The Rwenzori Mountains National Park is a delight for seasoned hikers and offers a unique hiking experience over its snow covered peaks. The Rwenzori Mountains National Park is one the best places for outdoor adventures in Africa. Located in western Uganda this Ugandan national park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Rwenzori Mountains. The park covers almost 1,000 km² in size, the park has Africa’s third highest mountain peak and many waterfalls, lakes, and glaciers. Many travelers taking adventure safaris in Uganda visit these fabled mountains of the moon located along the Uganda-Congo border.
For bizarre vegetation and the chance to straddle the Equator atop the highest mountain range in Africa, the mist-shrouded and jagged Rwenzori Mountains are definitely worth a visit. The 120km range spans the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Unlike East Africa’s other large mountains, the Rwenzori are not volcanic; rather they were formed during the shift of the Rift Valley.
Often overshadowed by the likes of Kilimanjaro and Mt. Kenya, the ‘Mountains of the Moon’ (so called by Ptolemy!) offer you the chance to marvel at some astonishing flora and fauna, a variety of forest mammals and over 170 species of birds. If you’re lucky, listen out for the chorus of chimpanzees, and forest elephant crashing through the undergrowth as well.
Trips to the Margherita Peak (5,401 metres) on the snowy summit of Mt Stanley will take trekkers through tropical jungle, sci-fi landscapes dotted with giant lobelia, alpine savannah and glacial fields, not to mention hopping from tussock to tussock in knee-deep bogs! Just don’t forget to pack your wellingtons…
Note: A new, shorter and easier route has opened up on the glacier leading to the Margherita Peak. The route – on the western side – avoids the steepest part of the mountain, so it will now take approxiamtely 26 minutes to climb from the base of the glacier to the top (a saving of 19 minutes!) The new route has been thoroughly tested and it is safe and secure for mountain climbers. A diversion from the old route has been created at a point called Omwubutindo where ladders had been placed on rocks to ease movement on the glacier.
The Mountain Rwenzori
Mountain Rwenzori is the third highest mountain in Africa, with Margherita( 5,109m – 16,762 ft) as its highest peak. It is a permanently snowcapped peak covered in glaciers and it’s the only glaciated mountain in Uganda. Its slopes are covered with moorland, bamboo, rich moist montane forest on the lower slopes in mist thus “The Land of Mist”.
Mountain Rwenzori is found in the Western arm of the grate east African rift valley at the Uganda –Democratic Republic of Congo border. The Rwenzori ranges have spectacular scenic beauty harboring a variety of indigenous flora (plant species) and fauna animal species / primates).
Its flora is designed along the slopes according to the different levels of altitude along the mountain slopes, and it is such a great view / sight for the explorers, scientists ,as well as tourists. Its with no doubt, The Mountain of the Moon with its ranges, is a number one tourist destination in Uganda for mountain climbing, hiking, biking and so much more.
Things to See & Do
Mountain Rwenzori, has several tourist activities that include mountain hiking, climbing, biking, forest nature walk through the montane and bamboo forests, wildlife safaris, birding, Bakonzo community walk among others.
Mountain Trekking is the most popular thing to do in the Rwenzoris. The central hike to the Magherita Peak on Mount Stanley located 5,109m takes atleast 7 Days of a guided hike. According to the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the Rwenzoris are a world-class hiking and a great mountaineering destination in Africa offering a challenging hike to the snow capped peaks. A nine- to twelve-day trek will get skilled climbers to the summit of Margherita – the highest peak – though shorter, non-technical treks are possible to scale the surrounding peaks.
Flora and Fauna
Rwenzori national park hosts 70 mammals and 217 bird species including 19 Albertine Rift endemics, as well as some of the world’s rarest vegetation.
Nature Walks
For those who prefer something a little less strenuous, neighboring Bakonzo villages offer nature walks, homestead visits home cultural performances and accommodation, including home-cooked local cuisine.
There are bookings that need to be done for the hiking and it is advisable to take advantage of the expert guides available in the parks, who will guide through the hike. You will need to do an advance booking in order to hike on this mountain and like all other bookings it can be done through the a tour operator atleast a month in advance.