African Safaris » Climbing Tour Uganda

Day One:
Camp at Ibanda at 2,437 metres (8,000 feet).

Day Two:
Hike through the lower rainforests where you might be lucky enough to spot the Ruwenzori turaco flying amongst the branches. The walk today is about six hours long and in the late afternoon Nyabitaba Hut is reached at 3,046 metres (10,000 feet).

Day Three:
The path continues up a narrowing ridge and after some three hours reaches the infamous Bigo Bog (3,350 metres (11,000 feet).

Day Four:
The path steepens as the forests are left behind and the beautiful Bujuku Valley is reached. At the end of this valley is Bujuku. Hut at 3,960 metres (13,000 feet).

Day Five:
The path climbs into the relatively inhospitable alpine zone leaving all vegetation behind. At the edge of the Elena Glacier the Elena Huts are reached at 4,843 metres (15,900 feet).

Day Six:
A climber’s day, when the Elena Glacier is ascended to reach the Stanley Plateau. From here the summit peak of Margherita at 5,106 metres (16,763 feet) can be climbed in several hours.

Day Seven:
In the morning a descent is made to the entrancing Kitandara lakes where Kitandara Hut is located at 3,960 metres (13,000 feet).

Day Eight:
A trek is made across Freshfield Pass to descend into the Mobuku Valley. The Mobuku Caves are reached in the late afternoon. The altitude is 3,655 metres (12,000 feet).

Day Nine:
The path traverses out of the Mobuku Valley and rejoins the ridge above Nyabitaba Hut, thus completing the “horseshoe” circuit.

Day Ten:
The final descent into Ibanda. To reach the highest point of the Ruwenzoris, Margherita Peak, requires some experience of snow and ice climbing. The majority of strong hikers wearing crampons and carrying ice-axes will be able to reach the Stanley Plateau, which in many ways is the most spectacular area of the entire range. This plateau, which is the largest single ice. masson the African continent, is the watershed of Uganda and Zaire and most hikers would be very satisfied to reach it. Margherita, which rises above the Stanley Plateau is ascended by its obvious East Ridge.