Rwenzori Mountain has three hiking trails and each trail takes its own days because they have different natures of terrain. The three hiking trails of Mountain Rwenzori include the central circuit trail, Bukurungu trail, and Kilembe trail. The central circuit trail is shorter compared to Bukurungu and Kilembe trails.
Trails used to hike to the Rwenzori summit
Central Circuit Route (Standard Route, 6-9 Days)
This is the most common route used to summit the Rwenzori mountains. The route is governed by the locals also known as the Rwenzori mountaineering services. The starting point of the Central Circuit is called Nyakalengijja and most trekkers take about 6-9 days on this route, which allows for acclimatization and a gradual ascent. The trail involves diverse terrain, including bogs, glaciers, and rock faces and also known for protecting different vegetation zones.
The central circuit route ascending from Nyakalengija trailed head is managed by the Rwenzori Mountaineering service it has booking office in Kasese and at Uganda wild life Authority headquarters in Kampala
Kilembe Trail (Longer Route, 8-12 Days)
Also known as the southern route, Kilembe trail is a privately-owned route governed by Rwenzori trekking services. The route known as the hardest route to use to summit and thus hikers require 8-12 days round trip. Besides its difficulty, the trail offers stunning views, different scenery, and a greater variety of ecosystems.
This operates on the southern Rwenzori by offering a variety of mountain treks and climbs using a combination of trails along and between the Nyamugasani, kamusoni and Nyamwamba river valley it offers 7 to 8 days trekking the mountain.
The Bukunguru Trail
This is a new trail that is privately owned by the Bakuju its unique in the way that it doesn’t use camps and huts for accommodation but wild camping it is recommended to travelers who would wish to explorer the magical Rwenzori Mountain in less luxurious trekking safari rewarding one a scenic view of the various lakes like lake Mughuli, lake Bukurungu lake lrene and for summit to Margherita peak.
Lake Mahoma Trail
The route climbs from the Nyakalengija trailhead to Lake Mahoma a glacial lake above Nyabitaba, hut the lake lies within the bamboo zone with the fine views towards the high peak.
Factors that determine the Rwenzori summit.
Summiting Rwenzori mountain depends on the number of things and among these include;
Nature of the hiking trails which depends on the season. During the dry season, it’s easier to hike through the trails which are dry while in the rainy season, the trails tend to be slippery which makes it hard for hikers to pass through.
The speed of hikers also determines the time taken to reach Margherita peak. When the hikers are experienced and physically fit, getting to the summit will take a few days but when it’s the first time for some of the hikers and they are not fit enough, getting to the summit may take a good number of days. To reach the summit in a few days, hikers must be physically fit.
Summary of Rwenzori hike to the summit.
On the first day of hiking, hikers wake up to breakfast and then move to the starting points of the trails where they meet rangers who teach them about the rules and regulations of hiking for their safety. After, porters are assigned to help hikers carry excess luggage at a small fee. Armed ranger guides are assigned to a group to lead them to the summit.
Each day hikers hike Mountain Rwenzori for 5 to 7 hours and they stay at different accommodation facilities at different stages of the mountain. Here they get food, drinks, and shelter and the next day they hike again for 5 to 7 hours. Each trail used gives hikers an opportunity to see the different attractions on the slopes of the mountain which include rivers, lakes, vegetation, wildlife, and rocks to mention but a few.
Rivers tourists can see while hiking Mountain Rwenzori include River Mubuku, River Mahoma, and River Bujuku while the lakes include Lake Bujuku, Kitandara, and Mahoma. Other attractions hikers will see while hiking mountain Rwenzori are the different peaks for example Baker, Gessi, Speke, Emin, Stanley, and Luigi di Savoia.