Rwenzori Mountain Climbing Guide
Welcome to Rwenzori Online, a complete guide to hiking the Rwenzori Mountains, Western Uganda. Our aim is to provide free and inspiring advice to help you prepare for an amazing Rwenzori trekking experience. On this guide, we cover everything you need to know about the Rwenzori Mountains and how to prepare for your summit attempt.
So stick around and let’s get started with planning your next Rwenzori trek!
The Rwenzori Mountains
The Rwenzori Mountains are the third highest mountains in Africa, rising to 5109 metres above sea-level. The mountains provide an unparalleled climbing experience seen nowhere else in Africa.
Intercourse with this website provides you an opportunity to visit one of the most pristine and unspoilt mountains on Earth. Lonely Planet, publishers of world travel materials classified the central circuit of the Rwenzoris as the 9th best in the world for 2012, thus effectively making the same the best in Africa! Join the joy, with the guidance of Rwenzori Mountaineering Services in visiting this mountain and, join an exclusive club that has conquered its fastness. You are dearly welcome to experience the courtesy of the local guides, the beauty offered by Rwenzori. Read through the website to get the basics.
Experience the Rwenzoris
Since the rediscovery in modern times of the Rwenzori Mountains, people come to Uganda from all over the world to experience their wonder and mountaineering challenge. Whereas in the early part of the last century, there might have been just a few hundreds or less visitors per year, the number of visitors increased remarkably in the last 15 years before ADF insurgency.
In response to this trend, and motivated by a desire to preserve the mountain environment which provides their livelihood; in 1987, seventy Bakonzo people got together and founded the RMS. Many of them had served as mountain tourist guides and porters (escorts) for a long time before and after Uganda’s independence.
Routes: The Central Circuit Trail, Kilembe Trail
Important: When to go, Costs, Packing list, Insurance, Training, Altitude sickness, Visas and vaccinations, COVID-19
More useful articles: Porter tips, Toilets on the mountain, Summit success rates, Getting to Rwenzoris, Climbing with Health Conditions
Add-on: Safari: Gorilla Safaris, Wildlife Safaris
The Rwenzori Mountains trails
The Rwenzori ranges has exceptional trails leading to different peaks on summits. The notable Rwenzori Mountain routes/trails include The Kilembe trail and the Rwenzori Central Circuit trail. If trekking is your thing then you have a million reasons to visit the Rwenzori Mountains for mountaineering adventures. It takes trekkers on Uganda safari in the Rwenzori Mountains about 8 days or more to ascend and descend from the summits. The treks to Rwenzori ranges normally start from Nyakalengija offices with briefing and expect to navigate via bamboo zones, heather zones, fig trees at the base, rocky grounds and so on.
Trekkers who aren’t experienced enough also have options to explore the Rwenzori Mountains. They can trek through the loop trail which covers 6-7 days taking them to a height of 4372m or spend 3 days exploring the moorland zone/alternative branch off the main loop to visit other nearby peaks.
Rwenzori Trekking Guide
What to carry for your Rwenzori Mountain hike
The essential climbing gear you should have while on Rwenzori Mountain hike include waterproof climbing/hiking boots, snacks, rain jacket, camera, daypack, insect repellent, waterproof hat, gloves, climbing/trekking poles/stick, insect repellent, sleeping bag, bottled water (carry enough).
How to access the Rwenzori Mountain ranges
If your plan is to go hike Rwenzori Mountains, the best ways to reach there is by road/by air. By road transportation, you can embark on a road trip from Kampala via Mbarara-Kasese or Kampala through Fort Portal city. Depending on the routes & car mechanical conditions, the Rwenzori Mountains are accessible within 6-7 hrs’ drive. By air, flights to Rwenzori Mountains begin from Entebbe Airport (EBB) and land at Kasese airstrip.
What to pack for the Rwenzori Mountain trek
Any trekker planning to trek through the Rwenzori Mountains must pack essentials such as waterproof trekking shoes/boots, warm clothes, rain jacket-waterproof, insect repellent, gloves, adequate drinking water, trekking stick, hat-waterproof, daypack-waterproof, camera etc. The other items that shouldn’t be excluded are sleeping bag, sunglasses, sunscreen.
When to travel to the Rwenzori Mountains for mountaineering
Hiking safaris to The Rwenzori Mountains are excellently done during the dry season. The dry season is the best time to visit the Rwenzori ranges due to low or no rains but rains should be expect anytime even if it is the dry spell. The dry months go from June up to August and December till January.
Amazing Rwenzori Facts
Rwenzori Climbing FAQs
How difficult is Climbing the Rwenzori Mountains?
What are the Rwenzori Hike Routes?
When is the best time to climb Rwenzori Mountains?
How much does it cost to climb Rwenzori Mountains?
How can I avoid altitude sickness on Rwenzori?
What is the summit success rate for the Rwenzori Mountains?
What gear do I need to pack for the Rwenzori Trek?
What is the minimum age to climb the Rwenzori Mountains?
Do you recommend going on safari before or after hiking Rwenzori Mountains?
Where to stay
When planning a trek to the Rwenzori Mountains peaks, where you are to spend a night matters a lot. Interestingly, each trail has numerous huts for trekkers camp before they connect to the next stage and at the base or around the Rwenzori Mountains, there are a number of comfortable camps/hotels/lodges. Around Kasese & Fort Portal city, the available places to stay in include Hotel Margherita, Mihunga Safari Lodge, Equator Snow Lodge, Ruboni Community Camp and others.
The Rwenzori Central Circuit trail has several huts including Nyabitaba hut at 2652m, John Matte hut 3414m, Bujuku hut 3962m and at 4430m trekkers can sleep at Elena hut. Others include Guy Yeoman hut at 3261m, Kitandara hut and this is one of the places you will have a night when descending from the Margherita peaks.