5 Days Rwenzori Trek — Margherita Peak
Overview
A focused 5-day climb of the Rwenzori — the Mountains of the Moon — straight up the Central Circuit to Margherita Peak (5,109m), Africa's third-highest point, and back down to your hotel in Kasese or Fort Portal. You'll pass through montane forest, bamboo, giant heather and the surreal Afro-alpine bogs of giant lobelia and groundsel before the glaciated summit. A serious high-altitude trek for fit, adventurous hikers.
Highlights
- Summit Margherita Peak (5,109m) via the Stanley glaciers
- Trek through five distinct vegetation zones in five days
- Cross the Lower and Upper Bigo bogs and Lake Bujuku
- Giant lobelias, groundsels and Afro-alpine giant heather
- Wildlife on the lower trail — colobus monkeys, three-horned chameleon, Rwenzori Turaco
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Nyakalengija (1,650m) → Nyabitaba Camp (2,650m)
After arrangements for guides, chef and porters at the park gate, hike 7 km (5–6 hrs, +1,200m) through farmland and high elephant grass, crossing the Kyoho and Mahoma rivers before a steep climb into Nyabitaba. Watch for black-and-white colobus, the three-horned chameleon and the Rwenzori Turaco.
Day 2: Nyabitaba (2,650m) → John Matte Camp (3,505m)
Descend to the Kurt Schafer bridge near the Mubuku–Bujuku confluence, then climb through bamboo and a long stretch of slippery moss-covered rock. From the Nyamileju shelter, Mount Stanley and Speke come into view as you enter the zone of giant heather, lobelia and groundsel and cross the bog to John Matte.
Day 3: John Matte (3,505m) → Elena Camp (4,541m)
Cross the Bujuku river into the Lower Bigo bog — home of the giant lobelias — on boardwalk, then the Upper Bigo bog and Lake Bujuku, with Mount Baker to the south and Mount Stanley to the west. Roughly 7 km / 7 hrs up to Elena Camp.
Day 4: Elena (4,541m) → Margherita Peak (5,109m) → John Matte (3,505m)
A pre-dawn summit push from the base of the Stanley glacier — 5–7 hrs over three glaciers, ice and exposed rock, for physically fit and technical climbers only. After the summit (weather permitting), descend past the Irene Lakes with views of Lake Bujuku, Speke and Stanley, all the way back to John Matte.
Day 5: John Matte (3,505m) → Nyabitaba → Nyakalengija
A 6–7 hr descent down the Nyamileju cliffs through the heather and forest zones to Nyabitaba and on to the Nyakalengija trailhead, then transfer and hot showers at your hotel in Kasese or Fort Portal.
What's Included
- Certified Rwenzori mountain guides
- Porters and cooking staff
- All meals on the mountain
- Mountain hut accommodation
- Park entrance fees
- Rescue insurance
Not Included
- International flights
- Personal trekking gear
- Tips for guides and porters
- Travel insurance
- Hotel nights before/after the trek
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