5 DAY TREK TO WEISMANN’S PEAK(4620m)

A great introduction to the Rwenzori Mountains.

This trek takes you through spectacular forest passing streams and waterfalls that will leave you in awe of the beauty of this range of mountains in the heart of Africa.

Difficulty: Easy for seasoned walkers.

Day 1 Park Gate - Sini Camp

Starting altitude: 1,450 meters

Altitude gain: 1,146 meters

Distance: 4.79 Kms

The trek starts in the valley floor through tall forest of the Afro Montane Forest Zone. This is a steady climb with a multitude of birds and if you are lucky you may see the Blue Monkeys, the black and white Colobus monkeys or the L’host Monkeys which can be seen in the tree tops. 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.

The huts at the Sine Camp are at 2,596 metres built among the tall forest on a narrow ridge where you can sit and enjoy the beauty of the Afro Montane forest while you look down at a fantastic waterfall crashing over the rocks far below.

Day 2 Sini Camp - Mutinda Camp

Altitude: 2596 meters

Altitude gain: 1175 meters

Distance: 5.76 Kms

After a hearty breakfast, the trek usually starts at 8.30am and you enter the Bamboo-Mimulopsis Zone which is a steep climb. In the wet season the bamboo zone is rather muddy and slippery making the going slow. However the atmosphere and the forest is beautiful. The first part of the trek to the Kalalama Camp at 3,147 meters, which is in the Heather-Rapanea Zone to 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 and along a ridge top of the valley and passing a number of smaller 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.

Day 3 Mutinda Camp - Bugata

Altitude 3698 meters

Altitude gain: 437 meters

Distance: 4.72 kms

The trail here is boggy particularly in the wet season but with a little skill you can step from tussock to tussock to make the going easier. There are several boardwalks across the worst of the bogs which certainly helps make the walk a little easier. 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), which ends abruptly with sheer waterfalls and fantastic views of Mutinda Peaks. The Namusangi Valley is wide, with many ups and downs and crossing several bogs as the trail climbs steadily to Bugata Camp at 4,062 meters. Bugata Camp is situated way up Bamwanjara Pass high above Bugata Lake with views across Lake Kopello to Weismann’s Peak, which is often covered with snow then down the valley views of Lake Kanganyika and the many small peaks towards Mutinda Camp. The area is covered with tussock grass, everlasting flowers (Helichrysum), St John’s Wort (Hypericum becquaeritii), giant groundsel (Senecio adnivalis) and Giant lobelia (Lobellia gibberoa). There are a many Red Forest Duiker (Cephalophuc nigrifrons rubidus) which are a sub-species only found in the Rwenzori Mountains.

Day 4 Climb Weismans peak, Sella Peak and Down to Kiharo Camp

Total distance 9km / 4 to 6 hours.

Climb Weismann’s Peak 4,620 metres and Stella Peak 4,626metres, which is 3.7km to Weismanns Peak then another 800 metres to Stella Peak and return.

The trek starts by walking across the hillside below high cliffs above Bugata Lake then around a ridge point to Lake Kopello where we walk along the edge of the lake. As you start ascending there are excellent views of the four lakes along the valley below. The last section to the peak is steep on solid rock and can be difficult if snowing or iced up and it may be necessary to use ropes for safety. On a clear day you get awesome views of all the main peaks, Mt Stanley, Mt Speke and Mt Baker. The top of Weismann’s Peak is relativity flat or dome shaped with deep moss growing on the rocks creating a beautiful atmosphere. Stella Peak 4,626 metre is near Weismann's, which is a slightly technical traverse and needs a little experience and a good head for heights. We do not advise crossing to Stella Peak.

From the peak we descend directly to Kiharo Camp 3,460 metres down the Nyamwamba Valley. At the head of the valley there is a large area of thick Giant Groundsel with dense evergreen undergrowth and moss with the rocky peaks towering above which creates it’s own micro climate. The valley is home to many Red Forest Duiker (Cephalophuc nigrifrons rubidus). At night you may stay in Kiharo Camp at 3,460 metres an area rich in evergreen plants and babbling streams. Particularly during the dryer months the night the air is filled with the calls of the rock hyrax as they sit in the rocky cliffs high above.

Day 5 Kiharo Camp and down to the Park Gate

Distance: 11.2 kms

Altitude gain: 248 meters

The trail down the Nyamwamba Valley is mostly downhill and absolutely stunning with beautiful views. The 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 kilometers 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. If you wish you may prefer to walk down the river itself hopping across the rocks as you pass down. A few kilometres down the river it becomes very steep with multitudes of waterfalls so we have to move away from the river and follow a narrow ridge to bypass steep sections. At the bottom we again meet the river where there is a huge rock shelter called Riverside Rock Shelter where you have lunch. After crossing a small stream you climb up a gentle slope as it is way too steep close to the river. The forest along this section is trully beautiful with many birds, primates, dikers and hyrax. A great experience and ending to a fantastic trek.