The Ruwenzoris – with Markus Walter to the Mystical Mountains of the Moon

Flight from Frankfurt via Addis Ababa to Entebbe.

Arrival in Entebbe, the "green" suburb of the capital Kampala on a peninsula in Lake Victoria. Pick-up and transfer to your accommodation. You have the opportunity to change money and do some shopping. There may even be time for an optional visit to the botanical garden. Overnight stay at the Entebbe Airport Guesthouse.

After breakfast, any final questions about the mountain tour will be clarified in an information meeting. You then set off on the drive (approx. 8 hours) through Uganda's green hilly landscape, past bright green tea plantations to Kasese in the west of the country. Overnight stay at the Margherita Hotel at the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains.

You set off early and drive up to an altitude of approx. 1615 m to the Nyakalengija starting point for your trek. Here you will meet the porters and the mountain guide. After your luggage has been distributed, you and your companions walk to the park entrance. The park rangers will give you all the information you need. The trail is moderate at first until you reach the Mubuku River. The path then climbs uphill and at around 2500 m you reach the ridge on which the hut is located. Overnight stay in the Nyabitaba hut. (Walking time approx. 4-5 hours, 1040 m↑).

After a short descent and crossing a suspension bridge, you reach the mountain cloud forest. The trees are covered in thick moss and the path leads over numerous roots, wooden walkways and swampy terrain. Rubber boots are an advantage. At an altitude of around 3200 m you will see the first lobelia. Overnight stay in the John-Matte hut (3480 m). (Walking time approx. 6h, 830 m↑).

Descent to the Bujuku River and through erica forest to Bigo Swamp. Rubber boots are definitely necessary today, as the trail continues through very boggy terrain. After crossing the Bujuku River, the trail climbs again. Soon you can see the Stanley massif with the Margherita peak. Mystical-looking giant lobelias show you the way through the high moors. Overnight stay in the Bujuku hut (3970 m) in the middle of a lobelia field. (Walking time approx. 5-6 hours, 490 m↑).

Today you continue uphill to the Elena hut at approx. 4541 m. You climb up to the Scott-Elliot Pass at 4100 m, have to climb a metal ladder beforehand and then take the steep route up a rocky gully. Overnight stay in the Elena hut - it can get very cold here. (Walking time approx. 4h, 570 m↑).

The summit assault on the glacier of the Stanley massif begins early in the morning. Crampons are required for this. The route leads over snow- and ice-covered slopes and shorter rock passages. Due to the (low) risk of crevasses, it is necessary to walk in rope teams. At approx. 4850 m you branch off to the Margherita peak. An iron ladder and fixed ropes make it easier to climb up an almost vertical rock face (difficulty level II-III). Finally, you stand on the highest point of the Ruwenzoris with a view as far as the Congo. Concentration is required for the descent (with a break in the Elena hut). Overnight stay in the Kitandara hut at 4023 m. (Walking time approx. 11-12h, 570 m↑, 1100 m↓).

Today's rest day is intended as a reserve day for a second summit attempt in the event of bad weather, but is also ideal for an excursion around Lake Kitandara. Particularly motivated summiteers can also climb the 4843 m high Mt. Baker (Edward Peak). The ascent and descent is very arduous, leads partly over very exposed scree fields and takes approx. 8-9 hours. Overnight stay as on the previous day.

The descent leads past Mount Baker. The path is boggy and then turns into steep rocky passages and narrow paths. The last section of the trail leads through a stream. Overnight stay in the beautifully situated Guy Yeoman hut at 3450 m. (Walking time approx. 6h, 250 m↑, 830 m↓).

As you continue your descent, it becomes noticeably warmer and the trail leads through lush jungle, where you have to negotiate very steep and slippery terrain in places. The descent continues through dense bamboo forest and via Nyabitaba hut to Nyakalengija. On the way, if you look closely, you may spot small chameleons. Return to the hotel in Kasese. Overnight stay at the Margherita Hotel. (Walking time approx. 7-8h, 1840 m↓). Alternative itinerary for the 3-day extension to gorilla tracking: Descent via Nyakalengija - drive to Lake Bunyonyi 1×(F/M (LB)/A) After the descent, continue south to the picturesque hill-lake landscape at Lake Bunyonyi. Upon arrival, you can recover from the trekking. Overnight stay at the Birdnest Resort Lake Bunyonyi.

You drive back to Entebbe and review the eventful trekking days before heading home. You say goodbye to Uganda and its hospitable people and are taken to the airport for your return flight to Germany. Alternative itinerary for the 3-day extension to gorilla tracking: Gorilla tracking in Bwindi National Park 1×(F/M (LB)/A) Today you will experience the absolute highlight of the trip: gorilla tracking in the dense Bwindi forest. The last silverbacks in Uganda have retreated into the thicket of the mountain rainforest here. The direct encounter with these gentle giants will move you deeply. The approach to the gorillas' territory leads partly through dense jungle and can therefore be quite arduous (walking time approx. 4-6 hours). Once you have reached the group, you will have an hour to take plenty of photos or simply observe life in the gorilla family. Then drive to Lake Bunyonyi. Overnight stay as on the previous day.