Overview
Margherita Summit is Africa’s third highest peak. The ascent to this summit will need all of your might, and the weather will be more cooperative. The ride to the summit is beautiful as you travel by many beauty areas such as woods, valleys, flora diversity, mountain landscapes, streams of water, and various lakes. You’ll also love the many bird species and primates such as chimpanzees.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival for your Rwenzori Hiking Safari
Our pleasant guide will greet you at Entebbe airport and transport you to your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala, depending on your arrival time. Enjoy the cool wind from Lake Victoria, the world’s second biggest lake.
Day 2: Transfer to Rwenzori Mountains National park
Today you will be taken to Kasese and then to the Rwenzori Mountains, which are the foothills of the Mountains of the Moon. You will have time to recover and prepare for your adventure to begin the next day.
Day 3: Hike to Sine Hut Or Kalalama Camp
Start at Trekkers at 1,450 meters and sleep at Sine Hut at 2,596 meters, a height increase of 1,146 meters, or those who are fit and wish to advance to Kalalama Camp at 3,134 meters, which offers you more time at Mutinda Camp and allows you to climb to Mutinda Lookout at 3,975 meters.
There are wooden cottages situated among towering forest trees on a small ridge where you may relax and take in the beauty of the Afro Montane forest while looking down at a spectacular waterfall thundering over the rocks far below. Being below the bamboo zone, this area is also rich in bird species. Enjoy the waterfalls located around 150 meters from the camp.
Day 4: Hike to Mutinda Camp
The trek begins at 8.30 a.m., and you reach the Bamboo Zone almost immediately, which is a difficult ascent with numerous high stairs. During the wet season, the bamboo zone becomes muddy and slippery, making progress slow. However, the environment and the forest are stunning as you rise 551 meters in height and 1.8 kilometers to Kalalama Camp at 3,147 meters in the Heather-Rapanea Zone, where you may relax and have a short cup of tea or coffee before continuing on to Mutinda Camp.
The views are stunning as you stand on moss covered rocks at 3,925 meters with views across the Rwenzori Mountains and down to Kasese town and Lake George. Climbing Mutinda 3,975 meters is a good approach to acclimatize and lessen the danger of high altitude sickness for customers who are climbing Margherita or any of the big peaks.
Day 5: Hike to Bugata Camp at 4100 metres
The route to Bugata Camp is muddy, especially during the rainy season, but with a little skill, you can make it. Before hiking a steep part up to the Namusangi Valley, you must first pass the Mutinda valley amid grass and everlasting flowers mixed with several Giant Lobelias (3,840 meters). The Namusangi Valley is vast, with several ups and downs as the path progressively ascends to Bugata Camp at 4,100 meters.
Day 6: Hike to Hunwick’s Camp
As you leave Bugata Camp, you will cross a ridge, then descend somewhat before ascending to Bamwanjarra Pass at 4,450 meters, where we have a cabin in case of inclement weather. This is arguably the greatest area in the Rwenzori to see the Malachite Sunbird feeding on the abundant lobelia blooms, and it is also a recognized nesting site. There are some steep portions farther on before a gradual ascent up and over a ridge to Hunwick’s Camp, which is located on the top of a deep valley with views of Mt Stanley, Mt Baker, Weismanns Peak, and McConnell’s Prong.
Day 7: Hike to Margherita Camp
Today you begin the walk to the Margherita Camp at 4485 meters, which is located between several massive boulders and provides some cover from the fierce winds. You will pass by Lake Kitandara, which has deep water and magnificent greenery.
Day 8: Summit Margherita
Wake up at 2 a.m. and eat a quick breakfast before setting out to climb Mt. Stanley at 2.30 a.m. This is important since the weather has changed dramatically, and even during the dry season, the peak is frequently boxed in with thick clouds and snow falls from 1 pm to 4pm, and this happens in a matter of 10 to 15 minutes as clouds come up from the vast Congo jungles. Due to the change in weather, we have established a rigorous turnaround time of 10am, so if you do not reach the top by then, you must turn around regardless of your disappointment.
Margherita glacier has also been affected by global warming, and as the glacier’s outer borders recede, the ice becomes steeper, with one part of roughly 200 meters having a 60% gradient. In addition, much of the blacker has melted behind the ice, forming tunnels beneath the ice and, as it thins, caves in. As a result, it is critical that clients comprehend and follow the recommendations of the guidelines.
We recommend that individuals with less mountaineering expertise stay on Stanley glacier and trek up to an excellent viewing point on a rocky ledge on the southern side of Alexandra Peak to enjoy spectacular views across Congo and the lower mountain ranges.
Day 9: Descend to Kiharo Camp
Kiharo Camp is 11 kilometers away. Walking time ranges from 4 to 7 hours. We begin the day by climbing a ridge into McConnell’s Prong, where we get the greatest views of all three summits and Scott Elliott’s Pass, before reaching Oliver’s Pass at 4,505 metres. The path then descends past Weismann’s Peak to the Nyamwamba River, which runs through Kilembe and Kasese to Lake George in Queen Elisabeth National Park.
The route meanders down the valley after crossing the confluence to Kiharo Camp, which is located in a deep valley with towering rocks and lush vegetation. After each bog, climb over a ridge of stones and soil that appears out of place but was really forced there by slow moving glaciers that ultimately stopped moving, melted, and leaving a mound of boulders and debris in front of where the glacier had stood
Day 10: Descend to the starting point and continue to your hotel
Kiharo Camp is 12.2 kilometers from the park’s entrance. The walk down the Nyamwamba Valley is primarily downhill and incredibly lovely, with gorgeous vistas, moss-covered rocks beside the river, tumbling waterfalls, deep valleys, and woods.
A few kilometers from Kiharo Camp, the trail diverges to the right to follow the river. As you walk down the river, you may catch a glimpse of a Duiker peacefully eating in little clearings. If you prefer, you may stroll down the river itself, jumping across the rocks as you go.
Day 11: Transfer to Entebbe
After a good night’s sleep, your driver guide will take you to Entebbe International Airport for your departure home.
