Ruwenzori Central Circuit Trail Rwenzori Mountain Hiking Trip, Mountain Climbing Tours in Uganda

The Central Circuit Trail

Day 1: Nyakalengija (1615m) Nyabitaba Hut (2651m)

Begin the trail in the morning from Nyakalengija with the help of porters and guides passing through farmland following the Mobuku river valley crossing its Mahoma tributary and then ascend a steep massive ridge and reach Nyabitaba Hut. This hike takes about 5 hours. You are likely to encounter black-and-white colobus, blue monkeys, chimps and the brilliantly coloured Rwenzori Turaco.

Day 2: Nyabitaba (2651m) Mubuku River (2600m) John Matte Hut (3505m)

This is a 7+ hour mountain trek up to John Matte Hut. Just a few metres beyond Nyabitaba the central circuit begins at the trail junction. The right fork accesses the peaks up the Bujuku valley while the path on the left is for the subsequent descent. The trail leads to the Kurt Sharfer Bridge which traverses the Mobuku valley just below the river's confluence with the Bujuku valley. Just beyond the river, a muddy, slippery trail ascends steadily up through bamboo forest.

A 5 hour trek leads to the giant lobelia and groundsel zone, a unique vegetation only to East Africa's highest mountains. Finally you will reach John Matte Hut after going through a challenging bog full of extraordinary flora.

Day 3: John Matte (3505m) to Bujuku (3962m)

Follow the Bujuku River valley crossing the Lower Bigo bog and a go over a steep ascent to the Upper Bigo bog where a boardwalk has been constructed to assist walkers. In clear weather there are magnificent views of Mt Stanley at the head of this cavernous, glacier-formed valley. Beyond the bog, after a long steady climb over glacial moraine, criss-crossing the river, the trail accesses the lovely Lake Bujuku. The muddiest stage of the expedition is the Cooking Pot Cave at the last stage of the 3-5 hour hike to Bujuku. The hut is strategically positioned for parties climbing Mt Speke.

Day 4: Bujuku (3962m) to Scott Elliott Pass (4372m), Kitandara (4023m)

At Bujuku hut the trail goes through mud before climbing steeply via a forest of giant groundsels, climbing a short metal ladder to ascend the Groundsel Gully. Beyond the gully a branch in the trail climbs directly to Elena Hut (4430m) for the ascent of Margherita peak on Mt Stanley (5109m). You need an ice axe, mountain boots, crampons and ropes to climb here. The main trail proceeds up a steep scree slope over Scott Elliot pass, the highest point on the circuit. The views down the Bujuku valleys, Mts. Stanley and Baker towering above, are spectacular. Beyond the pass, the route descends beneath the massive cliffs of Mt Baker. After passing Upper Lake Kitandara, the 3-5 hour hike ends at the hut beside Lower Lake Kitandara, a magnificent site surrounded by towering peaks.

Day 5: Kitandara (4023m) Freshfield Pass (4282m) Guy Yeoman (3505m)

Freshfield is a long valley characterized by tracts of fabulously colorful moss (and more mud) beyond which the long descent to Nyakalengeija begins. This hike to Guy Yeoman hut takes around 5 hours. The hut has a lovely location near the Mubuku River with magnificent views of the looming Mt Baker to the north.

Day 6/7: Guy Yeoman (3505m) Nyabitaba (2651m)

Very early in the morning descend to Nyabitaba. The hike takes around 5 hours to Nyakalengija. Below Guy Yeoman, the route descends the Kichuchu cliffs. Beyond Kichuchu the muddy path traverses the Mobuku River twice before climbing upwards to Nyabitaba to finalize the circuit.

Day 7: Nyabitaba (2651m) Nyakalengija (1615m)

It takes 2-3 hours to descend from Nyabitaba to Nyakalengija.

End of the Mountain Climb

6 Days Rwenzori Mountain Hike

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