15 DAYS TATRA AND BERNARDZIKIEWICZ PEAKS COMBINED HIKING & CAMPING
Day 1: Arrival at Entabbe
after maybe an hour customs clearance/test results/visa… transfer from the airport to accommodation night (Ruboni Community Camp).
The drive guide will pick you from the airport and drive you to Rwenzori National park. Dinner and Overnight at Ruboni Community Camp, breakfast next day.
Day 2: Nyakalengija (1615 m) – Nyabitaba Hut (2651 m)
The Central Circuit starts at the Rwenzori Mountaineering Services offices at Nyakalengija. You should arrive in the morning to allow ample time to rent equipment and meet your guides and porters. The trail begins by passing through farmland to the park boundary beyond which it follows the Mubuku River, crossing its Mahoma tributary before starting a long, steep climb up onto a massive ridge to reach Nyabitaba hut. The hike takes around 5–6 hours. During this part of the trip you may hear chimpanzee and see black and white colobus, blue monkey and the brilliantly coloured Rwenzori turaco.
Day 3: Nyabitaba Hut (2651 m) – Mubuku River (2600 m) John Matte Hut (3380 m)
From Nyabitaba follow the trail that drops down through the forest to the Kurt Shafer Bridge, just below the confluence of the Mubuku and Bujuku rivers. Passing through the bamboo forest, traverse through a long and exhausting stretch of slippery moss-covered rock. From the Nyamileju rock shelter, Mount Stanley and Mount Speke can be seen before passing into the zone of the giant heather, lobelia and groundsel. Finally reach John Matte Hut after passing through the tiring bog, for Dinner and Overnight at the Hut. The hike takes around 6–7 hours.
Day 4: John Matte (3380 m) to Bujuku (3962 m)
From John Matte Hut the trail drops down to cross the Bujuku River and enters Lower Bigo Bog, the home of giant lobelias. Jumping from tussock to tussock, the bog is finally crossed but rarely without the feet sampling some of the freezing ooze below. The Upper Bigo bog gives way to Bujuku Lake, with views of Mt Baker to the South and Mt Stanley to the West. Bujuku Hut, well located in the shadow of Mount Baker and Mount Speke, is set in a narrow valley below Stuhlmann Pass. Dinner and overnight at Bujukuhut. The hike takes around 5–6 hours.
Day 5: Bujuku (3977 m) to Elena Hut (4541 m)
Leaving Bujuku, the trail takes you through more bog, while climbing the steep slopes west of the lake and through the magical Groundsel Gully as it ascends to Scott-Elliot Pass at 4372 m. At the head of the gully a metal ladder takes you over
a steep section after which the trail is divided into two. The trail on your right leads up to Elena Hut and Mount Stanley on a steep trail over large boulders, while the trail on your left leads to Scott- Elliot Pass and down to Kitandara Lakes the trail on he left leads those who are not climbing Margherita Peak to Kitandara Hut. Those climbing the peak will have their Dinner and Overnight at the coolly and icy Elena Hut. The hike takes around 4–5 hours.
Day 6: Elena Hut (4541 m) to Margherita peak– Around Hunwick’s
For those aiming at reaching Margherita peak (5109 m), continue to the base of the Stanley Glacier. To reach the summit of Margherita, the climb takes about 5–7 hours depending on the weather conditions and the pace of climbing this mountain. This tough walk takes you over three glaciers, slippery rock, ice and very exposed areas which are open on many sides. Note that this climb is for only physically fit and technical climbers. Climbing on to the glaciers, cross the Stanley Plateau and proceed with the ascent. Acclimatized to fog, altitude sickness and coolly weather, scramble up to the summit of Margherita the highest peak of the Rwenzoris. Given the high altitude and the tough conditions even if you do not reach the peak, don’t get disappointed. Accommodation will be around Hunwick Camping.
Day 7:Around Huniwick Camping to Bugata Rock Shelter Camping
(8,9) new date: 20.02–21.02 (Polish peaks) – Bugata Rock Shelter to Tatra Peak (4560 m) and Bernardzikiewicz Peak (4550 m). These are unique Picks and they were named by people from Poland.
Day 10: Bugata Camp to Kitandara Lakes Camp
Day 11: Kitandara Lakes Camp to Guy Yeoman Camp (Kichuchu rock shelter?)
Day 12: Guy Yeoman Camp to Nyabitaba Hut. Last overnight at the Rwenzori
Day 13: Nyabitaba Hut to Nyakalengija and to Kibale NP. End of the trek, from Mountain trail the driver guide will pick me and drive to Kibale National park. DINNER AND OVERNIGHT AT KIBALE FOREST CAMP SLEEPING IN A TENT.
Day 14: After breakfast Chimpanzee Tracking in the morning session (around 8.00). After Lunch drive to Entebbe, pass by Test and Fly. Overnight at the hotel Viavia Entebbe, Kisalur Road (54 USD)
Day 15: Flight back home
Very early after breakfast, get Covid Results then transfer to the airport (around 7.30–8.00 am) for flight back home.
