5 Day Wagagai Peak & Caldera Trek on Mt. Elgon

Day 4: Bugata Camp (4,100 m) – Hunwick’s Camp.

Trek to Hunwick’s Camp via Bamwanjarra Pass.

As you leave Bugata Camp you pass up a ridge then drop down slightly before ascending to Bamwanjarra Pass at 4,450 meters where we have a hut, should the weather turn bad. From the pass on a clear day you get excellent views of the three main peaks. The trail passes down the valley and around the edge of some bogs and thick ever green vegetation, moss. giant groundsel and lobelia. Here is possibly the best place in all the Rwenzori to observe the Malachite Sunbird as it feeds on the many lobelia flowers and a known breeding site.

Farther on, there is some steep sections before a steady climb up and over a ridge to Hunwick’s Camp which is situated on the top of a deep valley and has good views of Mt. Stanley, Mt. Baker, Weismann’s Peak and McConnell’s Prong.

Day 5: Hunwick’s Camp (4,485 m) – Margherita Peak (5,109 m).

From Hunwick’s we pass down and across the valley floor to Lake Kitandara which is very stunning with deep water and beautiful vegetation. From here, you will climb up to Scott Elliott’s pass then up the ridge to Margherita Camp (4,485 metres), which is situated between some huge rocks and offering some shelter from the strong winds.

This is the very spot where the Duke of Abruzzi camped when making his climb to Margherita Peak in 1906.

Please note: Today, you have the option of summitting Mt. Baker if you are feeling fit. Baker is a short but tough climb but well worth the effort especially on a clear day as you get excellent views of Mt. Stanley, Margherita Peak and the Glaciers.

Day 6: Margherita Peak (5,109 m) & Mt. Stanley (4,890 m).

Wake up at 2:00 am and catch an early morning breakfast before heading off to climb to Mt. Stanley (4,890 metres) at 2:30 am. This is necessary since the weather may change a lot and often, even during the dryer season, the mountain may be closed in with heavy clouds as snow falls from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. This happens within a short period of 10 to 15 minutes as the clouds rise up from the extensive Congo rainforests.

During January and February 2017 clients were closed in and unable to walk during heavy snow storms which previously were not heard of during the dryer season and arrived back at Margherita Camp well after dark with one group arriving back at 11:00 pm, totally exhausted.

Due to this change in weather, we have set a strict turnaround time of 10:00 am, so, if you do not reach the peak before then you must turn around regardless of the disappointment in the interests of safety. Margherita glacier has also been affected with global warming and as the outer edges of the glacier recede, the ice is becoming steeper with one section of about 200 meters more than 60% grade.

Combined with this, much of the glacier has melted underneath causing caves under the ice and as it gets thinner eventually caves in. So is necessary that clients understand and take advice of where the guides suggest to pass.

For those clients with less mountaineering experience we suggest that you stay on Stanley glacier and climb up to a good vantage point on a rocky outcrop on the southern edge of Alexandra Peak to enjoy fantastic views over Congo and the lower mountain ridges

After ascending the peak at 5,109 metres you then pass directly descending down to Hunwick’s Camp at 3.874 metres.

Day 7: Margherita Peak – Hunwick’s Camp

Distance to Kiharo Camp 11 km Time taken to walk 4 to 7 hours

From Hunwick’s Camp we start the day by climbing up a ridge towards McConnell’s Prong where you get the best views of the three main peaks and pass through Scott Elliott’s Pass before reaching Oliver’s Pass at 4,505 metres. The distance from Hunwick’s Camp to the top of Olivers Pass is about 3 km.

The trail then cuts across below Weismann’s Peak to the confluence of the Nyamwamba River which flows down through Kilembe and Kasese to Lake George in Queen Elisabeth National Park.

If you wish to climb Weismann’s Peak (4,620 metres) from Olivers Pass, you may do so at an extra cost of $20 each. On a clear day, you can get fantastic clear views of Margherita and Mt. Stanley, Mt Speke and Mt Baker.

After crossing the confluence, the trail meanders down the valley to Kiharo Camp at which is situated in a deep valley with high cliffs and dense vegetation. On the way down the valley after each bog you will climb over a ridge of stones and earth which seems out of place but actually was pushed there by slow moving glaciers which eventually stopped moving, melted and left a pile of rocks and debris in front of where the glacier once stood.

Day 8: Hunwick’s Camp down to Kiharo Camp and Kasese.

Distance Kiharo Camp to the park gate is 16 km, adding another 2.8 km down to Trekkers Hostel. Time to walk 5 to 8 hours, so, those who need to connect to flights back to Kampala or travel on to other activities need to leave Kiharo early.

The trail down the Nyamwamba Valley is mostly downhill and absolutely stunning with beautiful views, moss-covered rocks along the river, cascading waterfalls, deep valleys and forests are possibly the best in the Rwenzori Mountains.

This is part of the trail took us six years to find a way through and a route which is easy enough for tourists to use. In 1937 the explorer and geologist McConnell tried to find a way up this valley but failed and have to turn back and search for another route up the mountain but now you can experience this truly beautiful valley.

A few kilometres from Kiharo Camp the path turns off to the right to pass along the river. In the clear areas you may catch a glimpse of a Duiker quietly feeding in small clearings as you pass along the river. This area has possibly the highest population of Rwenzori Red Duikers anywhere in the National Park

A few kilometres down the river it becomes steeper with multitudes of stunning waterfalls. After the waterfalls we climb up and over a high ridge then down though the dense forests with stunning views of the valley below. We stop at Forest View Camp for lunch before proceeding back to Base Camp.

A great experience and ending to a fantastic trek and adventure.

Note: For those climbing margherita peak you may take the additional option to climb mt baker (which is a difficult scramble) on the day you trek from Hunwick’s Camp to margherita camp or you may climb Weismann’s on the way down.