3 Days: Rwenzori Hiking to John Maate Camp
Demanding summit ascent on the border of Uganda and Congo
- Climb the Margherita peak – the third highest mountain on the black continent
- Look down at the steaming jungle from the highest peak of Rwenzori
- Experience an intensive journey with an adventure character
- Hike in a group of alpinists or mountain hikers
- Spend the night in the huts protected from the weather
- Marvel at the UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Admire a unique fauna and flora
- Interact with the giants of Bwindi forest National park (Gorillas tracking)
The Mountains of the moon in Uganda with their unique flora await you. The attraction of this circular trek on Rwenzori is not limited to an exotic summit experience! We are accompanied by a team that carries the luggage and equipment. The path leads through high elephant grass, lush bush and fern landscape along the Mubuku River to the Nyabitaba hut. We continue up the Bujuku Valley through dense forest and over streams. Meter-high fern trees, giant asenecia and orchids line the path. St. John’s worth or lobelias, which are just 50 cm high in our latitudes, grows into giant trees on the Rwenzori. High mountain research attributes this “gigantism” to the large amounts of precipitation, the relatively high daytime temperatures, the intense ultraviolet radiation and the acidic soils. The light is subdued; the sun’s rays barely penetrate the thick canopy of leaves. Through rooted and boggy passages and over bleached moss, jumping from tussock to tuft of grass, we work our way to the Bujuku lakes located between the peaks.
If a trekking that is physically very demanding, but technically not that difficult, is enough, hike to the Kitandara lakes. Summit ascents and the entire route of the route depend on the weather – it is not for nothing that the African explorer Henry Morton Stanley described the Rwenzori as “rainmaker”. Snow and fog are not un common; the peaks are often hidden behind masses of clouds.
ITINARARY
Day 1: NYAKALENGIJA (1615m asl.) – NYABITABA CAMP (2651m asl.)
The central circuit starts at the Rwenzori Mountaineering Services offices at Nyakalengija. You need to arrive in the morning to allow ample time to rent equipment and meet your guides and porters. The trail begins by passing through farmland to the park boundary beyond which it follows a thick forest along the Mubuku River, crossing its Mahoma River tributary before starting a long, steep climb up onto a massive ridge to reach Nyabitaba hut. During this part of the trip you may hear chimpanzee and see black and white colobus, blue monkey and the brilliantly coloured Rwenzori turraco.
The hike takes an average of 6 -7 hours.
Day 2: NYABITABA – JOHN MATTE CAMP (3505m asl.)
From Nyabitaba follow the trail that drops down through the forest to the Kurt Shafer Bridge, just below the confluence of the Mubuku and Bujuku rivers. Passing through the bamboo forest, traverse through a long and exhausting stretch of slippery moss-covered rock. From the Nyamuleju rock shelter, Mount Stanley and Mount Speke can be seen before passing into the zone of the giant heather, lobelia and groundsel. Finally reach John Matte Hut after passing through the tiring bog, for dinner and overnight at the hut.
The hike takes an average of 7 – 8 hours.
Day 3: JOHN MATTE – NYABITABA – NYAKALENGIJA CAMP
From John Matte climb downs from the same trail to Nyabitaba Camp for your lunch. This will take about 5 – 6 hours.
After your lunch, descend back to Nyakalengija for either an overnight at base camp hotels or proceed to your next destination.
The descend from Nyabitaba to Nyakalengija will take 3 – 4 hours
Price – $710 per person
Includes
Accommodations in Kasese on arrival and after the hike in Kasese, park entrance fees, porters,
guide, chef, food in the mountain for both clients, porters and guides, accommodation in Mountain Huts, activity fees, gas for cooking, Charcoal for porters and guides, cooking
appliances, community contribution fees and VAT
Excluded
- Transportation
- Missing meals and drinks
- Individual excursions and visits as well as personal expenses
- Tips for the guides, driver, chefs and escorts
- Personal health insurance
- Wines and other beers
- Emails if needed
- Phone calls
Mountain Checklist for Rwenzori Mountains
1 day bag
1 sleeping bag
1 pair of mountain boots
1 jogging suit
2 pairs of woolen socks
2 pairs of trekking trousers 2 cotton shirts warm
Woolen underwear 1 warm pullover
1 woolen cap 1 pair gloves, woolen mitten
1 parka, extra-large with hat
1 torch, headlamp includes batteries
Necessities on the mountain:
1 trekking bag
1 pr. of jogging shoes
1 sun hat
Handkerchiefs
5 pairs of socks
1 pair Snow glasses
Leggings up to the knee (Gaiters)
Rain proof and warm gear
Walking sticks
Photo equipment
Pocket knife
Appetizer
Drugs against:
Stomach upsets, Headache
1 elastic bandage, Elastoplast’s
Water purification tablets
Vitamin C tablets
Sun lotion
Lip ointment
For summit climbers:
1 Proof Mountain boots
1 Rope 50m
1 ice axe (Hire at base)
1 Harness
1 pair of crampons