Hunwick's Camp Trek | 6 Days of Rwenzori Adventure

Discover the 6-Day Trek to Hunwick’s Camp in Uganda’s Rwenzori Mountains, a spectacular journey offering breathtaking views, diverse ecosystems, and challenging terrains.

This adventure takes you through lush landscapes, past unique wildlife, and towards stunning mountain vistas, making it an ideal choice for avid hikers and nature lovers seeking an unforgettable experience in the heart of Africa.

See Uganda hiking safari highlights below.

4-Day Mutinda Lookout Trek - Rwenzori Discovery

6 Days Rwenzori Adventure Highlights

Day 1: Base Camp to Sine Camp
Day 2: Sine Camp to Mutinda Camp
Day 3: Mutinda Camp to Bugata Camp
Day 4: Bugata Camp to Hunwick’s Camp
Day 5: Summit Mount Baker
Day 6: Hunwick’s Camp to Base Camp

Detailed 6 Days Rwenzori Adventure Itinerary

4-Day Waterfall Circuit Trek - Mount Rwenzori's Splendor

Day 1: Base Camp to Sine Camp

Commence your Rwenzori Trekking journey at 1,450 meters and conclude at Sine Hut at 2,596 meters.

There are several birds along this gradual ascent, and there’s a chance to spot blue monkeys darting through the jungle.

Enjoy trekking from the forest trees to bamboo thickets, low shrubs, flowers, mushrooms, and numerous moss and lichen-covered vines dangling from the tall trees.

The area hosts a wide range of plant species.

The wooden cottages at Sine Camp are nestled between large forest trees on a ridge, allowing you to sit and marvel at the grandeur of the Afro-Montane forest while gazing down at a magnificent waterfall thundering over rocks far below.

Sine is situated just below the bamboo zone, and the vicinity is home to a diverse variety of bird species.

Spend the night at Sine as you prepare for the next day’s trek.

Day 2: Sine Camp to Mutinda Camp

Starting at 8:30 am, the trek commences in the Bamboo-Mimulopsis Zone, which involves a challenging climb with numerous tall steps.

During the rainy season, the bamboo zone can become quite muddy and slippery, slowing down progress.

However, after covering 1.8 kilometers and gaining 551 meters in elevation to reach Kalalama Camp at 3,147 meters in the Heather-Rapanea Zone, you can take a break and enjoy a quick cup of tea or coffee before continuing on to Mutinda Camp.

The trail meanders up and over several small knolls along a ridgetop, then descends down the valley’s side before ascending once more.

Along the way, it crosses several small streams and passes close to waterfalls with moss covering them.

You may choose to hike to the summit of the Mutinda Lookout (one to two hours up and one hour down) when standing on moss-covered rocks at 3,925 meters, offering views across the Rwenzori Mountains and down to Kasese town and Lake George.

Climbing Mutinda is optional.

Day 3: Mutinda Camp to Bugata Camp

The path leading to Bugata Camp can be muddy, especially during the rainy season, but with some skill, you can move from tussock to tussock to make the journey smoother.

First, cross the Mutinda Valley via the tussock grass and everlasting flowers mixed with several Giant Lobelias before hiking a steep section up to the Namusangi Valley (3,840 meters).

This valley features spectacular waterfalls and fantastic views of the Mutinda Peaks in the distance.

The trail then climbs steadily across the vast Namusangi Valley, which has numerous ups and downs, to reach Bugata Camp at 4,100 meters.

Day 4: Bugata Camp to Hunwick’s Camp

Trek through Bamwanjarra Pass to Hunwick’s Camp.

Departing from Bugata Camp, ascend a ridge, then descend slightly before climbing to Bamwanjarra Pass at 4,450 meters, where there’s a cabin in case of bad weather.

On a clear day, the three main peaks are very visible from the pass.

The path meanders through bogs, tall evergreen foliage, moss, gigantic grasses, and lobelia as it descends into a valley.

This area is a renowned breeding spot and one of the best places in the Rwenzori to observe the Malachite Sunbird as it feeds on numerous lobelia blossoms.

A challenging hike up and over a ridge leads to Hunwick’s Camp, which is located at the top of a deep valley and offers excellent views of Mount Stanley, Mount Baker, Weismann’s Peak, and McConnell’s Prong, further along.

Day 5: Summit Mount Baker

Set off at 6:30 a.m. to climb the 4,842 meters of Mt. Baker Peak. The ascent takes three to four hours, and the descent from McConnell’s Camp requires three hours.

To complete this strenuous, rocky climb, you must have an excellent sense of height, as some sections, such as the crevice descending down to the glacier, have a significant drop off the cliff.

Safety ropes will be used at all times on steep sections, even though Mt. Baker is classified as non-technical, except during the snow season (wet season) of April through May and September through October when it is extremely slippery on the ice-coated rocks.

Following the ascent, you descend a crevice in the rock face to the glacier and proceed the final 300 meters to the peak.

When there is clear weather or a break in the clouds, you can admire the spectacular Margherita, Alexandria, Stanley’s Plateau, and the glaciers of the main peaks.

The view is fantastic! After this once-in-a-lifetime experience, you cross the glacier again, ascend the rock face again, and then descend to McConnell’s Camp.

Day 6: Hunwick’s Camp to Base Camp

The day begins by ascending a ridge from Hunwick’s Camp towards McConnell’s Prong, where you can see all three peaks at their fullest, as well as Scott Elliott’s Pass.

The trail then crosses below Weismann’s Peak to the confluence of the Nyamwamba River, which flows down via Kilembe and Kasese to Lake George in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

It is 3 kilometers from Hunwick’s Camp to the summit of Oliver’s Pass.

The trail meanders down the valley to Kiharo Camp, which is located in a deep valley with towering cliffs and abundant flora, after crossing the confluence.

These six days will leave you with great memories of fantastic views, adding an extraordinary adventure to your life.

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