7 Days Rwenzori Mountains Trek (Uganda)

Drive west to Kasese (approx. 6–7 hours). Gear check and briefing with Rwenzori Mountaineering Services (RMS) guides at Nyakalengija park headquarters. Overnight at a Kasese hotel. The Rwenzori range — Africa's third-highest — rises directly above the town on clear mornings. UWA hiking permits and RMS guide fees are included. Travel insurance with altitude cover above 4,000 m is mandatory — standard safari policies may exclude mountaineering. Drive time: Approx. 6–7 hours Meals: Lunch & dinner

Enter Rwenzori Mountains National Park. Trek through montane rainforest to Nyabitaba Hut (approx. 5–6 hours). Blue monkeys and Rwenzori turaco in the lower forest. Overnight in basic mountain hut. Trails are muddy year-round. Nyabitaba Hut sleeps in dormitory bunks — RMS provides cooks and porters. Rain falls 300+ days per year in the Rwenzori; waterproof trousers and gaiters are essential. Trek duration: 5–6 hours Meals: Full board Accommodation: Nyabitaba Hut

Ascend through bamboo and giant heather zones, crossing the Kurt Shafer Bridge. Reach John Matte Hut (approx. 7–8 hours) with views of Mount Stanley on clear days. Giant lobelias begin appearing in the Afro-alpine zone. Altitude acclimatisation important. The Kurt Shafer Bridge crosses the Mubuku River in the bamboo zone (2,800–3,000 m). Rwenzori three-horned chameleon is endemic to this range — guides spot them on vegetation. Trek duration: 7–8 hours Meals: Full board Accommodation: John Matte Hut

Ascend through Lower Bigo Bog to Bujuku Valley (approx. 5–7 hours) with views of Mount Stanley and Mount Baker. Giant groundsels and lobelias dominate the landscape. Overnight at Bujuku Hut — the high point of this 7-day route without summit attempt. Bujuku Hut (3,962 m) is the standard high camp for Scott Elliot Pass viewpoints. Giant lobelias (Lobelia wollastonii) reach 3 metres in height in the Afro-alpine zone. Bujuku Hut is the standard turnaround for 7-day treks — summit attempts to Margherita Peak (5,109 m) require technical ice equipment and add 2–3 days. Trek duration: 5–7 hours Meals: Full board Accommodation: Bujuku Hut

Acclimatisation day. Optional hike toward Scott Elliot Pass or Elena Hut viewpoint (4,541 m) for glacier views of Margherita Peak (5,109 m) — weather dependent, no summit attempt on standard 7-day route. Return to Bujuku Hut for overnight. The Afro-alpine scenery is unlike anywhere else in East Africa. Acclimatisation at altitude reduces summit sickness risk on longer Margherita Peak attempts. Weather closes in by midday — start ridge walks before 08:00 for clear glacier views. Scott Elliot Pass (4,372 m) offers views of the Stanley Plateau glaciers when cloud clears before 10:00. Return to Bujuku Hut by afternoon — do not attempt pass in rain or high wind. Trek duration: 4–6 hours if hiking Meals: Full board Accommodation: Bujuku Hut

Descend through John Matte to Nyabitaba Hut (approx. 6–7 hours). Re-enter giant heather and bamboo zones, then montane rainforest. Overnight at Nyabitaba. Knees take strain on the long descent — trekking poles recommended. Descent from Bujuku to Nyabitaba crosses the same bog sections — trekking poles reduce knee strain. Total elevation change on descent day exceeds 1,300 metres. Nyabitaba descent passes through the same bamboo and montane forest zones as the ascent — knee braces help on the steep mud sections below 2,800 m. Trek duration: 6–7 hours Meals: Full board Accommodation: Nyabitaba Hut

Final descent to park gate (approx. 3–4 hours). Certificate at trailhead, celebration in Kasese, then drive to Entebbe (approx. 7–8 hours) or overnight in Kasese. RMS guides and porters receive tips at trail exit. Trail exit at Nyakalengija includes a certificate ceremony with RMS guides. Kasese to Entebbe (7–8 hours) or overnight in Kasese recommended after 6 consecutive hiking days. RMS tipping guide: USD 15–20 per porter, USD 25–30 per guide for the full circuit. Certificates are issued at Nyakalengija park gate on trail completion. Pack a dry bag for electronics — rainfall exceeds 3 metres annually in the Rwenzori. Trek duration: 3–4 hours descent Drive time: Approx. 7–8 hours to Entebbe Meals: Breakfast & lunch