A 10 day safari which starts and finishes in Kampala.
This safari can also be done on a scheduled basis.
"The entire length of the range burst out of
the cloudy darkness . . . a giant among the mountains,
the melting snow of whose tops has been for some 50
centuries most vital to the peoples of Egypt" -
Henry Morton Stanley.
The Rwenzoris, or the Mountains of the Moon, so named
by the Hellenic astronomer Ptolemy, have a legendary
beauty. They were explored and mapped out by Henry
Morton Stanley, Emin Pasha and Prince Luigi Amedeo
di Savoia. At the centre of the range are six peaks
capped with ice and snow and three glaciers. The mountains
- about 120 km long - were forced up during the creation
of the Great Rift Valley. The highest peak of Mount
Stanley is Margherita, which rises to 5,109m, the third
highest in Africa after Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount
Kenya.
The heavy rain makes the mountain flora luxuriant,
growing to absurd
proportions, with giant lobelia and groundsel shooting
up to 10 metres. The wild flowers and birds are enchanting.
A hike through the lower reaches of the central Rwenzori
needs about six days; ascent of the peaks is a technical
climb and takes a further two days and requires climbers
to be physically fit and equipped with ropes, crampons
and appropriate mountaineering equipment (see Travel
Notes for details). The best time to climb the mountain
is from June through to August and from December to
February. Climbing is organised by Rwenzori Mountaineering
Services and includes 1 guide and 2 porters per person,
meals, accommodation and entrance fees. A minimum number
of 4 climbers on the peaks is advised – 2 climbers
and 2 guides. For solo climbers a second guide should
be taken for which a supplement has to be paid. Maximum
recommended group number on Volcanoes climbs is 8.
Clients stay 1 night at Margherita Hotel or Volcanoes
Queen Elizabeth site on the way to the mountain, where
they sleep in the basic mountain huts or in tents.
On return they sleep 1 night at Mweya/Jacana.
| DAYS |
2008 prices |
10 |
U5 Climbing the Rwenzoris |
| NUMBER IN PARTY |
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2 |
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3 |
|
4 |
|
5 |
|
SRS |
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Day 1
Briefing on your safari. Depart for Kasese, via Queen Elizabeth National
Park. Set off on the southbound road at 10am. On the way see the royal
drum makers, stand on the Equator, bargain at the roadside markets. Descend
to the Queen Elizabeth National Park, keeping an eye out for game. O/N:
Margherita Hotel, Kasese/Volcanoes Queen Elizabeth site (FB).
Day 2
Begin the climb - to Nyabitaba Hut (2650m). After breakfast drive to
Nyakalengija trailhead (1600m). Make final arrangements for a guide and
porters. Begin hiking up to Nyabitaba hut. Walk through the banana shambas
on the side of the steep foothills, past the typical Bakonjo homesteads
with the children waving you on! Follow the trail along the Mubuku River,
through landslides and up and down rocks and bluffs. Cross the Mahoma
River and climb steeply through bracken fern slopes and Podocarpus forest
to Nyabitaba Hut for overnight (FB).
Day 3
To John Matte Hut (3350m). The trail from Nyabitaba drops down through
the forest to the Kurt Shafer Bridge, just below the confluence of the
Bujuku and Mubuku Rivers. A steep ascent through bamboo forest, traversing
a long and exhausting stretch of slippery moss-covered rock. From Nyamileju
rock shelter, on clear days, Mount Stanley and Mount Speke can be glimpsed
before passing into the zone of the giant heather, lobelia and groundsel.
The final stretch to the hut is across a tiring bog, the first of many
for which the mountain is infamous (FB).
Day 4
To Bujuku Hut (3900m). Immediately after John Matte Hut, the trail drops
down to cross the Bujuku River and enters Lower Bigo Bog, home of giant
lobelias. Jumping from tussock to tussock, the bog is finally crossed
but rarely without the feet sampling some of the freezing ooze below.
The Upper Bigo bog gives way to Bujuku Lake, with views of Mt Baker to
the South and Mt Stanley to the West. Bujuku Hut, well located in the
shadow of Mount Baker and Mount Speke, is set in a narrow valley below
Stuhlmann Pass. A spectacular setting but it can be very cold, even for
the Rwenzoris. (FB).
Day 5
To Elena Hut (4541m). Leaving Bujuku, through more bog, the trail climbs
the steep slopes west of the lake, passing through the magical Groundsel
Gully as it ascends to Scott-Elliot Pass at 4372m. At the head of the
gully a metal ladder takes you over a steep section after which the trail
splits into two. The right leads up to Elena Hut and Mount Stanley on
a steep trail over large boulders. The left path leads to Scott-Elliot
Pass and down to Kitandara Lakes. For those sleeping at the basic Elena
Hut be prepared for a cold and icy night (FB).
Day 6
For those climbing Margherita peak (5109m) continue to the base of the
Stanley Glacier. Depending on the weather and the individual’s
acclimatisation, it can be a four to seven hour walk to the summit of
Margherita. This is a tough walk over three glaciers, slippery rock,
ice and very exposed areas which are open on many sides. It is only for
the physically fit and is a technical climb which requires roping up,
crampons and appropriate equipment for cold, windy and icy conditions.
It is best to attempt the final climb in a minimum group of 4 - two climbers
and two guides; (a supplement for the extra guide has to be paid for
at the time of booking). Climb on to the glacier, cross the Stanley Plateau
and proceed with the ascent. Subject to altitude sickness, fog and weather,
scramble up to the summit of Margherita, crown of the Rwenzoris. Due
to the altitude and the tough conditions not everybody will make it to
the summit so do not be disappointed if you do not. Returning to Scott-Elliot
pass, there are spectacular views back to Bujuku Lake and Mount Speke,
up to Mount Stanley and down to the Kitandara Lakes. Once over the pass
the trail enters an alpine zone of sparse vegetation and rough boulders.
Descend to the Kitandara Hut for overnight, past the Kitandara Lakes.
(For those who do not wish to climb the peak, a more restful day walking
from Elena Hut to Kitandara Hut 4,023m.) (FB).
Day 7
To Guy Yeoman Hut (3260m). From Kitandara, the trail ascends steeply
up the headwall, spreading out from the base of Mount Baker and continuing
along the south side of the mountain to Freshfield Pass. On a clear day
there are views into the Congo to the west and Mount Stanley to the north.
From the pass, the long muddy descent continues, passing the rock shelter
at Bujangolo, the base camp for the historic expedition by the Duke of
Abruzzi in 1906 (FB).
Day 8
To Nyabitaba (2650m). The path down can be slippery and muddy with little
to hold on to and requires careful balancing over the vertical mud or
steep rock. An overnight stop at the Nyabitaba Hut is a pleasant rest
after the exertion of the previous days (FB).
Day 9
To Nyakalengija trailhead (1600m). A gentle descent down the muddy paths to
the trailhead, arriving late morning. Lunch in Kasese. Drive to Queen Elizabeth
National Park, game viewing on the way. In the afternoon time permitting, a
boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel where the wildlife and a vast array of birds
come to drink O/N: Mweya/Jacana (FB).
Day 10
Early morning game drive. Depart for Kampala, lunch en route, arriving late afternoon
(HB). |
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