Margherita Peak
Margherita peak at 5,109 metres located on mount stanley in the Rwenzori mountains , is the highest point in Uganda and the third highest mountain on the African continent.
Mount stanley also known as Mount Ngaliema, mount ngaliema is a Congolese name meaning mount stanley a mountain range in the Rwenzori range.
The name Mount Ngaliema also meant the mountain with two summits, meaning you can summit Margherita Peak from Uganda or from DR-congo, but due to poor tourism industry and insecurities in congo, its now not recommended to summit via congo side.
Margherita peak which stands at an elevation of 5,109 metres, is located on the historical mount stanley in the Rwenzori mountains along the Uganda and DR-congo.
Who first climbed margherita peak?
The first summit was recorded in 1906 by the Duke of Abruzzi, J.Petigax, C. Ollier, and J. Brocherel.
Margherita peak was named after the queen of Italy, after the Italian expedition that was led by Luigi Amedeo.
How Difficult is to climb Margherita Peak
Margherita peak on mount stanley in the Rwenzori mountains is a challenging landscape that requires one to prepare physically for the mountain and must be resilient.
The difficulty of climbing the Rwenzori mountains depends on the hiker’s fitness level. One must be able to walk for long hours depending on the speed of the hiker.
Margherita peak offers mountaineers a wanderlust mood though a difficult climb but rewarding. When climbers reach at the peak, they are always surprised by the stunning views and a deep feeling of satisfaction to witness the historical mountain in Africa.
Margherita peak can be climbed through all the three routes of the Rwenzori mountains, the central circuit trail, the Bukurungu wilderness trail and the kilembe trail.
The Rwenzori mountains is climbed all year around, hikers can still climb Rwenzori mountains in the rainy season which starts from march to may and October to November despite the slippery terrain, and the dry season starts from June to August and December to February.
The Rwenzori mountains requires a minimum of 7 days to climb the margherita peak , this is necessary to ensure a successful climb and to get enough time acclimatization to avoid high altitude sickness.
The Rwenzori mountains that was formed three million years ago had plenty of ice but currently the glacier is residing due to the global warming across the world.
There are three camps in the Rwenzori mountains where you can start your margherita peak climbing from, at Bujuku camp, Irene hut or Elena hut. For climbers who wants to avoid the cold nights at Elena hut and Irene hut prefer starting their climb at Bujuku camp then start a relative ascend that takes us through irene hut up to the irene snow line junction, where climbers from bujuku camp, irene hut and Elena camp meet.
Other climbers prefer starting the margherita peak climb from Elena hut crossing the two glaciers, the stanley glacier and the margherita glacier.
What Hiking gear is required to reach Margherita Peak
It is recommended to carry the appropriate gear while going for the margherita summit. Our professional team of guides briefs you about the best gear to carry to ensure a successful climb/summit. For margherita summit night, make sure you carry your head lamp, gloves, warm sweaters, rain pants, waterproof hiking shoes, sunscreen, sun glasses, water bladder, snacks, gaiters, helment, harness, crampons, ice axe and a camera for capturing photo moments. Our guides makes sure they carry a 60 metre rope for roping up when crossing the glaciers and crevases, belaying you down when necessary and ice screws incase of making anchors in the ice for rescue.
Note that climbing most of the Rwenzori mountains peaks requires determination and enough time.
Our Professional Team of guides will give you the best advice when hiking the Rwenzori mountains.