10 Days Mountain Rwenzori Hike- Kilembe route

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Uganda

10 Days Mountain Rwenzori Hike- Kilembe route

Mountain of the Moon Hike

The Rwenzori- the fabled Mountain of the moon lies in the west of Uganda - Congo border. Back in AD150, the geographers Ptolemy wrote of a snow-capped mountain range in the heart of Africa, which he claimed represented the source of the Nile, the longest river on the African Continent. While on the hike, the trekkers will be ably exposed to a wide range of animal species like black and white colobus monkey and blue monkeys, Unusual reptiles like the three-horned chameleon. 9 reptiles species and 6 species of amphibians, go through a series of different vegetation zones including; the lowland montane forest, bamboo forest, tree heathers, and afro-alpine habiting over 216 bird species. a glance at stunning Mount Rwenzori Mountain snow Peaks. Lake Bujuku, valleys, rock outcrops, and waterfalls.

Day 1

Transfer from your booked hotel in Entebbe to Kasese for an overnight stay preparing for the next day of mountain hiking.

Day 2

Start at Trekkers at 1,450 meters and sleep at Sine Hut at 2,596 meters being a height gain of 1,146 meters, or those who are fit and want to proceed to Kalalama Camp at 3,134 meters may do so and apart from the fantastic views gives you more time at Mutinda Camp where you may climb up to Mutinda Lookout at 3,975 meters.

We start by walking up the valley floor through tall forest trees of the Afro Montane Forest Zone. This is a steady climb with multitudes of birds and a chance of seeing blue monkeys scampering off through the forest. At times visitors may see troupes of 15 to 20 black and white Colobus monkeys as they swing through the treetops. There are rare sightings of the L’Hoest monkey which are part of the Bukonzo cultural emblems and are protected by the virtue of the King or Omusinga or you may hear wild chimpanzees in the distance. There is a wide variety of plant species from forest trees to bamboo thickets, low shrubs, flowers, fungi, and many mosses and lichen-covered vines hanging from the tall trees creating an awesome appeal. Enock’s Falls are just 200 meters from Sine Hut and offer a splendid opportunity to capture a great screensaver for your memories.

At Sine Camp 2,596 meters we have wooden huts set between tall forest trees on a narrow ridge where you may sit and enjoy the beauty of the Afro Montane forest while you look down at a fantastic waterfall crashing over the rocks far below. Some clients prefer to sit outside enjoying the warmth of the campfire and chat with the guides about the mountains and life in their community. Sine is just below the bamboo zone and the area around has many different bird species. 150 meters from the camp is Enock falls which are set in livid green vegetation and hanging vine. Truly beautiful. Sleep at Sine, or those who are fit and want to proceed to Kalalama Camp at 3,134 meters may do so and apart from the fantastic views gives you more time at Mutinda Camp where you may climb up to Mutinda Lookout at 3,975 meters.

Day 3

Trekking starts at 8.30 am and almost immediately you enter the Bamboo-Mimulopsis Zone which is a steep climb with many high steps. In the wet season, the bamboo zone is rather muddy and slippery making the going slow. However, the atmosphere and the forest are beautiful as you climb 551 meters altitude and a distance of 1.8km to Kalalama Camp at 3,147 meters which is in the Heather-Rapanea Zone where you can take a rest and a quick cup of tea or coffee before heading on to Mutinda Camp. The trail meanders up and over several small knolls along a ridge top then drops down the side of the valley before climbing again, and in doing so cross several small streams and pass close to moss-covered waterfalls. You then climb steadily along the side of a beautiful mossy river that tumbles down over the rocks under the Giant Heather trees whose trunks are covered in green moss with old man beards (Usnea lichen) hanging from the branches. The trail twists and turns as you climb up the deep valley, which has an enormous variety of plants and flowers. This valley is unique with many Giant Heather trees creating a beautiful atmosphere often shrouded in mist.

In the afternoon you may wish to climb up to the top of the Mutinda Lookout (one to two hours up and one hour down) The views are amazing 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. For those clients who are climbing to Margherita or any of the main peaks climbing Mutinda 3,975 meters is also an excellent way to acclimatize and reduce the risk of high altitude sickness

Sleep at Mutinda Camp at 3.582 meters

Day 4

The trail to Bugata Camp is boggy particularly in the wet season but with a little skill, you can step from tussock to tussock to make the going easier. First, you cross the Mutinda valley through the tussock grass and everlasting flowers interspersed with many Giant Lobelias before climbing a steep section up to the Namusangi Valley (3,840 meters), with sheer waterfalls and looking back you get fantastic views of Mutinda Peaks. The Namusangi Valley is wide, with many ups and downs as the trail climbs steadily to Bugata Camp at 4,100 meters.

Day 5

Trek to Hunwick’s Camp via Bamwanjarra Pass. As you leave Bugata Camp you pass up a ridge then drop down slightly before ascending to Bamwanjarra Pass at 4,450 meters where we have a hut should the weather turn bad. From the pass on a clear day, you get excellent views of the three main peaks. The trail passes down the valley and around the edge of some bogs and thick evergreen vegetation, moss. giant groundsel and lobelia. Here is possibly the best place in all the Rwenzori to observe the Malachite Sunbird as it feeds on the many lobelia flowers and is a known breeding site. Farther on there are some steep sections before a steady climb up and over a ridge to Hunwick's Camp which is situated on the top of a deep valley and has good views of Mt Stanley, Mt Baker, Weismann's Peak, and McConnell’s Prong.

Day 6

From Hunwick's we pass down and across the valley floor to Lake Kitendara which is very stunning with deep water and beautiful vegetation. From here you climb up Scott Elliott's pass then up the ridge to Margherita Camp 4,485 meters which is situated between some huge rocks and offers some shelter from the strong winds. This is the very spot where the Duke of Abruzzi camped when making his climb to Margherita Peak in 1906.

Day 7

Wake up at 2 am and catch an early breakfast before heading off to climb Mt Stanley at 2.30 am. This is necessary as the weather has changed a lot and often even during the dryer season the mountain is closed in with heavy clouds and snow falls from 1 pm to 4 pm and this happens within a short period of 10 to 15 minutes as the clouds rise from the extensive Congo rainforests. During January and February 2017 clients were closed in and unable to walk during heavy snowstorms which previously were not heard of during the dryer season and arrived back at Margherita camp well after dark with one group arriving back at 11 pm exhausted. Due to this change in weather, we have set a strict turnaround time of 10 am so if you do not reach the peak before then you must turn around regardless of the disappointment in the interests of safety. Margherita glacier has also suffered from global warming and as the outer edges of the glacier recede the ice is becoming steeper with one section of about 200 meters more than 60% grade. Combined with this much of the blacker has melted underneath causing caves under the ice and as it gets thinner eventually caves in. So is necessary that clients understand and take the advice of where the guides suggest passing.

For those clients with less mountaineering experience, we suggest that you stay on Stanley glacier and climb up to a good vantage point on a rocky outcrop on the southern edge of Alexandra Peak to enjoy fantastic views over Congo and the lower mountain ridges

After ascending the peak at 5,109 meters you then pass directly down to Hunwick's Camp at 3.874 meters.

Day 8

Distance to Kiharo Camp 11km Time taken to walk 4 to 7 hours

From Hunwick’s Camp, we start the day by climbing up a ridge towards McConnell’s Prong where you get the best views of all three peaks and Scott Elliott’s Pass before reaching Oliver’s Pass at 4,505 meters. The distance from Hunwick’s Camp to the top of Olivers Pass is 3km The trail then cuts across below Weismann’s Peak to the confluence of the Nyamwamba River which flows down through Kilembe and Kasese to Lake George in Queen Elisabeth National Park.

If you wish to climb Weismann's Peak 4,620 meters from Olivers' pass you may do so at an extra cost of $20 each. On a clear day, you get fantastic views of Margherita and Mt Stanley, Mt Speke, and Mt Baker.

After crossing the confluence the trail meanders down the valley to Kiharo Camp at which is situated in a deep valley with high cliffs and dense vegetation. On the way down the valley after each bog, you will climb over a ridge of stones and earth which seems out of place but was pushed there by slow-moving glaciers which eventually stopped moving, melted, and left a pile of rocks and debris in front of where the glacier once stood.

Day 9

Distance from Kiharo Camp to the park gate is 12.2km and another 2.8km down to Trekkers Hostel Time to walk 5 to 8 hours.

The trail down the Nyamwamba Valley is mostly downhill and stunning with beautiful views, moss-covered rocks along the river, cascading waterfalls, deep valleys, and forests are possibly the best in the Rwenzori Mountains. This part of the trail took us six years to find a way through and a route that is easy enough for tourists to use. In 1937 the explorer and geologist McConnell tried to find a way up this valley but failed and have to turn back and search for another route up the mountain but now you can experience this truly beautiful valley.

A few kilometers from Kiharo Camp the path turns off to the right to pass along the river. In the clear areas, you may catch a glimpse of a Duiker quietly feeding in small clearings as you pass along the river. If you wish you may prefer to walk down the river itself hopping across the rocks as you pass down. A few kilometers down the river it becomes very steep with multitudes of waterfalls so we have to move away from the river and follow a narrow ridge to bypass steep sections. At the bottom, we again meet the river where there is a huge rock shelter and a place to rest for a while. After crossing a small stream you climb up a gentle slope before turning back down to the river to avoid another set of impassable waterfalls. The forest along this section is magnificent and full of life with many birds, primates, dikers, and hyrax. A great experience and ended with a fantastic trek.

Rest at Kyanyiga Lodge in Fort Port

Day 10

Morning transfer back to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight. Have a stopover at Kayabwe for a lunch en-route and an Equator Experience.

END OF TRIP

What to bring

Clothing (essential):

Summer shirts and shorts - for walking in the heat at the start of the trek

Warm long-sleeved shirts – for when it gets cold

Warm long walking trousers (not jeans!)

Fleece jacket (one or more, and/or a down jacket) - for additional warmth; or a warm anorak/jacket which should not be too heavy

Thermal underwears

The good quality waterproof and windproof outer shell (Jacket & trousers)

Cheap plastic poncho or ( Rain jacket and rain pants)

Hat – a warm hat and a sun hat (that has both a peak and shades the back of your neck)

Wool Hat/Balaclava

Gloves - 2 pairs; one pair of thin liners and another of warmer and waterproof outer gloves are more practical than mittens.

Footwear:

Mountain boots – essential (good quality well worn in)

Walking Shoes (another pair of lighter weight walking shoes/trainers for the start of the climb)

Several pairs of warm, cushioned socks (so you always have a dry pair to change into)

Crampons for the summit day. Please do carry a pair of your crampons. Kindly note that they are a must-have for the summit of Margherita peak

Equipment (essential):

Good quality Sleeping bag (minimum rating of 4 seasons)

Soft Bag / Holdall or Rucksack (framed or unframed) – large enough to hold your gear (limit 23Kg) on the mountain; this will be carried by a porter

Days, Big enough for you to carry your daily water (3litres), lunch box, camera, wet weather clothing, and fleece jacket.

External protective cover for rucksack & daysack (or pack all contents in plastic bags for waterproofing)

Sunglasses (models with side shields are preferable).

Lip salve

Head Torch and a set of spare batteries (special batteries are not always available locally)

2nd/ Back up a torch and spare batteries

Water bottle(s) (strong) to hold 3 liters - which you will carry with you, daily)

Water treatment tablets/iodine or quality filter (although water gets boiled for you by our staff and served as tea or coffee which can also be filled up in your water bottles)

Spare plastic bags (to keep things as dry as possible)

Wash kit plus a small towel

Basic First Aid kit (for personal use) including paracetamol & dehydration sachets

A few of your favorite sweets/’chewies’/dried fruit etc…… ( They are good motivators on the trek)

For all treks summiting Margherita peak, we will provide the following gear:- Harnesses,caribinas, ice axes, helmets, rubber boots (are a must-have), ropes, and ice screws as part of the hiking package. The rest of the equipment must be carried by all hikers as we have not much for hire, that is for Crampons.

Price includes: