Skiing in mount Rwenzori

Skiing in mount Rwenzori is well arranged with the Rwenzori Mountain experts like us who understands the mountain very well, the best months and the trails.

Skiing in mount Rwenzori is done by experienced skiers and you need to book in time in order to plan the best time for skiing in Rwenzori glaciers. Rwenzori glaciers are receding due to global warming, make sure to book your ski experience in Rwenzori before the glaciers recede completely.

The Rwenzori glaciers have been in existence for many years now but they keep reducing in size every decade. Prepare your snowboard now!

Is there skiing in mount Rwenzori?

skiing in mount Rwenzori

Skiing in mount Rwenzori takes place when planned accordingly and with the right equipment for skiing on the glaciers. Many people have done skiing in Rwenzori and the ski club of Uganda have been skiing in the Rwenzori glaciers several times.

What are the best months for skiing in mount Rwenzori.

Mount Rwenzori being one of the regions that experience snows, can be trekked any time of the year, but the best months for skiing in mount Rwenzori are April, May, June, October and November.

Trails to use during skiing in mount Rwenzori

You can plan your skiing in mount Rwenzori through 3 main Rwenzori trails, namely the central circuit trail, Kilembe trail and Bukurungu wilderness trail.

Required equipment for skiing in mount Rwenzori

During your adventure for skiing in mount Rwenzori, you need the best gear for a successful and memorable experience. Here is a list of equipment needed.

• Skis
• Boots
• Poles
• Helmet
• Bindings
• Waterproof jackets
• Warm pants
• Ski socks
• Waterproof gloves
• Skii trousers
• Headband
• Scarf
• Ski goggles or sun glasses
• Crampons
• Headlamp
• First aid kit

Tips for skiing in mount Rwenzori

Make sure your boots fit you properly, make sure to use downhill skiing, always point your knees, keep your eyes on the apex, focus on your feet, keep your knees apart, do the horizontal pole drills.

Skiing in mount Rwenzori through central circuit trail.

The central circuit trail will lead you into a 7 days ski adventure on the Stanley and margherita glaciers in Rwenzori. Your trip will start from mihunga gate of Rwenzori mountains national park.

Day 1. Arrival in Kasese town.

Arrival in Kasese town and transferred to your hotel for a night.

Day 2: mihunga gate (1651m) to Nyabithaba Hut (2651m).

The 7 days Rwenzori hiking starts at the Rwenzori mountains national park Mihunga gate 1651m asl.

The driver guide will drive you to mihunga gate for briefing, meeting porters, chef and the guides. The trail begins passing through farmland to the park boundary beyond which it follows a thick forest along the mubuku river. Cross the mahoma river tributary before starting a long steep climb up onto a massive ridge to reach Nyabithaba hut.

During this part of the trail, you may hear chimpanzee and see black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkey and the brilliantly coloured Rwenzori turaco.

Hike duration: 4-5 hours.

Day 3: Nyabithaba Hut to John Matte Hut (3505m).

On your day 2 of the 7 days Rwenzori trekking Safari, you will begin climbing to John Matte Hut after your breakfast. this is believed to be the longest trials as it consumes minimum of seven hours on move.it involves passing through the forest for a short time before you cross Kurt Schefer bridge on river Bujuku. From here the trail to Nyamuleju Hut is very smooth and clear as it takes few hours although as you go far, the trail becomes more steeper as your entering higher grounds which is the place common for heather plants. you will proceed with the trial through massive heather forest and from the trail along River Bujuku, this will take roughly 3 hours and a distance of 200m to reach John Matte hut.

Dinner and overnight stay at John Matte Hut.

Hike duration:  7-8 hours

Day 4: Trek from John Matte to Bujuku Hut (3,962m).

After break fast in the morning, you start from John Matte to Bujuku hut. The trail leads down to cross the Bujuku River and arrive at Inferior Bigo Swamp, home of massive lobelias. Cross the swamp to the Higher Bigo swamp before proceeding to Lake Bujuku where sights of the uppermost mountain Stanley in the west are to be viewed.

Dinner and overnight stay at Bujuku Hut. 

Hike duration: 4-5 hours.

Day 5: From Bujuku Hut to Elena Hut (4541m).

On this day, you trek through the groundsel vegetation along the 4km path, climbing up 4541m which is about 5-7 hours hike.  You will ascend through the sides of the Upper Bigo bog, and later on follow the hike down through the steep slopes of Lake Bujuku to the West. Climb up to the 4372m Scott-Elliot pass, and later continue through several swamps and the remarkable ground gully. You will then walk through the steep section above the gully by a metal ladder reaching a junction with two divided trails, with the right trail leading to the Elena Hut rising through a steep trail above the large boulders to Mount Stanley while the left trail heads to the Scott-Elliot pass descending to Kitandara hut.

The trail is then divided into two. The two trails, the left trail leads to Scott-Elliot pass descending to Kitandara Lakes while the right trail heads to the Elena Hut and on a steep trail above large boulders to Mount Stanley.

Situated at the rocky part of Mount Stanley, Elena hut is located in a cold region, although it offers beautiful views of Mount Baker and Mount Speke, which is sometimes hard to see due to fog. Dinner and an overnight at the Elena hut.

Hike duration:4-5 hours.

Day 6: From Elena to Margherita peak to Kitandara hut

Today, you will wake up as early as 2:00am, for breakfast, and embark on your hike to the top of Margherita peak, taking about 4-5 hours. You will hike through the Stanley plateau to Mount Stanley. Using ropes, you will hike through the sharp rocky regions, while the crampons as well as the ice axe will be used on the glacial axe- as directed by the guide. This will take a couple of hours, after which you will reach at the edge of Margherita glacier-the most challenging part of the 7 days Rwenzori trekking Safari. You will then proceed to the top of the peak of Mount Stanley (Margherita Peak-at 5109m).

After reaching the highest point of Uganda, you descend down to start ski in the margherita glaciers.

At this point, enjoy the impressive views of Lake Ireen, Mount Speke and the surrounding, after then descend Elena hut for lunch and dinner.

Otherwise, you can proceed to Kitandara, through the Scott Elliot pass (also considered as the most beautiful spot of Rwenzori) dinner and an overnight at Kitandara hut.

Hike duration: 3-4 hours.

Day 7: Kitandara hut (4023m) to Guy Yeoman Hut (3505m).

After breakfast, a sheer hike from the base of Mt Baker to the fresh field pass south parts of Rwenzori over the distance of 4280m. Outlook the Congo in the west and Mt Stanley in the north is very possible. From the trail, the boggy pass proceeds downhill, going through the rock housing at Bujongolo which is a historical excursion by the Duke of Abruzzi in 1906.

Dinner and overnight stay at Guy Yeoman Hut.

Time duration: 6-7 hours.

Day 8:  Guy Yeoman Hut to mihunga gate.

After your morning breakfast, you will start descending back to Nyabithaba Hut; this will take around six hours depending on the pace to reach the Hut. The trek goes past the nearby Lake Mahoma and Nyabithaba and passes through the heather area and the Moss Zone. This is the final day in the Rwenzori Mountains. Overnight in Kasese.

Descend duration: 6-8 hours.

Skiing in mount Rwenzori through the kilembe trail.

The kilembe trail will take you for 8 days of ski adventure in mount Rwenzori.

Day 1.

Start at Trekkers at 1,450 meters and sleep at Sine Hut at 2,596 meters being a height gain of 1,146 meters, or those who are fit and want to proceed to Kalalama Camp at 3,134 metres may do so and apart from the fantastic views gives you more time at Mutinda Camp where you may climb up to Mutinda Lookout at 3,975 metres.

We start by walking up the valley floor through tall forest trees of the Afro Montane Forest Zone. This is a steady climb with multitudes of birds and a chance of seeing blue monkeys scampering off through the forest. At times visitors may see troupes of 15 to 20 black and white Colobus monkeys as they swing through the tree tops. There are rare sightings of the L’Hoest monkey which are part of the Bakonzo cultural emblems and are protected by the virtue of the King or Omusinga or you may hear wild chimpanzee in the distance. There is wide variety of plant species from forest trees to bamboos thickets, low shrubs, flowers, fungi, and with many moss and lichen covered vines hanging from the tall trees creating an awesome appeal. Enock’s Falls are just 200 meters from Sine Hut and offer a splendid opportunity to capture a great screensaver for your memories.

At Sine Camp 2,596 meters we have wooden huts set between tall forest trees on a narrow ridge where you may sit and enjoy the beauty of the Afro Montane Forest while you look down at a fantastic waterfall crashing over the rocks far below. Some clients prefer to sit outside enjoying the warmth of the campfire and chat to the guides about the mountains and life in their community. Sine is just below the bamboo zone and the area around has many different bird species. 150 meters from the camp is Enock falls which is set in livid green vegetation and hanging vine. Truly beautiful. Sleep at Sine, or those who are fit and want to proceed to Kalalama Camp at 3,134 meters may do so and apart from the fantastic views gives you more time at Mutinda Camp where you may climb up to Mutinda Lookout at 3,975 meters.

Day 2.

Trekking starts at 8.30am and almost immediately you enter the Bamboo-Mimulopsis Zone which is steep climb with many high steps. In the wet season the bamboo zone is rather muddy and slippery making the going slow. However, the atmosphere and the forest is beautiful as you climb 551 meters altitude and a distance of 1.8km to Kalalama Camp at 3,147 meters which is in the Heather-Rapanea Zone where you can take a rest and a quick cup of tea or coffee before heading on to Mutinda Camp. The trail meanders up and over several small knolls along a ridge top then drops down the side of the valley before climbing again, and in doing so cross several small streams and pass close to moss covered waterfalls. You then climb steadily along the side of a beautiful mossy river which tumbles down over the rocks under the Giant Heather trees whose trunks are covered in green moss with old man beards (Usnea lichen) hanging from the branches. The trail twists and turns as you climb up the deep valley, which has an enormous variety of plants and flowers. This valley is unique with many Giant Heather trees creating a beautiful atmosphere often shrouded in mist. 

In the afternoon you may wish to climb up to the top of the Mutinda Lookout (one to two hours up and one hour down) The views are amazing as you stand on moss covered rocks at 3,925 meters with views across the Rwenzori Mountains and down to Kasese town and Lake George. For those clients who are climbing to Margherita or any of the main peaks climbing Mutinda 3,975 meters is also an excellent way to acclimatise and reduce the risk of high-altitude sickness

Sleep at Mutinda Camp at 3.582 metres

Day 3.

The trail to Bugata Camp is boggy particularly in the wet season but with a little skill you can step from tussock to tussock to make the going easier.  First you cross the Mutinda valley through the tussock grass and everlasting flowers interspersed with many Giant Lobelias before climbing a steep section up to the Namusangi Valley (3,840 meters), with sheer waterfalls and looking back you get fantastic views of Mutinda Peaks. The Namusangi Valley is wide, with many ups and downs as the trail climbs steadily to Bugata Camp at 4,100 meters.

Day 4.

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, Weismanns Peak and McConnell’s Prong.

Day 5.

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 climb up 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.

Wake up at 2am and catch an early breakfast before heading off to climb Mt Stanley at 2.30am. This is necessary as the weather has changed a lot and often even during the dryer season the mountain is closed in with heavy clouds and snow falls from 1 pm to 4pm and 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 11pm totally exhausted.

Due to this change in weather, we have set a strict turn around time of 10am 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 suffered 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 blacker 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 descend back to start a ski session before going directly down to Hunwick’s Camp at 3.874 metres.

Day 7.

Distance to Kiharo Camp 11km 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 all three peaks and 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 3km The trail then cuts across below Weismann’s Peak to the confluence of the Nyamwamba River which flows down thought Kilembe and Kasese to Lake George in Queen Elisabeth National Park.

If you wish to climb Weismanns Peak 4,620 metres from Olivers pass you may do so at an extra cost of $20 each. On a clear day you get fantastic 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.

Distance Kiharo Camp to the park gate 16km and another 2.8km 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 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 is possible 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.