The camps in Rwenzori Mountains National Park are mostly built from wood, giving them a true African character. After a long day of hiking, they provide good comfort and enough warmth.
Each hut has double or triple decks, and every mattress is for one person. They are placed in great locations where hikers can enjoy clear views of the peaks, including Mount Baker, Mount Speke, and Mount Stanley.
Rwenzori Trekking Services (RTS) manages the Kilembe Trail in Uganda’s Rwenzori Mountains, one of the most popular routes to explore the “Mountains of the Moon.” To make trekking safe and enjoyable, RTS has built a chain of camps and huts along the trail. These include Sine Camp at 2,596 meters, Kalalama Camp at 3,147 meters, Mutinda Camp at 3,588 meters, Bugata Camp at 4,100 meters, Hunwick’s Camp at 3,974 meters, and Margherita Camp at 4,485 meters.
The Rwenzori Mountaineering Services (RMS) runs the Central Circuit Trail, a historic route in the mountains. The huts on this trail include Nyabitaba at 2,651 meters, John Matte at 3,505 meters, Bujuku at 3,962 meters, Elena at 4,023 meters, Kitandara at 4,023 meters, and Guy Yeoman at 3,505 meters.
Kilembe Trail Camps
- Sine Camp (2,596 m): Sine Camp is the first stop, built in the forest zone. It has wooden cabins with simple beds and shared washrooms. Trekkers often sleep here on the first night to adjust to the altitude. The forest around the camp is home to birds and primates, giving hikers an early glimpse of the Rwenzori’s wildlife.
- Kalalama Camp (3,147 m): Kalalama Camp lies in the heather zone. It has solar power and sits among tall heather trees and mossy ground, offering beautiful mountain views.
- Mutinda Camp (3,588 m): Mutinda Camp is close to Mutinda Lookout, a short climb that gives wide valley views. Many hikers use this camp to acclimatize before climbing higher.
- Bugata Camp (4,100 m): Bugata Camp, in the Afro-alpine zone, is surrounded by giant lobelias and groundsels. It has more facilities and serves as a main base before reaching the higher peaks.
- Hunwick’s Camp (3,974 m): Named after John Hunwick, the founder of RTS, this camp stands on a ridge with wide views of Mount Baker, Mount Stanley, and the valleys.
- Margherita Camp (4,485 m): Margherita Camp is the last stop before climbing Margherita Peak. It is set in the rocky zone and gives trekkers a place to rest and prepare for the final ascent.
Central Circuit Trail Huts
- Nyabitaba Hut (2,660 m): Nyabitaba Hut is the starting point for the first day of trekking or for a short trip into the Rwenzori. Renovated in 2008, it is about 10 kilometers from Nyakalengija and takes four to five hours to reach. The trail passes through Bakonzo villages and montane forest. The hut is a two-room wooden structure with a pit latrine and tap water piped from nearby Lake Mahoma. It provides mattresses and space for beds.
- John Matte Hut (3,420 m): This hut stands on a slope beside the River Bujuku and is named after John Matte, the first president of the Mountain Club of Uganda. It has three wooden rooms and a pit latrine. The second day of the trek ends here, a section regarded as one of the hardest parts of the central circuit.
- Bujuku Hut (3,930 m): Bujuku Hut has both a renovated wooden cabin and the older tin building. It was fully restored in 2009. The hut lies at the point where trails lead to Mount Stanley from the south, Mount Speke from the north, and towards Congo. It takes its name from Lake Bujuku, located nearby. The hut has spring water and eco-toilets. From here, trekkers prepare to climb Mount Stanley or Mount Speke.
- Elena Hut (4,563 m): Elena Hut is the last stop before climbing the Stanley Plateau. It sits on a rocky part of Mount Stanley. The hut is small and simple, offering basic shelter in harsh weather conditions. It is used mainly as a base for climbing Mount Stanley. On clear days, it gives direct views of Mount Baker and Mount Speke, although fog often covers the area.
- Kitandara Hut (3,979 m): This single-room tin hut is located near the Lower Kitandara Lake. It offers views of Mount Luigi of Savoy and has a pit latrine. Climbs to Mount Baker and Mount Luigi of Savoy start from here.
- Guy Yeoman Hut (3,505 m): Guy Yeoman Hut stands on the banks of the Mubuku River in the Kabamba Valley. It is a two-room wooden hut with a pit latrine. Nearby are the Kabamba waterfalls, which add to the charm of the camp area.
Villages Around Mount Rwenzori
Several villages at the base of Mount Rwenzori serve as starting points for treks.
One of the best known is Kilembe, close to Kasese town. It was once a mining center and is now home to Rwenzori Trekking Services, which manages the Kilembe Trail. Trekkers often begin their climbs here.
Another important village is Ruboni, near the park gate. Ruboni is popular for community tourism, where visitors can meet the Bakonzo people, learn about their culture, and take guided walks.
Other villages such as Bulemba, Ibanda, Nyakalengija, and Mihunga also act as trailheads. They provide simple accommodation, local markets, and cultural encounters. Farming is the main activity, with families growing bananas, coffee, and beans in the fertile soils.
These villages not only give access to the Rwenzori Mountains but also offer trekkers a chance to experience the culture, daily life, and hospitality of the people living in the foothills.
