7-Day Margherita Peak Trek via the Bukurungu Trail
Unique Bukurungu Trail to Margherita Peak 5109M
When it comes to the unique trails to reach Margherita Peak, booking an adventure through the Bukurungu Trail is ideal. It is one of the latest and newest routes for trekkers who enjoy wild camping in the Rwenzori Mountains.
Trek Rwenzori Tours has tailored this unique 7-day Rwenzori trekking experience via the Bukurungu Trail. The accommodation used on this 7-day trek to Margherita Peak (Mount Stanley) is wild camping, and the porters will help set up the tents each day for your overnight stay in the Rwenzori Mountains.
You will have 1 night in a nice lodge close to the starting point. We recommend Equator Snow Lodge in the wilderness of the Rwenzoris and Ruboni Community Campsite.
Itinerary
Day 1: Start the hike to Kasanzi Camp (2310M) - Rwenzori Bukurungu Trail
After the long journey the previous day from Entebbe to Kasese, you wake up at 8:00 am and have breakfast before driving to the starting point at Omukorukumi for a briefing. Here, you check your equipment and other necessities before beginning the hike. This is also where you meet the guides, chef, and porters who will escort you to the higher peaks. On this day, you walk through coffee plantations, homesteads, and schools, and interact with the local Bakonzo people, the inhabitants of the Rwenzori Mountains.
The trail bends west along a ridge overlooking the Kasuka and Isule valleys and continues onward to Kebitakuli for a rest and a chance to catch your breath. After that, you hike through the montane rainforest overlooking bamboo-forested valleys. Along the way, encounter plant species such as Disa stairssi, Scadoxus cyrtanthiflorus, and Impetiens apiculata, and spot or hear the calls of black and white colobus monkeys, the Rwenzori turaco, and other birds. On the trail, you may also spot chimpanzee nests and droppings or hear their calls. The route then leads you through the heather zone before reaching Kasanzi Camp for an overnight stay. This hike takes about 5-6 hours.
Day 2: Kambeho Camp - 3600 M.A.S.L
After breakfast, the trail takes you through heather trees (Ericathiasis) with lots of moss hanging over them. This heather zone is rich in vegetation, including heather trees, scencio trees, alchemila, blackberries, and many more plant species. While on the trail, you may spot black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, sunbirds, and the Rwenzori turaco, a rare and beautiful bird in the park. On this day, you will also see many giant lobelias, everlasting flowers, and rock shelters. Overnight at Kambeho Camp. This hike takes 5-6 hours, with a stop for lunch along the trail.
Day 3: Lamia Camp - 3750 M.A.S.L.
After breakfast, begin the climb along River Lhume in the early morning hours, while you are still fresh and strong, with the urge to tackle the only steep Mughuli bypass. As you think of sloping down to Lake Mughuli, you will be within MTN network coverage, giving you a chance to call friends and family members and share the beauty and experience encountered on the trail.
There are several short peaks that one can easily climb, depending on what time you arrive at camp and how you feel. The vegetation along the lake is so beautiful that it will catch your eye. Animals you might see along the trail include the Rwenzori red duiker, rock and tree hyrax, and wild pigs. Around the camp, you can enjoy a self-guided walk to explore the waterfalls. The approximate hiking time from Kambeho to Mughuli Camp is about 6-7 hours, with a stop at the Mulhalhama resting viewpoint.
Day 4: Lake Bukurungu Camp - 4091 M.A.S.L / Bigo Camp - 3442 M.A.S.L
This camp is set in the heart of the two mountains of the Portal Peaks and Mount Gessi. It is a relaxing point for acclimatization for those interested in climbing the Portal Peaks and Mount Gessi. The 5-hour route from Lamia Camp takes you through a very gentle crossing, passing vegetation such as alchemila, several giant lobelia species, and the wonderful and unusual leaf that looks like a human palm. From Lamia Camp to Bukurungu Camp takes about 3-4 hours.
If the weather is clear on this day, your eyes - and your camera - will have views of all the main peaks: Edward on Mount Baker, Margherita and Alexandra on Mount Stanley, Vittorio Emanuele on Mount Speke, Kihuma on the Portal Peaks, and Mount Gessi at a glance. If you are heading to the peaks, you will then descend to Bigo Camp, which takes between 1-2 hours.
Day 5: Irene Lake Camp - 4495 M.A.S.L / Elena Camp - 4541 M.A.S.L
After a cup of coffee, set off to Irene Lakes Camp through a beautiful valley filled with giant lobelias, giant heather trees, groundsels, Helichrysum, and many stunning waterfalls. Eventually, you find yourself along Lake Bujuku, a lake that collects its waters from the melting glaciers of Mt. Speke, Mt. Stanley, and Mt. Baker. After trailing alongside the lake, you continue for another hour and a half to reach Irene Lakes Camp.
Day 6: Margherita Peak - 5109 M.A.S.L / John Matte-Bigo Camp
Wake up at 4:30 am for a cup of coffee and then begin the climb to the main Margherita Peak summit at 5109 m, the highest point in Uganda and the third-highest mountain in Africa. If the weather is clear, you will be able to see the rest of the peaks in the Rwenzori Mountain range, including Vittorio Emmanuelle on Mt. Speke, Edward on Mt. Baker, and Mt. Albert. If the weather is good, you may also opt to climb the twin peaks of Margherita and Alexandra, both on Mt. Stanley.
Although the distance may look short, it can take many hours to reach the summit because of fog and mist. After spending some good time at the top, enjoy views of DR Congo. Be one of the people who have left their footprints on top of the Mountains of the Moon and confirm your arrival at this point with a breathtaking moment and say, yes, I have made it. After your successful summit views and pictures, descend to Bujuku/Bigo Camp.
Day 7: John Matte / Bigo Camp to Mihunga Gate and out of the Rwenzori Mountains
From Bigo Camp, you walk down the valley through John Matte and continue to Nyamulenju Rest Shelter, where you will have a short break. Then stretch through moss-covered rocks and follow the trail that drops you to Kurt Shafer Bridge, just below the confluence of the Mubuku and Bujuku rivers, before reaching Nyabitaba Camp for a hot lunch. After lunch, descend through the heather zone route with beautiful views of the Rwenzori Mountain Range and continue to Mihunga Park Gate to complete your adventurous trek in the Rwenzori.
While on the trail, you will see more black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, and many bird species such as starlings, sunbirds, the great blue Rwenzori turaco, Ross's turaco, many butterflies, and chameleons. It takes about 7-8 hours from Bigo Camp to Mihunga Park Gate, where you join your driver-guide for the next destination.
Price: $1100 per person
This includes:
- All summiting equipment
- Accommodation (camping)
- All meals and bottled drinking water
- Park fees for 7 days (all park entrances)
- Guides, porters, and chefs' allowances
