Margherita peak (mountaineer)

Very early in the morning, around 4 a.m., the climbers set off for the glacier equipped with headlamps. The first stage leads from the Elena hut over rock terraces (rock climbing difficulty levels I to II). A fixed rope is attached in a steeper area. To the west towards the glacier it gets very up to the Stanley Plateau (this is where the crampons are used). At approx. 4,800 m, past the rock walls of the Alexandraspitze, there is a short descent through a steep rock channel. A metal ladder facilitates the transition down to the glacier. Then we climb again steeply up the glacier until we reach the pass between Alexandra- and Margheritaspitze. Just under an hour and a key point separate us from the summit. The last rocks on the way to the summit require climbing skills up to II +, a fixed rope is usually attached here. Depending on the weather conditions, we reach the summit after 5 – 7 hours. We have a fantastic view of the surrounding mountains and into the Congo. We descend to the Elena hut in about 3 hours. Discuss with your guide depending on your energy if you can proceed to Kitandara hut, if not possible have an overnight in Elena hut and descend the following morning.

• 650 m
• 650 m
• Time: about 8 -12 hours.
• Tent or hut (B, L, D)

Day8: Kitandara lakes / reserve day (mountaineer)

If the weather was good yesterday and if the ascent to the Margherita peak was successful, a leisurely descent to the Kitandara lakes awaits the climbers. With today’s summit storm, however, it will be a long day: We have to cope with the ascent to Margherita and the descent to the lake, so even with good conditions a 13-14 hour stage!

• 550 m
• Time: about 4 -4 hours.
• Tent or hut (B, L, D)

Day9: Kitandara Hut – Guy Yeoman Hut

We have to leave early so that there is enough time to rest on the way, because we have a long day ahead of us. Roots and rocks characterize the steep ascent in serpentines to the Fresh field Pass (4,280 m), which in good weather allows a wonderful view down to the Kitandara Lakes and the Edward Glacier on Mt. Baker. The descent is also steep – and also slippery, stamina and stamina are again required here. The path leads down into a river valley; we need about three hours for the arduous stage. This is followed by a fairly flat, but very long Bigo Bog section, then a steep section of the path that leads through mud, over large rocks and tree trunks. Today we need a lot of stamina, because this section of the route makes extreme demands on the psyche at times. A first cave appears in the mist between large, lush green ferns, mosses and lichens. It is the Bujongolo Cave, where the Duke of Abruzzo’s expedition set up camp in 1906. Along the steep rock walls with huge rock caves everything is dripping with moisture. The path over slippery rocks and slippery wooden ladders requires full concentration. The last 1-hour stage leads on a flat route through a beautiful high valley along the meandering river through lobelia forest to the Guy Yeoman hut (3,450 m). The path over slippery rocks and slippery wooden ladders requires full concentration. The last 1-hour stage leads on a flat route through a beautiful high valley along the meandering river through lobelia forest to the Guy Yeoman hut (3,450 m). The path over slippery rocks and slippery wooden ladders requires full concentration. The last 1-hour stage leads on a flat route through a beautiful high valley along the meandering river through lobelia forest to the Guy Yeoman hut (3,450 m).

• 290 m
• 800 m
• Time: about 6 -6 hours.
• Tent or hut (B, L, D)

Day10: Guy Yeoman Hut – Kasese

We start very early. On the last stage we descend through beautiful rainforest; then a not so easy descent at a waterfall and over the Kichuchu rock, which requires a head for heights and surefootedness, to the Kichuchu cave. The following flat, swampy section of the path is difficult. We have to be careful and keep our balance so as not to slip on the slippery surface. We alternately hike through dense undergrowth, meter-high bamboo forest covered with moss and lichen, and through head-high ferns. At the Nyabitaba hut we come across our ascent route and walk back to the starting point or end point of the mountain tour to Ibanda in two to three hours. We say goodbye to our companions, distribute the tips and drive to the hotel in Kasese. Here we dry our wet clothes, enjoy a hot shower and the feeling of being clean again. Dinner rounds off our day and we fall into bed tired.

• 115 m
• 1830 m
• Walking time: approx. 6 hours
• Boma Hotel or similar (B, L, D)

Day11: Entebbe

After breakfast we drive to Entebbe together and have the day at leisure here.

• Driving distance of: approx. 220 km
• Guesthouse (B, L, D)

Day12: Flight home to Europe or to your other travel destination

Today it is time to say goodbye to Africa and its friendly people. We’re going home to Europe.

Inclusive services

• mostly full board
• Overnight in hotels, lodges, mountain huts and / or tents
• Accompanying/escorts team and Mountain guides when climbing the mountain
• Camping and Cooking Equipment
• Luggage storage possible in the hotel
• National park fees
• Gas for fuel while on trek
• Bottled water while on tour
• Airport transfers on arrival and departure
• Lunches while on tour transfers
• Bottled water while on tour
• Soda / Juice accompanied with meals
• 4x4WD Open roof Safari Vehicle hire for tour transport and fuel
• Services for an interpretative driver/guide
• Trekking permit
• Accommodation and meals while on trek
• Rescue while on trek
• VAT and
• 5% markup

Desired services

Additionally bookable services

• Single room surcharge including single tent surcharge $320.00
• Extension of gorilla tracking (4 days) $1,590.00
• Single room surcharge $320.00

Services not included

• Visa costs (USD 50.00)
• Missing meals and drinks
• Individual excursions and visits as well as personal expenses
• Tips for the guides, driver, chefs and escorts
• Flight air tickets
• Personal health insurance
• Air port fees
• Climbing equipments(some can be hired locally)
• Last night in Kampala/ Entebbe after the trip
• Wines and other beers
• Emails if needed
• Phone calls

• Extra porter in case a client has luggage beyond 22kgs, and for any extra porter the client is charged $110
• In case of an extra day beyond the proposed itinerary, each client is charged $130 for an extra overnight and park fees.

Note:

1. The accommodation is not in luxury hotels but middle range or budget charged between $70-$80 per night
2. Transport is by Omin-bus HAICE or not land cruisers. We can also provide land cruisers on request but at an additional price.
3. Hire of equipment ( ice axe-$20, harness-$20, crampons-$20, climbing rope-$25, helmet-$20, climbing boot-$25, sleeping bag-$25 ) However we have few helmets, and climbing boots, sleeping bags in our stores.

Character of the tour and Requirements

Profile:

Tourism in Uganda: You are visiting one of the most beautiful East African countries. The infrastructure is in no way comparable to that in Kenya or Tanzania. The huts here are like hiding places. They are small and simple, with only a few places to sleep and often with too little seating or tables. For this reason, we take our own tents with us for bigger groups and can use them flexibly. Please be lenient in the event of minor discrepancies on site. Flexibility, tolerance and open-mindedness should be a matter of course for all fellow travelers. Trekking to Ruwenzori is pioneering, strenuous and demanding! In order to be able to cope with the rigors of this extraordinary trekking, you must be resilient, i.e. you must be in excellent overall physical condition, have great stamina and should be able to tolerate the humid climate. The nature of the terrain requires very concentrated walking and therefore absolute surefootedness (walking safely on different terrain, i.e. over roots, tree trunks, rocks, through river beds and on slippery ground). Do not carelessly step down the plant-covered border areas in swamp areas – the plants grow in one of the last intact rainforest areas in the world and are unique! We recommend that you bring rubber boots with you for the first and last days of trekking!

The unusual altitude and the high humidity make great demands on the heart and circulation. Please note that your body has to gradually get used to the altitude. Walk slowly and steadily, especially at the beginning of the tour. The risk of altitude sickness should not be underestimated! Walking too fast can result in altitude sickness and interrupt the tour. Please consult your doctor before departure.

The daily walking times are between six and nine hours. Please make yourself aware that this trekking is not only physically but also mentally demanding and therefore requires a high level of motivation. In the worst case, you should be prepared for daily downpours; possibly even for days of fog and rain that completely soaks you. But there are also quite stable weather phases.
The Margherita peak (5,109 m) should only be approached by experienced mountaineers. The guide leads and shows the way, but each participant should be able to climb the mountain independently in a rope team. The combined terrain (rock and bare ice passages, crevasses, steep firn gullies depending on the season and climatic conditions) requires ice experience and climbing skills (rock climbing difficulty level II +). Two passages have a gradient of approx. 35-40 degrees; otherwise the glacier is rather flat. The last, quite exposed section to the summit requires a head for heights. Safe walking with crampons, knowledge of safety techniques, crevasse rescue and handling ice screws are required.

Accommodation:

Accommodation is in the cities and hotels and on the mountain in the national park, either in the local huts or in tents close to these permanent dwellings.

Catering:

Please understand if the catering is very simple and a little one-sided. Since all groceries have to be taken away, a varied menu cannot be offered. For breakfast there is tea, coffee and bread; cold sandwich or soup for lunch; Pasta, rice and meat dishes in the evening. All participants must be willing to help prepare evening meals. Delicacies such as salami, pumpernickel or the like are a welcome change.

If you want to climb the Margherita peak, you should bring the necessary equipment because it is very expensive to borrow on site and the equipment is very poor and often does not meet our safety requirements. Please note: The maximum weight of the flexible piece of luggage during the trek is 15 kg.

Travel dates and prices

Other Rwenzori climbing Options on full board

10 Days: Rwenzori climbing 3 peaks climbing (Margherita peak, Mt. Speke, Mt. Baker)

2 – 4/pax – $2,885 

5 – 8/pax – $2,699 

9 -12/pax – $2,588                       

6 Days: Central Circuit only no peak Climbing

Package price – $ 2,200 per Person

5 Days: Mount Speke

Package price – $ 1,951 per Person

4 Days: Bujuku Camp trek

Package price – $1,705per Person

3 Days: Nature walk to john Maate camp

Package price – $1,577per Person

Climate

Uganda has a balanced, tropical climate, which is tempered by the altitude. Average temperatures in the central part of the country are 15 to 27 degrees, in the north significantly higher. The big dry season is from June to September, the short dry season from October to December. The main rainy season takes place from mid-March to June. This results in an optimal travel time for Uganda between December and February and July to September.

Equipment

• Ribbon loop 120 cm (sewn)
• Glacier glasses with side eye and nose protection
• Short Prusik 6 mm / 1 m long
• Light ice ax
• Lightweight crampons with anti-skid plate
• Prusik slings (5-6mm, 2 x 2.8-3.0 meters)
• Screw carabiner (3xHMS)
  2 pieces
• Seat belt (at events with light ski belt)
• Headlamp with spare batteries
• Telescopic walking sticks
• Trekking or mountain backpack 30 l
• Cash, credit card, EC card (ATM)
• ETIX (electronic flight ticket)
• Vaccination certificate
• Passport with a copy
• Swimwear
• Glacier glasses (glasses with protection factor 3 or 4)
• Neckerchief / scarf / buff as dust and / or cold protection
• towel
• High mountain shoe category C, limited crampon-proof
• Mountaineering pants
• Short sleeve shirts or blouses
• Long sleeve shirts or blouses
• Sandals or crocs (overland trips, accommodation, showers, etc.)
• Sleepwear
• sunglasses
• Sun protection for the head
• Trekking pants
• Warmth layer (light down jacket or Primaloft)
• thin finger gloves
• warm gloves
• warm hat
• wind- and waterproof jacket (ideal: breathable)
• wind- and waterproof pants (breathable)
• Lunch box
• flexible piece of luggage including a small lock
• Insect repellent for skin and possibly clothing
• umbrella
• Sleeping bag up to – 5 ° in the comfort area
• writing utensils
• sun cream
• pocket knife
• Thermos
• Drinking bottle or drinking system at least 1 liter
• Snacks (dried fruit, chocolate, whole grain bars, energy bars, “favorite tea bags”)
• Personal photo equipment with enough batteries and memory cards, possibly with flash, tripod
• additional small bag to store luggage
• First aid kit (incl. Blister plaster, tape, disinfection)
• light bivouac sack
• Important personal medication (in hand luggage: cough, headache, diarrhea etc.)
• Descender (e.g. figure eight; tuber)
• Mobile phone with charging cable
• rubber boots
• Hand sanitizer
• Mouth nose protection

Entry requirements

Entry requirements Uganda

Citizens of Germany require a valid passport, temporary passport or children’s passport to enter the country. The passport must be valid for at least 180 days upon entry.
Tip: Copy your passport / identity card and your flight ticket before you leave. In the event of loss, this makes it easier to buy a new one. Keep the copies separate from the original documents and your valuables. Or: Send yourself copies of your most important documents as PDF files to your own email address.
Embassies and consulates general provide legally binding information. Entry regulations can change at short notice or be treated differently in individual cases.

Since July 1, 2016, a visa can only be applied for online on the visas.immigration.go.ug website. Scanned passport copies, passport photos, evidence of yellow fever vaccination and, if necessary, other evidence must be uploaded. Once the procedure has been completed, the visa will be issued upon presentation of your passport and original evidence and payment of the visa fee (cash, in US dollars or local currency) upon entry. A 3% fee is due for online payment by credit card. The visa fee for the simple tourist visa is currently USD 50.00.
If you combine several travel countries, we recommend that you apply for the East African Visa (EAC): https://irembo.gov.rw/rolportal/web/rol/east-africa-tourist-visa this applies to multiple entries to Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya. The visa costs USD 100, – which you can either pay in advance when applying by credit card or directly upon entry. The processing time is usually three days.

Vaccinations and health care

Vaccinations and Health Care Uganda

Yellow fever vaccination is currently mandatory for entry from Europe. In addition to the vaccinations recommended in Germany, according to the Robert Koch Institute (www.rki.de) and the Center for Travel Medicine (www.crm.de), other vaccinations can be useful. These may include tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis A / B, and polio. A yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for travelers. There is a high risk of malaria all year round, especially during the rainy season. Malaria prophylaxis or a stand-by emergency medication is useful. You can find more information at www.hauser-exkursionen.de/reiseinfos/gesundheit. Individual medical advice is recommended.

Thanks for visiting the Rwenzori Mountains