Rwenzori Expedition - Mountains of the Moon Traverse
Unique adventure in the heart of Africa:
✪ Mount Stanley ascent, west side
✪ expedition carried out only twice in 30 years
✪ wild untouched nature
✪ unforgettable expedition to the Moon Mountains
Overview
Rwenzori expedition from Congo (DRC) to Uganda: with the incredibly beautiful nature, the friendly Uganda, the loneliness and the untouched landscapes of Congo, this expedition offers a unique nature and mountain experience. It is a real wild adventure in the heart of Africa! Accompanied by professional SummitClimb expedition leaders, we are planning for you to traverse the Mountains of the Moon from west to east, from the wild Congo (DRC) back to picturesque Uganda. The journey leads to the Kivo Province of East Congo (DRC), a politically very unstable region, one of the biggest trouble spots worldwide. Only with enough will for adventure and the awareness of the risk you are the right person for this expedition. Your reward is the unforgettable experience in the hardly walked west side of Rwenzori and a unique traverse of the Moon Mountains.
Expedition leaders
Rwenzori Expedition - DRC to Uganda
Rwenzori Traverse from DRC to Uganda: We undertook this expedition only twice, in 2009 and 2011, building unmatched experience along the way. To our knowledge, these may be the only west-to-east traverses completed in the last 40 years - or even longer. This is a true adventure, where every step is unpredictable, and the exact route and conditions cannot be guaranteed.
Itinerary Rwenzori / DRC (16 Days)
Departure from Europe in the afternoon of the previous day. Arrival in Uganda, drive to the hotel in Kampala. Hotel, B&B
A long day in the car takes us along Lake Victoria to Bwindi National Park. Overnight at Kitandara Lodge, B&B.
For acclimatization we spend a day visiting the gorillas in their natural habitat. After the gorilla trek, we drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park and stay at Hippo Camp Lodge. Full board.
We drive to the border with Congo (DRC) near Mponde. After regulating the border crossing and making arrangements with the Virunga National Park, we drive to Rwenzori (west side).
After providing the last supplies (food) and final preparations of local guide and porters, we ascend to the 1st hut (approx. 3-4 hours): Kalonge Hut (2138m).
Ascent to the 2nd hut (about 4-5 hours): Mahangu Hut (3310m).
Ascent to the 3rd hut (about 4-5 hours): Kiondo Hut (4200m).
Trekking (approx. 5-6 hrs.) over partly secured path (old fixed ropes) to the Moraine Hut (approx. 4400m). From this point on we are on our own, the porters are heading back. The bivouac hut is still in Congo, on the western flank of Rwenzori.
Preparation and material transport at approx. 4800m, this day serves for acclimatization. Overnight stay at the Moraine Hut (4400m).
Ascent of Mount Stanley through Glacier Pass. If we are fast, we can also ascend Pt. Alexandra and then Margherita Point, then descend (if necessary tent or bivouac). The exact plan will be adapted according to the level of the participants and the circumstances.
Reserve day for the descent to Bujuku Lake or Lake Kitandara, Uganda. Here we are in the "territory" of the RMS, the Rwenzori Mountaineering Service of Uganda.
Descent via the classic Central Circuit to Nyakalegija, Uganda.
Pick-up at the foot of the mountain and drive to Kampala. Hotel, B&B.
Reserve day or day in Kampala (and surrounding area, possibly safari along the way back).
Kampala, end of the expedition, in the evening drive to Entebbe Airport (EBB).
Arrival at your departure point, back home.
Prepare
We are currently monitoring the political situation in the South Kivu region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Danger notice Rwenzori, Congo
The Rwenzori Massif lies in western South Kivu Province, DRC (Congo). Access requires travel through a high-risk area, but after about two days of trekking, political and criminal dangers are left behind. Rescue options on the mountain are extremely limited, and any retreat means returning through the Kivu region.
US State Department DRC - Travel Advisory states for North and South Kivu Provinces: Level 4 - No not travel.
UK travel advice DRC advises against all travel in Kivu provinces.
Participation requirements
Requirements: A spirit of adventure, flexible action depending on the political situation in the region, independent mountaineering skills and experience in travelling through politically unstable countries.
Technical requirements: You should master climbing knots, roping up and abseiling, rope-free walking with crampons on a terrain with up to 45° of steepness and on rock - climbing UIAA grade II.
Physical requirements: A good condition for up to 8 hours of ascent and then 4-6 hours of descent. You should be in good health and able to carry your own equipment and parts of the group material (approx. 12-15kg rucksack).
Testimonials
SummitClimb, led by Felix Berg, achieved a true milestone in 2009 with the first west-to-east crossing of the mountain. Having lived in East Africa in 2002/03, Felix has long been recognized as our regional expert. He completed the crossing in 2009 with two participants and again in 2011 with a group of four. Between 1996 and 2003, the Democratic Republic of Congo experienced two devastating wars, and even afterward remained unstable; these expeditions took place during a brief period of relative peace.
Political Situation: From mid-2012 to early 2014, the Democratic Republic of Congo saw intense armed conflict. The situation stabilized temporarily in 2014 but deteriorated again between 2015 and 2019, remaining at a relatively low level of stability thereafter. In 2025, a US-mediated “peace agreement” between Congo and Rwanda offered a potential opportunity for regional stabilization, which, if fully implemented, could make our expeditions more feasible and secure.
Costs & Services
Rwenzori adventurous traverse: we carry out this unique expedition in small groups (min. 3 to max. 8 participants). Participation is possible either at the basic price, as a roped party of independent mountaineers (at least 2 joint registrations and sufficient mountain experience are necessary) or with full-service package, under the direct supervision of the expedition leader / possibly another accompanying mountain guide (one mountain guide per 2 guests).
Adventure Expedition Package
- Two weeks of adventure
- Organization and leadership
- All transfers from/to Entebbe Airport, Uganda
- All accommodations or arrangements of overnight stays:
- hotels**** in Kampala
- lodges along the way
- simple huts / camps
- bivouac where needed - "Lightweight" expedition equipment for the group
- Mountain guiding: 1 guide per 3 participants
