8 Days Rwenzori Mountains Trekking Via Kilembe Trail
8 Days Rwenzori Kilembe Trail Trekking is an actual 8 day Rwenzori Mountains Kilembe trail trekking to Margherita peak at 5109m. This 8 days Rwenzori trekking along Kilembe trail route or the Southern circuit trail starts and ends at Rangers post, at the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains National Park.The Rwenzori Kilembe trail “southern circuit” is owned & managed by Rwenzori trekking services, whose experienced & professional guides will help you reach your goal to Magherita peak.
Like the central circuit trail route, the kilembe trail route also comprises of huts where trekkers sleep after a whole day trek; the sign hut(2,585 m), Kalalama hut (3.147m) to Mutinda Camp (3.688 m), Bugata Camp (4.062 m), Butawu Camp (3.974 m), Margherita Camp (4,485 m). Return to Butawu Camp on the same day you will ascend to Magheritah, descend to Kiharo Camp (3,460 m.) and finally the rangers post which will mark the end of the 8 days/7 nights Rwenzori Trekking via Kilembe Trail.
This 8 days Rwenzori Kilembe Treil Trekking starts and ends in Kilembe/Kasese or at the base and is considered difficult especially for those who want to access the Magherita peak.
Itinerary Highlight For 8 Days Rwenzori Kilembe Trail Trek
Day #1: Kilembe to Kalalama Camp
Day #2: Kalalama hut to Mutinda Camp
Day #3: Mutinda Camp to Bugata Camp
Day #4: Bugata to HunWick’s Camp
Day #5: HunsWick to Magherita Camp
Day #6: Magherita Camp to the Summit and back to Magherita Camp
Day #7: Transfer to Kiharo camp
Day #8 From Kiharo Camp to the base
Detailed Itinerary for 8 Days Rwenzori Kilembe Trail Trekking
Day 1: Kilembe to Kalalama Camp
Following your breakfast, proceed to the rangers post, after an early morning breakfast and head straight to Rwenzori National park’s gate for clearance. Start trekking to montane forest where you might spot a number of creatures like; Colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, the Rwenzori Turaco. You will arrive at Sine camp for a lunch break, coupled with other refreshments. From here, you will proceed with your hike to Kalalama hut (3,147 m), where you will have dinner, next day briefing and an overnight rest.
Day 2: Kalalama hut to Mutinda Camp
Depart for Mutinda camp from Kalalama after your breakfast early in the morning. At 9:00am you will follow a steep route with many high steppes, passing through the bamboo-mimulopsis zone. Reach your resting point for a lunch break, after then you will connect to the heather zone, by crossing many streams & waterfalls, which are dominated by typical green moss vegetation. While trekking, you will be rewarded by magnificent views of Giant Heather trees, and sometimes in a misty atmosphere. Arrive at Mutinda Camp (3.688m)-named after the Mutinda Peaks.
It is from this point, that you can also climb further to the Mutinda Lookout (3.925 m),which is a bout a 90 minutes ascent and 30 minute descent to the camp. This region is worth visiting, as it offers beautiful views, while standing on moss covered rocks also offers incredible views across the Rwenzori Mountains, stretching down to Kasese town and Lake George. Arrive at Mutinda camp in the Late evening for dinner, next day briefing and an overnight stay.
Day 3: Mutinda Camp to Bugata Camp
At 9:00am after breakfast, hike up through the boggy trail, at Mutinda Camp. After then you will continue with the typical wet vegetation and tussocks, as you enter the alpine vegetation zone with the presence of the giant lobelias (Lobellia gibberoa), the groundsel (Senecio adnivalis) as well as the everlasting flowers while crossing the Mutinda valley. Climb up the steep section up to Namusangi valley, heading up toBugata Camp at 4.062m
At this position. Enjoy the breathtaking views of Weisman’s Peak of Mount Luigi of Savoy, which is always covered by the snow whereas the vegetation is mostly covered by tussock grass, everlasting flowers, giant groundsel and giant lobelia.
This day 4 walk also takes you via lake Kitandara which stretches up to Democratic republic of Congo, which also offers unique breathtaking views of nine lakes beneath the valley and Lake Nusuranja , from the nearby Plozza Rock.
Bugata camp, comprises of well furnished but good facilities of solar lights, eco-toilets and bathroom.
Your dinner and overnight at this camp.
Day 4: Bugata to HunWick’s Camp
In the morning, , trek up the the Bamwanjara pass, which steadily rises with various long flat bogs. During your climb, you will observe the glacial lakes far down in the valley. Upon reaching the top of Banwamjara Pass (4.450m), you will be rewarded with remarkable views of all the main snow capped peaks and you later come to rest in a small shelter while enjoying the breathtaking scenery.
This trek, can also lead you down to the lower and upper Kachope lake which is steep and always muddy but provide exclusive views of Kachope Lakes and McConnell’s Prong.
Arrive at Hunwick’s Camp (3,974m), which is established on a ridge overlooking snowcapped Mt Baker. Dinner and overnight stay at this camp.
Day 5: HunsWick to Magherita Camp
Start your day with trekking along the ridge, crossing several wet areas and small rivers flowing from both Mount Baker and the fresh fields pass. Trekking up Scott Elliott Pass is amazing as you walk through and rising up the ridge of Mt Stanley to Margherita Camp at 4,485 meters which is below Elena Hut of the Rwenzori mountaineering services.
The Magheritah camp which is covered with a ring of rocks, was once used by an Italian Prince Luigi Amadeo di Savoia, and Duke of the Abruzzi. It is from here that you will see magnificent views of Mt Baker, Scott Elliot Pass and some of the high glaciers on Mt Stanley.
You will walk to margherita camp for 4.2km, you are expected to arrive late in the evening. Dinner, preparations for the next day and an overnight stay at the camp.
Day 6: Magherita Camp to the Summit and back to Magherita Camp
Wake early at 2:00am for your morning breakfast, thereafter you will, you will set off for the longest and strenuous walk to the summit of Margherita which will start at 3:00am. The early movement to Magheritah peak of Mount Stanley is mainly aimed at reaching the glaciers before sunrise since the heat from the sun causes the glaciers to melt, hence making the roots to be totally impassable.
Hiking through the steep heights to Magherita peak requires enough physical strength. Proceed with your hike over the glaciers close, after then you will climb to an exposed section of the rock, which is bolted and roped, to get on the ridge running up to the top of the Magherita peak at 5.109m
On reaching, enjoy the scenic of the whole country, as you are now at the highest point of the country. Lunch will be served at the peak, after which you will descend to hunwick’s camp for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 7: Transfer to Kiharo camp
Have breakfast early, and climb up a steep ridge towards McConnell’s Prong, where you will love, the impressive views of the three snow peaks of Mount Stanley, mount Baker and speke and the scott eliot pass before reaching Oliver’s pass at 4,505m. The total distance between Hunwick’s Camp and Oliver’s pass is 3km. The trail then cuts across beneath waismann peak to the confluence of the Nyamwamba River which flows down through Kilembe and Kasese to Lake George in Queen Elizabeth national park.
The confluence then meanders down the valley to Kiharo camp, which is established in a deep valley with high cliffs and dense vegetation. Dinner and overnight stay at the camp.
Day 8: From Kiharo Camp to the base
From Kiharo camp, the path turns off to the right pass along the river. Spot Duikers as you pass along the river otherwise trek down the river itself jumping across the rocks as you pass down. A few
The trails becomes steep with many waterfalls after a few kilometers beneath the river, that is why you will have to move away from the river and follow a narrow ridge to bypass steep sections.
You will again meet the river where there is a huge rock shelter and a place to rest for a lunch break. Then you will cross a small stream as you climb up gentle slopes before descending back down to the river to avoid another set of waterfalls which are impassable. The forest on this section is home to many birds species, primates, duikers and hyrax. This last day offers great experience and ending to a fantastic trek.
