Margherita Peak is Africa’s third highest peak, but the real adventure is in the climb along the Kilembe route. The forests and valleys are rich with trees, ferns, and many plant species. The trees are home to birds and primates, and along the trail you may see chimp nests high in the branches. With luck, you may spot chimpanzees moving away quickly.

Climbing Margherita Peak is more of a hard scramble than a technical climb, except for a few steep moves. When it snows, it becomes more difficult, but the reward of standing at the top is worth it. From the summit, you can see Albert Peak, the Congo side, and wide views of the Rwenzori Mountains.

We provide all the climbing equipment, such as crampons, ropes, harnesses, carabiners, helmets, ice axes, ice screws, and ascenders. You need to bring good hiking boots, warm clothes, a warm sleeping bag, and rain gear.

Note: Climbing Margherita Peak is now technical. It is important to know how to use ropes, crampons, ascenders, figure-8s for belaying, and ice axes. Some ice sections are as steep as 60% and are changing quickly due to climate change and the melting glacier.

All our guides are trained in ice climbing and rescue. Even if you have little experience, they can guide you, but you should be ready to learn on the way. You must know how to fit crampons, tie basic knots, and use an ascender and figure-8. Mt Baker and Mt Speke are also technical. We advise bringing your own crampons, as the mix of ice and rocks wears them down quickly.

• Day 1: Hike to Sine Camp (2,596m)

• Day 2: Hike to Mutinda Camp (3,588m)

• Day 3: Hike to Bugata Camp (4,100m)

• Day 4: Hike to Hunwick’s Camp (3,974m)

• Day 5: Hike to Margherita Camp (4,485m)

• Day 6: Summit Margherita Peak (5,109m)

• Day 7: Descend to Kiharo Camp (3,640m)

• Day 8: Descend to Basecamp (1,450m)

• Start the trek at Trekkers Camp at 1,450 meters and hike through the Afro Montane Forest to Sine Camp at 2,596 meters.

• Walk through tall forest with many birds and chances to see blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and sometimes L’Hoest monkeys.

• Visit Enock’s Falls near Sine Camp and enjoy views of waterfalls surrounded by thick forest.

• Pass through bamboo forest and climb to Kalalama Camp before continuing to Mutinda Camp.

• Hike to Mutinda Lookout at about 3,975 meters for views of the Rwenzori Mountains, Kasese town, and Lake George.

• Cross the Mutinda Valley with tussock grass, alpine flowers, and giant lobelia plants.

• Reach Bugata Camp at about 4,100 meters with views of the surrounding valleys and mountain peaks.

• Hike through Bamwanjarra Pass with views of Mount Stanley, Mount Baker, and Weismann’s Peak.

• See rare alpine plants such as giant groundsel and giant lobelia and watch the Malachite Sunbird feeding on lobelia flowers.

• Visit Lake Kitendara and climb Scott Elliott’s Pass on the way to Margherita Camp.

• Summit Margherita Peak at 5,109 meters on Mount Stanley, the highest point in the Rwenzori Mountains.

• See glaciers and wide views of the Rwenzori peaks including Mount Stanley, Mount Speke, and Mount Baker.

• Cross Oliver’s Pass and enjoy views of the Nyamwamba Valley and surrounding mountains.

• Optional climb to Weismann’s Peak at 4,620 meters.

• Descend through the Nyamwamba Valley with views of rivers, waterfalls, moss covered rocks, and deep forest.

• See wildlife such as duikers, birds, primates, and hyrax along the trail.

• Finish the trek through forest trails and river valleys back to the base camp.