Rwenzori Mountains Hiking Rwenzori Tours Uganda Africa
February 27, 2008
Central Circuit Trail:
Day 1: Nyakalengija (1615m)-Nyabitaba Hut (2651m).
The Central Circuit starts at Nyakalengija at RMS offices.
Visitors are advised to arrive early morning to meet their guides, porters and rent their equipments, to save some time for the trail.
The trail starts by moving through a farmland to the boundary of the park, then followed by Mubuku River. Here you cross the Mahoma tributary and climb up the ridge to reach Nyabitaba hut.
During the trip, you will have a chance of seeing the black and white Colobus, coloured Rwenzori turaco, blue monkey and the chimpanzee as well.
(The hike takes almost 5 hours).
Day 2: Nyabitaba (2651m)-Mubuku River (2600m). John Matte Hut (3505m).
The trail starts beyond Nyabitaba, a few (100m) where the trail divides.
The right path takes you to Bujuku valley peaks and the left one to the descent occasions.
This trail takes you to Kurt Shafers Bridge crossing the Mubuku valley below the confluence of the river.
After the river, a slippery muddy trail climbs up through the bamboo forest.
At this point, you meet the groundsel zone and giant Lobelia found only in East Africa’s highest mountains.
Then you pass through the extra ordinary plants of challenging bog, to John Matte.
The trek takes 7 hours.
Day 3: John Matte (3505m)-Buyuku (3962m):
This route takes you to the Bujuku River where you cross the lower Bigo bog.
To improve walking, aboard walk has been constructed at the upper Bigo bog, reached by climbing a steep slope at the upper Bigo bog, a stunning view of Mt. Stanely at the top of the glacier- carved valley
After along glacial moraine climb, the trail takes you to Lake Bujuku, after crossing the river.
Past the cooking pot cave to Bujuku Hut is the muddiest stage of the trek.
The Hut is for interested parties climbing Mt. Speke, which stage almost takes 5 hours to the Hut at Bujuku.
Day 4: Bujuku (3962m-Scott Eliott Pass (4372m) to Kitandara (4023m).
The trail crosses more into mud from Bujuku through giant groundsels forest before a steepy climb.
To reach the groundsel gully, a metal ladder has to be climbed.
A branch climbs direct to Elena Hut (4430m) above the Gully.
The climb to Mt. Stanely (5109m) needs crampons, ropes, mountain boots and an ice axe.
The final trail leads you to a steep scree slope, this being the highest point on the circuit. Over Scott Elliot pass superb views of Mt. Stanely and Bujuku valley.
After the pass, the route leads you to Mt. Baker’s massive cliffs. After passing Upper Lake Kitandara, the hike ends near Lower Lake Kitandara for almost 3-5 hours.
Day 5: Kitandara (4023m)-Fresh Field Pass (4282m)-Guy Yeo man (3505m):
From Kitandara, the hike continues into more mud, to which the long descent to Nyakalengija begins.
The Guy Yeo man Hut enjoys superb sites for viewing Mt. Baker close to Mubuku River.
(The hike takes around 5 hours).
Day 6: Guy Yeo man (3505m)-Nyamitaba (2651m):
With the early start; the hike can take you down to Nyakalengija where the route descends the cliffs of Kichuchu below Guy Yeo man. After Kichuchu, the muddy path takes you to Mubuku River. This takes you round before climbing up to Nyabitaba to complete the circuit for 5 hours.
Day 7: Nyabitaba (2651m)-Nyakalengisa (1615m):
This is the last trail which takes you around 2-3 hours from Nyabitaba to Nyakelengija.
Kilembe Trail:
An alterative route is in plan to be re-opened from Rwenzori near Kasese to Rwenzori.
According to the UWA development plans.
Trail Health and Safety:
Altitude sicknesses such as hypothermia should be familiarized by the hikers, with their treatment and symptoms.
Irrespective of age, these altitude sicknesses can affect anyone especially above 2500m altitude. The most effective First Aid is being at lower levels when affected by these sicknesses. (See Osmaston’s Guidelines).
Huts and Trails Guidelines:
§ Use latrines provided by the huts.
§ It may be necessary to wait more than one night during the period of bad weather, to ease congestion a head.
§ Follow your guide path to reduce the trails damage.
§ Reduce the use of wood fires which damage the park’s vegetation.
(Gas cookers are provided).
§ Respect others in the hut by talking quietly.
§ Move with all your property with a porter.
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