Your Professional Trekking Services
A passion for mountains, communities, and the quiet magic of Mt Elgon.
The Founder
John Hunwick
Founder & Managing Director
Elgon Trekking Services
John Hunwick has worked in Uganda's tourism industry since 1993. He first visited and climbed Mt Elgon that same year and was immediately inspired by its stunning forests, open high-altitude moorlands, vast caldera, hidden caves, and rich cultural heritage.
In 2023 he started Elgon Trekking Services to raise the standard of accommodation and trekking on the mountain, and to create many more tourism experiences in and around Mt Elgon National Park. Today we hold concessions on the Sasa and Kapkwai/Teryet Trails.
With deep roots in the Australian bush and a love of Uganda's amazing wilderness, we share the mountain's quiet magic with the world. Every step taken with us supports local guides, porters, and conservation efforts.
Authentic, safe, and sustainable treks that uplift local communities and protect the natural beauty we call home. Every step supports local guides, porters, and conservation efforts.
Our MissionJohn Hunwick — Managing Director and founder — brings many years' experience in tourism, travel, and wilderness guiding. At 15 he climbed his first mountain: the east face of Mt Barney in Queensland, Australia. He has since climbed many more peaks and travelled widely, developing a lifelong passion for nature and the wilderness.
John is still often on the mountain himself — sometimes for weeks at a time — driven by his desire to conserve nature, protect wildlife, and empower Ugandans to manage and steward these trails long into the future.
Our Background
Elgon Trekking Services is built on over 30 years of experience in Ugandan tourism and specialised mountaineering since 2009, when John founded Rwenzori Trekking Services (U) Ltd and opened a new trail from Kilembe in the Rwenzori Mountains, Western Uganda.
John's journey in Uganda began in August 1993, taking tourists to every corner of the country — from gorilla trekking in the south-west to Murchison Falls and Kidepo. That breadth of experience helped win the concession for the Kilembe Trail, where Rwenzori Trekking Services built a reputation for professional guides and exceptional service.
Over the years we have hosted several international mountaineering instructors to train our guides in rock climbing, rescue techniques, flora and fauna identification, meal preparation, customer service, and first aid. That expertise is now fully transferred to Elgon Trekking Services (U) Ltd.
From mountain gorillas to remote savannah, John has guided travellers across Uganda for three decades — we know this country and its wilderness intimately.
Founded by John, Rwenzori Trekking Services opened a new trail from Kilembe in the Rwenzori Mountains in 2009 and built a long record of safety and service.
International mountaineering instructors have trained our guides in rescue, rock climbing, wildlife ID, first aid, and customer service — skills now deployed on Elgon.
Concessions on the Sasa and Kapkwai/Teryet Trails, with new huts and trails raising the standard of accommodation and trekking on Mt Elgon.
