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Climbing Mt Ruwenzori, Mountain
Climbing in Uganda
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Rwenzori Mountains,
Mountains of the Moon
This is a splendid world of ice and snow, with its massive ice-rime
sculptures and mind-boggling vegetation, and arguably surpasses
other afro-alpine areas in its beauty, wonder and interest to
mountaineering enthusiasts. The park that is part of the Rwenzori
Mountains, covering 996 sq. kms. provides a magnificent environment
for both experienced climbers and casual day hikers. These legendary
mountains exhibit spectacular scenic beauty and provide a unique
habitat for many rare and indigenous plants and animals. The Highest
mountain in the range, Mt. Stanley, is the third highest in Africa
after Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Kenya. Its highest peak, Margharita,
rises 5109 m above sea level. The giant lobelia and the groundsell
are hallmarks of the Rwenzori. All of the above make this park
an unforgettable visitor destination.Decreasing temperature with
increasing altitude have resulted in marked zoning of vegetation,
which is of great interest to scientists and a delightful experience
for visitors. In fact, more people visit the Rwenzori to explore
and experience the fascinating vegetation than to climb the peaks
and glaciers.
The usual trip lasts not less than 6 days, just
long enough to hike the Central Circuit Trail. Longer and shorter
trips can be arranged. No special climbing equipment is necessary
unless you intend to climb one of the summits. However, hiking
the trails is arduous work, and weather conditions are unpredictable
and rainy. The driest months are July, August and December, January
and February. Hiking should be undertaken only by the physical
fit.
Mt Rwenzori Hiking - 9 Days HATM 434
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Day 1
Drive from Kampala to Kasese Town stopping at Equator crossing,
lunch stop in Mbarara town and continue to Kasese. Arrive in the
earl afternoon, carry out food shopping of all food needed up
in the mountain for the days you will be trekking. Dinner and
overnight.
Day 2
Arrive at Ibanda, the park headquarters and the Rwenzori Mountaineering
Services (RMS) concession building at Nyakalengija in early morning
so as to have ample time to arrange payments, rent equipment and
select guides and porters. Begin your hike by leaving park headquarters,
located at 5,400ft/1.646m. The trail then follows the Mubuku River,
crossing recent landslide areas and requires scrambling over rocks
and bluffs before reaching the Mahoma River. After crossing the
river you will have a very steep climb through open bracken fern
slopes and podocarpus forest up to Nyabitaba Hut (8,7000-ft2,
652m). Slower hikers could take considerably longer, so insist
on leaving park headquarters before noon to avoid on the trail
after dark (7 PM all year round).
Day 3
From Nyabitaba Hut the trails leads westwards for a half –
km then drops north (right) steeply to Kurt shafer Bridge, crossing
below the confluence of the Bujuku and Mubuku Rivers. You reach
the poor-condition hut at Nyamileju and it’s accompanying
rock shelter. Walk to John Matte Hut (11,200 ft/3,414 m) which
is newly constructed, large and comfortable through muddy a round
the site. Many hikers consider this the most tiring and longest
day of the circuit so an early start is important. The loss of
altitude to Kurt Shafer Bridge means the total elevation to be
gained on this day is at least 3,000ft (915m). Hikers who feel
they have reached their limits by this point should consider John
Matte a reasonable stopping point. You can just enjoy the unique
vegetation in the bog and the great views and the following day
begin your return to Nyabitaba.
Day 4
You leave John Matte to cross the Bujuku River and enter the lower
of the Bigo Bogs.
The trail is very muddy and follows the left (southern) edge of
lower Bigo Hut and it’s shelter. Have a lunch break at the
upper edge of the Bigo beyond the north end of Bujuku Lake is
a rock shelter called Cooking pot and short distance further to
Bujuku Hut (13,000ft/3.962m). The shaded location and mists can
make Bujuku Hut uncomfortably cold for hikers and especially guides
and porters with simple blankets and light clothing.
Day 5
Continue the circuit you leave directly west from Bujuku Hut towards
Scott Elliott 14,345 ft (4,372 m) after a right hand branch would
lead you to Elena Hut (14,700 ft/4,372m). As you leave the Elena
and Savoia Glaciers, and Mt. Baker (15,889 ft/4,843 m). The trail
descends past upper Kitandara Lake through bad mud to the lower
lake and Kitandara Hut (13,200-ft/4,023 m). The elevation gain
to the pass from Bujuku is a modest 1,400 ft (425 m) but ups and
downs nearly double that a mount. And because Scott Elliott is
the high point so far, some hikers will be slower due to greater
effort required at these altitudes. Watch especially for signs
of altitude sickness.
Day 6
Climb from the lake to 14,050-ft (4.292m) Fresh field Pass. Fresh
field is a long flat traverse through beautiful high alpine mossy
glades (and more mud) until after half an hour the trails begin
the circuit’s long two-day descent. Rock shelters at Bujongolo
and Kabamba are optional overnight stops but it is best to push
on through the seeming endless mud to newly constructed Guy Yeomen
Hut (10,700-ft/3,261 m).
Day 7
Begin very early if you have decided to make it all the way to
park headquarters and complete your trek. An alternative would
be to stay another night at Nyabitaba Hut. In any event the path
from Guy Yoeman is quite dangerous in spots. Helping each other
and descending very slowly facing the slope instead of facing
outward are recommended especially as you approach Kichuchu down
a dry and dusty crevice. From Kichuchu the trail parallels and
twice crosses the Mubuku River mostly in deep mud until the last
few kilometers of good dry trail follow the ridge down to Nyabitaba,
which completes the circuit. Should you decide to continue to
park headquarters it is another two or three hours depending on
the condition of your knees and desire to reach a comfortable
bed and bath.
Day 8
From Nyabitaba Hut, descend to Nyakalengija the park headquarters.
You will meet your driver to drive you back to Kasese town to
your Hotel/Queen Elizabeth National Park Mweya Safari Lodge/ Institute
Hostel. Take warm showers and relax. Dinner and overnight.
Day 9
After breakfast drive to Kampala or Entebbe in case your flight
falls on this day. If you spent the night in Queen Elizabeth Park,
morning will start with game drive and after proceed to Kampala
or Entebbe. End of Central Circuit.
| NO.
OF PEOPLE |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
|
2050 |
1950 |
1850 |
1750 |
PER PERSON SHARING NET IN
US DOLLARS |
| SINGLE PERSON SUPPLEMENT
USD 360 |
Mt Rwenzori Hiking HATM 444
Day 1 Kampala - Kasese.
A full Scenic days drive from Kampala takes you across the Equator
and through the Rift valley to your overnight stop at Kasese.
Days 2 - 4 Trekking Days.
Assisted by guides and porters you hike up to one of the Seven
intermediate stages. There is a great diversity of vegetation,
the chance of sporting some wild animals and breath taking views.
The route chosen for you will be based on the skill and experience
you have. Camp cook will prepare meals and accommodation is in
mountain huts or tents.
Day 5 Return to Kampala.
Make a slow descent into Kampala via Mbarara passing through small
villages with their Ankole Cattle and viewing numerous mattock
plantations arriving in Kampala late afternoon.
NB. (1) This package can be extended to 10-12 days depending
on how high one would like to climb. If you are serious climbers
Baker (15889) and Margarita (16763 ft) peaks are worth visit.
(2) There are numerous rugged cliffs. Rock climbing equipment
is needed.
| NO.
OF PEOPLE |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
|
1481 |
1360 |
1250 |
1190 |
PER PERSON SHARING NET IN
US $ |
| SINGLE SUPPLEMENT USD 300 |
Ten Days Rwenzori Mountains Hike
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