BUKURUNGU
“Where the forest breathes and the mountains dream.”
UNTOUCHED.
PRISTINE.
WILD.
This is not the tourist trail. The Bukurungu Trail is a throwback to the days of early exploration. You will sleep under canvas for the first four nights, beside glacial lakes that mirror the jagged peaks above.
It is a route of solitude, offering a steeper but more scenic acclimatization profile before joining the Central Circuit for the technical summit push.
The Open Ridge
Omukorukumi → Kughuli Camp
Leave the valley floor behind immediately. A steep ascent brings you onto the ridge line, offering instant panoramic views of the portal peaks. Unlike the muddy valley floors, this trail is drier and windier, giving you a taste of the alpine zone from day one.
The Heather Forest
Kughuli → Kinyaminghe
Enter the surreal zone of Giant Heather trees draped in lichen (Old Man’s Beard). The trail loops beneath the dramatic Portal Peaks. Keep silent, and you may hear chimpanzees in the lower valleys. The air grows thinner, crisp and clean.
Lake Bukurungu
Kinyaminghe → Bukurungu Camp
A visually stunning day. We breach the open moorland to reach Lake Bukurungu. The camp is set beside the water, a mirror for the sky. On clear days, the sunset reflects off the glacial waters against Mt. Gessi, creating a scene of absolute tranquility.
The Convergence
Bukurungu → Bujuku Hut
We cross the Mugusu Valley, passing another stunning lake, to join the Central Circuit at Bujuku Hut. Here, the wilderness trail meets the historic route. We switch from tents to wooden huts, preparing for the technical days ahead.
The Summit Push
Elena Hut → Margherita Peak
**The Apex.** Move by headlamp from Elena Hut (4,541m). Navigate the Stanley Plateau glaciers with crampons and ropes. Reach the summit of Margherita. Descend via the stunning Kitandara Lakes.
The Descent
Kitandara → Base
A two-day descent through the Mubuku valley, passing Guy Yeoman hut. Re-enter the bamboo and forest zones. The air thickens, dragging the rich scent of moss and earth. Arrival at Kasese for celebration.
The Mountains Are Waiting
INQUIRE NOW