Rwenzori Mountains National Park

Rwenzori Mountains National park : was established in 1992 and it’s recorded as the second tallest mountain in the whole of Africa after the Kilimanjaro Mountains. The Rwenzori Mountains is also known as the Mountains of the moon, managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 because of its outstanding natural beauty. This snow-ice-capped mountain lies along Uganda’s border with Democratic Republic of Congo and Borders the DRC’s Virunga National Park. The park is located in Bundibugyo, Kabarole and Kasese districts in Uganda, it is 120km long and 48km wide and it also rise at an elevation of 5110 metres above the sea level. The fourth and fifth highest peaks of Africa (Mount Speke and Mount Baker) are located in this park. The park has glaciers, snowfields, waterfalls, bamboo forest, moorland and lakes and on addition the park is one of Africa’s most beautiful mountain areas. The park hosts 70 mammals and over 217 bird species including 19 Albertine Rift endemics, as well as some of the world’s rarest vegetation. The Conditions on the mountain are extremely challenging and to the experts and experienced hikers since mountain Rwenzori is renowned for its steep, slippery trails with regular rainfall plus cold temperatures, high altitude, fog and steep terrain. The dry period season starts from July to August and from December to February. Mountaineering is the main attractive activity in the area with concentration of waterfalls, blue cirque lakes, hot springs and uncommon vegetation. Rwenzori Mountains National Park is well recognized for its diverse and beautiful flora rather than its fauna. For hikers who climb following the Rwenzori route get the opportunity to watch the beautiful vegetation ranging from tropical rainforest to the tree heathers, montane forest, afro-alpine and bamboo. The afro-alpine characterized with emblematic big forms of Senecio and lobelia, which is one of the world’s unique botanical communities, only found in the mountains above 3800m in East African.

What to do in Rwenzori Mountains National Park

Mountain climbing

Mountain climbing is the major tourist attraction in the park. The park is a well-known popular destination for Mountain climbing where visitors hike to the snow-capped peaks and it’s an underrated gem that is largely not discovered by many. Hiking to the Margherita peak is the most challenging experience though it’s the most exciting adventurous activity and the hiker must be physically fit and of good health. The hike offers stunning views of the rare vegetation zones, climate and glaciers around the mountain ranges. There are two major trailing trails in the park that hikers have to follow (Central circuit trail and kilembe trail). What you have to note is that, the highest peaks are only for the experienced climbers and this means that the inexperienced climbers are restricted.

Wildlife in Rwenzori Mountains National Park

The park is a home for over 70 mammal species like Rwenzori Otter, Elephants, duikers, giant forest hogs, bushbucks, Buffalo, golden cats, Leopard and many more. Primates such as blue monkeys, Angola colobus monkey, black and white colobus monkey, red tailed monkeys, Olive baboons and Chimpanzees are in the area.

Cultural Experiences

The Rwenzori Mountains National Park offer chances for cultural experiences with one of the local tribes living at the foot of the mountains. Tourists can go and visit the village of Ruboni to explore the neighboring Bakonzo tribe at the mountain slopes. The Bakonzo people arrange cultural dance performances while sharing information about their history.

Bird watching

The park hosts over 217 bird species including 19 Albertine Rift endemics. Most of them can be found in the forest zones and 17 of 217 bird species can only be found in Rwenzori which justifies UNESCO naming it a birding area. The bird species include; Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Turaco, Long-eared Owl, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Strange Weaver, Archers’ Robin-chat, Rwenzori Batis, White-starred Robin, Montane Sooty Boubou, Slender-billed Starling, Lagden’s Bush Shrike, Blue-headed Sunbird, Barbets, Golden-winged Sunbird, Greenbuls, Apalises, Crimson wings, Flycatchers, purple breasted sunbird, dwarf honey guide, Bearded vultures, swifts and kiv ground thrush.

Guided nature walks and hiking

For those who cannot take a challenge of hiking to the Margherita you can opt to take a guided nature walk around the community. This thrilling activity gives you a chance to walk with the forest foothills on foot with an experienced ranger using the central circuit. Different trails can be used during the hiking process that’s to say Lake Mahoma and Buraro chimpanzee forest. During the nature walk, visitors will be able to see River Mubuku for views of Baker and portal peaks, snow-capped Margherita peak, view squirrels, Vervet monkeys, chameleons and several spectacular birds and you can as well enjoy unique activities like fishing with your hands in the streams of akin to Hug Glass in the revenant.

How to reach Rwenzori Mountains National Park

You can take a scheduled flight from Entebbe International airport to Kasese Airfield or from kajjansi Airfield and you can as well reach the park from Kampala via Fort Portal.

How to get there/Accommodation/Related safaris

Accommodation

The park has got a lot of lodges, camps & hotels for accommodation ranging from luxury, budget and mid-range and these are available both inside and outside the park. You can book your accommodation through our company and early bookings are advised.