8 Days Rwenzori Mountains Margherita Peak Trek

The Rwenzori Mountains rise like a wall of mist and mystery from the Western Rift Valley—Africa's highest mountain range and one of its last great wilderness frontiers. Ancient Greek geographer Ptolemy called them the "Mountains of the Moon," believing they fed the Nile. Today, they offer arguably Africa's most challenging and otherworldly mountain trek.

Your expedition to Margherita Peak (5,109m), the third-highest point in Africa, traverses five distinct vegetation zones. From tropical montane forest alive with primates and colorful birds, you'll climb through dense bamboo into the mystical heather zone where giant tree heathers twist skyward, draped in mosses and lichens. Higher still, the Afro-alpine moorlands reveal botanical wonders found nowhere else: giant lobelias reaching 8 meters tall and prehistoric groundsels with their otherworldly silhouettes.

The glaciers of the Rwenzori are rapidly retreating—what once covered 7.5 square kilometers in 1906 has shrunk by over 80%. Mount Stanley's glacier may vanish within years, making this trek increasingly rare. The technical summit push requires crampons and ice axes to cross the Stanley Glacier, navigating crevasses with experienced guides before reaching Margherita's 5,109-meter summit.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site demands respect and proper preparation. The terrain is muddy, the weather unpredictable, and the altitude challenging. But for those who answer the call, the Rwenzori delivers experiences that transcend ordinary mountaineering—landscapes from another era, glaciers that may soon vanish, and the profound satisfaction of standing atop Africa's most elusive high point.