Activities in Rwenzori National Park
Activities in Rwenzori National Park are the different game ventures that travelers can engage in when they book their Rwenzori Safaris. Rwenzori Mountains National park is positioned in the south-western part of Uganda bordered with the Democratic Republic of Congo just close to Virunga National park. The park estimates an area of about 386 square kilometers and its boundaries pass through the districts of Kabarole, Bundibugyo, and Kasese. Rwenzori is famously known because of its natural beauty that rewards with spectacular viewing of green vegetation, rare plants, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, hot springs, glaciers, and the mountains. Too many people call it the mountain of the moon which sounds unique and rewarding to many travellers who visit the park. Furthermore, it was declared as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1994 and is under the management of the Uganda wildlife Authority.
The park’s mountain ranges are the main features of the park which is the third highest mountain range in Africa. The mountain ranges include; Mount Stenley’S peak famously known as Margherita which is the third highest peak in Africa that raises 16,762 feet. Mount Speke follows the number four whereas Mount Bakers make up number five in Africa. Other small mountain ranges include Mount Gessi, Mount Emin pasha and Mount Luigi da Savoia. To many travellers would what to know how Rwenzori mountain were formed? Unlike mountain in East Africa, most of them were formed by volcanic eruptions where by Rwenzori mountains are part of huge rocks that were squeezed from the floor of the East African Rift valley.
Rwenzori Mountain national park is Uganda’s least explored and undiscovered park because of the spectacular scenic view of green vegetation, stunning peaks like Margherita peak. The most done activities here are mountain climbing which is one of the best things to do on your Uganda safaris. It also boasts comfortable accommodation facilities with good amenities that can make your visit to Rwenzori mountain national park worth and memorable stay experience.
Activities in Rwenzori National Park
Activities to do in Rwenzori Mountain National park include nature walks, cultural Encounter, Hiking and nature walks, Mountain /Volcano climbing, Birding and many more.
1. Mountain climbing
Mountain climbing is the best-done activity in Rwenzori Mountain National park, because the park hosts the third highest peak in the entire Africa called margarita where you can be challenged by seven-day climb till the top. Travellers who enjoy climbing, this is the right destination for you, where you can be told to choose the best trail to in order to experience scenic routes to the top of the Rwenzori. Each trail you take provides spectacular and rewardable viewing of glacial lakes, gorgeous viewpoints, dramatic mountain passes and lush valley. Since there is several stunning trail heads the first one is;
The Central circuits Trail ,this trail is the most interesting trail to trek the peak but bit challenging and being the most interesting it provides a magnificent circular tour of the high Rwenzori. From the trailhead at Mihunga the route ascends to Bujuku Valley passing via Nyabitaba for before reaching the peaks, you can continue to descend through the Mubuku Valley. Climbers can be able to scale the snow peak though it requires body fitness but considered as the exceptional scenery ample that rewards their adventure tour on the pearl of Africa.
Kilembe Trails, where the traveler has to ascend to the southern slopes of the Rwenzori from trailhead at kilembe which is near to kasese town. The hike you engage in along this trails also leads you to the long route of Nyamwamba valley passing along glacial lakes and admirable viewpoints before connecting the central circuit at Lake Kitandara. Here you can climb up to Mount Baker by passing through the scenery view which is rewarding.
The Mountain climbing activity can be booked through Rwenzori Mountaineering services and Rwenzori Trekking services or else from a trustworthy tour operator.
2. Hiking and Nature walk
This is really a great opportunity which can be given to travellers who prefer to encounter in natural wonders and here in Rwenzori is so amazing as you discover the hidden treasures of the park through carrying out hiking and nature walk which is done by the guide who leads you to the trails which provide panoramic view of creatures like lake Muhooma, and Buraro chimp forest. You can as well hike through the communities of kichamhe to the karangura ridge and also to Bundibugyo area through bwamba pass.
The nature walk which is conducted in Rwenzori can also lead you to communities of Ruboni and Turaco view which provides guided forest walks of various length just outside the park . The route you use can as well lead you to River Mubuku and great views of Mount Baker and portal peaks as they hike up to 2,300m above sea level. Just a single day you be rewarded with a clear view of the snow-capped Margherita peak, what you need to do is keep your eyes open and get spectacular viewing of chameleons, squirrels, vervet monkeys, beautiful birds and many more
3. Cultural Encounter in the Rwenzori Mountains.
This is exciting and amazing activity to be part of and here in Rwenzori Mountain the walk you make to Bakozo villagers to encounter in their homesteads through the foothills of the Rwenzori will be the most admirable one to be experienced once in lifetime. A visit you can pay to Bakozo people you will never regret it ,through enjoying their a vibrant dance performance accompanied by lively exciting drumming ,learn how to prepare their local meal with them ,meet the blacksmith ,traditional hears ,basket weavers as well as listening their amazing storytellers.
Along here a guide will lead you to the rocky Mubuku River where you will follow this crystal clear stream passing through villager’s farm crops and wood and trail you will use, will point out number of colorful native birds like Rwenzori Turaco, Tiny sunbirds, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eaters and others species such as chameleons, squirrels and vervet monkeys. You can as well look out for Mount Baker and portal peaks rising above the forests.
4. Birding in Rwenzori mountains
Rwenzori mountain is also among the best spotting destination for birders ,since it boost with over 217 bird species .Traveler who enjoy birding here is a great opportunity of spotting unique species of birds and they can be best spotted in montane forest .Birds to be encountered include ;Robins ,Sunbirds ,Bee eaters ,Rwenzori Turaco ,Long-eared Owl ,Bearded Vultures ,Black eagles ,Dwarf Honeyguide ,Evergreen forest ,Scarlet tufted Malachite Sunbirds ,Grauer’s Cuckoo-shrike ,long eared owl .montane masked ,montane Rwenzori Nightjar ,Red-faced crimson wing ,Red throated Alethe ,stripe-breast Tit ,White-collared Olive-back and white starred Robin ,illadopsis ,Handsome Francolin ,Golden winged sunbirds ,Bamboo warblers and many more.
5. Wildlife viewing in Rwenzori mountain
Rwenzori mountain is notable of the 3 horned chameleon and not only chameleon which can be viewed on your wildlife safari expect to see a variety of animals and birds .The park also offers spectacular view of scenic land scape with a high density of trees and other unique vegetation ,you can as well enjoy the favorable sunshine ,cold and heavy rainfall which supports plant life that cannot be seen elsewhere on earth .At the edge of the mountain ,there is savannah grass land which is a home to variety of mammal species that include ;blue monkeys ,bush buck ,golden cats ,giant forest hogs ,red duiker ,forest elephant ,Rwenzori colobus , Rwenzori otter ,Rwenzori climbing mouse ,genet Mongoose ,leopards ,Uganda clawed frog ,L’hoest’s monkeys ,rock hydrax and many more.
Where to say
Traveler will never fail to get where to stay on his visit to Rwenzori mountain national park because the park boasts with outside and inside the park accommodation facilities ranging from Mid-range to luxury with comfortable bedroom and such lodges include; Equator snow lodge, Tropical Savannah Guest House, Tour Holiday Inn, Ruboni Community Camp, Rwenzori Backpackers, Ihamba lakeside safari lodge, Rwenzori turaco view campsite and many more which can make a visitor’s visit to Rwenzori mountain quite awesome adventure and remarkable stay to one of Uganda’s wilderness safari.
