Rwenzori Mountains Routes
Central Circuit route, Kilembe route & Bukurungu wilderness camping trail are the 3 routes for climbing Rwenzori Mountains National Park.
When planning to summit to magherita Peak in the Rwenzori Mountains , there are various trails that are open for commercial hiking tours in the Mountains . Rwenzori Mountains National Park is managed by Uganda Wildlife authority which is statutory body that has the responsibility of charging park entrance fees to access the park . Even if its nature walk within the mountains, ask the tour operator if the quotation includes the Park entrance!
Central circuit route, Kilembe route & Bukurungu wilderness camping trail are the best routes of climbing Rwenzori mountains from Uganda, and one route via DR Congo that passes through the Virunga National Park which also hosts the Mountain gorillas and is among the top destinations for gorilla trekking in Congo.
The Famous Ugandan Routes are Rwenzori Central Circuit trail that is managed by Locals from the surroundings of the Rwenzoris and the Kilembe Trails that is managed by Rwenzori trekking services that is owned by a non Ugandan Muzungu and offers luxury Mountaineering tours to the Wilderness of Rwenzoris staying in good Camps.
Rwenzori Mountains is reputed to be the 3rd highest peak in Africa, and reaching its Magheritah peak is a holy grail of all hikers. Each year, mountaineers visit the stunning Rwenzori Mountains
Every year, people from all over the world flock to Rwenzori Mountains national Park to visit the stunning Rwenzori Mountains. Rwenzori Mountains National Park guide to Margherita Peak suggests that the best time to travel to see the Rwenzori Mountains is during the driest months from June to August and from September to November. Otherwise from March to May and September to November are cold months.
Rwenzori Mountains Trekking Trails/Routes- Which is the best route?
Rwenzori Routes/Trails: Rwenzori mountains national Park has the Central circuit trail, Kilembe trail, & Bukurungu wilderness camping trail
The Central Circuit: Rwenzori routes/trails
The central circuit trail is the oldest and the most ancient trail that’s popularly used by both experienced and unexperienced hikers to climb to the top of Magherita peak. This magnificent trail which passes through the 5 vegetation zones of the Rwenzori Mountains national Park offers spectacular encounters, following the 1000m tropical valleys, gorges, as it transcends the rocky top of Mount Stanley
The Central circuit trail is the shortest and easiest access route to Margherita peak unlike the boggy path after John Maate camp, and crosses over the lower and upper bigo bog
The Kilembe Trail.
The Kilembe trail-, which also known as the southern circuit is owned and managed by the Rwenzori trekking Services(RTS). This trail was recently opened for tourism, after the construction of new huts withing the National park, although it was first discovered by Professor Scott Elliott in 1895.
Being the longest route, that allows enough acclimatization time, the Kilembe trail offers the best climbing experience of the breathtaking peaks, spectacular lakes and the breathtaking glaciers, as well as the flora and Fauna.
This trail receives incredible reviews for its professionalism, quality equipment and safety measures, and the new comfortable huts throughout the route. It’s trek to Margherita peak takes on 7- 8 days which is equivalent to the Bukurungu wilderness camping trail.
The Bukurungu trail: Rwenzori Routes/Trails
The Bukurungu trail was made after the major trails of the Central circuit and Kilembe. The trail is ideal for those who love the wild nature, because it offers stunning sceneries with 4 magnificent lakes (Mughuli, Bukurungu, Bujuku and Irene) along the trail, as you traverse past the mountain rivers, waterfalls and the green nature. This trail, like Kilembe also takes an 8 days trek to finish with a must reach to Magheritah Peak.
Unlike the Kilembe and Central circuit trails, The bukurungu trail is an open trail used for camping with no huts but rather safe and secure camping areas well organized and managed by the bujuku Eco tours under Rwenzori mountains national park.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park premiers Rwenzori Mountain Trekking Safaris with combined experience on climbing Mount Rwenzori. climbing the rangesb is an amazing lifetime adventure especially when a tourist wants to reach the marvelous Margherita peak in his trekking excursion. To have an enjoyable and successful climbing of the Ruwenzori, the park offers several opportunities for nature trails within the Park.
The Rwenzori Mountains is nearly 120 km by length and 65km wide. It is made of 6 peaks divided by deep gorges such as: Mount Stanley at 5,109m , Mount Speke (4,890m), Mount Baker 4,843m, Mount Emin 4,798 m, Mount Gessi 4,715m and Mount Luigi di Savoia 4,627m. Mount Stanley has other minor peaks, with Margherita being the highest point.
The Rwenzori Mountains are an outstanding trekking & mountaineering destination. A 7- 12 days hike will get both experienced and non-experienced hikers a complete trek to the peak and out of the Park.
Yet for short and less strenuous treks, one can take on the nature walks through the Bakonzo Village, homestead visits, cultural performances and other traditional activities, otherwise, there are also 2 to 3 days 28km Mahoma Nature trail
RESUMPTION OF HIKING TO MARGHERITA PEAK IN RWENZORI MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) is pleased to announce the resumption of hiking activities to Margherita Peak in Rwenzori Mountains National Park. Following a temporary suspension due to safety concerns, UWA has successfully implemented safety enhancements to ensure the well-being of all hikers.
Key among these improvements is the construction of a bridge across the crevasse in the Margherita glacier. This bridge, along with additional climbing ropes installed in collaboration with our partners in the park, will enable safe passage through the challenging sections of the trail. With these safety measures now in place, hiking to Margherita Peak can safely resume. We are confident that these enhancements will provide a safer and more enjoyable experience for all visitors seeking to summit one of Africa’s most iconic peaks.
We continue to encourage visitors to explore not only Margherita Peak but also the other stunning peaks within Rwenzori Mountains National Park, including Mount Speke, Mount Baker, and Cheptegei Peak on the Stanley Range. Each of the routes to these peaks offers a unique adventure, showcasing the breathtaking beauty and diversity of the Rwenzori Mountains.
UWA will maintain close monitoring of the hiking routes to ensure ongoing safety and will provide updates as needed.
We look forward to welcoming adventurers back to the heights of Rwenzori Mountains National Park.
Best Rwenzori Trekking route Trips
These best Rwenzori trekking tours are all inclusive as well as non inclusive of park entrance fees, all porters, food, and accommodation whilst in the mountain, but also post Rwenzori trekking tours, depending on the trail used, which includes, 3 days trekking Mahoma loop- Rwenzori Central Circuit, 5 days 0n way up Margherita Peak, 7 days Rwenzori Central circuit trail, 10 days Rwenzori Trekking, 12 days Rwenzori & Gorillas, 14 Primates & Rwenzori Trek among others.
3 Days Nature Trekking Mahoma Trail. Take a nature walk round a loop along the central circuits from Nyakalengija through Omukakizi Camp, Lake Mahoma camp, Nyabitaba on a 3 days Mahoma loop Rwenzori Trek
5 Days One Way Margherita Peak Trek: The one way trek from the foot hills takes you to Margehrita Peak, following Naybitaba hut , Jon Matte camp, Bujuku camp and Elena Huts, along the central circiut.
7 Days Rwenzori Central Circuit Trek follows the anti-clockwise loop through Nyabitaba, John Matte, Bujuku, Elena, Kitandara, and Guy Yeoman camps from the Foothills to Margherita Peak
8 Days Rwenzori Kilembe Trail Trekking: Enjoy the mystical challenge, plus the magnificent views of the Rwenzori Mountains, as you trek through the Kilembe trail to Margherita Peak.
7 Days Rwenzori Kilembe Trail Trekking , is an ideal Kilembe trail trek. It includes all the 5 distinctive vegetation zones of the Rwenzori Mountains National Park
10 Days Rwenzori Mountains Trekking, includes 8 days/7 nights of Rwenzori trekking along central circuit, 5 different vegetation zones & Margherita Peak (at 5109m)
12 Days Rwenzori & Gorilla Trekking offers gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park , Game viewing in Queen Elizabeth 7 Days Rwenzori Kilembe Trek
13 Days Rwenzori Gorillas & Chimpanzee Treks offers Chimpanzee tracking, Mountain Gorilla Trekking and 7 days Rwenzori trekking along the central circuit
6 Days Rwenzori Hikie To Weismann Peak via the Central circuit trail to Weismann Peak is a less stranous 5,000m peak compared to the demanding peaks of Mt Stanley and Baker.
15 Days Tetra & Benardswick Peak Treks allows you to summit 3 peaks of Margherita peak, Tetra peak and Benardswick on a combined route of Central circuit & Kilembe
12 Days Rwenzori Trek, Gorillas & Wildlife takes you for 7 days Rwenzori central circuit trek, Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & wildlife Viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park
9 Days Speke, Margherita & Baker Peak Rwenzori Trek offers an ultimate trek to three distinctive peaks of the Rwenzori Massif along the Central circuit Trail
