Day 5: Kilembe (1,450 m) to Kalalama Camp (3,147 m)
From the ranger’s post, the trail heads further to the Rwenzori Mountains National Park gate, where the 7-day Rwenzori Kilembe trail trek starts. The trail then continues to the forest zone.
Expect to see some primate species, like colobus monkeys and blue monkeys, and then birds like the Rwenzori turaco, among others. You then continue to Sine camp, where you will stop over for lunch. Then proceed to Kalalama camp (3,147 m), where you will have dinner, the next day briefing, and an overnight rest.
Day 6: Kalalama Camp (3.147m) to Mutinda Camp (3.688 m)
After a long night rest, gather for tea, and get ready to start your hike to Mutunda camp (3,147 m) from Kalalama hut. Set off by 9:00am for your trek through the bamboo-mimulopsis zone, which is a steep climb with many high steps. You will stop for a break before you proceed along the heather zone, passing through many streams, including waterfalls, all sheltered by the typical green moss vegetation. You will be able to see more of the giant heather trees, even in a misty atmosphere.
Arrive in the early afternoon at the Mutinda Camp (3,688 m). This camp was named after the Mutinda Peaks. At this point, if you still have enough physical strength, you can climb further to Mutinda Lookout at 3,925 m, in about a 90-minute walk plus another 60-minute descent back to the camp.
Mutinda LookOut
Mutinda Lookout stands out among the moss-covered rocks with spectacular views across the Rwenzori Mountains, down to Kasese town and Lake George, which makes it worth visiting. Return to the camp late in the evening for dinner, the next day’s briefing, and an overnight rest.
Day 7: You will trek from Mutinda Camp to Bugata Camp, which is located at an elevation of 4,062 meters.
After breakfast, you will begin your trek at 9:00 AM, walking straight through the boggy terrain characterized by typical wet vegetation and tussocks until you reach the Alpine vegetation zone, where you will see giant lobelias (Lobelia gibberoa), groundsel (Senecio adnivalis), and everlasting flowers as you cross the Mutinda valley.
Then climb steeply up to Namusangi Valley (3,840 m), from where you will enjoy the best view of the Mutinda Peaks. You will proceed across the many bogs, along the Namusangi Valley to Bugata Camp at 4,062 m, which is the arrival point of the day.
At this juncture, you will relish the awe-inspiring vistas of the Weismann’s peak on Mount Luigi of Savoy, typically veiled in snow. Tussock grass, everlasting flowers, giant groundsel, and giant lobelia define the vegetation in these surroundings.
This Rwenzori Kilembe trek takes you via Lake Kitandara, which stretches up to the Democratic Republic of Congo. You will also get breathtaking views, near Plozza Rock, of the nine lakes down the valley of Lake Nusuranja.
Bugata Camp has excellent facilities with solar lights, eco-toilets, and bathrooms. You have dinner and spend the night. You will be briefed about the following day and then retire to your cabins for the night.
Day 8: Bugata Camp to Hunwick’s Camp (3,974 m)
Wake up early for breakfast and begin hiking to almost the epitome of this 7-day Kilembe Rwenzori Hike. You will hike up the Bamwanjara Pass, which rises steadily with several long, flat bogs. As you proceed, expect to see the glacial lakes far beneath the valley, and get excellent views of all the main snowcapped peaks upon reaching the Bamwanjara pass at 4450 m, where there is a small shelter for you to relax for a short break and refreshment as you enjoy the scenery.
This walk then continues downwards to both lower and upper Kachope Lake, which is steep and muddy at all times but offers impressive views of Kachope Lakes and McConnell’s Prong. In the afternoon, you will reach Hunwick’s Camp, perched on a ridge with a stunning view of snow-capped Mount Baker. You will have dinner and spend the night at the camp.
Day 9: From Hunwick’s Camp to Margherita Camp (4,485 m.)
On this day, you will trek along the ridge before crossing many wet areas and small rivers flowing down from Mt. Baker and Fresh Fields Pass. After breakfast, you will embark on your trek up the Scott Elliot Pass to the drift of the Stanley Range, reaching Margherita Camp at 4,485 meters, which is located just beneath the Rwenzori Mountaineering Services hut known as Elena Hut.
Magheritah Camp
Margherita Camp is surrounded by a ring of high rocks, and it is historically known as the camp first used by the Italian Prince Luigi Amadeo di Savoia, Duke of the Abruzzi. You will also enjoy breathtaking views of Mt. Baker, Scott Elliot Pass, and some of the Mount Stanley glaciers.
Hiking to Margherita Peak is so challenging that you might arrive in the early evening, where you will wait for dinner, followed by a briefing and an overnight sleep. During the briefing, you will be trained on how to use the ropes, harness, crampons, hiking shoes, and ice axe for breaking axes.
Day 10: Hike to the Summit and back to Hunswick Camp
You will wake up at 2:00 am for breakfast and assemble together to start the trek. Set off at 3:00 am in the morning after breakfast so as to reach the peak before sunrise and avoid walking through the trails that become impassable when the glacier melts.
To reach Margherita Peak (5,109 m), you must be strong enough to walk through glaciers and navigate a bolted and roped section of rock. Upon reaching the Margherita peak, you enjoy the breathtaking views of the surrounding, then descend back to Hunwick’s camp for dinner and an overnight.
Day 11: Descend back to the Ranger post
Wake up to the beautiful sound of the Ruwenzori Turaco, have breakfast and embark on your trek down to the Rangers Post
You will walk down the valleys, which are home to several bird species that fly in and out of the lush forest & vegetation. Other attractions that you may encounter include the colobus monkeys and the three-horned chameleon. You may also see the glimps, duikers, giant lobelias, and various plant species.
A few kilometers as you approach the rangers’ post, you will walk through a climb, 200 meters high, to a ridge overlooking the valley, before crossing a number of small valleys and streams to Kyalavula. Trek at your pace to the base camp to pick up your certificate for climbing to Margherita Peak. Proceed to the lodge for dinner and an overnight.
Day 12: Depart for Kampala
On this day, you will set off for Kampala, with stopovers in Mbarara for lunch and at the equator for photography. Arrive in Kampala in the afternoon at your drop-off location, which marks the end of the trip.
