8-day Rwenzori Mountains trek: Margherita Peak

Kasese is the staging point before the mountain, so Day 1 is about getting west and getting organised. Leave Entebbe or Kampala in the morning, passing forest, tea-growing areas and western Uganda's towns on the way. Fort Portal provides the lunch stop before the final drive to Kasese. Once checked in, use the evening to sort equipment and rest rather than adding another activity before the trek starts.

• Activity highlights
• Scenic drive through western Uganda
• Views of the Rwenzori Mountains

Nyakalengija is where the walking begins. At the Rwenzori Mountaineering Services headquarters, meet the guides and porters, complete the briefing and park registration, then start from 1,615 metres. The first climb passes Bakonzo settlements before entering tropical forest. Forest elephants, chimpanzees and varied birdlife occur in the wider habitat, although sightings are never assured. The trail rises steadily to Nyabitaba Hut at 2,652 metres for the night.

• Starting point altitude: 1,615 meters (5,300 feet)
• Ending point altitude: 2,652 meters (8,700 feet)
• Trek duration: 4 - 5 hours

Montane forest and bamboo define much of the second trekking day. From Nyabitaba, cross the Kurt Shafer Bridge over the Mubuku River and continue uphill through denser vegetation, watching the trail as much as the scenery. Nyamulejju Rock Shelter is the lunch stop and, in clear weather, a viewpoint toward Mount Stanley and Mount Speke. The trail then continues to John Matte Hut at 3,505 metres near the Bujuku River.

• Starting point altitude: 2,652 meters (8,700 feet)
• Ending point altitude: 3,505 meters (11,500 feet)
• Trek duration: 6 - 7 hours

The Rwenzori alpine zone becomes more obvious today. Cross the Bujuku River and lower Bigo bog, using boardwalks where available, then move through vegetation dominated by giant lobelias, groundsels and high-altitude wetland. Lake Bujuku appears after the upper bog, below Mount Speke, Mount Baker and Mount Stanley. From the lake, continue upward to Bujuku Hut at 3,962 metres for dinner and the night.

• Starting point altitude: 3,505 meters (11,500 feet)
• Ending point altitude: 3,962 meters (13,000 feet)
• Trek duration: 5 - 6 hours

Steeper ground starts immediately above Bujuku. The route climbs toward Scott-Elliot Pass at 4,372 metres, then works through rocky terrain and the Ground Gully, where a metal ladder assists on one steep section. Views of the surrounding peaks and glaciers depend heavily on cloud and weather. Elena Hut sits at 4,541 metres on Mount Stanley's rocky slopes. Reaching it early enough to eat, rest and organise summit equipment matters more than adding anything else to the day.

• Starting point altitude: 3,962 meters (13,000 feet)
• Ending point altitude: 4,541 meters (14,900 feet)
• Trek duration: 5 - 6 hours

Summit day starts in darkness and carries the highest physical and technical demand of the trek. Ropes, crampons and ice axes are used where conditions require as the route crosses rock and glaciated terrain toward Margherita Peak at 5,109 metres. Clear weather can open views across the Congo Basin and the remaining Rwenzori glaciers. The day is only half finished at the summit. Descend first to Elena Hut for lunch, then continue down to Kitandara Hut at 3,979 metres near the Kitandara Lakes.

• Summit altitude: 5,109 meters (16,763 feet)
• Ending point altitude: 3,979 meters (13,054 feet)
• Trek duration: 8 - 10 hours

Freshfield Pass at 4,282 metres is the main high point of the descent toward Guy Yeoman Hut. The trail below Mount Baker can be slippery, but waterfalls, rivers and thick vegetation gradually replace the higher alpine terrain before the night at 3,505 metres.

• Starting point altitude: 3,979 meters (13,054 feet)
• Ending point altitude: 3,505 meters (11,500 feet)
• Trek duration: 6 - 7 hours

The final trekking day loses altitude steadily through montane vegetation and bamboo. Pass Nyabitaba Hut, continue to the Nyakalengija trailhead at 1,615 metres, then transfer to Kasese after lunch for a proper rest.

• Starting point altitude: 3,505 meters (11,500 feet)
• Ending point altitude: 1,615 meters (5,300 feet)
• Trek duration: 6 - 8 hours