Rwenzori Mountains National Park

The Rwenzori Mountains National Park lies along the Western border of Uganda and rises to a height of 5109 meters. Here are the legendary “Mountains of the Moon “, a World Heritage Site – and these incomparable, beautiful, mist-shrouded peaks provide a unique backdrop to one of our most magnificent national parks.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park lies on an area of 996sq.km and covers the districts of Kabarole, Kasese, and Bundibugyo in Western Uganda. It was designated as a World Heritage site in 1994 which implies that its conservation is therefore not only of national and regional importance but also of great international importance.

Rwenzori Mountain is one of the largest and most significant water catchment areas in Uganda. The rivers running down the mountain ranges feed the economically important lakes, Edward and George, and constitute a major source of the White Nile through the waters of River Semuliki, which flow into Lake Albert.

How High are the Rwenzori Mountains in Rwenzori National Park?

The National Park has a wide latitudinal range rising from about 1670 to 5109 meters above sea level. The numerous ranges with six major mountains; Mt. Stanley (5109m), Mt. Speke (4890m), Mt. Baker (4843m), Mt. Emin (4798m), and Mt. Gessi (4715m), Mt Luigi Di Savoia(4627m). On each of these mountains are numerous peaks such as Margherita (5,109m), Albert (5,101m), Alexandra (5,044m), and Moebius (4,925m).

The Mountain ranges have a combination of beautiful Peaks, glaciers, valleys, rivers, lakes, and various species of flora and fauna making them scenic. Rwenzori is the third highest mountain in Africa and has several high peaks including the 5th, 6^th, and 7th highest mountain peaks in Africa allowing it to be seen from far. Over 20 lakes are also found on the mountain. The Rwenzori Mountains National Park has stratified vegetation with five major vegetation zones, which adds to its beautiful scenery.

The highest of these peaks, and the third highest peak in Africa, is Margherita’s peak rising 5,109 meters above sea level. The Rwenzori Mountains were gazetted as National Park in 1991. The park covers 996 km2 of rugged mountain terrain. Whether they are experienced climbers or casual day-hikers, Rwenzori Mountain National Park offers visitors a unique experience of an Afro-Montane rainforest.

Attractions in Rwenzori Mountains National Park

The main attraction is the luxuriant vegetation found above 3000m which includes the giant forms of Lobelia. Heather and Groundsel. Rwenzori Mountain National Park is also home to unique bird species such as the Rwenzori touraco, the handsome francolin, and the olive pigeon.

Rwenzori Mountain National Park is also home to several endemic, endangered, threatened, and rare species of the Albertine Rift and also an Important Bird Area. Some of these include the Chimpanzee, L’hoest’s monkey, Leopard, and Forest elephant.

Explore the Ruwenzori Mountains National Park in Uganda. An early explorer, DW Freshfied (1906) said, “You may be familiar with the Alps and the Caucasus, the Himalayas and the Rockies, but if you have not explored Rwenzori Mountain, you still have something wonderful to see.”

In the center of the range, which boasts Africa’s third highest mountain, some of the peaks carry permanent snow and glaciers, while the lower slopes do not call for mountaineering experience, although the higher you go the fitter you need to be. Excellent walking routes, including the Bujuku circuit, are provided through wonderful and unique scenery. For those who want to attempt a climb, several peaks provide challenges that match those in the Alps.

These fabled mist-covered “mountains of the moon” 120 km in the length and 48 km in width, were formed from the block which was thrust up during the creation of the Western arm of the Great East African Rift Valley. At the Centre of the range, there are six peaks carrying permanent snow, and three with glaciers.

Brief History of Rwenzori Mountains National Park

In 300 ADS, the Alexandrian geographer Claudius Ptolemy suggested that the Nile had its source from snow peaks on the Equator, the “Linus Montae” or “Mountains of the Moon”.

The Mountains of the Moon and other mysteries of the African interior were finally revealed to the world during the 19th century when explorers penetrated the region.

In 1888, Henry Morton Stanley while on an expedition at the shores of L. George sighted the snow-capped peaks. Early mountaineers, most notably the Duke of Abruzzi in 1906, fighting upwards through dense forests of trees and bamboos, discovered a surreal landscape in which fantastic vegetation surrounded spectacular lakes and equatorial glaciers flowed down from the snow-capped peaks.

The Rwenzori Mountain is suitable for almost all climbers and walkers who are reasonably fit. There are hiking routes on the foot for those with no climbing experience-all that is needed is a little stamina and waterproof clothing. More demanding is the ascent of Mountain peak, which is a simple glacier requiring limited mountain experience.

Kindly inquire with the Mountain Rwenzori African Safaris tour manager about the best times to visit the Mountain Rwenzori and what you need to carry on your hiking trip. You should allow about 10 days for the trip and the most popular route should take about six to seven days. It is possible to break the route up with more frequent stops.

Main Tourism Activities at Rwenzori Mountain National Park

Hiking and Nature Walks in Rwenzori Mountain National Park

Rwenzori mountain national park is the best spot for hiking and nature walks experience.  There are demarcated trails for all hikers and nature lovers to Rwenzori Mountain in the central circuit zone. Lake Mahooma and Buraro chimp forest trail includes community walks to Kichamba up to Karangura ridge and also hiking to Bundibugo area via Bwamba pass are massive and enjoyable.

The guided forest walks and hiking can also be done in the communities of Ruboni and Turaco view just outside the park boundaries. So, clients can walk along Mubuku River and they will be able to view Baker and portal peaks as the visitors will hike up to 2,300m above sea level. Along this route clients will have an opportunity to see chameleons, squirrels, vervet monkeys, and birds and on a clear day, you will be able to view the snow-capped Margherita peak (5109m).

Bwamba pass gives an opportunity of visiting the bamboo forest, Rwenzori villages, and superb rift valley views. This is the most direct pass between Fort Portal and Rwenzori Mountain even before the road from Fort Portal to Bundibugyo was built in 1938. It offers a tough hike over the northern Ruwenzori ridge.

Mountain climbing / Volcano Climbing in Rwenzori Mountains National Park

This is one of the most memorable experiences in Uganda for mountain climbers and there are two scenic routes (The Central Circuit trail and the Kilembe trail) to reach the highest peak (Margherita Peak) which is the third highest peak in Africa with 5109m above sea levels. The trails pass through glacial lakes, heath forests, alpine plants, lush valleys, bogs with a lot of lobelias, and finally the snow.

The central circuit trail is challenging and most preferred trail for senior climbers and it involves acclimatization before attacking the Margharita peak and involves climbing from Nyakalengija Office (1,646m) to Nyabitaba Hut (2,652m) for 10km after the briefing from Nyakalengija office, then continue climbing from Nyabitaba Hut (2,652m) to John Matte Hut (3,414m)  for 7km in your second day, also climb from John Matte Hut (3,414m) to Bujuku Hut (3,962m)  for 6km on the third day, then from Bujuku Hut (3,962m) to Elena Hut (4,430m) for 4km on your fourth day, from Elena Hut (4,430m) you will climb to Margherita peak (5109m) for 2km one way and get back to Elena hut on the fifth day, sixth-day climb from Elena Hut (4,430m) to Guy Yeoman Hut (3,261m)  for 8km, then from Guy Yeoman Hut (3,261m) back to Nyabitaba Hut (2,652m) for 6km and lastly from Nyabitaba Hut (2,652m) back to Nyakalengija (1,646m) for  10km. generally, it needs 7 days and 6 nights while exploring the Rwenzori Mountains, National Park

Kilembe trails ascend through the southern parts of the Rwenzori Mountains from Kilembe, a place near Kasese town. The route passes via Nyamwamba valley, glacial lakes with beautiful scenery points before joining the central circuit at Lake Kitandara, and visitors will be able to see Mountain Baker while on this particular route.

Bird Watching in Rwenzori Mountain National Park

The Rwenzori Mountains offer an opportunity for bird watching especially for the few species which inhabit the Rwenzori Mountain, National Park. The park is home to 217 bird species including the Albertine Rift endemics which make Rwenzori Mountain an important birding area (IBA).   Up to 1800m of the Rwenzori Mountain, contains most of the species including the Rwenzori Turaco, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, Long-eared Owl, Handsome Francolin, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Archers’ Robin-chat, White-starred Robin, Rwenzori Batis, Montane Sooty Boubou, Lagden’s Bush Shrike, Slender-billed Starling, Blue-headed Sunbird, Golden-winged Sunbird, Strange Weaver and several varieties of Barbets, Greenbuls, Apalises, IIladopsis, Flycatchers and Crimson wings.

Cultural Encounters in the Rwenzori Mountains National Park

Ruboni village is a perfect place to explore the Bakonzo people on the slopes of Rwenzori Mountain National Park. The word Ruboni means clear water in the Lukonzo language.  You will be guided on the walk to this village with of Bakonzo people through their farmlands. Visitors will discover their animals, and crops, how they prepare food from fresh ingredients, see the cultural dances, and traditional customs, and hear their folklore.

The guide will also take you along the rocky Mubuku River and you will be able to see the villagers carrying crops, woods and also your guide will point out several bird species along this route among which include Rwenzori Turaco, tiny sunbirds, and Cinnamon-chested Bee-eaters. There are also chameleons, squirrels, and vervet monkeys.

Season

The best period to hike the Rwenzori Mountains ranges from Mid-December to the end of February and also June to early August since climbing during the rainy season is difficult because the mud of bogs will be steep and rocks will be iced.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park Climbing Fee Inclusion.

Guide.

• Porter carries 12.5kg of luggage for each climber or client while on the mountain.
• The chef is including who will prepare food while on the Mountain.
• Usage of huts on the Mountain.
• Meals will be included while on the hiking tour.
• Climbing Equipment on The Central Circuit

Rain boots are emphasized since you will walk more than half of Rwenzori Mountain with a pair of rubber boots, so you will need a pair of strong rain boots. Tall boots are advantageous as you may have to walk in bogs and cross rivers, and boots with spikes to walk on slippery wooden footpaths.

Climbing boots are also needed and especially while hiking between Nyakalengija offices to Nyabitaba Hut, Bujuku Hut to Kitandara Hut.

• A sleeping bag and warm cloth are also needed.
• Raingear is highly needed because you might walk in rain for a long time, you should choose rainwear made of good material.
• The backpack is also recommended because you may put things in the waterproof bag then in a backpack, or have a waterproof backpack.
• Climbing stick to support you while climbing is also needed and it helps to check the ground if at it is firm enough while walking in the bog.
• Gloves are also wanted to protect your hands from coldness and create warmth and they should be waterproof gloves.
• Since Ultraviolet rays are strong due to the high elevation, visitors will need sunglasses and Sunscreen.
• A waterproof hat is recommended as it may rain anytime.

Climbing Equipment to Margherita Peak

• All the equipment below can be rented on a prior request
• You need strong climbing shoes which can work with a crampon.
• We recommend a crampon with more than ten teeth because the entry point to the glacier is a gradual ice wall and hard.
• Harness / Carabiner is needed as they are needed to rope up on glaciers and rock climbing before the peak.
• A long rope of more than 40m and a diameter of over 10mm are recommended.
• The Ice axes per person are highly needed as they are used for climbing the ice wall and preventing sliding from the glacier.
• Figure eight descender is also needed for abseiling on rock area

Access / How to Get to Rwenzori Mountains National Park

Rwenzori Mountains National Park is accessed by road from Kampala via Mbarara to Kasese or from Kampala through Fort Portal. Alternatively, chartered planes are available from Entebbe to Kasese and then by road.

Accommodation / Where to Stay in Rwenzori Mountains National Park

Accommodations are available in Kasese and Fort Portal and some of them include.

Equator Snow Lodge.

Ruboni Community Camp.

Mihunga Safari Lodge.

Trekkers Hostel.

Hotel Margherita.