6-Day Rwenzori Portal Peaks Trek for Beginners | Central Circuit Route.

The most famous and extensive hiking trail in the Rwenzori Mountains National Park is the Rwenzori Central Circuit Trail. At around 58 kilometers in length, it typically takes between five and nine days to finish. This extensive path passes through a wide variety of ecosystems, including mountain forests, bamboo zones, heather woods, and alpine fields. On your journey to the peak, you will come across glacial lakes, rivers, and unique animals. In Uganda, the tallest peak is Margherita Peak.

Mihunga Station is the starting point for the Central Circuit Route Trail, which heads up into the mountains via Bujuku Valley and Nyabitaba. The route to the Mubuku Valley begins after you cross Scott Elliot Pass and continues via Fresh Field Pass. Consequently, you will have the opportunity to witness the stunning Kitandara Lakes.

Along this route, hikers can find a number of huts to stay in. Most people find them to be quite pleasant. Considering the weather and conditions in the Rwenzori Mountains, the trails are generally well-kept, despite being rocky and muddy in spots.

Day 1: Hike to Nyabitabba (2651 m) from Nyakalengija at the foothills.

Your hike briefing will take place at the RMS headquarters in Nyakalengija, so make sure to head there after breakfast at the camp. Awaken in Nyakalengija and make your way through the Bakonjo settlements to the gate of Mount Rwenzori Mountains National Park. Here, you must register before you can enter the park. Beginning your journey along the central circuit trail, you will encounter lush tropical vegetation, towering elephant grass, and abundant bushes.

The distance between Nyakalengija and the Nyabitaba hut is approximately 8 kilometers. The Nyabitaba hut will serve as your dinner spot and your bed for the night.

Day 2: Trek to John Matte (3505m) from Nyabitaba

There is a full breakfast at the hut. Then you have about 30 minutes to walk through dense trees and bushes to the Kurt Shafer Bridge, where the Bujuku and Mubuku rivers meet. You will spend the next two hours making your way through a mountain forest, rocks covered in moss, and bamboo. Along the way, you could also observe the diverse range of birds that inhabit the forest. Your next stop on the way up is Nyamulejju Rock Shelter for lunch.

Kurt-Scharffer Bridge

This rock shelter is where early hikers sometimes camped and stayed the night. From here, you can see Mount Stanley and Mount Speke if the sky is clear.

You’ll then keep walking through the mountain forest until you reach the John Matte hut. There you can rest your exhausted head and eat a big meal. Most hikers cool off in the Bujuku River, which is close to the house. From your position on Mount Stanley, you can see the Margherita Glacier, nestled between the Alexandra and Margherita peaks. It takes 11 kilometers to get from Nyabitaba to John Matte.

Day 3: John Matte Camp (3,505m) to Bukurungu Rock Shelter

To reach the Bukurungu rock shelter at camp, you will have to endure a tough and eventually rewarding five-hour muddy ascent. This will take place after you have witnessed a breathtaking sunrise across the valley.

It is even possible to spot the Rwenzori red duiker and rock hyrax in the vegetation zones known as Heather and Rupenia because of their presence.