This 8-Day Mount Rwenzori Trekking Adventure in Uganda takes you all the way up to Margherita peak.
The shining, snow-capped Margherita peak is one of the world’s paradise wonders, hosting a great number of tourists each year.
Some find it so enticing that they choose to take part in trekking, guided by experienced mountain climbers who lead them through Mountain Rwenzori’s greenery.
This greenery not only portrays beauty but also houses the royal wildlife and chirping birds that rest on tree branches.
The tranquil streams flow gently in the morning but increase in speed during late hours, adding to the adventure before reaching the heart-taking cold peak.
As they say, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single steep,” so let’s see what transpires on day one.
See Uganda hiking safari highlights below.
8-Day Mount Rwenzori Trekking Highlights
- Day 1: Hike to Sine Camp
- Day 2: Sine Camp to Kalalama Camp
- Day 3: Kalalama Camp to Bugata Camp
- Day 4: Bugata Camp to Hunwick’s Camp via Bamwanjarra Pass
- Day 5: Hunwick’s Camp to Margherita Camp
- Day 6: Summit Day
- Day 7: Margherita Camp to Kiharo Camp
- Day 8: Kiharo Camp to Base Camp
Detailed 8-Day Mount Rwenzori Trekking Itinerary
Day 1: Hike to Sine Camp
The 8-Day Mount Rwenzori Trekking Adventure starts with a walk 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 through the forest.
Visitors may also spot troupes of 15 to 20 black and white Colobus monkeys as they swing through the treetops.
The area boasts a wide variety of plant species, from forest trees to bamboo thickets, low shrubs, flowers, fungi, and many moss and lichen-covered vines hanging from the tall trees, creating an awe-inspiring appeal.
At Sine Camp, you’ll find wooden huts set between tall forest trees on a narrow ridge.
Here, you can sit and enjoy the beauty of the Afro Montane forest while looking down at Enock’s fantastic waterfalls crashing over the rocks far below.
Day 2: Sine Camp to Kalalama Camp
On this day, trekking begins at 8:30 am from the Bamboo-Mimulopsis Zone, which involves a steep climb with many high steps.
During the wet season, the bamboo zone can be rather muddy and slippery, making progress slow.
However, the atmosphere and the forest are beautiful as you climb to Kalalama Camp, located in the Heather-Rapanea Zone.
Here, you can take a rest and enjoy a quick cup of tea or coffee before heading to Mutinda Camp.
The trail meanders up and over several small knolls along a ridge, then descends down the valley’s side before climbing again.
Along the way, you’ll cross several small streams and pass close to moss-covered waterfalls.
You’ll then climb steadily alongside a beautiful mossy river, which 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.
Day 3: Kalalama Camp to Bugata Camp
The trail to Bugata Camp can be boggy, especially in the wet season, but with a little skill, you can step from tussock to tussock to make the going easier.
First, you’ll cross the Mutinda valley through tussock grass and everlasting flowers interspersed with many Giant Lobelias before climbing a steep section up to the Namusangi Valley with sheer waterfalls.
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.
Day 4: Bugata Camp to Hunwick’s Camp via Bamwanjarra Pass
You trek to Hunwick’s Camp via Bamwanjarra Pass.
Leaving Bugata Camp, you’ll pass up a ridge, then drop down slightly before ascending to Bamwanjarra Pass.
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.
This area is possibly the best place in all of the Rwenzori to observe the Malachite Sunbird as it feeds on the many lobelia flowers and is a known breeding site.
Day 5: Hunwick’s Camp to Margherita Camp
From Hunwick’s Camp, you’ll pass down and across the valley floor to Lake Kitandara, which is stunning with deep water and beautiful vegetation.
From here, you’ll climb up Scott Elliott’s pass and then up the ridge to Margherita Camp, situated between some huge rocks and offering shelter from the strong winds.
Day 6: Summit Day
You’ll wake up at 2 am and have an early breakfast before heading off to climb Mt. Stanley at 2:30 am.
This is necessary as the weather can change rapidly, and even during the dryer season, the mountain can be closed in with heavy clouds and snowfall from 1 pm to 4 pm.
This can happen within a short period of 10 to 15 minutes as the clouds rise up from the extensive Congo rain-forests.
Day 7: Margherita Camp to Kiharo Camp
The day begins 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.
The trail then cuts across below Weismann’s Peak to the confluence of the Nyamwamba River.
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, situated in a deep valley with high cliffs and dense vegetation.
Day 8: Kiharo Camp to Base Camp
The trail down the Nyamwamba Valley is mostly downhill and absolutely stunning.
It offers beautiful views, moss-covered rocks along the river, cascading waterfalls, deep valleys, and forests, making it possibly the best in the Rwenzori Mountains.
In clear areas, you may catch a glimpse of a Duiker quietly feeding in small clearings along the river.
A few kilometers down the river, it becomes steeper with numerous stunning waterfalls.
After the waterfalls, you climb up and over a high ridge, then descend through the dense forests with stunning views of the valley below.
You’ll stop at Forest View Camp for lunch before proceeding back to Base Camp.
This marks the end of a fantastic trek, leaving you with unforgettable beautiful memories by the end of the eighth day of the 8-Day Mount Rwenzori Trekking Adventure in Uganda.
Other recommended Rwenzori trekking tours:
- 18 Days Uganda Primate Trekking & Mount Rwenzori Hike
- 12 Days Mount Rwenzori Hiking Adventure to Margherita Peak
- 10 Days Uganda Gorillas & Rwenzori Hiking Safari Adventure
- 7-Day Mount Baker Trek – Journey Through Rwenzori Mountains
- 6-Day Hunwick’s Camp Trek – Mount Rwenzori’s Wonder
- 5-Day Weismann’s Peak Trek – Rwenzori Adventure
- 4-Day Mutinda Lookout Trek – Rwenzori Discovery
- 4-Day Waterfall Circuit Trek – Mount Rwenzori’s Splendor
- 3-Day Rwenzori Park Trek – A Nature’s Marvel
- 1 & 2-Day Treks in Rwenzori – A Nature Escape
