The Rwenzori Mountains, also known as the Mountains of the Moon, is the highest mountain range in Africa. Although higher in elevation, Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya are technically volcanoes. The highest peak is Margherita Peak at 5109 metres. The Rwenzoris are divided between Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda and is one of the last places in Africa with glacial cover. The lower slopes are covered by dense rainforest, home to primates like chimpanzees, blue monkeys and black and white colobus. If you're lucky you may even see forest elephants. Every year new bird species are discovered. The vegetation zones give these mountains a unique character. You hike through the African Montane, Bamboo, Heather zones to reach the Alpine zone above 4000 metres.
There are many routes to the highest parts of the mountain range. The oldest route is the Central Circuit via the Mubuku Valley. In 2012 the Kilembe Trail was created, initiated by Australian John Hunwick. He developed a new network of huts, allowing trekkers to use a different way to get to the highest peak in Uganda, Margherita Peak. The excellent trail network, with many side trips possible to waterfalls and other peaks and the quality of the huts and the level of support make this the long-distance trail of choice in the Rwenzori Mountains.
Day 1: RTS Office (1,450m) - Sine Camp (2,595m)
Start at the RTS office (1,450m) and sleep at Sine Hut (2,596m), a 1,200m elevation gain. For those who are fit enough can continue to Kalalama Camp (3,134m) for even more stunning views and extra time at Mutinda Camp. Hike through the Afro Montane Forest Zone, with chances to spot blue monkeys and rare L’Hoest monkeys. Enock’s Falls is only 200m from Sine Hut. At Sine Camp the cozy wooden huts are nestled amid tall trees that offer great views of the waterfall below. Enjoy the warmth of a campfire and chat with the guides. Sine sits just below the bamboo zone, teeming with numerous bird species.
Day 2: Sine Camp - Mutinda Camp (3,580m)
Trekking starts around 8.30am, and you'll enter the Bamboo Zone immediately, facing a steep climb with high steps. During the wet season, the zone can be muddy and slippery, slowing progress. The forest is breathtaking as you ascend 550 meters in altitude over 1.8 km to reach Kalalama Camp at 3,147 meters in the Heather-Rapanea Zone. Here, take a rest and enjoy tea or coffee before continuing to Mutinda Camp.
The trail winds over knolls, descending into the valley and crossing small streams near moss-covered waterfalls. Alongside a mossy river, you climb steadily, passing Giant Heather trees covered in moss and lichen. The valley hosts a rich variety of plants and flowers, with an enchanting misty atmosphere due to the Giant Heathers. In the afternoon, consider a one-to-two-hour climb to Mutinda Lookout at 3,925 meters for stunning views of the Rwenzori Mountains, Kasese town, and Lake George. Climbing Mutinda at 3,975 meters can help with acclimatisation for those aiming for Margherita or other main peaks, reducing the risk of altitude sickness.
Day 3: Mutinda Camp - Bugata Camp (4,050m)
The trail to Bugata Camp is boggy particularly in the wet season but with a little skill you can step from tussock to tussock to make the going easier. First you cross the Mutinda valley through the tussock grass and everlasting flowers interspersed with many Giant Lobelias before climbing a steep section up to the Namusangi Valley (3,840 meters), with sheer waterfalls and looking back you get fantastic views of Mutinda Peaks. The Namusangi Valley is wide, with many ups and downs as the trail climbs steadily to Bugata Camp at 4,050 metres.
Day 4: Bugata Camp - Hunwick's Camp (3,890m)
Elevation gain: 530m
Elevation loss: 90m
Distance: 6.4km
The trek to Hunwick’s Camp via Bamwanjarra Pass starts from Bugata Camp. After ascending a ridge and descending slightly, you'll reach Bamwanjarra Pass at 4,450 meters, where a hut is available in case of bad weather. On clear days, you'll enjoy excellent views of the three main peaks. The trail leads down the valley, skirting around bogs and lush evergreen vegetation with moss, giant groundsel, and lobelia. This area is a prime spot in the Rwenzori for observing the Malachite Sunbird as it feeds on lobelia flowers and is a known breeding site. There are some steep sections further on before a gradual climb over a ridge to reach Hunwick’s Camp, perched on the top of a deep valley, offering splendid views of Mt. Stanley, Mt. Baker, Weismann's Peak.
Day 5: Hunwick's Camp - Margherita Camp (4,485m)
Elevation gain: 745m
Elevation loss: 150m
Distance: 4.4km
From Hunwick’s we pass down and across the valley floor to Lake Kitendara which is very stunning with deep water and beautiful vegetation. From here you climb up Scott Elliott’s pass then up the ridge to Margherita Camp 4,485 metres which is situated between some huge rocks and offering some shelter from the strong winds. This is the very spot where the Duke of Abruzzi camped when making his climb to Margherita Peak in 1906.
Day 6: Margherita Camp - Hunwick's Camp (3,885m) via Margherita Peak (5,109m)
Elevation gain: 745m
Elevation loss: 150m
Distance: 4.4km
Begin your ascent of Mt. Stanley at 2:30 am after an early breakfast. This early start is crucial due to changing weather conditions. Even during the drier season, the mountain frequently becomes enveloped in heavy clouds, with snowfall from 1 pm to 4 pm, a phenomenon that occurs suddenly within 10 to 15 minutes as clouds rise from the vast Congo rainforests. There's a strict 10 am turnaround time for safety. If the peak isn't reached by then, you must head back, despite any disappointment. The Margherita glacier has also been impacted by global warming, causing steepening ice and the creation of caves underneath, making it crucial for clients to heed the guides' advice on passage. For those with less mountaineering experience, staying on Stanley glacier and climbing to a rocky outcrop on the southern edge of Alexandra Peak provides stunning views of Congo and the lower mountain ridges. After reaching the 5,109-meter peak, descend directly to Hunwick’s Camp at 3,885 meters.
Day 7: Hunwick's Camp - Kiharo Camp (3,380m)
Elevation gain: 620m
Elevation loss: 1125m
Distance: 11km
Starting from Hunwick’s Camp, the day kicks off with a climb up a ridge towards McConnell’s Prong, offering the best views of all three peaks and Scott Elliott’s Pass. Eventually, you'll reach Oliver’s Pass at 4,505 meters, which is 3km from Hunwick’s Camp. The trail then runs below Weismann’s Peak to the point where the Nyamwamba River meets, eventually flowing through Kilembe and Kasese to Lake George in Queen Elizabeth National Park. After crossing the river confluence, the trail leads down the valley to Kiharo Camp. This camp is nestled in a deep valley with towering cliffs and lush vegetation. Along the way, you'll climb over ridges of stones and earth, remnants of slow-moving glaciers that once pushed these formations into place, which later stopped moving, melted, and left behind these piles of rocks and debris.
Day 8: Kiharo Camp - RTS Office (1,450m)
Elevation gain: 100m
Elevation loss: 2030m
Distance: 16km
The 16 km trail from Kiharo Camp to the park gate, with an additional 2.8km to Trekkers Hostel, takes 5 to 8 hours, ideal for travelers catching flights back to Kampala or other activities. Descending the Nyamwamba Valley, you'll encounter moss-covered rocks, cascading waterfalls, and stunning forests, offering the best of the Rwenzori Mountains. It provides a unique opportunity to explore this beautiful valley. Along the way, keep an eye out for Duikers, and enjoy stunning waterfalls before lunch at Forest View Camp, concluding a fantastic trek.
Private car
From both Kampala and Entebbe it's roughly 8 hours of driving. You can either take the route via Fort Portal (although the road conditions are bad at the time of writing this) or via Mbarara. In both cases you pass Kasese, the main town in this district. Here you can stock up on the last snacks or spend the night before going up to Kilembe.
Public transport/taxi
It is possible to reach Kilembe by public transport. Buses leave Kampala for Kasese a number of times a day. The bus company Link has the most frequent departures, and costs around 60,000 Ugandan Shilling. Once you have reached Kasese you can either take a taxi up (30-40,000 UG Shilling) or a boda boda (15,000 UG Shilling). It takes about 20 minutes to reach Kilembe from Kasese.
You need to organise your expedition to Margherita Peak in advance. The company Rwenzori Trekking Services is the sole operator on this trekking route and they do a great job organising logistics and making sure you're safe and comfortable. At Hiking Uganda we have worked with RTS a number of times. Please get in touch to learn about our experiences.
On the trail you'll be accompanied by RTS guides, porters and cooks. There may also be UWA Rangers tagging along. At the gate you will pay the national park fees. Make sure you either have mobile money on your phone to pay for this. Or you may pay upfront by card at the UWA office in Kasese. On the trail you don't need any money but do bring cash in small denominations to tip the staff after the trek.
The Kilembe Trail to Margherita Peak is a hard trek, there's no other way to put it. The short daily distances are deceiving, as you continuously climb steep, muddy trails. The path can be rough and add in the altitude you've got yourself a proper challenge. The good news is that the huts are wonderful and comfy. The crew will take care of you, serve great meals and endless cups of tea.
The final climb from Margherita Camp to the highest summit of Mount Stanley, Margherita Peak is technical. Quickly after leaving the camp you rope up and start walking on the glacier. There are sections where you need to front-point your crampons in the ice to get up the Margherita Glacier. The RTS are very well-trained and they will make sure you stay safe. It is a hard climb, but everybody who fit and has an adventurous spirit can make it.
There are two seasons in the Rwenzori Mountains in term of weather. The wet season and the dry season. The wet season is from April until June and September until November. The main trekking season is in July and August and December until March. Having said this, here's a reminder that the name Rwenzori means "rainmaker" and it can rain a lot at any given time of the year. It is possible to trek to the summit of Margherita Peak year-round, it's just a little tougher in the wet season.
Temperatures are cool higher up and it can be snowing above 4000 metres. On summit day it can be bitterly cold, especially when there's wind. Check our packlist below what you need to bring on this trekking expedition.
The temperatures and terrain are very diverse and you need to be prepared for changing conditions. You can get a downpour of rain and bright sunshine the same day. You will also need good equipment for the camps, where it is high and cold. Below you can find a pack list for an 8-day expedition on the Kilembe Trail.
Pack list for a 8-day trek to Margherita Peak via the Kilembe Trail
- Quick drying (not cotton) t-shirt (3x)
- Long sleeve thermal shirt (2x)
- Mid-layer like fleece jacket or soft shell
- Hiking boots and / or good quality rubber boots (wellies)
- Pair of long trouwers
- Breathable rain jacket (like Gore-Tex)
- Waterproof trousers
- Hiking socks (6x)
- Walking poles
- Day pack (20-30 litres)
- 60 litre bag for kit you don't need while hiking
- Small first aid kit
- Smartphone / photo camera and power bank
- Plastic bags or dry bags to keep your electronics, valuables and clothes dry
- Snacks
- Water bottle (2 litres minimum)
- Sunscreen/hat/sunglasses
- Sleeping bag with comfort temperature of -5 degrees Celsius
- Camping pillow
- Warm jacket (like down) for the camps
- Wooly hat and warm gloves
- Headlamp with spare batteries
- Toiletries
- Mountaineering equipment (helmet, crampons, harness, ice axe and karabiners) will be provided and is included in the price