Rwenzori Kilembe Trail: A Beginner’s Guide, Map & Distance
Kilembe Trail is a significant route in the Rwenzori mountains operating under the authority of Uganda wildlife Authority once which regulates all national parks in Uganda ensuring conservation and sustainability of the mountain in Uganda . The trail is under the management of Rwenzori trekking services. Its an adventurous route leading hikers and adventurers alike to the very highest point in Uganda and is remarkable with its significance as being among the access routes to Margherita peak one of Africa’s highest summits . Hikers embarking on the use of Kilembe trail are promised of a unique unforgettable experience through the varying altitudes on the path that offer unique vegetation as well as a rich cultural history .
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.
Rwenzori – Kilembe Trail Trekking
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.