A Complete 9-Day Rwenzori Trek Guide: Mt. Stanley Vs Mt. Speke Vs Mt. Baker.

9-Day Rwenzori Trek Itinerary Professional Overview

Embark on a transformative nine-day journey through the legendary Rwenzori Mountains—Africa’s “Mountains of the Moon”—where untamed wilderness meets glacial grandeur. This expedition is meticulously crafted to conquer three of the park’s most iconic summits: Mt. Stanley (5,109 m), the highest peak in Uganda; Mt. Speke (4,890 m), with its dramatic ice-carved cirques; and Mt. Baker (4,844 m), renowned for its rocky ridges and sweeping vistas. Starting from the lush montane forests at Nyakalengija gate, you will ascend through vibrant heather moorlands, cross tumbling streams, navigate alpine bogs, and stand atop shimmering ice fields, all guided by our expert Rwenzori-certified team.

With seasoned guides, dedicated porters, and gourmet camp cuisine, you’ll experience unmatched safety, comfort, and cultural immersion. Each campsite is chosen for its strategic location—in harmony with local porter routes and ecological considerations—ensuring gradual acclimatization and maximum time for summit attempts. Whether you aim to capture the first light over Margherita Peak or immerse yourself in Afro-alpine landscapes, this itinerary delivers an unparalleled high-altitude adventure.

9-Day Rwenzori Trek Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer, Registration & Trek to Nyabitaba Camp (≈10 km, 750 m ascent)

Your adventure begins with an early-morning departure from Kampala, traveling westward through rolling coffee plantations and verdant valleys toward the Rwenzori foothills. Upon arrival at Nyakalengija gate (1,600 m), you’ll complete park registration, meet your guide team, and enjoy a safety briefing. After a hearty lunch, the trail leads you through dense bamboo and montane forest, alive with Albertine Rift endemics—red-tailed monkeys, African broadbills, and towering podocarpus trees. The steadily ascending footpath brings you to Nyabitaba Camp (2,350 m) in the late afternoon. Here, your tent is pitched amidst mist-laden slopes, porters unload gear, and you partake in a briefing on alpine hazards, followed by a welcome dinner of locally sourced vegetables and protein. This opening day sets the tone: camaraderie, discovery, and the first subtle shifts in altitude your body will adapt to over the coming days.

Day 2: Trek to John Matte Camp (≈12 km, 700 m ascent)

Day two’s route takes you deeper into the montane forest and heath zones. After a sunrise porridge breakfast, you cross Nyabitaba River on a sturdy footbridge, ascending steep forested slopes dotted with giant lobelia and heather scrub. Along the way, you’ll spot Rwenzori turaco calls echoing through the trees and traverse small waterfalls that feed crystalline streams. Midday brings a picnic lunch on mossy boulders alongside verdant marshes. The afternoon trek involves gradual climbs through open moorlands, where panoramic views of distant peaks appear between cloud banks. You’ll arrive at John Matte Camp (3,050 m) in time for an acclimatization walk—explore nearby ridges to prepare your lungs for higher elevations. Evenings at camp are spent sipping hot tea, reviewing summit safety protocols, and gallery-style discussions of local Bakonjo legends around a warm fire.

Day 3: Ascent to Elena Hut & Acclimatization (≈8 km, 550 m ascent)

On day three, the terrain transitions fully into Afro-alpine moorlands. After breakfast, you traverse fields of giant groundsel and lobelia, the landscape opening to reveal the massive Stanley Glacier perched on the western horizon. The trail becomes a mix of rocky scree and narrow footpaths flanked by spongy sphagnum bogs. You’ll cross the Bujuku River via a log bridge before reaching Elena Hut (3,600 m) in the early afternoon. Following lunch, your guide leads an acclimatization hike along adjacent ridges to 3,800 m, where you can survey the jagged skyline of Mt. Speke and Baker. This short climb stimulates red blood cell production while minimizing fatigue. Back at Elena Hut, you’ll enjoy a three-course dinner, briefed on ice axe and crampon techniques in preparation for the Stanley summit push. A strict early lights-out ensures restorative sleep in anticipation of higher camps.

Day 4: Trek to Bujuku Camp & Summit Prep (≈6 km, 600 m ascent)

After a pre-dawn wake-up and hot tea, you embark on a strenuous six-kilometer climb crossing moraines and glacial streams. The route demands careful footwork as you navigate rockfall zones and snowmelt channels. By mid-morning, you’ll reach Bujuku Camp (4,200 m), perched beside Lake Bujuku—a glacial tarn seeded with floating icebergs. Here, your team establishes your base camp for the Stanley summit attempt. The afternoon is devoted to summit preparation: packing sledges, checking rope systems, and reviewing high-altitude climbing techniques. Guides demonstrate proper belaying on a nearby ice face, and you practice walking in crampons on short firn slopes. Dinner features high-calorie stews with added electrolytes. Under a clear night sky, the Milky Way spills overhead as you rise to rest before the all-night ascent.

Day 5: Summit Mt. Stanley & Return to Bujuku Camp (≈12 km roundtrip, 900 m ascent/descent)

On summit day, your alarm sounds at 1:00 AM. After a quick espresso and energy bar, you depart under headlamps, roped in teams of three. The climb begins with steep snow slopes leading to the Stanley Glacier. Over four to five hours, you’ll tackle icy ramps and mixed rock steps, reaching Margherita Peak (5,109 m) just as dawn paints the horizon in rose and gold. Celebrate with summit photographs and gaze across to distant Mt. Speke and the Congo lowlands. The descent retraces your ascent line; snow conditions are firmer, so crampon skills are essential. By late afternoon, you’re back at Bujuku Camp for a much-deserved hot meal and rest. Share stories with fellow trekkers as the glacier’s shimmer dims in the evening light.

Day 6: Traverse to Fifi Hut via Bigo Bog (≈10 km, 400 m descent/650 m ascent)

Day six begins with a leisurely breakfast overlooking Lake Bujuku. You set out across the Föhn Plateau toward the famed Bigo bog—an expansive wetland where every step requires balance and care. Walking poles and gaiters protect you from hidden bog pools. After navigating this unique ecosystem, the trail ascends gradually towards Fifi Hut (3,800 m). Along the way, alpine flora gives way to stunted heath, and you pass rock outcrops offering vantage points over the valley. Fifi Hut sits at the base of Mt. Baker’s northern slopes, with sweeping views of the twin peaks. Afternoon activities include gear reorganization and a short scramble on nearby ridges to test rope work. Dinner is served early to fuel your pre-dawn Baker summit push, followed by a gear check under crystal-clear skies.

Day 7: Summit Mt. Baker & Descend to Kitandara Camp (≈14 km, 1,000 m ascent/1,800 m descent)

At 2:00 AM, you embark on the steep Baker ascent, tackling mixed rock ridges and snow bands. The climb demands agility and solid crampon technique as you navigate exposed sections. Reaching the summit of Mt. Baker (4,844 m) by sunrise rewards you with a 360° panorama of Stanley’s ice cap and the verdant Congo basin below. After summit photos, you descend carefully back to Fifi Hut for a quick snack. Next, you continue the long descent through moorland and moss forest, crossing the Kitandara River via traditional log bridges. By late afternoon, you arrive at Kitandara Camp (3,050 m), where tents are pitched beside gentle streams. A restorative meal and campfire storytelling by guides round off a challenging yet exhilarating day.

Day 8: Summit Mt. Speke from Moses Hut & Return to Kitandara (≈15 km, 1,800 m ascent/descent)

Day eight’s focus is Mt. Speke. After breakfast, you trek two hours to Moses Hut (4,200 m), where you organize climbing equipment for the glacier-rim ascent. With headlamps on, you depart Moses Hut in the early hours, ascending snow slopes toward the cirque lip. This segment features steep crampon work, exposed cornices, and the chance to observe crevasse formations up close. At 4,890 m, Speke’s summit offers dramatic views of Baker’s serrated peaks and the sweeping Rwenzori massif. The descent follows the same route, arriving back at Moses Hut for a brief lunch before trekking down to Kitandara Camp. Celebrate your triple-peak conquest over a sumptuous farewell dinner, complete with traditional Ugandan dishes and local Rwenzori coffee.

Day 9: Descent through Heathland & Forest to Nyakalengija Gate (≈18 km, 2,000 m descent)

On your final day, you rise early for a nourishing breakfast and pack camp for departure. The trail winds down through open heathland, giant heather, and moss-draped forest—each step lowering you toward the tropics. Birdsong returns as altitude decreases: look for Rwenzori double-collared sunbirds and colorful turacos. Mid-morning, you pause at Elena and John Matte camps for final farewells with porters and guides. After crossing Nyabitaba River one last time, you emerge from the bamboo forest at Nyakalengija gate. Our vehicle awaits to transfer you to Fort Portal, where you’ll enjoy lunch and reflect on your achievement. Arrive back in Kampala by evening, carrying memories—and mountaineering stories—to last a lifetime.

Ready to Conquer Rwenzori?

Experience this life-changing alpine odyssey with our expert guides, personalized service, and fully equipped camps. Book your 9-Day Rwenzori Trek with us today and secure your place among those who’ve scaled Africa’s greatest peaks.
📧 jimjamsafaris@gmail.com.com | 📞 +256 773 494 119
Join the elite few who’ve stood atop the “Mountains of the Moon”—reserve now!