Prices on request

Group size (min/max): 1-6
Duration: 14 Days
request

the trip

General description


For climbers, the ascent of the Margherita Peak (5,109m) offers a special experience. Because of its remoteness and its special climate, the Ruwenzori Mountains have a unique variety of plants. Giant senezia and lobelia, trees covered with multicolored moss and highland bogs conjure a dreamland landscape. All this is framed in a beautiful mountain landscape. On the most mystical and unique ascent route, you will reach the third highest peak in Africa via a glacier climb and rock-climbing. Climbing the Margherita Peak requires experience in glacier climbing and knowledge of rope and safety technology.
After the successful ascent of the Margherita peak, the chimpanzees are waiting for you in the Kalinzu Forest and the hippos in Lake Edward. On a community walk you get to know the way of life and the culture of the people in Nyakalengija.

Itinerary


Day 1: Arrival (D)

After arrival in Entebbe, you will be transferred to your hotel in Kampala.
Overnight in a hotel.

Day 2: Green forest, small villages, past banana, tea and cotton plantations - Kasese (B,L,D)

In the morning you will be picked up from your hotel in Kampala. Passing several small villages, green forests, banana and tea plantations, the approx. 7-hour drive leads to Kasese.
Overnight in a hotel

Day 3: Start of the Trekking - Nyabitaba-Hut (2,650m) - (B,D)

After a short drive to the starting point of the trek, guides, porters and cooks will be selected for the tour in Nyakalangija. After a leisurely hike, first through the village and past banana plantations, the national park boundary is reached after 1.5 hours. With a bit of luck, you can see chameleons in the fern or blue monkeys in the trees. In any case, one is accompanied by many and beautiful butterflies. Along the Mubuku Riber we continue through forest and open fern landscape. After a 4-5 hour hike, the Nyabitaba Hut (2,650 m) is finally reached. The Nyabitaba Cabin lies directly in the forest on a mountain slope and offers a beautiful view of the Portal Peak.
Overnight in the Nyabitaba Hut

Day 4: Crossing the Bujuku-River to John-Matte-Hut (3,480m) (B,L,D)

After a 1.5-hour hike down through the forest and green fern landscape, the suspension bridge over the Bujuku River is reached. There it goes steeply uphill through dense vegetation as well as over roots and stones. The more you gain in height the more moss-hungry and mystical the scenery becomes. At the end of the walk open moor areas with giant lobelia are reached. A short distance over wooden planks along the lakeshore, after a total of 6 hours of walking you will reach the John Matte Hut (3.480m).
Overnight at the John Matte Hut

Day 5: High moor area to Bujuku Hut (3,970m) (B,L,D)

Today you can expect a moor area with giant lobelia and beautiful views of the mountains of Rwenzori. Before you reach the plateau, it's a bit through the rain forest and past tree heaths. Afterwards, the Bujuku River is crossed on boardwalks and past tussock grass. The moor area is completely covered with screed webs, so that this section can be crossed easily and with plenty of time for taking pictures. At the end of the hike, it goes up again steeply to the Buju Lake. After a total of 5-6 hour hike, the Bujuku Hut (3,970 m) is finally reached.
Overnight in the Bujuku Hut

Day 6: Ascent to Elena Hut (B,L,D)

Today, the mountaineers separate from the enjoyment walkers of the Central Circuit. The first route goes over swampy terrain, later on ladders and boulders on a small hill. Here is a last beautiful view of the valley and the surrounding mountains of the Bujuku hut. The path continues on a ridge constantly uphill. At about 4400m you reach a rock zone. To the Elena hut you walk now without vegetation and over slabs.
Overnight in the Elena hut

Day 7: Ascension of the Margharita-Peak (5,109m) (B,L,D)

Today, the ascent of Margherita Peak awaits you. Already before sunrise, the Elena Hut is broken up to reach the summit as early as possible. The path leads over rocky terrain to the glacier. Arriving at the glacier, we put on the crampons and ropes. Finally, a ridge is reached over the steep and column-rich glacier. Over this rocky ridge, you reach the Margherita Peak with the help of rope securing devices. From here, in good weather, there is a fantastic view over the mountain peaks and into the Congo.
After enjoying the view, the ascent path back to the Elena hut. The path to the Kitandara Hut leads through the fantastic variety of plants of the Ruwenzori. Walking time: approx. 9 hours
Overnight in the Kitandara hut

Day 8: Fresh Field Pass (4,215m) - mystical fairytale forest - Guy Yeoman Hut (3,505m) (B,L,D)

Directly from the Kitandara Hut, you will climb over a block of stones and along a gully to the Fresh Field Pass (4,215m). An open space with tussock grass leads to the rainforest. In this section of the route the atmosphere becomes more and more mystical. Huge trees with multicolored moss-hangings truly make a fairy-tale forest stand out. Downhill and past a beautiful waterfall you reach after a 6-hour hike the Guy Yeoman Hut (3,505 m). The hut lies in the middle of a flower meadow.
Overnight in the Guy Yeoman hut

Day 9: Descend over ladders and through bamboo forest - Nyabitaba Hut (2,650m) (B,L,D)

It used to be a key part of the Central Circuit. Long steep rocks had to be overcome on the descent. Today you can comfortably descend this section on ladders. After this key point, the path winds through bamboo and rainforest over wooden planks and marshy spots to the Nyabitaba Hut. Trekking time 4-5 hrs
Overnight in the Nyabitaba Hut

Day 10: Last trekking day (L,D)

On the already known way it goes first steeply downhill and then leisurely continue to the national park boundary. At the reception of the National Park, you will receive a Certificate of Mountaineering confirming that you have successfully completed the Central Circuit. Afterwards we continue to the hotel.
Overnight stay in a hotel

Day 11: Chimpanzee-Trekking in Kalinzu Forest (B,L,D)

In the early morning you start in the direction of Queen Elisabeth NP. At the border of the park you have the possibility to observe savannah animals. With a little luck you will see buffalos, Uganda kobs, warthogs, elephants, waterbuck and many birds.
In the Kalinzu Forest you go in search of the chimpanzees accompanied by a ranger. Leopards, many primates and birds live in the dense forest. However, you rarely see them. Once you have arrived at the chimpanzees, you will have enough time to observe and photograph them in their hustle and bustle on the trees. On the way back you go along the edge of the forest through tea plantations. At the edge of the forest there are many birds. With a bit of luck, you will see a silver-checked hornbill, great blue turacos or black-and-white colobus monkeys.
Overnight stay in a hotel

Day 12: Community Walk and hippos (B,L,D)

The Ruboni Community organizes and supports projects for the local population and nature conservation. In the morning, with a 2-3 hour community walk, you will have the opportunity to get to know the activities of the community as well as the way of life and traditions of the people of Nyakalengija.
In the afternoon, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park to Lake Edward. In the evening, the hippos leave the lake for food. You have the opportunity to observe how the hippos leave the lake and walk leisurely past you foraging for food.
Overnight stay in a hotel

Day 13: Kasese - Kampala (B,L,D)

Today ends your exciting travel in the Ruwenzori Mountains. Your driver will take you to your hotel in Kampala.
Overnight in a hotel

Day 14: Departure (B)

Your driver will take you to the airport in Entebbe in good time.

 

Trekking & Safari in Uganda

individual travel in small groups


about us
best travel time
entry requirements
vaccinations

Travel request

Climbing Margherita-Peak & Safari (14 Days)

Please click on the following link and send us an email with your request:  hezronkule@gmail.com