Mount Speke Climbing

5

days

Mount Speke Climbing - 6Summits African Expeditions, packages, tours

Overview
Itinerary
Cost

Overview

This 5-day expedition is a challenging and technical summit climb of Mount Speke (Victorio Emanuele Peak, 4890m) in the Rwenzori Mountains. The route ascends through the heart of the range, traversing the iconic and exhausting Bigo Bogs to reach the high-altitude Bujuku Camp, set dramatically between Mounts Baker and Stanley. From there, a pre-dawn summit push crosses the Stuhlmann Pass for breathtaking views into the Congo before the technical ascent to the peak. The return journey retraces the path through the unique alpine landscape, completing a demanding circuit that is recommended for experienced trekkers and climbers.

You need to arrive in the morning to allow ample time to rent equipment and meet your guides and porters. The trail begins by passing through farmland to the park boundary beyond which it follows a thick forest along the Mubuku River, crossing its Mahoma River tributary before starting a long, steep climb up onto a massive ridge to reach Nyabitaba hut. During this part of the trip you may hear chimpanzee and see black and white colobus, blue monkey and the brilliantly coloured Rwenzori turraco. The hike takes an average of 6 -7 hours.

From Nyabitaba follow the trail that drops down through the forest to the Kurt Shafer Bridge, just below the confluence of the Mubuku and Bujuku rivers. Passing through the bamboo forest, traverse through a long and exhausting stretch of slippery moss-covered rock. From the Nyamuleju rock shelter, Mount Stanley and Mount Speke can be seen before passing into the zone of the giant heather, lobelia and groundsel. Finally reach John Matte Hut after passing through the tiring bog, for dinner and overnight at the hut. The hike takes an average of 7 - 8 hours.

From John Matte Hut the trail drops down to cross the Bujuku River and enters Lower Bigo Bog, the home of giant lobelias. Jumping from tussock to tussock, the bog is finally crossed but rarely without the feet sampling some of the freezing ooze below. The upper Bigo bog gives way to Bujuku Lake, with views of Mt Baker to the South and Mt Stanley to the West. Bujuku Hut, well located in the shadow of Mount Baker and Mount Speke, is set in a narrow valley below Stuhlmann Pass. This camp is good for acclimatization for clients attempting the summits of peaks Mount Stanley and Mount Speke. Dinner and overnight at Bujuku hut. The hike takes an average of 4 – 5 hours.

Early in the morning start the hike through stullmans pass (4192m asl.) and spectacular views of Virunga National Park of DR Congo to Victorio Emanuele peak. The ascend to the peak takes 4 – 5 hours. Prepare to descend back to Bujuku camp from Victorio Emanuele with views of Bujuku valley and Bujuku Lake, Margherita and Albert peaks on Mount Stanley, and Mount Baker back to Bujuku and continue for an overnight at John Maate Camp.

Below Guy Yeoman, the route descends the cliffs of Kichuchu. Beyond Kichuchu the muddy path crosses the Mubuku River twice through a bamboo forest before climbing downwards to Nyabitaba to complete the circuit. Continue descending Nyabitaba Camp and complete your trek by the evening at Nyakalengija, the base camp. The descent takes 7 – 8 hours

Cost

The Cost Includes

community fees and VAT
cooking appliances
gas cooker
activity fees
sleeping mats in case of camping
camping tents or cabins
food in the mountain
chef
guide
porters
park entrance fees

The Cost Excludes

Phone calls
Emails if needed
Wines and other beers
Climbing equipment’s (some can be hired locally) let us know to organize
Personal health insurance
Tips for the guides, driver, chefs and escorts
Individual excursions and visits as well as personal expenses.
Missing meals and drinks
Accommodations before and after the hike in Kasese
airport pickup and transfers drop off