4-Day Rwenzori Trek to Bujuku Camp (3,962m) Itinerary Guide

4-Day Rwenzori Trek to Bujuku Camp Highlights

• Day 1: Nyakalengija (1,615m) to Nyabitaba Camp (2,651m)
  Distance: ~7 km | Time: 5–6 hours
  The Hike: Ascend steeply along the Mubuku River, passing through farmland and high elephant grass before entering dense montane forest. Look out for blue monkeys and the colorful Rwenzori turraco.
• Day 2: Nyabitaba Camp (2,651m) to John Matte Hut (3,505m)
  Distance: ~10 km | Time: 6–8 hours
  The Hike: Cross the Mahoma River tributary and enter the zone of giant heather, lobelias, and groundsels. End with a tiring trek across the lower Bigo bog to John Matte Hut, where you will stay for the night.
• Day 3: John Matte Hut (3,505m) to Bujuku Camp (3,962m) & Return
  Distance: ~12 km round-trip | Time: 6–8 hours
  The Hike: Traverse the upper Bigo bog (jumping from tussock to tussock) into the Bujuku Valley. You will pass Bujuku Lake with views of Mt. Baker to the South and Mt. Stanley to the West, eventually arriving at Bujuku Camp in the shadows of Mt. Speke. Afterward, you retrace your steps to John Matte Hut to sleep.
• Day 4: John Matte Hut (3,505m) to Nyakalengija (1,615m)
  Distance: ~14 km | Time: 5–7 hours
  The Hike: A continuous downhill descent, retracing your Day 1 and 2 paths through the bamboo and forest zones back to the park headquarters.

4-Day Rwenzori Trek to Bujuku Camp Itinerary

Day 1: Mihunga Gate (1615m asl.) – Nyabitaba Camp (2651m asl.)

A 4-Day Rwenzori Trek to Bujuku Camp (3962 m asl.) in the Rwenzori Mountains National Park starts in Mihunga near the park’s entrance.

Among the shorter hikes in the Rwenzori Mountains that make up the Rwenzori Central Circuit, this one is by far the most interesting and rewarding.

You will be greeted with a tour briefing and introduced to your guides and porters upon your arrival in the morning.

Trailhead to Nyabitaba Hut: After leaving the park, the route heads into dense woodland along the Mubuku River, crosses a branch of the Mahoma River, and then begins a long, hard ascent onto a large ridge.

At this point in the journey, you might witness blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, forest elephants, and the colourful Rwenzori turraco, among other wildlife.

The hike takes an average of 5 -8 hours.

Day 2: Nyabitaba (2651m asl.) – John Matte Camp (3505m asl.)

Located at a short distance below the point where the Bujuku and Mubuku rivers meet, the Kurt Shaffer Bridge can be reached by following a path that descends through the forest from Nyabitaba.

As you make your way through the bamboo forest, be prepared to endure a long and tiring section of rock covered in moss and treacherous terrain.

From the Nyamuleju rock shelter, one can see Stanley and Mount Speke, as well as Mount Bujuku, before entering the groundsel, lobelia, and giant heather zone.

Once you’ve made it through the exhausting bog, it’s time to head to John Matte Hut for supper and the night.

The hike takes an average of 7 – 8 hours.

Day 3: John Matte (3505m asl.) – Bujuku Camp (3962m asl.) and back to John Matte Camp (3505m asl.)

Lower Bigo Bog, a haven for gigantic lobelias, is accessible via a descent from John Matte Hut that crosses the Bujuku River.

After much hopping from tussock to tussock, we managed to cross the bog, but not before our feet dipped into the icy sludge below.

Views of Mount Baker and Mount Stanley may be seen from Bujuku Bujuku valley Lake, which is formed by the upper Bigo bog.

Located in a little valley below Stuhlmann’s Pass, Bujuku Hut enjoys a prime position in the shade of Mount Speke. Clients aiming to ascend Mount Stanley and Mount Speke will benefit from our camp’s acclimatisation services.

On the other hand, walk boards are currently more prevalent on the lower Bigo bog, making it easier to traverse than the upper Bigo bog.

Dinner and overnight at John Maate hut.
The hike takes an average of 6 – 8 hours.

Day 4: John Matte – Nyabitaba – Mihunga Gate

Feel free to spend the night at your hotel or continue on to your next stop after lunch. Just make sure you descend back to Mihunga gate.

The descend from Nyabitaba to Mihunga will take 2 – 4 hours

End of the 4-Day Rwenzori Trek to Bujuku Camp