The Kilembe Trail/Southern Circuit: Everything to Know
The Rwenzori Mountains may be accessed through two walking routes: the Central Circuit, commencing at Nyakalengija, and the Southern Circuit, originating at Kilembe. The Southern Circuit is alternatively referred to as the Kilembe Trail.
While the Southern Circuit was initially traversed by Professor Scott Elliott in 1895, it was the Central Circuit, established by Luigi di Savoia in 1906, that offered the exclusive access to the Rwenzori Mountains for an extended period.
The Rwenzori Trekking Experts exclusively arranges treks for the Southern Circuit due to its superior experience of majestic peaks, breathtaking lakes, and glaciers.
The Kilembe Trail also highlights the diverse flora and animals of the Rwenzori Mountains. The Southern Circuit is an extended route that provides trekkers with additional time for acclimatisation.
Our local partners have established pathways in previously inaccessible regions and collaborate with local populations to comprehend the environment and foster robust partnerships with the adjacent Bakonjo villages.
The Kilembe Trail, or Southern Circuit, is one of three designated walking routes to Margherita Peak in the magnificent Rwenzori Mountains National Park. The trail is owned and administered by Rwenzori Trekking Services (RTS) and is exclusively available as a fully-supported walk. The hike can be completed in 7 to 8 days, with 8 days being the predominant choice.
The Kilembe Trail ascends Mount Stanley from the south, traversing the diverse ecological zones for which the Rwenzori Mountains are renowned: tropical rainforest inhabited by monkeys and chameleons (and unexpectedly, a few elephants), bamboo, heather trees, afro-alpine plateaus, as well as mud and glaciers.
The Kilembe Trail commences adjacent to the little settlement of Kilembe, with the closest metropolis being Kasese.
Fort Portal is likely a superior location for organisation, given its more favourable accommodation and dining alternatives.
The Kilembe Trail
- Location: Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Kasese District, Western Uganda
- Length: 84 km
- Time: 7-8 days
- Season: June to August and December to February
- Gateway city: Kasese or Fort Portal
- Type: Circuit
- Booking Required: Yes
- Sleeping: Huts
- Start: RTS Base Camp, Kilembe
- Finish: RTS Base Camp, Kilembe
- Difficulty: Difficult
- What to expect: Tropical rainforest, bamboo forests, glacial peaks, lots of mud and the most varied scenery to be found in Africa – or quite possibly, the world. Ready for the best hike in Africa?
8 Days Rwenzori Trekking
An 8-day Rwenzori trek, such as the one via the Kilembe Trail, is a challenging mountaineering adventure to the summit of Margherita Peak (5,109m), Africa’s third-highest peak. These expeditions involve trekking through diverse vegetation zones, from montane forests to boggy moorlands and glaciers, often involving camping in eco-friendly huts. The 8 Days Rwenzori trek offers stunning scenery, unique wildlife, and a true high-altitude challenge, with routes differing slightly depending on the chosen circuit, like the Kilembe or Central Circuit.
Trekking to Hunwick’s Camp
The 6 Day Rwenzori Trekking to Hunwick’s Camp traverses the Montane Forest, ascends through the Bamboo Zone, progresses into the Heather Zone, and crosses the Alpine Zone to reach Bugata Camp at an elevation of 4,062 meters. From this point, ascend and traverse Bamwanjara Pass at 4,450 meters, then descend into the remarkable Kacholpe Valley, characterised by its distinctive dense flora and numerous Scarlet-Tufted Malachite Sunbirds.
Mount Baker And Weismann Peak
A seven-day Rwenzori trekking to Mount Baker and Weismann’s Peak in the Rwenzori Mountains is a challenging, multi-day hike on the Kilembe route, ascending through diverse ecosystems like bamboo and alpine zones to reach a high-altitude summit with glacier-covered, slippery conditions. The itinerary typically includes daily camp-to-camp climbs, with the culmination on day five being the ascent to the Mt. Baker summit at 4,842 meters. The journey involves steep ascents, muddy and rough terrain, and requires preparation for cold, wet, and windy conditions.
Trekking to Weismans Peak
The 5 Day Rwenzori Trekking to Weismans Peak Itinerary commences at Trekkers Hostel in Kyanjuki, Kilembe, located 1,450 meters above sea level and 12 kilometres from Kasese town. The optimal time to commence the walk is by 9 AM, although departure is permissible until 11 AM. You traverse 2.2 km to the UWA ranger’s post at an elevation of 1,727 meters, which requires around one hour. Upon payment of the admission fee, the rangers provide a briefing on the regulations of the National Park.
Trek to Mutinda Lookout
The 4 Day Rwenzori Trek to Mutinda Lookout is an expedition in Uganda’s Rwenzori Mountains National Park, a trek that typically lasts 4 to 6 days and culminates at the 3,975m (13,000ft) high Mutinda Lookout for panoramic views of the mountains. This moderate-level hike offers an immersive nature experience, taking trekkers through diverse ecosystems from tropical forests to heather zones with moss-covered ridges, waterfalls, and unique flora like Giant Heather, with opportunities to see wildlife such as black and white Colobus monkeys.
Trek on Waterfalls Circuit
The Rwenzori Waterfalls Circuit is a 4-day trek in Uganda’s Rwenzori Mountains that focuses on the forest’s lower slopes, allowing hikers to experience the rich Afro-Montane forest zone and its numerous waterfalls like Enock’s and Bridal Falls, while also seeing diverse birdlife and primates. It’s a moderate trek that offers cultural insights and stunning views of the lowlands, with accommodation in mountain huts and experienced guides. Four day trek to Enocks Falls near Sine Camp, Samalira Falls (5 falls) near Samalira Camp, Cathy’s Falls, Nyamwamba Falls.
Trek to Samalira Falls
A 3-day trek to the Rwenzori Mountains’ Samalira Falls takes hikers through diverse zones, including the Afro-Montane forest, bamboo, and heather zones, with overnight stays at Sine and Samalira camps. The itinerary typically involves a briefing at the Kilembe base on Day 1, hiking to Samalira Camp, and then descending back to the base.
One Day And Two Day Treks
One Day And Two Day Treks to Rwenzori Mountains. The One Day And Two Day Treks trek starts at Trekkers Hostel in Kyanjiki 12 kilometres from Kasese past Kilembe. Best to start by 8.30am but can leave as late as 10am. Meet your guides and briefing. You walk 2.2km to the UWA rangers post at 1,727metres.
Trek To Cheptegei Peak
A 8 Day Rwenzori Trek To Cheptegei Peak (4,907m) in the Rwenzori Mountains of Uganda involves hiking through diverse ecosystems, including forests, bamboo zones, and alpine meadows, culminating in a challenging climb over the Stanley Plateau’s treacherous terrain and ice.
4 High Peaks Of The Rwenzoris
A 4 Peaks Rwenzori Trek is a challenging, multi-day mountaineering expedition in Uganda’s Rwenzori Mountains, typically lasting 10-12 days and involving ascents of Margherita Peak (5,109m), Mount Speke (4,890m), Mount Baker (4,842m), and Weismann’s Peak (4,620m). This trek requires significant mountaineering experience and specialized equipment due to the high altitude, glacier travel, and often slippery conditions.
8 High Peaks Of The Rwenzoris
I have been traversing the continent in pursuit of the ten highest summits, which include Kilimanjaro and Uhuru Peak in Tanzania, as well as Mount Kenya and Batian Peak in Kenya. The remaining eight are situated in the Rwenzori Mountains of Uganda. I spent 16 days ascending all the summits, which included traversing a crevasse in the early morning to reach Margherita Peak, accompanied by armed rangers due to the area’s perilous nature, observing distinctive landscapes and flora, and ultimately concluding my 9-month Peaks of Africa Journey.
Accommodation on Kilembe Trail or At the Base
Accommodation on the Kilembe Trail includes mountain huts such as Sine, Mutinda Camp, Bugata, and Mahoma, which are strategically located for overnight stays during the multi-day trek. At the base, you can find budget-friendly options like the Rwenzori Trekkers Hostel and Trekker’s Hostel Kilembe. Other facilities include community camps like Ruboni, offering a more rustic, nature-focused experience, and hotels in Kasese town for trekkers at the start or end of their journey.
Accommodation alternatives on the Kilembe Trail comprise mountain lodges and campsites, akin to those available on the Central Circuit Trail.
Trekkers may opt for accommodations in nice mountain huts featuring bunk beds and essential amenities or for camping at designated spots.
Kilembe Trail Highlights:
Starting Point in Kilembe:
The trail commences in the village of Kilembe, situated adjacent to the park entrance.
Kilembe is readily accessible from the adjacent town of Kasese, serving as a handy launch point for the hike.
Lush Rainforests:
The path traverses lush rainforests, distinguished by lofty trees, ferns, and mosses.
Trekkers may observe diverse avian species, including Rwenzori turacos, sunbirds, and barbets.
Bamboo Forests:
The trail ascends into bamboo forests, serving as habitat for Rwenzori red duikers and various fauna.
The bamboo zone provides a distinctive ambiance and abundant flora, enhancing the appeal of the hiking experience.
Alpine Zones:
As one ascends the mountain, the terrain transitions to alpine zones characterised by diminutive trees and shrubs adapted to the high-altitude ecosystem.
Trekkers may encounter three-horned chameleons and other endemic species in this area.
Attractions Along The Kilembe Trail
The Kilembe Trail features various natural attractions, including the Sine and Bugata waterfalls, which offer scenic locations for repose and leisure.
Trekkers may also explore Lake Kopello and Mutinda Lookout, which provide breathtaking vistas of the adjacent mountains and valleys.
Guides and Porters:
It is advisable for hikers on the Kilembe Trail to have seasoned guides and porters.
Guides offer essential knowledge on the landscape, fauna, and indigenous culture, thereby enriching the trekking experience.
Porters facilitate the transportation of equipment and provisions, enabling trekkers to concentrate on relishing the expedition without the encumbrance of substantial weights.
Conclusion:
The Kilembe Trail provides an enriching trekking experience for those wishing to discover the beauty and diversity of the Rwenzori Mountains within a condensed timeframe. The trail offers adventure, exploration, and enduring memories within the breathtaking landscapes of Rwenzori Mountains National Park, characterised by its verdant rainforests, bamboo forests, and alpine zones.
History of Rwenzori Kilembe Trail
The Kilembe route was first traced by professor Scott Elliot during his pioneering expedition in the Rwenzori mountains back in 1896. After his journey later the Scott Elliot pas was named in honor of the professor for his findings then . The route was later launched in 2011 by the Rwenzori trekking services and named Kilembe trail because of its location in the region in Kasese called Kilembe a town known for the Kilembe mines . Since then the trail has become very significant and is used by hikers aiming for the summit and other trekking options within the Rwenzori mountains as well as visiting other peaks of the majestic Rwenzori mountains.
Significance of Kilembe trail of the Rwenzori mountains
The Kilembe trail plays a vital role in the tourism industry of Uganda, attracting nature enthusiastic from all over the world who yearn to discover its rugged terrains and beauty of the trail within the Rwenzori mountains. The country benefits through foreign exchange and boasts as being among the top destination for mountaineering activities among the few in the world. For the locals, the trail is a source of income to the community, as some of them are directly involved in the tourism activities securing for themselves jobs such as guiding, pottering cooking and many other related services. Locals find an opportunity of interacting and promoting their culture with the trekkers all over the world ensuring they share their traditions and norms that they follow and how the mountain contributes to their way of living. The mountain is also a source of rain to the locals around it ensuring abundance of rain for the farmers who cultivate around the mountain. The locals also find businesses being boosted those that stay at the base or in the Kilembe village as tourists support their hustle by purchasing from then several items including alcohol among the many commodities .
Climate on Kilembe trail
Kilembe trail has varying climate that is dependent on the changing altitudes, as trekkers climb higher they discover a totally different climate. The Climate ranges from the tropical conditions to the alpine conditions as hikers tend to the peaks of the Rwenzori mountains on this trail. In the lower regions, temperature are warm and humid however with higher altitudes from 3000m and above the temperature are cold and chilly and above the 4000 the regions is snowy and freezing at some point especially during the cold season. this makes the Kilembe trail desirable offering both adventurers and nature lovers a rich biodiversity as well as unique ecological system.
Flora and Fauna
There is a wide diversity of flora and fauna on the Kilembe trail, with the variation of the altitudes the vegetation too keeps changing presenting hikers with very beautiful sceneries while on the safari to the Rwenzori mountains. With each zone hosting a totally unique tree species, hikers are exposed with the montane zone, to the bamboo zone, further up to the heather zone and finally to the Alpine zone which is typically made up of only mosses, lichens. Wildlife too can be spotted in various part of the mountain with mammal like colobus monkeys and blue monkeys being spotted in the montane zone. Various bird species can be spotted in the forest montane zone among which there is the Rwenzori Turaco that is endemic to the Rwenzori mountains and finally dickers are spotted in the heather zone. The Rwenzori mountains are a habitat to all the species above among which some are endemic to this mountain.
Accommodation on the Kilembe trail on Mount Rwenzori
Accommodation on the Kilembe trail are well established wooden camps providing essential rest points for trekkers while they embark on their adventure in the mountains. With each day on the Kilembe trail of the Rwenzori mountains hikers are drawn to a different hut on the level of altitude achieved. For hikers who have 7 days to Magherita peak, the first camp is Kalalama camp, followed by Mutinda Camp, next is Bugata camp then Hunwicks camp and finally the Margherita Camp that is the launch camp for those summit Margherita peak .
Forest Camp: This is the very first camp located on the Kilembe trail its within the Montane zone at a height of 2600m above sea level . The camp is surrounded with towering trees of various types it allows hikers acclimatize, choosing to sleep at the forest camp requires an 8 days trek to the Margherita peak . Choosing to spend a night here enables hikers move at a steady pace without having to rush from the base camp straight to Kalalama camp which is quite further demanding over 10 hours walk.
Kalalama Camp: Located within the montane zone elevated at a height of 3134m above sea level, Kalalama camp welcomes you on the Kilembe trail a cozy wooden hut located in the tall trees of the lush forest. The camp offers a peaceful resting spot after the days walk with a chance to observe different tree and animal species.
Mutinda Camp: Mutinda camp is next one just after the Kalalama camp within the heather zone at a height of 3688m above sea level. The camp offers stunning views of the surrounding landscapes including dramatic ridges and valleys near it which makes hikers enjoy the iserene surrounding of the camp.
Bugata Camp: Bugata camp is located in the Alpine zone at a height of 4062m above sea level offering incredible view of various summits. The camp oversees the Congo homesteads from above as well as having very nice views of the Virunga mountains .
Hunwick’s camp: Hunwicks’s camp is located just above the Lake Kitandara’s twin lakes at a height of 3874m above sea level in the Alpine zone. The camp offers breathtaking landscapes and views of some of the notable peaks like Edward peak on Mount Baker. The camp has a reliable solar system to provide lighting as well as charging facilities for hikers on their expedition in the mountains.
Magherita Camp: Located within the bouldering rocks in the alpine zone, Magherita camp is the last camp before hikers embark on the summit . Its a point where trekkers acclimatize and prepare for the final push towards the summit of Magherita peak . This camp on Kilembe trail is
quite very cold and temperature can drop drastically to even negative hikers are encouraged to prepare the appropriate clothes while at Magherita camp. The whether condition here are harsh with strong winds . Its a strategic location providing a base for the morning attempt of the peak. While at Magherita trekkers enjoy scenic beauty of the mountain , including the rugged terrains , and some glacial peaks .
Vegetation zones on Kilembe trail of Rwenzori mountains
Montane forest zone: As trekkers embark on life time experience in the Rwenzori mountains they are welcomed by the forest zone on this remarkable Kilembe trail. This zone is comprised of a rich variety of tree species, the zone is also a habitat to countless bird species, primates all whom reside and call this forest their home.
Bamboo zone: As hikers ascend further they are drawn into the bamboo zone and here are bamboo trees and other trees associated with this altitude. Several features like streams can be seen along this zone as well as some waterfalls.
Heather zone: Sone of the unique incredible plant species are located within here in the heather zone, the giant heathers, and lobelias can be seen as well as the giant groundsels. The atmosphere is totally different from that former zones with a beautiful landscape and countless waterfalls as well as lakes in this heather zone .
Alpine zone: This is highest zone on the Kilembe trail of the Rwenzori mountains, characterized with rocky terrains , glacier and sparse vegetation like the everlasting flowers and groundsels. The Alpine zone is known for harsh whether with low temperature and thin air. Its a stunning zone as its hosts most of the prominent peaks in the Rwenzori mountains.
Climbing the stunning Rwenzori mountains- (04 kilembe trail)- hiking adventures in Uganda
Duration for summiting Margherita peak on Kilembe trail
Unlike other routes of the Rwenzori mountains, Kilembe trail is quite unique and is not for jokers, it requires both physical , emotional and at some point experience. The duration to summit Margherita peak totally depends on the pace and experience of the hikers. For a relaxed summit with less pressure 8 days Magherita summit trek is recommended . And for very experienced hikers they can use 7 days due to the steep nature of this route. These are the days recommended for hikers and for flexible hikers with time a relaxed 8 days is must recommended to ensure trekkers acclimatize properly and enjoy every bit of the journey, ensuring safe and remarkable experience.
Other peaks on Kilembe trail
Kilembe trail can be used to trek other peaks, hikers embarking on tis route are not only promised successful summit of the Margherita peak but also other peaks, Rwenzori is a formation of multiple peaks. Peaks like Mount Baker, Mount Speke as well as other peaks on Magherita peak that include Alexander, Albert and Chiptegei are easily accessed via the adventurous Kilembe trail. Mount Luigi di savor is also easily hiked from the fresh field pass further hikers can access even Peaks like Emin and Gessi which are also easy summits even for inexperienced hikers .
Conclusion
To rap up the entire experience on Kilembe trail is a life time experience offering trekkers with varying vegetation zones that are worth capturing for unforgettable memories. During their Rwenzori expedition on the Kilembe trail hikers enjoy the rich biodiversity , stunning natural beauty of the Rwenzori mountains as well as unique vegetation. Several beautiful features like the cascading waterfalls, glacial lakes, snow capped peaks and the wildlife located within the Rwenzori mountains is promised for all hikers embarking on Kilembe trail of the Rwenzori mountains. Whether you aim to summit Magherita or visit the other notable peaks of the Rwenzori mountains, Kilembe trail offers an unforgettable adventure in well established camps for accommodation and is a premier destination for both hikers and nature lovers alike who desire to discover the beauty of one of Africa’s most mystical mountains.