7 Days Rwenzori Mountains Central circuit Route
7 Days Rwenzori Mountains Central Circuit starts from the base and ends there. The trek starts from Kasese town. The trek through the central circuit begins from the Nyakalengija through magnificent huts of Nyabitaba, John matte, Bujuku, Elena to Margheritah peak, Kitandara, Guyeoman then back to Nyakalengija. Each day has its own experience.
Day 1: Nyakalengijja to Nyabitaba hut
Length: 8km
Morning breakfast at the camp then head to RMS headquarters where you will be briefed about the whole hike. From Nyakalengija, trek through the Bakonzo settlements to mount Rwenzori national park gate for registration before entering the park. Along the trek, you might encounter among others forest elephants, chimpanzees, hyrax, black-and-white colobus, L’Hoest’s monkeys, duiker, and three horned chameleon. Bird species are; Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Turaco, Long-eared Owl, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Strange Weaver, Archers’ Robin-chat, Rwenzori Batis among many others as well as various tree and plant species. You will expect to see some of them.
Dinner and overnight at Nyabitaba hut.
Day 2: Nyabitaba to John matte hut
Distance: 11km
Have breakfast at the hut, then trek through the lush shrubs and forest for about 30 minutes to the Kurt Shafer bridge which is between the Mubuku and Bujuku rivers. Trek through the bamboo mixed with montane forests and slippery moss-covered rocks for several hours. As you hike, expect to see various bird species that live in the forest.
Continue then with your hike up to Nyamulejju rock shelter from which you will rest for lunch, as you enjoy spectacular views of Mount Stanley and mount Speke on a clear day. After here, continue through the alpine forest to John Matte hut where you will have dinner and an overnight.
Day 3: John matte to Bujuku hut
Distance: 5km
Rise up for breakfast, and cross river Bujuku, then walk through the forest to the lower bigo bog, which is home to the giant lobelias. You will jump from tussock to tussock, and possibilities are high that you will definitely step on mud, which makes it quite challenging.
However, walking boards have been introduced to reduce strain, thus making it easier for trekkers to walk through easily. You will also see giant lobelias, everlasting flowers and groundsels. You will then hike up along a ridge which joins to the upper bigo bog. There is also a board walk up to Lake Bujuku. After the board walk you will try to move through the remaining small boggy area without the walk boards to Bujuku hut. At this point, you will enjoy the beautiful view of Lake Bujuku, mount Speke, Mount Baker and mount Stanley. At this point you are able to ascend mount Speke and Mount Stanley.
Day 4: Bujuku to Elena hut
Wake up early for breakfast, then hike for 5-7 hours to Elena hut. You will trek through the sides of the upper Bigo bog, then through the steep slopes to the slopes of Lake Bujuku. The trail then ascends westwards through the 4372 meter Scott-Elliot pass, and you will pass through more swamps and the thrilling Ground gully. You will hike over a steep section at the top of the gully using a metal ladder.
The trail meets at a junction where, the left trail leads to Scott-Elliot pass descending to Kitandara Lakes whereas the right trail heads to the Elena Hut and on a steep trail above large boulders to Mt Stanley.
Elena hut settles on the rocky part of Mount Stanley are which is very cold. At this point, you are close to the highest point of the Rwenzori mountains and you will have a direct glimpse Mount Baker and Mount Speke. Sometimes it is hard to view these two mountains because they are covered by fog. Have dinner at Elena hut then spend the night.
Day 5: Elena hut (4563m) – Kitandara (3979m)
On this 5th day, wake up by 2am, enjoy breakfast at Elena hut, set off with your warmest gear, along with your harness, warm hand gloves and headsock, have your headlamps and helmets and make sure you have sunglasses in the day pack. Hike to the top of mount Stanley, Magherita peak, through the Stanley plateau. While you will use ropes on steep rocky areas, yet crampons, and ice axe will be used on the glacial parts.
Reach the bottom of the margherita glacier, after trekking for hours. This is the most tiring part Rwenzori hiking experience. You will hike through this glacier to the top of mount Stanley, margherita peak (5109m), where you will enjoy the impressive view of the Ireen Lake, mount Speke and the surrounding environment. Descendafter lunch to Elena Hut then later on proceed to Kitandara hut through the Scott Elliot pass. This is the most beautiful the most beautiful point of the Rwenzori. Have dinner at Kitandara then spend the night. If the group is big, you might spend another night at Elena hut and continue the following day.
If you do not wish to climb Mt. Stanley, you can combine days 4 and 5 into a single day by taking a different trail from the Bujuku Hut up to Scott-Elliot Pass to Kitandara Lake Hut for dinner & overnight.
Day 6: Kitandara hut (3979m) – Guy Yeoman hut (3505m)
Wake up early for breakfast, then carefully move forward through the slippery base of Mount Baker. From Kitandara, the trail rises steeply up the headwall, spreading out from the base of Mount Baker and proceeding along the southern side of the Rwenzori Mountain to Fresh field pass, then to the rock shelter at Bujangolo, the base camp for the historic excursion by the Duke of Abruzzi in 1906.This will take you around 5-7 hours then reach Guy Yeoman hut which is located at the banks of river Mubuku, have dinner and spend the night.
Day 7: Guy Yeoman to Nyabitaba to Nyakalengija
From Guy Yeoman, slope further to Nyabitaba through the bamboo forests. The path down can be slippery and muddy with little to hold on to and requires careful balancing over the vertical mud or steep rock. After about 5 hours of walking you will reach Nyabitaba hut where you will take alunch break. Then continue to descend for more 3 hours to the head office to pick your certificate for a successful climb to margherita peak, then later proceed to the lodge for an over night,
