How many days do I need to reach the peak of mountain Rwenzori

The least number of days you can take to hike mountain Rwenzori is 7 days return trip. Mountain Rwenzori whose highest peak is Margherita about 5109 meters above sea level and is covered in glaciers all year. While hiking mountain Rwenzori one goes through several uncommon vegetation zones while closer to the ground.

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As you ascend mountain Rwenzori from Nyakalengija through the Bakonzo farmlands, the montane forest comes into view. Here, you can spot some wild animals from Rwenzori National Park, such as forest elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, giant forest hogs, leopards, and others. Several bird species may also be spotted, as this forested zone hosts more than 241 bird species, including Albertine rift endemics.

The next zone is the bamboo with standing and messy tangles of mimulopsis at about 2500 meters to 3000 meters above sea level. This gives way to heather-Rapenea zone about 3000 meters to 4000 meters above sea level and this is made up of giant heathers, brightly colored mosses and lichens.

The Alpine zone, which covers about 3800 meters to 4500 meters above sea level, has thickets of Helichrysum. These stunning flowers are also called the everlasting flowers.

It is best to pack the right hiking gear as you climb Mount Rwenzori so that you have enough supplies. 

Full Plan Of the 7 day mountain Rwenzori hike

This mountaineering adventure in mountain Rwenzori is based on the central Circuit trail.

Day one: Depart Nyakalengija to Nyabitaba hut

By taking the hike from Rwenzori Mountaineering Service at Nyakalengija which is at 1615 meters above sea level is best to start early morning when the sun is not so bright. While at the Rwenzori mountaineering service, you can rent some items like the ice axe, hire porters, and get to know your ranger guide with whom you are to spend the rest of your seven days while on Mountain Rwenzori.

Listen carefully to the information given to you by the ranger guides about what you need to do and nor to do while up the mountain. Ensure you do not dump garbage along the way, especially indecomposable matter like tins, plastic wraps, silver plates, and much more that change the nature of the environment in Mountain Rwenzori.

At the start of the hike, you walk through farmlands to the park boundary, then follow the Mubuku River, crossing its Mahoma tributary. At this point, chances of seeing animals like forest elephants, duikers, giant forest hogs, various monkey species, and others are open.

Continue climbing the steep point up to the massive ridge then get to Nyabitaba hut which is 2651 meters above sea level. The hike to this hut takes approximately 5 hours.

Day two: Hike from Nyabitaba to Mubuku River to overnight at John Matte Hut

It is best to start the hike from Nyabitaba hut early morning before the sun gets too hot. This trek takes more than 7 hours to the stopping point at John Matte hut. The centrail circuit starts a some meters beyond Nyabitaba where it divides into trails. 

By taking the right trail, you arrive at the peak of Bujuku Valley whereas the left trail leads is used for subsequent descent.

This trail leads to the Kurt Shafer Bridge, which crosses the Mubuku Valley below its confluence with the Bujuku Valley. From the river, a muddy, slippery trail climbs steadily through bamboo forest.

When you follow the desired time, in five hours, you will reach the giant lobelia and groundsel zone. This vegetation type is endemic to East Africa's highest mountains, including Mountain Rwenzori. Pass through challenging bogs with mysterious plants to the stopping point at John Matte hut, 3505 meters above sea level, where you will spend the night. 

Day three: John Matte hut to Bujuku hut

When taking this hike on mountain Rwenzori, cross the Bujuku River to the lower Bigo bog. Later take the steep climb to follow the upper Bigo bog where you come across the boardwalk which was set up to assist ease the walk.

From this pint during a clear day, the Mountain Stanely comes into view at the head of this hollow glacier carved valley. 

When you go beyond the bog from a steady climb over glacial moraine, crisscrossing River Bujuku, you get to Lake Bujuku. Continue climbing to Bujuku Hut, which is 3962 meters above sea level, passing the cooking Pot cave. Expect to go through mud and slippery surfaces. For those climbing mountain Speke, this hut is well positioned.

Day Four Bujuku to Scott Elliot via Kitandara

Ascending from Bujuku hut, the trail crosses more mud before climbing steadily through forest giant groundsel Gully. Before getting to the gully, branch into the trail leading to Elena Hut. Then, you will reach Magheritah Peak on mountain Stanely, Which is 5109 meters above sea level. At this point, you need to use hiking tools like an ice axe, mountain boots, crampons, ropes, and others to walk through the glacier.

For the main trail, it continues to the steep scree slope over Scott Elliot passing the highest point of Mountain Rwenzori in the circuit.

This pass opens stunning views as you descend to the Bujuku valley, with Mountain Stanely and Baker towering over. This route also allows you to descend the massive cliffs of Mountain Baker. 

Later, pass the upper Lake Kitandara to lower Lake Kitandara, where you will find the hut for the night. This area is surrounded by towering peaks, giving stunning views.

Day Five Kitandara to Freshfield Pass to Guy Yeoman

This is a much muddy area with colorful mosses on a long flat tract descending down Mountain Rwenzori. This time you take descending down to Guy Yeoman's hut takes about 5 hours. This hut is strategically placed closer to Mubuku River with stunning view of approaching Mountain Baker to the north.

Day Six Guy Yeoman to Nyabitaba

From Guy Yeoman, the hike down mountain Rwenzori takes about 5 hours, but with an early start, you can make it to the last point at Nyakalegija. This hut enjoys a strategic position close to Mubuku River. It descends the cliffs of Kichuchu, going past the muddy path and crossing the Mubuku River twice before climbing upwards to Nyabitaba at 2651 meters above sea level to complete the circuit.

Day Seven: Nyabitaba to Nyakalengija

While descending to Nyakelengija, it takes about 2 to 3 hours. This marks the end of the hike on Mountain Rwenzori. Drive to Entebbe to catch up with your flight back home.

What to Pack For Hiking Mountain Rwenzori?

• A foldable safari hat is recommended to wear at the start of the hike to protect your hair from buzzing insects and the scorching sun.
• Camera to take photos while at Mountain Rwenzori, a task that is on the bucket list of many adventure seekers worldwide.
• You need hiking boots that are comfortable and waterproof.
• Foldable water bottle to carry in water in order to quench thirst.
• Sunscreen to protect your skin from getting sunburns.
• Sun glasses to protect your eyes from the direct sun light and buzzing insects.
• Insect repellant to protect your skin from stinging insects you may find along the way.
• Garden gloves to protect your fingers from touching rough surfaces along the way.
• Some extra clothes to change into after the long day on the mountain.
• Energy bites to munch on when hungry because meals are taken from designated points.
• Hiking rods to give you extra support when hiking the mountain.
• Back pack to carry with your belongings so that they donot scatter while you hike.
• A torch to use for lighting.
• Some cash in case you need to do on ground purchases like hiring hiking equipment, even porter hiring before starting your hike, purchasing food, cooking equipment, fuel and others
• Warmers because the higher you go, the cooler it becomes.
• A pair of binoculars to get better visibility of far ranging features.
• A pair of stockings to protect your feet from getting cold.
• Head gears to cover yourself from getting cold while hiking to get to the top of mountain Rwenzori.
• Sleeping bag for your nights on mountain Rwenzori.
• First aid kit with emergency medication in case you need it.
• Rainproof gears to protect you from getting wet and cold when it rains while up the mountain.

You have chance to hire some of the below items from the Rwenzori Mountaineering Service. 

Ice axes, ropes, harnesses, crampons, and others.

Guidelines To Follow While Climbing Mountain Rwenzori 

Help collect the waste you come across while on a hike on Mountain Rwenzori. Dumping the garbage while hiking mountain Rwenzori alters the nature of this mountain which will affect its environment as this adventure continues. You may request the porters to take out some of the litter so that you leave no trace.

Try to use the latrines provided at the huts in case you wish to take the long call so that all waste is kept in the same place. Mountain Rwenzori is a water catchment area for the surrounding areas, so hygiene must be maintained.

Respect others in the huts by sharing space at the stoves and talking quietly. By the close of the day while at the hut, most of the trekkers are tired and wish to take a rest, so you need to keep it low.

Observe the prohibitions on wood fires which degrades the park's vegetation. The gas cookers are provided by Rwenzori Mountaineering Services.

During the periods of bad weather, it may be necessary to wait more than one night to huts to ease congestion a head.

Minimize the damage to the trail by following your guide closely and avoid making new paths. The vegetation on the slopes of Mountain Rwenzori needs to be maintained to reduce the chances of landslides on Mountain Rwenzori. The landslides affect the people around this mountain.

When Is The Best Time To Book Mountain Rwenzori Hike?

The dry season is the best time to hike mountain Rwenzori, which is June, July, August, September, October, December, and January. The trails are drier and vegetation lower during the dry season, so more people can join the trek to mountain Rwenzori.

Since this is peak tourism season in Uganda, expect more people joining the hike up mountain Rwenzori in this season. You need to book this Uganda safari adventure in advance so that all necessary is secure upfront.

To take the best photos and enjoy the stunning sceneries surrounding mountain Rwenzori, the dry season is the best choice.

Taking a hike on mountain Rwenzori during the low season, which is also the wet season, that is March, April, May, and November, may not be comfortable, especially when the rains intensify. The trails become more challenging to walk through because of the heavy rains that flow up the mountain.

Health and safety measures during a hike on Mountain Rwenzori 

Do take while body checkup prior to travelling to do the hike on Mountain Rwenzori. This is to reduce the chances of falling ill while on a hike on Mountain Rwenzori.

By doing some exercises prior to hiking mountain Rwenzori, you stretch your muscles more than usual so that you can prepare then for longer hours of hiking.

Take some anti-malarials prior to travelling to Uganda for Mountain Climbing. This is a tropical country, and with malaria, you cannot continue up the mountain.

Pack your first aid kit with emergency medication in case you need it while up on Mountain Rwenzori. 

Hikers should familised themselves with the symptoms and treatment of hypothermia and various forms of altitude sicknesses, as going beyond 2500 meters above seas level may lead to getting these sicknesses. This sickness doesn't discriminate whether you have experience, age, fitness level, and much more.

The most effective treatment for altitude sickness is to descend to a lower level.

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