Considering a multi week trip to east central Africa in mid January or February 2013. Kilimanjaro, Mt Kenya, Stanley in Uganda, Karisimbi in Rwanda... I could stretch for 6-8 peaks including up to 5 national high points. Trolling for partners and/or Internet flames.

Pat

That would be a dream trip for me! Your pretty ambitious. I have a 5% chance of doing Kili in Feb (odd story) I'll find right before New Years

Also, consider Mt Elgon:

http://www.summitpost.org/mount-elgon/151794

If you're climbing Kenya and Stanley, it would be right on the way from one to the other.

I will have a go at Mt Stanley (Margherita Peak) this January. I'll be taking the Kilembe Trail, which is even more scenic than the Central Circuit. Trek starts January 23. Summit day (5109m) should be January 28.
I'll be back in Switzerland February 3 and might provide some info on the condition of the glacier then, if you're interested.
As for Karisimbi: the Rwanda-Congo border is currently not the best place to be. I've decided to try another Virunga Volcano, Sabyinyo, planned for January 20. Of all the Virungas, it boasts the steepest slopes and most spectacular ridges.
Cheers, Tijs

Tijs,
How are you organized for Stanley? Via operator or independently?
If things line up I'll buy my tickets soon.

Consider a safari too if you have time. That was the highlight of my trip. Pretty cheap too once you are there. You can see a lot in just 4-5 days.

I've planned my Uganda trip (Virunga volcano, Gorilla tracking, Rwenzori expedition, Chimpanzee tracking) with Matoke Tours. However, for the nine days on the Kilembe Trail, they leave everything to Rwenzori Trekking Services, the organization responsible for the Kilembe Trail. If Mt Stanley via the Kilembe Trail is all you want to do in Uganda, you're much cheaper off dealing with RTS directly. Or with Rwenzori Mountaineering Services, if you want to take the Central Circuit. As is the case with most African mountains, climbing Mt Stanley without a guide is not allowed.

I ended up making this trip...albeit it 2 years later than originally planned. I climbed five peaks over 5000m - Margherita and Alexandra Peak on Mount Stanley, both Batian and Nelion on Mount Kenya and Uhuru Peak on Kilimanjaro. Despite the requirement for mandatory guides on popular African peaks, I was able to minimize my group size and make solo summit bids on each peak (a separate team climbed Arrow Glacier so I had to share the summit of Kilimanjaro).