Trekking and hiking Mountain Rwenzori

The Rwenzori Mountains are snow-capped ranges that are found in western Uganda near the border of the Democratic Republic of Congo, covering 65km wide, which makes it the largest mountain on the African continent. Mountain Rwenzori is a UNESCO World Heritage site that was discovered by Henry Morton Stanely in the 1888s and was declared a heritage site in 1994. The word Rwenzori is a Bakonjo dialect word which is loosely translated as ‘’rainmaker’’.

Most Popular Safaris

3 Day Murchison Falls National Park safari

2 Day Lake Mburo game & Boat safari

3 Day Lake Mburo wildlife, boat & walking safari

4 Day Kidepo Valley Fly in Safari

3 Day Queen Elizabeth wildlife safari

3 Day Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking safari

16 Days Primates, Game & Culture

19 Day Best of Uganda Safari

3 Day Fly in Gorilla Habituation Safari

5 Days Gorillas & Game Safari

Mountain Rwenzori is made up of 6 ranges and these include the Margherita ranges which at a height of 5109m which makes it the highest, Mount Speke at a height of 4890m, Mount Baker is the third range and is at height of 4843m, mount Emin at 4798m, Mount Gessi at 4715m above sea level and this cuts across the Democratic Republic of Congo and the lowest peak on Mount Rwenzori is Luigi Di Savaio at a height of 4627m.

Mountain Rwenzori trekking is one of the most fun-filled but challenging hike experiences, especially if you hike and make it to Mount Stanely and Margherita. Hiking Rwenzori depends on several factors, especially physical abilities and preferences, you can choose to either go for the low-altitude trek which does not go beyond 4000m above sea level and lasts between 2 to 4 days or you can choose the high-altitude trek which goes above 400m above sea level and this takes 2 to 12 days. The number of days you can take is based on your level of fitness and experience in hiking. Note that there are weather changes as you hike up, and participants have to acclimatize to get used to the changes, and this is why it takes longer days to get to the peak.

Tourists can decide to trek Mount Rwenzori as a single safari destination, or you can combine it by visiting other safari destinations, which include Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park, Kibale National Park for chimpanzee trekking.

Recently, Mountain Rwenzori has been declared a technical climb and this implies that all tourists planning on climbing Mount Rwenzori should prepare themselves in advance both mentally and physically to be able to take on the hike along Mount Rwenzori. Contact us for more information.

Hiking permits

Tourists need to get trekking permits before they are allowed to take a hike on Mount Rwenzori. The trekking permit can be purchased through a tour operator from the Uganda Wildlife Authority and this is mandatory as it contributes to the conservation efforts.

The park entrance fees for foreign non-residents are $35, $25 for foreign residents and UGX250,000 for East African citizens. The Rwenzori trekking permits cost $50 for foreign non-residents, $40 for foreign residents and UGX50,000 for East African Citizens.

Tourists are advised to book the permits in advance, especially during the peak season/dry season, as there is a limited number of permits printed per day.

Hiking routes on Mount Rwenzori

Mount Rwenzori has two main hike routes that are used to access the Mountain ranges, and these are the central Circuit, which connects from the eastern side of the mountain to the peak, and the Southern Circuit, which connects from the Kilembe side of the Mountain to the peaks. The Southern route, also known as the Kilembe route, is the most popular with all the seasoned hikers and takes longer, allowing hikers to properly acclimatize. Get in touch with us.

The short treks on Mount Rwenzori:

If you are looking at taking a 2 to 5-day Rwenzori Mountains hike, there are several options available. The short hikes are the perfect safaris for tourists who wish to experience the Rwenzori ranges but have limited time. Below is a list of the short/low-altitude treks you can take on a Rwenzori hike.

• Take on the 2 days Mahoma trail, which offers trekkers a taste of the Rwenzori ranges, with trekkers reaching an altitude of 2596 meters above sea level.
• Take on the 3 days trail where tourists get to trek through the Alpine region and trekkers get to reach an altitude of about 3174 meters above sea level.
• Take on the 4-day Mutinda lookout, and this is the most challenging hike which takes you through the Mutinda lookout at an altitude of 3975 meters above sea level.
• The 4 days to Rwenzori waterfalls are at an altitude of 3174 meters above sea level, and these are some of the most captivating things to see in the Rwenzori National Park.
• The 5-day Weisman’s Peak is a longer trek, and it ends at the Weismann’s Peak, which is at 4620 meters above sea level.

The above are just some of the few examples of short treks on Mount Rwenzori that tourists can enjoy at an affordable cost.

The high-altitude trails on Mount Rwenzori

The high-altitude trails on Mount Rwenzori are for seasoned and experienced hikers who love adrenaline adventures at high altitudes. Rwenzori offers some of the most thrilling adrenaline experiences in Uganda, and this will take you to the highest Margherita Peak, which offers great views of the snow and surrounding areas. While you will need prior experience in Mountain climbing, the best way to get to the high-altitude trails is by proper acclimatization.

The high-altitude trails mean that these are going to be long days and this is because hikers have to properly self-acclimatize to avoid altitude sickness. Some of the routes to consider when it comes to high-altitude trails include:

• The 10-day Four Peaks Challenge includes getting to the highest peaks.
• The 10 days Margherita Peak Summit where tourists focus on getting to the Margherita Peak
• The 12-day Rwenzori Challenge.

These are some of the few trips you can get and we are here to help you tailor a personalized favorite trip for you. Contact us.

Essential items to bring for your hike on Mount Rwenzori

Preparing for a successful hike on Mount Rwenzori requires proper planning and careful consideration of what to bring on your safari. Below is a list of items that you can bring for your Mount Rwenzori hike.

Layered clothing: Clothes should be one of the first things to think about when it comes to packing for a Rwenzori safari. Layered clothes are extremely important because of the varying temperatures and the higher you go, the colder it becomes. You need to be able to stay warm when it becomes extremely cold.

Hiking boots: Invest in some good ankle-length sturdy boots for hiking up the rugged terrain that makes up the Rwenzori ranges. The boots, if possible, should be waterproof, comfortable and well-fitting to avoid blisters on your feet when hiking.

Socks and warm gloves: The socks will keep you warm when the weather changes, they also protect your feet from blisters during the hike. Pack enough stockings because it will be hard to do laundry on your way up the Mountain. The warm gloves will also help to keep you warm when the weather changes and when you get closer to the snowcapped peak.

Warm sleeping bag: The temperatures along Mount Rwenzori can drop to a freezing point, and you need to keep warm, especially during the night. Warm and insulated sleeping bags are the best to give you a comfortable sleep at night.

A headlamp: This is extremely essential especially during the morning hours and at night. It helps with easy navigation during the low-light hours.

First aid kit: Pack a first aid kit because it is essential for treating headaches, blisters, stomach aches, and any other ailments you might get along the way. In case of serious medical attention, tell your guide so that you are taken back for better services.

A backpack: High-quality backpacks are the best and these help you carry your other equipment that is needed including sunscreen, water purification, a refillable water bottle, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, food/snacks, a camera (this should come with extra lenses, batteries and memory cards), binoculars and toiletries among others.

Trekking poles: These can be rented out at the start of the hike for an affordable cost, and this helps to reduce the strain on your knees and hands, especially during the descent. Contact our team for more information.

Safety precautions and tips for hiking/trekking Mount Kilimanjaro

Climbing Mount Rwenzori requires one to be safe and take all the precautions necessary to keep safe. It is important to prioritize safety during your trek and throughout the climb. Below are some safety tips all hikers should keep in mind.

Hydrate: Hydration is extremely important when hiking Mount Rwenzori. Regularly drinking water to keep hydrated will reduce the side effects of altitude sickness and dizziness. Carry plenty of bottled water with you and a refillable water bottle.

Acclimatization: Hiking up the Rwenzori ranges is not for the faint-hearted, and it involves hiking high and low before getting to the peak. Because of the ever-changing altitude and climatic zones, one needs to get used to the changing zones because the higher you go, the less oxygen there is. Acclimatization refers to the process of getting used to the different climatic zones and the best way to acclimatize is by climbing high and sleeping low. If you do not properly acclimatize, this might lead to dizziness and altitude sickness.

Take the much-needed breaks: Do not force yourself to climb any further if you are tired because this will affect your health. Keep up your strength when needed and, get enough rest, sleep in when necessary, before continuing with your journey.

Follow all the instructions given by the guides: Your guide is an expert when it comes to hiking on Mount Rwenzori and you have to be ready to follow all the instructions they give during the hike. Make sure that you are aware of your surroundings to keep safe and avoid any hazards.

Use proper equipment: Make sure that you get to know the right equipment you can use for hiking so that you carry them to keep safe. Some of the equipment you can use include harnesses and ropes where necessary.

Hire porters: The porters will help with carrying your luggage, easing the load so that you can enjoy your hike without the heavy luggage. The luggage usually includes camping gear, food, and other essentials that you might use along the way. Hiring a porter also provides an income to the locals and hence contributes to the development of the surrounding communities.

Accommodation: Where to stay on your hike on Rwenzori

Accommodation is an important part of planning a Mount Rwenzori hike considering you have to rest and recharge for the hike. Fortunately, there are different accommodation categories that you can choose from and these are budget, mid-range and luxury accommodation facilities. When hiking up Rwenzori, there are Mountain huts that are available along the climbing routes at different stages and these provide basic shelter and amenities for the hike. The mountain huts that can be used include:

• The Samilira camp at 3170 meters
• The Kiharo camp at 3460 meters
• The Mutinda camp at 3588 meters
• The Kalalama camp at 3134 meters
• The Sine Hut at 2596 meters
• The Bugata Camp at 4062 meters
• The Butawu Camp and Hunwick’s camp at 3974 meters
• The Margherita Camp is at 4485 meters.

There are several designated campsites as well designated within the park where you can pitch a tent. This allows tourists to wake up surrounded by the natural beauty of the Rwenzori ranges and you have to carry personal camping gear. Some of the lodges that are found at the base/foot of Mount Rwenzori National Park include the Ruboni Community Camp, Rwenzori Trekkers Hotel, and Equator Snow Lodge, among others.

Best time for trekking/hiking Mount Rwenzori

Mount Rwenzori can be hiked throughout the year, but many travelers prefer to do so during the dry months of June to early September and December to February. The rainy season has slippery routes and is often avoided by tourists. Note that Rwenzori National Park has fewer crowds as it does not register a lot of hikers and because of the few crowds, tourists get to enjoy the experience all to themselves.

Accessing Rwenzori Mountain

Trekkers can access Mountain Rwenzori by getting to Kasese district first as this is the major town closest to the Mountains. To be able to get to Kasese, you can either decide to drive from Kampala or Entebbe or by flying. Chartered flights leave Entebbe at around 7:00 am and 12:30 pm on a daily and it takes about an hour to get to Kasese. The drive takes 8 hours from Entebbe or Kampala depending on your departure point. When you get to Kasese, you will be taken to your accommodation facility, from where you will be picked to start the hike. On the day of the trek, you will be assigned an experienced guide, a cook and porters to accompany you on your journey.

By signing up for the Rwenzori hike, you are indirectly giving back to the community. Get in touch with us at Encounter Africa Safaris to plan your Rwenzori hike.