The Rwenzori, known as the ‘Mountains of the Moon’ stretch 120km along the DRC border. A world- class hiking and mountaineering destination, the mountain range is the highest in Africa, while Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley is the third highest point in Africa. It is often described as being a prettier and more picturesque climb that it’s more famous. Even though it’s known primarily for hiking but also the National park supports a diversity of mammals and bird species found more commonly in the lower forest zone.

Rwenzori Mountains being one of the most beautiful attractions in Uganda and Africa at large. It is found on the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Formerly it was referred to as Ruwenzori and it’s among the least visited tourist destinations in Uganda. The mountain is a protected heritage site simply because much of the vegetation is endemic to the region and cannot be seen anywhere else. The mountain provides a tough but rewarding trekking environment.

The Rwenzori Mountains National Park is amazingly one of the best safari parks in Africa that offers the most thrilling mountaineering experiences of a lifetime. The Park sits right in the Western part of Uganda with 3 districts all surrounding it including Kabarole, Kasese and Bundibugyo. Rwenzori Mountains National Park was gazetted as a Uganda safari park in 1991 and then became a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.

It is in Rwenzori Mountains National Park where the Rwenzori Mountain ranges straddles making it the most sought for destination for mountaineering adventure seekers on African safari. It is from the Mountains of the Moon-Rwenzori where the Park also takes its name, a home to Africa’s third highest peak-Margherita.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park is located astride the Equator, featuring not only the highest point but also 6 magical mountain ranges/massifs including the Mount Speke, Mount Stanley, Mount Gessi, Mt. Emin Pasha, Mt. Baker & Mt. Luigi di Savoia. The Baker, Mt. Speke, and Mt. Stanley feature permanent snow which hikers get to explore while on mountaineering or hiking safaris.

Rwenzori Mountain National Park is an extensive Uganda National Park sitting on land area of about 996 sq.kms and it was previously listed by the World Geographic as one of the world’s best destinations for trekking safaris in Uganda. The Park is accessible within 6-7 hours’ drive off from Kampala capital but this may depend on the route you take. The Rwenzori Mountains was named by Alexandrine Geographer Ptolemy in AD150. The block mountain is locally famous as Ruwenzori, which is translated as rain maker/cloud-king. Unlike other mountains along East African rift valley, Rwenzori Mountains aren’t volcanic but rather a block mountain regardless of its position in the area.

Things to See

The park has over 70 mammal species, 217 species of birds, 19 Albertine rift endemics plus the world’s rarest vegetation species. The mountain also lies in western Uganda near the border of Uganda-Congo border. Its equatorial snow peaks includes the third point with Africa and its lowest slopes are covered with bamboo, moorland, the moist montane forest. There are also large tree heathers as well as the colorful mosses that are covered throughout the mountainside with the endless flowers that create a charming fairy tale scene.

Wildlife/Animals in Rwenzori Mountains National Park

Rwenzori Mountains National Park isn’t only visited for its exhilarating mountaineering adventures but also for visitors to explore and experience its diverse wildlife species. The notable wildlife species that make Rwenzori Mountains National Park an outstanding Uganda wildlife safari destination include 70 mammal species. These include among others giant forest hogs, Rwenzori otters bush bucks, duikers, black and white colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, Angola colobus monkeys, leopard, blue monkeys.

Birds in the Rwenzori Mountains National Park

A significant record of about 217 bird species make Rwenzori Mountains National Park an Important Birding Area in Uganda. They include 19 endemic species to the Albertine rift region. The Park’s bird species for birders to look out for include the shelley’s crimson wings, western green thinker bird, cinnamon chested bee eaters, white starred robin,  purple breasted sunbird, olive woodpecker, strange weaver, slender billed starling, Kivu ground thrush, strip breast tit, red throated alethe, long eared owl, bamboo warblers, montane sooty boubou, red thighed sparrow hawk.

Other notable birds of Rwenzori Mountains N/Park include dwarf honey guide, lagden’s bushshrike, scarlet tufted malachite sunbird, barred long tailed cuckoo, collared apalis, blue headed winged sunbird, archer’s robin chat, Rwenzori turacos, golden winged sunbird etc.

Lakes

Rwenzori Mountain range is blessed with 20 magical water lakes. These include Lake Mahoma which is notably the most reachable, Lake Bajuku along the valleys of Mount Stanley, Speke and Mt. Baker. The Dams also created a string of about 8 lakes along the Nyamwamba trail and they include Lake Kitandara.

Things to Do

The Rwenzori is also mountaineering and hiking destination and its known that a 7 day Central Circuit Trail can get a skilled hikers to the summit of Margherita which is the highest peak , though the non- technical hikes are likely to scale the nearby peaks. The ancient people called the ranges, the mountains of the Moon, while these ranges were named Rwenzori by the European explorer Henry M Stanly immediately after a native word that means rain maker.

There is the African savannah at the bottom of the mountain crowed with the animals including Zebras, elephants and birds. Above the jungle, you will find the bamboo forest that reach up to over 9500 feet. The bamboo is a type of grass over hundred feet in two months’ time. The type of the forest is also one of the most exceptional habitant to walk through. The mountains are identified as one of the most unique and these have got alpine climates though found in an equatorial location meaning that it receives high levels of rainfall that anywhere else in the world.

This park is also home to some of the few tropical glaciers remaining in the world on Mount Stanely, Speke and Baker. It is also only when you climb to the top of the Rwenzoris’ to its snowcapped peaks that keep over the rain forest below that its detachment below from the equatorial Africa will really become so apparent. Though these glaciers are rapidly retreating and have decreased from total area of over 2.5qm to less than half a square mile within the last century and now it can be climbed with it.

Mountain Climbing

Mountain climbing is a reason why most visitors consider Rwenzori Mountains National Park their preferred destination. It is in this Park where Rwenzori Mountain ranges sit and the main reason for most hikes is to conquer the Margherita peak on 5109m altitude. The block mountain has designated trails for hikers to explore not only the Margherita peak but also other peaks and each trail has huts for overnight stay en-route. They include Nyakalengija central circuit & Kilembe trail near Kasese town.

A complete mountain climbing adventure on Rwenzori Mountains takes from 7-8 days or more for you to have a full adventure experience. Adequate preparation and ensure that you have packed appropriately starting with warm clothing, sleeping bags, backpack, rain jacket, camera, trousers, snacks, water, first aid kit etc.

Birding

Birding is one incredible activity Rwenzori Mountains National Park has to offer the world. The Park is a birder’s paradise, priding itself as a home to all 217 birds, most of these are Albertine rift endemic birds. While on birding tour in Rwenzori Mountains National Park, the important birds to search for include scarlet tufted malachite sunbirds, red throated alethe, montane masked apalis, cinnamon chested bee-eaters, shelley’s crimson wings, long eared owl.

Nature walks/hiking

Nature walks are the best alternative for visitors not in position to trek to the Margherita Peak 5109m. Guided nature walks lead you through the slopes of the Rwenzori Mountains including the River Mubuku area for excellent Baker Mountain views, Portal peaks and surrounding areas. The nature walk also increases your chances of viewing the park’s primates, birds and other wildlife.

Cultural experiences/community walks

There is also opportunity to visit and interact with the local residents-the Bakonzo who live around the foothills of the Mountains of the Moon. You will be interacting with the warm welcoming Bakonzo, watch as they dance, learn more about their daily practices, have hands on during basket making, enjoy stories told by elderly and visit cultural sites.

Where to stay

The main areas to consider for overnight stay while on Uganda safari in the Rwenzori Mountains National Park include Ruboni Community Camp, Rwenzori International Hotel, Equator Snow Lodge, Hotel Margherita & Campsites.

When to visit

Rwenzori Mountains National Park welcomes all Uganda safari travelers at any time of the year. But for hikers or climbers, the dry season is the best time to visit Rwenzori Mountains National Park of Uganda and that should be from June to August or December to February.

How to access the Rwenzori Mountains National Park

The Rwenzori Mountains National Park of Uganda is reachable by road or by air. By road, Uganda safari holidaymakers follow the Kampala-Mubende-Fort Portal route or Kampala-Mbarara-Kasese-Rwenzori Mountains route. By air, fly in safaris can be conducted with chartered/scheduled flights setting off from Entebbe International Airport to Kasese airstrip.