Mountaineering the Mountains of the MoonAll you need to know about Mountaneering in UgandaMountaineering begins from the park headquarters 5,400ft (1,646m) walking past typical “mud and wattle” Bakonzo homes and gradually moving upward through elephant grass and garden plots. Click here for more information about the culture of Bakonzo It took us approximately 40minutes to reach the park boundary. The trail then follows the Mubuku River crossing recent landslide areas and involves climbing over rocks and a bluff, before reaching the Mahoma River in about two and half-hours. After crossing the river we were on a steep climb through open bracken fern slopes and Forest up to Nyabitaba Hut 8,700ft (2652m).
And from our guide, the total elevation gained is 4,000ft (1,200m). During this part of the trip, we were be able to hear chimpanzees and sometimes we had a glimpse of the black and white colobus monkeys behind the hut or the brilliantly coloured Rwenzori Turaco bird. After 5-6 hours mountaineering we had to rest for a second trip starting at Nyabitaba From Nyabitaba Hut the trail leads West ward for half a kilometer then drops steeply to Kurt Shaffer Bridge, crossing below the confluence of the Bujuku and the Mubuku rivers. By turning right to the bridge you begin to climb the central circuit anti-clockwise since the clockwise direction is much more difficult and risky. After the Kurt Shaffer Bridge, the muddy slippery trail climbs steadily up through bamboo forest. After one and half-hours you are face to face with slippery boulder hopping and if you are not strong and determined you may change your mind…… (But just kidding) mountaineers are ever prepared for the worst terrains. After 5hrs of traveling from Nyabitaba, we reached the hut at Nyamuleju and its accompanying rock shelter which was a good night stop over for those who are weak, but for us we continued forward with zeal. This point also marks the start of giant lobelia and groundsel zone. This remarkable vegetation type is found no where in the world except high-altitude tropical mountains. The 1hour walk to John Matte Hut (11,200ft/3,414m) is through a challenging bog, full of extra ordinary plants and the slow pace can be a delightful chance to examine and photograph this unique environment. Typical time to reach John Matte was 7 hours.The loss of altitude to Kurt Shafer Bridge means the total elevation to be gained on this day is about 3,000ft (915m). Hikers who feel they have reached their limits by this point should consider John Matte as a reasonable stopping point.
We left John Matte to cross the Bujuku River and enter the lower Bigo bog, where our first experience of jumping from tussock to tussock on a grassy bog begins. The trail is muddy and follows the left (southern) edge of lower Bibo bog until eventually it reaches Bigo Hut and its rock shelter. A steep section past the hut leads to upper Bigo bog. In the last half of this bog, a boardwalk has been constructed though some may think it is an ugly intrusion, it makes walking easier and prevents the hikers from further damaging the bog. An hour and a half beyond the upper bog, and after climbing through drier ground and criss-crossing the river, we reached Lake Bujuku. The Southern end of the lake is in a majestic setting with Mount Baker to the south, Mount Stanley to the West and Mount Speke to the North. The trail route along the lake’s northeastern shore crosses the worst mud on the trip. Beyond the north end of the lake is a rock shelter called cooking pot and a short distance further is Bujuku Hut 13,000ft (3962 m), favorably located for parties climbing Mount Speke which requires technical skills and special equipment. However the shaded location and frequent mists can make Bujuku Hut quiet cold. Time to reach Bujuku from John Matte was typically 3-5 hours and the elevation gained was 1,800ft (560m) but the long stretches of bog and the mud along the lake make this another challenging day. But every step made ahead is always enjoyed by the mountaineer especially if one enjoys adventure.
From Bujuku Hut, we left directly to a newer trail which rises and falls twice before finally climbing steeply through magical moss draped Groundsel vegetation 14,345ft (4,372m) to Scott Elliot pass. At the steepest section is a short strong ladder after which a right hand branch will lead to Elena Hut 14,700ft (4,430m). This is a steep, rocky trail which when wet can be slippery but continuing straight and a few steps below the pass there is a sheltered spot good for a break. Elena is the base camp for climbing 16,763ft (5,109m) to Margherita Peak in the Mount Stanley complex which requires an additional day or two and can only be attempted with an ice axe, mountain boots, crampons, ropes and prior arrangements with Rwenzori Mountaineering Service Guides. The circuit trail continues to the left over Scot Elliot pass and enters an alpine zone of sparse low vegetation and stark rough boulders more familiar to high altitude climbers from northern altitudes. As you leave the pass, you may enjoy the spectacular view of northward of Margherita peak, Elena and Savoia Glaciers, and Mount Baker 15,889ft (4,843m) towering above you to the east or left of the trail. Having dropped a few hundred feet elevation from the pass, we cut below massive rock walls at the base of Mount Baker, here dramatic “impact craters” have been caused by large rocks falling from above and our guide cautioned us against loud noises.(May be there are some spirits but anyway don’t believe in superstition.) Rising and falling, the trail descends past Upper Lake Kitandara, then Lower Lake Kitandara and Kitandara Hut 13,200ft (4,023m). This lovely site is surrounded by towering peaks but the sun sets early and the nights can be cold. Time to reach Kitandara from Bujuku Hut usually takes 1,400ft (425m) An early start is advisable to avoid over heating on the steep but lovely hour-long climb from the Lake Kitandara which is 14,050ft (4,282m) to the Freshfield pass. Viewing westward on clear days leads into neighboring ,Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and north, Margherita, and its glaciers still dominate the horizon. Freshfield is a long traverse through beautiful high alpine mossy glades and more mud until after half an hour, when the trail begins the circuit’s long two-day descent. Mist or rain can make tracing the trail difficult, and the first one-kilometer here can be very slippery. Rock shelters at Bujongolo and Kabamba are optional overnight stop over but it is best to push on through the seemingly endless mud to newly constructed Guy Yeoman Hut 10,700ft (3,261m). Some hikers make the Kitandara-Guy Yeoman trip in 5 hours but any stops to enjoy the pass, bad weather on descent, and the slow conditions in the last two hours of deep mud can make this a much longer day.You can get more information on Rwenzori Mountain National Park As you approach Kichunchu, River the trail parallels and twice crosses the Mubuku River mostly in deep mud until the last few kilometers of good dry trail. Near Nyabitaba Hut is located the beautiful Lake Mahoma, which can be reached with a short walk of 40 minutes return through the bamboo forest. Late evening walking can be good for watching birds and you may sight the occasional blue tailed monkey Day Seven Descend to the park headquarters and it can take 2-3 hours.
Other Ugandan Safari Attractions Bungee Jumping in Uganda at the source of River Nile Ssese Islands on Lake Victoria Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi National Park White Water Rafting in Uganda
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