Discover the magical Rwenzori Mountains on this trekking tour
Calling all trekkers! Take on an incredible challenge on this 11-day night hike through the Rwenzori Mountains—the biggest mountain range in Africa.
Hike up six unique peaks that are over 4,500 m of altitude, making for a once in a lifetime experience. Nestled between Uganda and Congo, the Rwenzori Mountains are a world-renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Prepare to trek to the top of the highest peak in the mountain range—Margherita Peak, located on Mount Stanley. Follow the well-established Kilembe Trail, as you take in incredible views overlooking the surrounding mountain peaks, just in time for a magical sunrise. Stop and enjoy the ever-changing vegetation zones and unique flora and fauna that can be found on the Kilembe Trail, then snuggle up in small mountain huts for the night to sleep under the stars and soothed by the sounds of nature.
Highlights of the Rwenzori Kilembe Hiking Tour
Prices
- No Booking or Credit Card Fees
- Save Money
- Happiness Guaranteed
Rwenzori Kilembe Hike Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Kampala
Arrive at Entebbe International Airport, where your local guide will meet you and transfer to Kampala for the night.
Overnight Location: Bed and Breakfast in Kampala
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Rwenzori Mountains
After a delicious breakfast, depart for the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains. Stop for an indulgent lunch at a local restaurant, then spend the evening preparing for the beginning of the hike the next day. Relax for the evening, taking in views of the mountains.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Kasese (1,000m / 3,281’)
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 Trek from Base Camp to Sine Camp
Kick off the trek from base camp, sitting at 1,450 meters, where your guides will brief you. Prepare for an uphill climb for about 6 km, then it flattens out as you arrive at Sine Camp, capping off the first day. You also have the option to visit Enock Falls close to camp.
Overnight Location: Hut at Sine Camp (2,596m / 8,515’)
Distance: 9.5 km, 6-7 h
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 Trek Through the Bamboo Zone to Mutinda Camp
Set out hiking through the beautiful Bamboo zone and Heather zone, enjoying the colourful heather vegetation. Pass over trickling streams and waterfalls to arrive at Mutinda Camp. In the afternoon, you have the option to climb Mutinda to take in panorama views.
Overnight Location: Hut at Mutinda Camp (3,688m / 12,100’)
Distance: 6.1 km, 6-7 h
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 Trek Steep Ridges to Bugata Camp
Today can be a difficult climb, tackling steep ridges and bogs from Mutinda Camp to Bugata Camp, though you will be rewarded with beautiful landscapes. Relax at camp for the evening.
Overnight Location: Hut at Bugata Camp (4,062m / 13,327’)
Distance: 8.6 km, 4-6 h
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 Trek through Bamwanjara Pass to Hunwick’s Camp
Follow the Manwanjara Pass from Bugata Camp, a stunning spot to look out over the surrounding peaks. Hike through a valley, enjoying the local vegetation, before a final steep climb over a ridge to arrive at Huwick’s Camp. From here, you’ll have mesmerizing views over Mt Stanley, Weismanns Peak, Mt Baker and McConnell’s Prong.
Overnight Location: Hut at Hunwick’s Camp (3,875m / 12,715’)
Distance: 8.3 km, 6-10 h
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 Trek past Lake Kitandara to Margherita Camp
Hike along the valley floor, past Lake Kitandara and towards Scott Eliot Pass. Arrive at Margherita Camp, which is where the Duke of Abruzzi once camped in 1906 before the final ascent up Mount Stanley.
Overnight Location: Hut at Margherita Camp (4,485m / 14,715’)
Distance: 5.1 km, 3-5 h
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 Optional Summit & back down to Hunwick’s Camp
Experienced Mountaineers can summit Margherita Peak (at an additional fee), while the rest of the group sleeps in. Then enjoy the hike back down to Hunwick's Camp.
Overnight Location: Hut at Hunwick’s Camp (3,875m / 12,715’)
Distance: 12.7 km, 9-12 h (if you summit)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 Trek past Nyamwamba River to Kiharo Camp
Set out along the ridge towards McConnell’s Prong, continuing until you reach Oliver Pass. Push onwards below Weismann’s Peak to where it meets the Nyamwamba River, before descending to Kiharo Camp for the night.
Overnight Location: Hut at Kiharo Camp (3,515m / 11,532’)
Distance: 11 km, 4-7 h
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 Trek past waterfalls to Base Camp
Prepare for a long, but an easier day of downhill hiking along the Nyamwamba Valley, passing pretty waterfalls and lush forests to reach the base camp in Kilembe. Enjoy a debrief with your guide before transferring to a lodge for a night of rest.
Overnight Location: Lodge at Kasese (1,000m / 3,281’)
Distance: 14.6 km, 7-9 h
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 Depart from Entebbe
After a restful night, prepare to be transferred back to Kampala in order to depart from Entebbe International Airport.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Rwenzori Kilembe Hiking Tour Price and Dates
This guided hiking tour in Uganda is always run as a custom tour for your group only, therefore the price always depends on the number of people in your group.
Prices below are per person:
- Guided Groups of 2: $3,450 USD
- Guided Groups of 3: $3,225 USD
- Guided Groups of 4-5: $3,015 USD
- Guided Groups of 6: $2,870 USD
- Guided Groups of 7+: on request
Accommodation on the Rwenzori Kilembe Hiking Tour
This tour is mainly based in huts but includes some hotels and lodges.
Please note that the huts are relatively basic, offering dormitory blocks and external drop toilets. Shower boxes are also available with warm water. Both the Kiharo Hut and Hunwick Camp have a solar system available for charging phones and cameras.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You may have a single room while staying in hotels for a supplemental fee. Please note that single accommodations are not available in dormitory huts.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Cassia Lodge in Kampala ★★★
Located on one of the highest hills in Kampala, Cassia Lodge offers unparalleled views over Lake Victoria and a swimming pool to kick back.
Huts and lodges in the Rwenzori Mountains
Throughout your time trekking the Rwenzori Mountains, you’ll spend the night in basic, but comfortable dormitory huts.
What’s included in the Rwenzori Kilembe Hiking Tour?
Meals
10 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 9 dinners, warm tea, and coffee along the route each day.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 10 nights along the tour.
Transportation during the Tour
Transport for you, your luggage and your equipment to and from the airport in a 4X4 vehicle. The tour also includes daily porters who will carry your luggage along the hike.
Also Included
- English speaking local guide
- Daily porters and cooks
- Park entrance fees
- Flying doctors (if needed)
- Hiking equipment
- Ropes
- Harnesses
- Figure 8
- Carabiners
Not included
- Flights to get in and out of Uganda
- Entrance visa to Uganda
- Insurance
- Climb and gear to summit Mount Margherita
- Tour Guide Gratuity
- Any additional climbing equipment needed
- Any changes in the itinerary while in the Rwenzori Mountains
- Sleeping bag
Optional Extras
- Optional extensions to the trek:
- Extension to Weismann’s Peak (5 days/ 4 nights)
- Extension to Kalamala Camp and Samalia Camp (3 days/ 2 nights)
- Optional extensions to visit national parks in Uganda:
- Extension to Queen Elizabeth National Park (3 days/2 nights)
- Extension to Bwindi National Park (3 days/2 nights)
Frequently Asked Questions about Rwenzori Kilembe Hiking Tour
Destination Jungle is a tour operator in East Africa, focusing on trips that create connections between participants and the colourful culture, habitats, and species in Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi. They offer sustainable tours that align with the World Tourism Organization of the United Nations, resulting in eco-friendly trips.
The tour guides for Destination Jungle provide a hospitable, welcoming environment, making it easy to start an exploration in a brand new country, but tough to leave. They lead you to wildlife viewings and other stunning attractions in an environmentally friendly way.
Destination Jungle recognizes the importance of clear communication with clients by providing detailed information before your trip, learning clients' needs, and implementing feedback into future endeavours.
Learn MoreRwenzori Kilembe Hiking Tour Map
Click map for a larger version
Is this tour for me?
Local Guide
Ask a Question
Dickson graduated with a Travel and Tourism Management degree from Makerere University four years ago and has spent the time since touring people around Uganda. The knowledgeable, experienced guide is passionate about sharing his love for his country through tours, no matter which region since all offer something unique and spectacular to that particular area.
- Q: What are guests most surprised about in visiting your country?
- A: When most clients come to Africa and Uganda at large, some have a perception of a continent infested with sickness, poverty, civil wars, among others. I have received testimonies of life-changing experiences after clients have travelled with us. This is because of the welcoming nature of Ugandans, the unique culture of the people, and the green covering the land throughout the country, and the food here tastes different.
- Q: What is the most challenging adventure you've ever done?
- A: My very first time of hiking Mt Muhavura was so hectic—I actually thought I would not make it to the top. I eventually did, but one of our colleagues twisted her ankle, and we had to carry her down the mountain for over four hours which made it worse. However, I did it again a year later, and it was fun.
- Q: What is one local dish or drink that tourists must try on a visit to your country and why?
- A: Steamed banana, which is locally known as Matooke. It's one of the local favourites!