Rwenzori Mountains National Park

Rwenzori Mountains National Park

Rwenzori Mountains National Park  protects the slopes of the Rwenzori Mountains, which run for 120 kms along the DR Congo border. The Mountains are not of volcanic origin, but they rose up during the formation of the Rift Valley.

The Rwenzori is the highest Mountain range in Africa, with six glacial peaks: Mount Stanley, Mount Speke, Mount Emin Pasha, Mount Gessi, Mount Luigi di Savoia and Mount Baker. Only the most famous Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya exceed the main peaks, Margherita, 5.109 meters and Alexandra 5.083 meters on Mount Stanley, in altitude elsewhere in Africa.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park lies in western Uganda along the Uganda-Congo border. With its lower slopes  blanketed in moorland, bamboo and rich, moist montane forest and huge tree-heathers and colorful mosses are draped across the mountainside with giant lobelias and “everlasting flowers”, creating an enchanting, fairytale scene.

Species

The interest for Rwenzori Mountains is also on the vegetation, which is divided into several altitude zones: the Forest zone between 1.800 and 2.500 meters, the bamboo Forest up to 3000 meters, the Heather and Alpine zones 3000 to 4.500 meters, with Forests of Giant Heather plants, giant Lobelias and Groundsels.

There are 70 mammal species recorded (Elephants, Golden Cat, Chimpanzee, Yellow backed Duiker) and 177 Bird types, especially Albertine Rift Endemics (Rwenzori Turaco, Cuckoo, Owl, Francolin, Robin.) and 217 bird species including 19 Albertine Rift endemics.

Activities and Attractions:

Most visitors undertake the central circuit trail, which takes 6 nights 7 days to complete and allows seeing the main peaks. However, other shorter hikes are possible in the central area and in the North of Rwenzori. Mountain and high mountain equipment’s are required, as the trails reach an altitude of 4.000 meters and higher.

These mountains are known for being a perfect mountaineering destination where skilled climbers hike to the top of the summit of Margherita.  you can also opt for visits to the neighboring Bakonzo villages offering nature walks, homestead visits home cultural performances and home-cooked local cuisine.