Areas of interest: Kampala, Kasese, Ibanda, Nyakalengija, Nyabitaba, John Matte, Bujuku hut, lake and cave, Mts Speke, baker and Stanley, Elena hut and glacier, Kitandara hut and valley, Mount Savoy, Guy Yeoman hut, Mobuku and Kichuchu rivers.

Activity: Trekking, camping, scenery, bird watching, photography

The Rwenzori Mountains are often referred to as the Mountains of the Moon and have a reputation of being very wet at times thus making a very demanding climb. The mountain range stretches for about 100km. At its centre are several mountains that are snow and glacier covered. This is a non-technical trek.

Day 1 - Kampala - Ibanda - Nyakalengija

Leave Kampala early morning and drive via the mining town of Kasese to Ibanda/Nyakalengija, which is the base for climbing the Ruwenzoris.

Day 2 - Nyabitaba Hut (2650m)

Commence the climb early morning from Nyakalengija to Nyabitaba Hut (4-5 hours). This is a fairly easy trek (10 km, 1000m ascent). Overnight at the hut.

Day 3 - John Matte Hut (3350 m)

Through the tropical vegetation, we trek to John Matte (6-7) hours).  Some areas are fairly demanding, due to the mud, dense vegetation and boggy terrain as you near the hut (7 km, 700m ascent). Overnight at the hut.

Day 4 - Bujuku Hut [3900m] – Depart early morning through dense and boggy vegetation towards the beautifully set Lake Bujuku and Bujuku cave. Arrive Bujuku Hut (5-6 hrs, 6km, 630m ascent). This has great views of the main peaks of Mts Speke, baker and Stanley.

Day 5 - Elena Hut [4547m] - We proceed towards Elena hut through moss draped groundsel vegetation. This hut is perched on bare rock with spectacular views up to the Elena glacier and down into the Kitandara valley.   Overnight at the hut.

Day 6 - Kitandara Hut [4027m] - We continue our trek mainly downhill to reach a viewpoint overlooking the upper Kitandara Lake and proceed through thick mud to Lower Kitandara lake where the Kitandara Hut is situated. The setting of the hut is one of the best in the Rwenzoris, right next to the lake with great views back up the valley to the main peaks. Overnight at the hut.

Day 7 - Guy Yeoman [3540m] – Early morning start through boulders and steep groundsel with the scenery dominated by the glaciers of Mounts Stanley and Baker and Mount of Savoy. Descend to Guy Yeoman hut which is surrounded by a beautiful landscape of mountains, vegetations and rivers (5-7 hrs, 5km, 250m ascent, 830m descent). Overnight at the hut.

Day 8 - Nyabitaba – Ibanda/ Nyakalengija - Trek down hill via Nyabitaba to Ibanda (7 hours). 

Final descent back to Nyakalengija. The trial is attractive along the valley of the Mobuku and Kichuchu rivers, rich in plants and flowers of the heather zone before reaching the bamboo forest. From Nyabitaba starts the 40 minutes trial to see Lake Mahoma and back to the hut for descending to the Park Head Quarters. Overnight at Ibanda.

Day 9 - Ibanda – Kampala - Pickup at Ibanda and drive to Kampala where drop off is at your hotel.