Rwenzori Mountains Hiking Adventure.

Hiking Routes on the Rwenzori Mountains

Two famous trails on the mountain offer exciting and superbly scenic experiences, meandering through forests and pristine landscapes of alpine vegetation studded with charismatic giant lobelias, groundsels, and heathers, specifically unique to the Mountains of the Moon. The common route is the Central Circuit Trail running from Nyakalengija, ascending the Mubuku and Bujuku Valleys, which may take about 8 days to summit, and the southern circuit (Kilembe Route) that runs up the Nyamwamba.

The Rwenzori Central Circuit Route.

This is the oldest trail that is used by trekkers who would wish to hike the Rwenzori Mountains and summit Margherita Peak. The central circuit trail begins from the Mihunga trailhead to Bujuku via Nyabitaba and John Matten. From Bujuku, the trail then leads to other peaks, over to the Scott Elliot Pass, and then to Kitandara Lakes. It then proceeds over the Freshfield Pass to Bujuku Valley.

It is the shortest and most popular trekking trail to reach the Rwenzori Mountains peak. However, there can be some variations on the trek route; the trail typically takes 6-7 days to reach the peak and descend back. This magnificent trail navigates through the 5 different vegetation zones, which offer picturesque views of Mount Baker, Mount Stanley, Mount Speke, and Weisman Peak, as it crosses both the lower and the upper Bigo bogs, which are firmly supported by boardwalks for easy trekking through the area.

(2421) Trekking & climbing: Adventure Rwenzori Mountains incl. Mt Stanley 5109m, Uganda – YouTube

However, the trail follows the thick forests and bushes, which are a natural home to different mammals and bird species such as hyrax, forest elephants, L’Hoest’s monkeys, Black and White colobus monkeys, three-horned chameleons, while the birds include Rwenzori Turaco, handsome francolin, barred long tail cuckoo, strange weaver, among others.

The best safaris via this trail are the 7 days of central circuits, 5 days of Rwenzori trek, and more depending on the strength and preference of each mountaineer since the trail passes through all 5 vegetation zones.

The Kilembe Route.

Also known as the Southern Circuit. The trail takes its route beginning in Kilembe in the south-east at Rangers Post to Sine camp, to Mutinda Hut via Kalama Hut, then proceeds to Bugata camp, Butawu, and Magherita camp at the peak, and then descends back. The trekking route later joins the central circuit at the Kitandara Lakes. The southern circuit is a rewarding trail that offers ecstatic views of the Valleys, unique flora, and fauna but is quite challenging and it requires physical body fitness and extra days to reach the summit Margherita, usually 7-9 days depending on the hiker’s strength.

The Kilembe Trail approaches Mount Stanley from the south, passing through all the biodiversity zones on the Rwenzori Mountains, i.e., the lush tropical rainforest home to monkeys and chameleons (and surprisingly, a handful of elephants!), bamboo, heather trees, afro-alpine plateaus, and, of course, mud and glaciers.