Margherita Peak is the highest peak in Uganda and the third highest in Africa after Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya. It sits on top of Mount Stanley at 16,795 feet, between Lake Albert in the north and Lake Edward in the south, on the Uganda–Congo border.
The first recorded climb was in 1906 by an expedition led by Luigi Amedeo Abruzzi. The mountain was later called the “Mountain of the Moon” because of its glowing snow that remains throughout the year.
Climbing to the summit takes about seven to eight days for experienced hikers. First-time climbers are advised to move at their own pace to save energy and avoid ttps://www.goclimbingrwenzori.com/altitude-sickness/. The peak was named after Queen Margherita of Italy.
Today it is the highlight of the high-altitude Rwenzori loop, which begins in rich forests at the mountain’s edge and rises above the clouds to the glaciers of Margherita. These glaciers feed streams and rivers that provide water to nearby communities for both domestic and industrial use.
The Bakonzo people, who live around the Rwenzori Mountains, believe the mountain is their rainmaker. This belief is linked to the fact that the mountain lies on the equator, where rains are frequent, especially during the wet seasons, often with thunderstorms.
To reach Margherita Peak, hikers can use routes such as Kilembe or the Rwenzori Central Circuit. It is important to carry essentials like a first aid kit, waterproof bag, snacks, bottled water, a sweater, and other personal needs.
Because the ice melts during the day, hikers are advised to begin as early as 4 a.m. Once at the summit, most visitors take photos to remember reaching the highest point in Uganda. The return journey is much faster, usually taking one day, giving you time to rest before traveling to another destination or joining another activity.
