10 Day Rwenzori trekking Bukurungu trail & Central Circuit route

The 10-day Rwenzori trekking expedition over the Bukurungu trail and Central Circuit route offers an unparalleled hiking experience to Margherita Peak,the highest point in Uganda at 5,109 meters above the ground. This 10 days Rwenzori trekking to Margherita Peak , by Rwenzori Mountaineering Service is offered with Rwenori Mountains National Park‘s experienced technical mountain guides.

The 10 days Rwenzori trekking expedition  via Bukurungu & Central circuit trails, will lead you to six prominent mountain lakes in the Rwenzori mountain range, whereby, about 6 mountain Lakes can be seen during an 8 days Rwenori Trekking with Rwenzori Mountaineering Service.

If you have an additional hour or two on your final day of descent, consider visiting Lake Mughuli, Bukurungu East Lake, Bukurungu West Lake, Lake Bujuku, Upper Lake Kitandara, Lower Lake Kitandara, and Lake Mahoma.

This 10 days Rwenori Trekking Bukurungu trail offers sightings of chimpanzee nests and droppings, as well as their vocalizations, alongside impressive vistas of enormous lobelias, everlasting flowers, and rock shelters. This trail offers a thrilling experience and uncommon sightings. Among the fauna are the black and white Colobus monkeys, Vervet monkeys, sunbirds, and the rare and exquisite Rwenzori turaco.

This 10-day Rwenzori trekking expedition over the Bukurungu path and Central circuit route offers a distinctive opportunity to explore the most captivating regions and natural beauty of the 120 km Rwenzori mountain range.

A Detailed 10 Days Rwenori Trekking Via the Bukurungu trail and Central Circuit route

DAY 1: ARRIVAL AT ENTEBBE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AND TRANSFER TO KASESE.

Upon arrival at the airport or at your accommodation, you will be greeted by our guide driver for transfer to Kasese town, the base for hiking in the Rwenzori Mountains.

The journey from Entebbe to Kasese requires 7 to 9 hours, spanning a distance of 411 kilometers. Overnight accommodation in Kasese.

Full Board Accommodation Options:

Budget: Ribona Guesthouse, Whitehouse Hotel, Rwenzori Imperial Hotel

Mid-range: Sandton Hotel, Rwenzori International Hotel, TJ Global Hotel

DAY 2: KASESE TOWN – RWIGHO CAMP (2650 METERS).

Partake in an early morning breakfast prior to vacating your accommodation for transfer to Omukorukumi, thereafter embarking on a hike through the Kasanzi hamlet, commencing your walk before entering Rwenzori Mountains National Park via the Bukurungu Wilderness Camping Trail.

You will encounter your porters and engage with them as you relinquish your backpack for the trek.

Continue hiking with designated resting stations along the community trail before entering the park to reach Kasanzi camp, located 1 km into the tropical jungle for a rest.

Commence ascent to Rwigho camp for an overnight stay.

The ascent from Omukorukumi to Rwigho camp requires 7 to 8 hours.

DAY 3: RWIGHO CAMP TO KAMBEHO CAMP (3700M)

Following a hearty breakfast, proceed to Kambeho camp (Kambeho translates as a location of coldness in Lhukonzo), sometimes referred to locally as Lhume camp, named after the River Lhume.

Reaching this camp involves traversing through heather trees (Ericathiasis) adorned with abundant moss resembling the beard of an elderly man.

Kambeho camp is situated in the heather zone, distinguished by vistas of hanging valleys, and it is inside this zone that both species of monkeys can be encountered: the black colobus monkeys, both black and white, and Vervet monkeys. This is the habitat of the Rwenzori Turaco, a rare and exquisite bird within the park.

Arrive at Kambeho camp in the late afternoon for a hot beverage, dinner, and overnight accommodation.

DAY 4: KAMBEHO CAMP TO LAMIA CAMP

Depart from Kambeho camp early in the morning following a relatively cold night, ascending along the River Lhume via the Mughuli pass, the sole severe detour on the course.

After a hard ascent on the Mughuli bypass, descend via Lake Mughuli, where a robust MTN network service enables you to make cell phone calls before continuing to Lamia camp.

Numerous unnamed, picturesque peaks are readily accessible for climbers acclimatizing for ascents of the Portal peaks and Mount Gessi. Within the vicinity of the camp, one may effortlessly investigate the waterfalls that provide an authentic experience of the Rwenzori Mountains’ waters. Overnight stay in Lamia camp

DAY 5: LAMIA CAMP – BIGO CAMP 3,450 meters above sea level

This is your final day on the Bukurungu Rwenzori highlands ascending path, where you will connect with the Central circuit trail at the onset of the lower Bigo bog before traversing the River Bujuku.

Descend from Lamia camp, proceed past the Bukurungu lakes, and arrive at the Bujuku River bridge on the lower Bigo walk boards.

Ascend gradually to Bigo camp to set up your tents for an overnight stay or choose for accommodation at John Maate hut for a more temperate night.

This may be your final night on the 10 Days Rwenzori trekking expedition via the Bukurungu path and Central circuit route, where you will either sleep in a tent or experience your inaugural night of the journey in a hut.

IMPORTANT:

Additional summits, including Mount Gessi, Emin Peak, Portal Peaks, Mount Baker, Mount Speke, Weismann’s Peak, Albert Peak, Moebius Peak, and Alexandra Peak, can be ascended for extra days beyond the typical eight-day climb to Margherita Peak’s summit. Additional peaks are available at a rate of $140 per individual per day.

DAY 6: FROM BIGO CAMP TO ELENA CAMP

Depending on your overnight location, either John Maate camp or Bigo camp, depart with the objective of reaching Elena camp to prepare for your ascent of Mount Stanley Margherita peak at 5,109 meters above sea level.

Traverse the Lower Bigo bog prior to ascending a constricted segment to the higher Bigo bog.

Proceed to the Omukendeghe shelter for a respite prior to across the Bujuku valley bog.

Ascend westward toward Elena hut, via the path to Kitandara camp from Bujuku camp.

You will ascend via rocky areas of the Afro-alpine zone before arriving at the frigid Elena camp at 4,505 meters above sea level for an overnight stay.

DAY 7: ELENA CAMP TO MARGHERITA PEAK AND RETURN TO LOWER LAKE KITANDARA CAMP

Awaken at 2 AM for a warm lunch in preparation for the ascent of Margherita Peak. Depart from Elena hut, ascending across the rocky terrain prior to traversing the initial Margherita glacier. Subsequently, descend to the snowline and ascend the Stanley Plateau, traversing the glacier before veering right towards the base of Margherita Peak. Ascend the difficult segment to attain Margherita Peak.

Upon reaching the peak, take photographs to document your experience before retracing your steps along the same trail to Elena Hut for a warm meal.

After a period of recuperation, proceed to descend to the Kitandara Lakes camp for an overnight stay with a view of Mount Baker.

DAY 8: LOWER LAKE KITANDARA CAMP TO GUY YEOMAN CAMP

Enjoy a warm breakfast with vistas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo before ascending from Kitandara to Guy Yeoman camp for an overnight stay.

DAY 9: GUY YEOMAN CAMP – MIHUNGA GATE – KASESE TOWN.

This is the final day of your ascent in the Rwenzori Mountains, culminating in Margherita Peak.

Below Guy Yeoman, the path descends the Kichuchu cliffs.

Beyond Kichuchu, the muddy trail traverses the Mubuku River twice through a bamboo grove before descending to Nyabitaba to conclude the round.

Proceed to descend from Nyabitaba Camp and conclude your journey by dusk in Mihunga.

Duration of descent: 7 to 8 hours

Accommodation Alternatives (full board):

Budget: Ribona Guesthouse, Whitehouse Hotel, Rwenzori Imperial Hotel

Mid-range: Sandton Hotel, Rwenzori International Hotel, TJ Global Hotel

DAY 10: TRANSFER FROM KASESE TO ENTEBBE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT FOR DEPARTURE.

Partake in an early morning meal and vacate your accommodation for a transfer back to Entebbe for your departing flight or to your subsequent Uganda safari destination.

CONCLUSION OF JOURNEY!!!