On a beautiful sunny Friday morning, we set off for Bujuku Camp stationed at 3962m above sea level (ASL).
The trek was from John Maata Camp (3505m ASL) to Bukuju Camp (3962m ASL) and in my opinion, this trek gives you the best scenery of the Rwenzoris with streams flowing down the mountains, long boardwalks overlooking steep ascends, spotting the highest lake in Uganda at over 3900m ASL. The high altitude vegetation which lies low gives you a spectacular view of the several peaks on the magnificent Mountains of the moon.
In fact, when at Bujuku Camp, you’re stationed in the middle of all the three mountains that make up the Rwenzori ranges. They are; Mountain Stanley 5,109m ASL, Mountain Speke 4,890m ASL and Mountain Baker 4,844m ASL. Mt. Stanley, the one bearing the Margherita Peak, holds five other peaks (Alexandra 5,091m, Albert 5,087m, Savoia 4,977m, Elena 4,968m and Elizabeth 4,929m).
Even before the trek, our hopes were high.
The night at John Maata was cold, however, the team and guides made it seem hurtless. Conversations among hikers sprung up and these were rather engaging and interesting as we dinned and waited for the last team of three to arrive at the camp.
Soups, teas and later dinner were served before we came to terms with the fact that some of us would share a bed with a colleague. In the morning, the chef made an extra effort to find out if there was any special request from the team on what to have for breakfast.
Later on that morning, before we departed for Bujuku Camp, we were each handed a lunch pack; this is the package of items to feast on for lunch at a resting point or snack on as you trekked to the next camp. Each morning, these packs were filled with that day’s lunch.
The lunch pack on any particular day may change but occasionally, we could have a yellow banana, an apple, bread, an egg, energy bars (chocolate), fruit juice (Splash) etc.
The breakfast menu would include but was not limited to; a loaf of bread for the team, chapatis, omelette, porridge (white or brown), black tea/tinned coffee and milk.
What makes Trekking to Bujuku Camp worth a try?
Trekking to Bujuku wowed me. The scenery, all the way from John Maata camp got me to thank myself for deciding to come to Rwenzori. If the weather is good to you and it doesn’t rain or get foggy, you’ll have some of the best views of Mt. Rwenzori on this 5-7 hour trek to Bukuju Camp.
The streams running down the mountain, the long board walkways as you exit John Maata and as you approach Lake Bujuku are some of the things that will make you fall in love with the beauty of Mt. Rwenzori.
Trekking to Bujuku camp adds some more challenging boggy sections especially as you approach the camp itself. This is again shadowed by the fact that you’ll appreciate every bit of the trek; the vegetation, your first sight of the snow-peaked ranges, emersing yourself in the knowledge and stories shared by the guides as you ascend and so much more. In fact, I got my first taste of wild berries on this Bujuku trek.
Trekking to Bujuku, the middle of nowhere.
The trek to Bujuku Camp took me and my colleagues seven hours to complete. The first team made it there in nearly five hours while the last team to arrive made it in nearly nine hours. The good part, we all got to the camp before it was dark and had the chance to be served a hot spaghetti meal, interact with the team and read the mighty safety notice hanging in the dining section of Bujuku camp.
However, all the potters carrying our baggage had already arrived, about two hours before the first team. This made it even easier for everyone arriving to get on with the task of setting up their beddings as well as put on warm clothes.
Oh well, you thought I had missed this one. We had more than enough beds at Bujuku Camp. The dormitory I slept in had six bunk beds and only three of us spent a night there. The domitory also had a beautiful view of Mt. Baker.
I can’t conclude writing about our Bujuku experience without mentioning the fact that we had our best night of the whole Rwenzoris’ trek here. Aside from the good food, the beautiful views and more than enough beds, we had a hell of funtime here. We partied, danced, laughed and partied some more.
It was no surprise this happened since there was already a bond amongst the team and the fact that everyone else reached the camp before nightfall, making it possible to stage a dance party from 10pm to midnight.
After all is said and written, why not share with you a video of our trek from John Maata Camp to Bujuku Camp? Here, enjoy the trail, boardwalks, bog, crossing streams, partying and breathtaking landscapes.
Our Trek to Bujuku Camp Summarised in a video.
Summarising the Bukuju Trek.
Trekking the Mountains of the Moon will beat you up but also reward you. The rewards you get trekking through waterlogged, boggy and steep sections of this mountain are way more satisfying than the challenges are frustrating.
I can comfortably say that trekking to Bujuku Camp takes you a step further. You’re not only one camp away from reaching the highest summit of Mt. Rwenzori but you have also reached and passed the highest lake in Uganda, Lake Bujuku. A milestone of its own.
However, for some hikers who aren’t looking forward to reaching Margherita Peak, it is at this time and point they’ll resume with the central circuit trail and head to Kitandara Camp and later continue descending.
It could also be that you’re afraid of heights or that you experience high altitude sickness. Bujuku Camp is your friend and you should listen to your body and your guide’s advice on whether to wait and acclimatise or begin to descent.
Above all, the unplanned partying at Bukuju could have been the button we pressed to summit to Margherita Peak. We bashed the coldness whilst twerking to music and emptying bottles and glasses of water.
Forget not to check out why I decided to hike Mt. Rwenzori as well as the day 2 hike from Nyabitaba Camp to John Maata Camp.
