The Rwenzori Mountains National Park is situated next to the Virunga National Park in the southwest of Uganda, close to the country’s border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Because of the park’s exceptional natural beauty, rare flora, lakes, rivers, hot springs, glaciers, and mountains, it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. World Geographic named the Rwenzori Mountains one of the top hiking destinations worldwide.
The 386 square mile Rwenzori Mountains National Park crosses the districts of Kabarole, Bundibugyo, and Kasese. With Mount Stanely’s Margherita Peak ranking third in Africa, the Rwenzori Mountains National Park spans the highest mountain ranges in Africa, the Rwenzori Mountain ranges, which stand at 5,109 metres above sea level. In Africa, Mount Baker is ranked fifth, and Mount Speke is ranked fourth. The enormous rock that lifted and squeezed out of the East African Rift Valley floor gave rise to the Rwenzori Mountains. Mount Gessi, Mount Luigi da Savoia, and Mount Emin Pasha are some of the other mountain ranges on the Rwenzori.
The Rwenzori Mountain ranges are home to roughly 20 lakes, the most accessible of which is Lake Mahoma. Another lake is Lake Bujuku, which is located in the valley of Mount Stanely, Baker, and Speke. Eight stunning lakes along the Nyamwamba trail, including Lake Kitandara, are formed by dams built in the ranges. Numerous types of vegetation, such as montane forests, bamboo forests, tree heaths, hagenia-rapanea scrub, and afro-alpine moorland, predominate in the ranges.
Wildlife and birdlife in Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Rwenzori Mountains National Park Animals
Approximately 70 different mammal species can be found in the Rwenzori Mountains National Park, including Sitatunga, servalline genet, golden cats, giant forest hogs, red duiker, forest elephants, rock hydrax, Rwenzori otters, Rwenzori climbing mouse, blue monkeys, Angola colobus monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and chimpanzees.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park Birds
With over 217 bird species, including 19 Albertine Rift Endemics, the Rwenzori Mountains National Park is one of Uganda’s Important Birding Areas. The majority of the bird species can be found in the park’s forest area, and they include African Long-eared Owls, Barbets, Archers’ Robin-chat, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoos, Blue-headed Sunbirds, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eaters, and Barbets. Red-winged palm swallows, Dusky and Shelley’s redwings, dwarf honeyguides, bamboo and evergreen forest warblers, flycatchers, The Golden-winged Sunbird, Grauer’s Cuckoo-shrike, Scarlet-tufted Malachite Sunbird, and Golden-winged Sunbird Greenbuls Illadopsis with a grey chest, Grey-winged Robin, Kivu Ground Thrush, Lagden’s Bush-Shrike, Handsome Francolin, The Long-eared Owl The following birds are found in Montane: Masked Montane, Rwenzori Nightjar, Sooty Boubou Montane, Olive Woodpecker, Oriole-Finch, Red-faced Crimsonwing, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Red-thighed Sparrowhawk, Red-throated Alethe, Regal and Purple-breasted Sunbirds, Rwenzori Batis, Rwenzori Turaco, Slender-billed Starling, Oriole-Finch, White-collared Olive-back, White-starred Robin, and Rwenzori Turaco.
MOUNT RWENZORI NATIONAL PARK ACTIVITIES
Mountain hiking
One of the best mountains in Africa for mountain climbing is Mount Rwenzori; using a number of marked trails, reaching the summit is a thrilling and satisfying experience. Hikers who want to have an incredible experience must be well-prepared for the difficult conditions they may encounter, which can occasionally be more difficult even for seasoned hikers.
Mount Climbing The most popular route for hiking in Rwanda is the central hike circuit, which takes six nights and seven days to reach the summit of the mountain known as “Margherita peak,” which is 4,267 metres above sea level and the third highest peak in Africa. There are several trailheads along the route, including the Nyakalengija central circuit, the Kilembe trail, which is located near Kasese town, and the Kazingo nature walk trail head, which is located near Fort Portal Town. These paths lead past heath forests, glacial lakes, alpine vegetation, verdant valleys, bogs teeming with lobelia, and finally into the snow.
Trails used to climb Rwenzori Mountains include
The Central Circuit Trail
Senior climbers who want to walk to the top of the Rwenzori Mountains choose the central circuit trail, which is the most difficult and requires adapting before reaching the Margherita peak. Hiking on this trail requires ascending from the Nyakalengija office at 1,646 metres to Nyabitaba Hut at 2,652 metres after receiving a briefing. On your second day of hiking, you hike from Nyabitaba Hut to John Matte Hut at 3,414 metres, and on your third day, you hike 6 kilometres to Bujuku Hut at 3962 metres. The fourth day involves climbing 4 kilometres from Bujuku gut to Elena Hut, which is located at 4,430 metres. The fifth day involves climbing 2 kilometres one way to the Margherita peak, which is located at 5,109 metres, and returning to Elena Hut. On the sixth day, you hike from Elena Hut to Guy Yeoman Hut at 3,261 metres, then return to Nyabitaba Hut. Finally, you trek 10 kilometres from Nyabitaba Hut to Nyakalengija at 1,646 metres.
The Kilembe Trail begins in Kilembe, close to Kasese Town, and winds its way up through the southern Rwenzori Mountains. En route, it passes through the Nyamwamba Valley and glacial lakes that offer breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Finally, it joins the central circuit at Lake Kitandara. You can see Mountain Baker by ascending this trail. Expect to spend nights at different huts along the route during this experience; the huts are well-maintained, and porters are on hand to assist you with your luggage.
Ascending the Mountain Rwenzori requires hikers to be aware of the warning signs and remedies for hypothermia as well as other types of altitude sickness that can strike anyone above 2500 metres, regardless of age, level of fitness, or prior mountain hiking experience. Relocating to a lower altitude is the most efficient method of overcoming altitude sickness.
It is recommended that hikers pack a sleeping bay, plenty of snacks, warm clothes, waterproof overgarments, and plastic bags for wet clothes. If you’re not up for the strenuous hike to the top of the Rwenzori Mountains, you can arrange a three-day hike in the mountain’s lower foothills, which offers stunning views and the chance to see a variety of bird species.
Bird watching
Known as an important birding area (IBA), Rwenzori Mountain National Park is a birdwatcher’s paradise and one of the best places to go birding in Uganda. It is home to over 217 different bird species, including endemic species from the Albertine Rift. African Long-eared Owls, Barbets, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoos, Blue-headed Sunbirds, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eaters, Collared Apalises, Crimson wings, Dusky and Shelley’s Crimson wings, Dwarf Honeyguides, Evergreen Forest and Bamboo Warblers, Flycatchers, and more can all be spotted by bird watchers in the Rwenzori Mountains National Park. Golden-winged sunbirds, Grauer’s Cuckoo-shrike, Greenbuls, Scarlet-tufted Malachite Sunbirds, Golden-winged Sunbirds, Among them are the Kivu Ground Thrush, Lagden’s Bush-Shrike, Lammergeiger, Long-eared Owl, Grey-chested Illadopsis, Grey-winged Robin, Handsome Francolin, Montane Masked, Montane Rwenzori Nightjar, Montane Sooty Boubou, Olive Woodpecker, Oriole-Finch, and Red-faced Crimsonwing.
Nature and Hiking walks
One of the greatest places in Uganda for hiking and nature walks is the Rwenzori Mountains National Park. These activities are available in the adjusted settlements of Ruboni and Turaco along the Rwenzori Mountain’s slope. On clear days, hikers can sometimes see Mountain Margherita and Baker Peak while walking along the Mubuku River. During guided hikes and nature walks, keep an eye out for squirrels, vervet monkeys, chameleons, and a variety of birds.
Cultural encounters and Community trails
Ruboni Village, home to the Bakonzo people who live in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, is the location of cultural encounters and community trails. During a guided walk through the village, you can watch the Bakonzo people demonstrate their daily activities, such as gardening, raising livestock, and preparing local dishes from farm to meal. You can also visit the local blacksmith and traditional healer, watch the weaving process, and enjoy local dances and drama. As an alternative, you can take a seven-hour guided walk through the holy that leads to several Bakonzo cultural sites.
Access to Rwenzori Mountains national park
The Rwenzori Mountains National Park is located in western Uganda, and Kasese is the closest town. Kampala, the country’s capital, is conveniently connected to the park. By road, Kampala can reach the park by taking the Mbarara to Kasese route or the Mityana – fort portal to Kasese route.
As an alternative, scheduled or chartered flights are offered from Kajjansi or Entebbe international airport to Kasese airstrip, where they are connected to the park via road.
Where to stay in Rwenzori Mountains national park
There is no accommodation facility inside Rwenzori Mountains National park, the available facilities are got from Kasese and Fort Portal town and they include Equator snow Lodge
Ruboni Community Camp
Mihunga Safari Lodge
Margherita Hotel
Trekkers Hostel
