GO UGANDA RWENZORI CENTRAL CIRCUIT
CONNECT WITH MUFCO TOURS THIS HOLIDAY TO TOUR MOST OF THE TOURIST & CULTURAL SITES IN UGANDA
Day 1: Arrival
Arrive at Entebbe, transfer to Kasese (Margherita hotel).
Day 1: Kampala – Murchison.
Day 3: Hiking up to John Matte (3414m)
This is considered to be the longest and most tiring day of the
circuit, so an early start is vital. From Nyabitaba Hut, move westward
and drop steeply at River Mubuku which you cross at Kurt Shaffer
Bridge. After the bridge, move anticlockwise and use the muddy,
slippery trail that climbs to the bamboo zone. Enter the moorland zone
with giant tree heather and groundsel. Have a stop at Nyamileju Hut
for lunch and to enjoy the view of Mt Speke and Mt Stanley if the day
is clear. After lunch proceed following River Mubuku and hiking
through giant Robelia, groundsel and challenging bog before finally
arriving at John Matte.
Day 1: Kampala – Murchison.
Day 5: Elena Base and Ktandara Hut
a) If you intend to scale the highest point in the Rwenzoris
(Margherita 5109m) then make Elena your base. It is 3-4 hours from
Bujuku Hut and 2km off the central circuit trail. (Hiking the peak
requires climbing experience, skill and special equipment).
b) If you are not climbing the Margherita peak, move south from Bujuku
Hut to Kitandara (4023m) hiking to the highest point on the circuit
trail Scott Elliot Pass (4372m). From there go through the giant
groundsel and descend to Kitandara lakes. Kitandara huts are
positioned on the shores of the lakes and it takes 3-4 hours from
Bujuku hut.
Day 1: Kampala – Murchison.
Day 7: Descending to guy Yeoman Hut
An early start from Kitandara huts is advisable in order to avoid over
heating on the steppes. Walk through fresh fields which traverse
beautiful alpine mossy glades. The trail can be very slippery and
difficult to trace especially when it’s rainy and misty. Bujongolo and
Kabamba rock shelter can be an option for an overnight stopover.
Alternatively it is best to push on through the endless mud of Kabamba
bog to Guy Yeoman Hut.
Day 1: Kampala – Murchison.
Day 9: End of Safari
Return to Kampala and end of mountain trekking
Day 1: Kampala – Murchison.
Day 2: Nyabitaba Hut (2652m)
After breakfast, transfer to park headquarters at Nyakalengija. This
is the starting point, where you will have your luggage weighed, meet
the porters, chef and guide and have a debriefing for the trip. The
day’s hiking is fairly easy to Nyabitaba hut. On your way to the park
boundary, you will go through coffee plantations, garden plots and
homesteads. After the park boundary, the trail follows River Mubuku on
your right and you will cross small rivers, rocks and bluffs before
reaching River Muhoma. Then make a climb through ferns and the forest
and then finally onto Nyabitaba hut (2652m). 5-7 hour climb.
Day 1: Kampala – Murchison.
Day 4: Hiking to Bujuku Hut
Leave John Matte hut and head for Bujuku (3962m). The hike takes up to
5 hours, crossing the Bujuku River, you will enter into the Lower Bigo
Bog, using the board walk and through a steep climb (metallic ladders)
you will reach the Bigo Hut. Past the Bigo Hut is the Upper Bigo Bog
before reaching the beautiful Lake Bujuku. At the southern end of this
lake is a majestic setting with Mt Baker in the South, Mt Speke in the
North and Mt Stanley in the west. Take the lake trail to the north end
and a rock shelter called cooking pot then on a short, distance
further to Bujuku Hut. If you intend to climb Mt Speke (requires
climbing experience skill and special equipment) make Bujuku Hut your
base which allows an extra nights stay to do this climb.
Day 1: Kampala – Murchison.
Day 6: Scaling and Hiking to the Peaks (optional)
Climb Margherita in the Mt Stanley complex and then descend to
Kitandara hut. To scale Margherita you will need special equipment
such as ice axes, ropes, boots and crampons.
Day 8: Last Day on Circuit
Last day on the circuit trail. Descend down the steep valley to
Kichuchu rock shelter. The trail is difficult and muddy in some spots
so help each other and descend slowly. Go through the bamboo forest
and the bog, cross the Mahoma River and other two minor streams before finally descending back into tropical vegetation. Follow a ridge down to Nyabitaba Hut (5 hours). Depending on the condition of your knees, you may decide to push on to Nakalengija (2-3 hours).
