Welcome to The Rwenzori Trekking Experts Co.
Discover the “Mountains of the Moon” with Rwenzori Trekking Experts.
At Rwenzori Trekking Experts Co., explore one of Africa’s most alluring mountain ranges! With their breathtaking scenery, unique flora, glacier peaks, and strenuous ascents, the Rwenzori Mountains provide a genuine mountaineering adventure. At Rwenzori Trekking Experts Co. we offer Rwenzori trekking services, Rwenzori Trekking Expeditions, and Rwenzori Mountaineering Services.
Adventurers can learn about the Rwenzori Mountains on guided hikes, mountaineering trips, or safaris. Scale Margherita Peak and marvel in the untamed beauty of Uganda. You have the option to book these Rwenzori Trekking Expeditions directly and tailor them to your preferences, or create your very own unique itinerary from the start.
At Rwenzori Trekking Experts Co. say that the driest and warmest weather for climbing the Rwenzoris is between the middle of March and the end of October. The best time to go mountain climbing is during these three months. The best times to visit Uganda for a day excursion to view primates are around these times as well.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Rwenzori Mountains National Park borders the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is situated in southwestern Uganda. Its varied species and breathtaking landscapes have made it famous. The gazetted park, which has been there since 1991, encompasses 996 square kilometres and is the site of Margherita mountain, the third-highest mountain in Africa at 5,109 meters. The park’s diverse ecosystems, which include alpine meadows, glaciers, and verdant montane forests, are home to a wide variety of wildlife. As the geographical and cultural origins of the Nile River, the Rwenzori Mountains (often called the “Mountains of the Moon”) hold great historical and cultural importance.
Why Rwenzori Trekking Experts Co.
- Expert & Professional Team: Guides are knowledgeable about flora, fauna, culture, and the technical terrain, ensuring a safe and successful climb, even to the summit of Margherita Peak.
- Comprehensive Support: They provide crucial support with porters (who carry heavy loads) and cooks, offering fresh, surprisingly good meals and surprising treats like cold sodas.
- Essential Gear: Free provision of rubber boots (though sometimes hikers bring their own) and other necessary equipment.
- Well-Maintained Infrastructure: They manage basic, clean mountain huts (bunk beds, toilets) along the routes.
- Authentic & Remote Experience: Offers a chance to see unique ecosystems with minimal crowds on the trails, making it feel like a unique adventure.
- Safety Focus: Guides prioritise safety, especially during difficult sections like summit night and glacier crossings.
- Customizable & Flexible: Can tailor trips (e.g., 3-day to 9-day treks) and offer packages including gorilla trekking or wildlife.
The Kilembe Trail
Kilembe Trail trekking packages in Uganda’s Rwenzori Mountains offer diverse options, from short waterfall hikes (3-4 days) to summiting Margherita Peak (8+ days), covering unique vegetation zones with packages ranging from ~$600 to $1,700+ per person, often combined with gorilla trekking or wildlife safaris for a full Ugandan adventure. Operators like Rwenzori Trekking Experts, and local guides provide these routes, catering to different fitness levels and interests, with the Kilembe Trail being known as the southern circuit.
The Kilembe Trail is a popular route through Uganda’s Rwenzori Mountains (“Mountains of the Moon”), offering adventurous treks to high peaks like Margherita Peak (Africa’s third highest) via lush forests, bamboo zones, alpine meadows, and glacial landscapes, managed by Rwenzori Trekking Services (RTS), and known for its diverse scenery and challenging ascents. Treks typically range from 3 to 10 days, with highlights including unique flora like giant lobelias, waterfalls, and diverse wildlife such as blue monkeys and L’Hoest monkeys.
8-Day Margherita Peak Trek
The Margherita Peak trek is a challenging, multi-day mountaineering adventure in Uganda’s Rwenzori Mountains (Mountains of the Moon) to reach Africa’s third-highest summit (5,109m) via technical glacier crossings, requiring ropes, crampons, and ice axes, typically taking 6-8 days on the Central Circuit Trail for fit trekkers who want epic views and an unforgettable alpine experience.
7-Day Rwenzori Trek to Mount Baker
Rwenzori trek via the Kilembe Trail to Mount Baker offers stunning scenery, diverse vegetation zones, and challenging terrain, typically reaching Mount Baker (4,842m) through camps like Kakhumba, Chala, Kiharo, and Hunwick’s. This route, known for its beauty and glacial views, involves traversing ridges, passing waterfalls, and navigating rocky paths, providing an immersive experience in the “Mountains of the Moon”.
Rwenzori Trek To Hunwick’s Camp
A 6-day Rwenzori trek to Hunwick’s Camp is a challenging but rewarding journey through diverse Afro-alpine landscapes, typically following a section of the Central Circuit to reach the base of Mount Baker, offering stunning views of Rwenzori peaks like Stanley, Speke, and Baker from the Bamwanjarra Pass. Expect to traverse lush forests, bamboo zones, heather, and boggy areas with unique giant lobelias.
The Central Circuit Trail
Rwenzori Central Circuit Trail trekking packages offer various durations, typically 6 to 10 days, focusing on reaching Margherita Peak or exploring other summits like Weismann’s or Portal Peaks, passing through diverse vegetation zones and stunning lakes like Bujuku and Kitandara. Packages include permits, guides, porters, food, and mountain hut accommodation, with options to combine with gorilla trekking, often starting and ending in Kasese, Uganda, with pre/post-trek nights in hotels.
The “Central Circuit Trail” almost always refers to the classic, popular trekking route in Uganda’s Rwenzori Mountains National Park, a challenging but rewarding 7-9 day hike known as the “Mountains of the Moon,” offering diverse vegetation (forests, bamboo, alpine) and leading to glacier views, often summiting Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley. It’s a loop starting near Nyakalengija, winding through camps like Nyabitaba, Bujuku, Kitandara, and back via Scott Elliot Pass, showcasing waterfalls, glacial lakes, and unique flora, providing an iconic, deep dive into the equatorial snow-capped mountains.
7-Day Rwenzori Trekking
The 7-Day Rwenzori Central Circuit Trail is a classic, challenging loop in Uganda’s “Mountains of the Moon,” taking trekkers from Nyakalengija through diverse ecosystems (forests, bamboo, alpine zones) to summits like Margherita Peak (5109m) on Mount Stanley, offering incredible scenery, glacial views, and unique biodiversity, involving stays in mountain huts and crossing high passes like Scott Elliot Pass, returning via Guy Yeoman.
5-Day Mount Speke Trek
A 5-day Mount Speke trek in Uganda’s Rwenzori Mountains is an adventurous hike to one of Africa’s highest peaks (4,890m), offering stunning glacial views, diverse vegetation from bamboo forests to alpine bogs, and acclimatization opportunities, often via the Central Circuit’s Bujuku Valley route, providing incredible vistas of the “Mountains of the Moon”. While some 5-day trips summit the peak ( Vittorio Emanuele peak), others focus on reaching Bujuku Camp.
3-Day Rwenzori Hike To John Matte
A 3-day Rwenzori hike to John Matte Hut{/nav} (around 3,400-3,500m) is a popular short trek following the Central Circuit, offering diverse flora, fauna (monkeys, turacos), and stunning views of the Rwenzori peaks and glaciers, starting from Nyakalengija, going to Nyabitaba on Day 1, reaching John Matte on Day 2 (with bog crossings!), and returning to the gate on Day 3, providing a rewarding taste of the “Mountains of the Moon”.
The Bukurungu Trail
The Bukurungu Trail is a scenic, longer trekking route in Uganda’s Rwenzori Mountains (Mountains of the Moon), leading hikers through diverse vegetation zones, alpine lakes, and gorges towards the Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley, offering stunning views, potential wildlife sightings (monkeys, rare birds), and unique cultural insights, often utilizing wild camping and joining the Central Circuit for a challenging but rewarding adventure.
Discover the Majestic Peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains
Explore the “Mountains of the Moon” where adventure meets breathtaking beauty. The Rwenzori Mountain Range, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a hidden gem in East Africa, renowned for its unique glacial peaks, rich biodiversity, and awe-inspiring landscapes. Each peak presents a distinct challenge and an unforgettable experience for mountain lovers and trekking enthusiasts.
The main peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains include Mount Stanley (with the highest peak, Margherita Peak, at \(5,109\) m), Mount Speke (\(4,890\) m), Mount Baker (\(4,843\) m), Mount Emin (\(4,798\) m), Mount Gessi (\(4,715\) m), and Mount Luigi di Savoia (\(4,627\) m). Mount Stanley is the third-highest mountain in Africa after Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya.
The six main mountains and their highest peaks
- Mount Stanley: The highest of the six, with Margherita Peak reaching \(5,109\) meters. Other peaks include Alexandra, Albert, and Elena.
- Mount Speke: The second highest, with its highest peak, Vittorio Emanuele, at \(4,890\) meters.
- Mount Baker: Reaches \(4,843\) meters, with Edward as its highest peak.
- Mount Emin: The fourth highest at \(4,798\) meters, with Umberto as its highest point.
- Mount Gessi: The fifth highest, at \(4,715\) meters, with Iolanda as its highest peak.
- Mount Luigi di Savoia: The lowest of the six main mountains at \(4,627\) meters, with Sella as its highest peak.
The Rwenzori Trekking Cost
Rwenzori trekking costs vary significantly by trek length, operator, and group size, ranging from roughly $170+ for short introductory hikes (2-3 days) to over $2,000+ per person for challenging multi-peak expeditions (8-12 days), with key inclusions being park fees (around $35/day), guides, porters, food, and mountain accommodation, but excluding flights, personal gear, and pre/post-trek lodging. Budget travelers might pay $450+ for a 3-day trip, while luxury/longer treks can exceed $2,500+.
Our Rwenzori trekking expeditions are all-inclusive, covering:
- Park entry fees and permits required by the Rwenzori Mountains National Park
- Professional guides with in-depth knowledge of the terrain and ecosystems
- Camping equipment and accommodation (tents or mountain huts)
- Porters and support staff to carry equipment and supplies
- Meals and water throughout the trek
- Specialized gear (e.g., crampons and harnesses for Margherita Peak treks)
Additional Costs to Consider
- Equipment rental (if you need additional gear beyond what we provide)
- Transportation to and from the trailhead (optional add-on)
- Tips for guides and porters, which are customary in the region
Worst/Best Time to Visit The Rwenzori Mountains
The best time to visit the Rwenzori Mountains for trekking and clearer views is during the dry seasons: June to August and December to February, offering stable weather and less slippery trails, though it’s cold at night. For bird-watching and lush scenery with fewer crowds, the rainy seasons (March-May, October-November) can be great, but expect frequent rain and muddy paths, with the park accessible year-round for prepared hikers.
Dry Season (June–August & December–February)
- Pros: Best for summit attempts (Margherita Peak), clearer skies, enjoyable trekking, less rain.
- Cons: More climbers on trails, still cold at high altitudes.
- Best For: Mountaineering, clear panoramic views, combining with gorilla trekking.
Wet Season (March–May & October–November)
- Pros: Lush, vibrant landscapes, waterfalls, fewer tourists, great for birding.
- Cons: Frequent rain, muddy trails, challenging conditions.
- Best For: Photographers, budget travelers, wildlife enthusiasts.
How To Get to Rwenzori Mountains
To get to the Rwenzori Mountains (in Uganda), fly into Entebbe (EBB) near Kampala, then take a domestic flight to Kasese or travel by road (bus or private 4×4) through Fort Portal, a journey of 6-8 hours, finally arranging local transport to the park entrance near Kasese or Bundibugyo for briefing and your guided trek.
Step 1: Get to Uganda
- Fly to Entebbe International Airport (EBB): This is the main gateway for most international visitors.
Step 2: Travel to the Rwenzori region (Kasese/Fort Portal)
- By Air (Quickest): Take a domestic flight (e.g., Aerolink, Bar Aviation) from Entebbe to Kasese Airstrip (about 1-1.5 hours).
- By Road (Scenic/Budget):
- Public Bus: From Kampala, take a bus to Fort Portal (6-8 hours) and then connect to Kasese.
- Private Vehicle: Hire a 4×4 or private taxi/van for more comfort and efficiency from Kampala.