Exploring Mount Rwenzori National Park: Rwenzori Mountains National Park is located in the western part of Uganda, covering four districts, including Kasese, Kabarole, Ntoroko, and Bundibugyo. The national park covers an area of approximately 995 square kilometers. The park borders the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the west. Rwenzori Mountains National Park was gazetted in 1991 and was recognized as a World Heritage Site in 1994. Rwenzori Mountains National Park has a wide altitudinal range rising from about 1600 to 5109 meters above sea level. The Rwenzori comprises six magnificent mountains, including Stanley, Speke, Baker, Emin, Gessi, and Savioa.
Mountain Rwenzori was named the “Mountains of the Moon” by the Alexandrine geographer Ptolemy in AD 15O. “The Rwenzori is one of Africa’s great mountaineering adventures, offering the chance to ascend snow peaks and walk on equatorial glaciers, making it the highest and most intriguing source of the Nile. The magnificent mountain is prized as a rainmaker or cloud king because of its magnificent peak by Stanley
The Rwenzori mountains are categorized by rocky outcrops, various vegetation zones that vary with altitude, cliffs, waterfalls, lakes, rivers, streams, snow-capped peaks, and glaciers, which can be seen all year round. The presence of snow at the different peaks is special, given that the mountains are located close to the equator.
Though the range is now established as the Rwenzori, the Mountains of the Moon tag remains appropriate for the higher contours, which are the domain of weird and wonderful botany that imparts a distinctly alien feel. The Rwenzori range, which lies on the Uganda-Congo border on the edge of the Albertine Rift Valley, measures approximately 110km long and 50km wide.
The Rwenzori range, which lies on the Uganda-Congo border on the edge of the Albertine Rift Valley, measures approximately 110km long and 50km wide. The high Rwenzori bears six distinct mountains. Mt Stanley the highest peak (5109m), Speke (4890m), Baker (4843m), Emin (4797m), Gessi (4715 m), and Luigi da Savoia (4627m), all of which bear their own crown of peaks. Though its summit is only the third highest point in Africa, after the volcanic Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya, the Rwenzori, which is an upfaulted block, is Africa’s highest mountain range. Trails ascend to the peaks from Kilembe, Mihunga, and Katebwa. Make no mistake; climbing the mountain is tough. Conditions are cold and wet, the terrain is steep and boggy, and a week or more is needed to reach Mount Stanley which is the highest peak of Rwenzori mountains. But with the help of local Bakonzo guides and porters, the mountain can be climbed, and the rewards are vast. Indeed, your Rwenzori experience will likely rank among your most challenging and satisfying achievements.
There is no place in Uganda that harbors the most beautiful and unique vegetation like the Rwenzori Mountain slope. With this unique luxuriant vegetation, the park receives higher levels of rainfall compared to other places elsewhere, giving an exciting combination of both heavy rain and great exposure to the sun.
The snow-capped peaks and their lower slopes are blanketed by flourishing bamboo, damp montane forest and moorland, huge tree heathers, and vibrant mosses, while the large lobelias and everlasting flowers form an amiable vista, offer a sight like no other.
Exploring Mount Rwenzori National Park: Wildlife
The park is also home to 18 mammal species, 217 bird species, 9 species of reptiles, and 6 species of amphibians. Large mammals, including elephants, buffalo, giant forest hogs, bushbucks, chimpanzees, and leopards, are present in the forest zone but are rarely seen. Though elephant droppings are frequently found and chimpanzees are heard, blue monkeys and the endemic Rwenzori colobus may be sighted. Rwenzori is home to 217 recorded bird species, most of which live in the forest zone close to the park boundary. Species of interest include the Ruwenzori turaco, Rwenzori Batis, Rwenzori double-collar sunbird, handsome francolin, strange weaver, Rwenzori nightjar, Archer’s robin-chat, and red-throated alethe. Wildlife is scarce in the harsh environment higher up the mountain, but watch for the scarlet-tufted malachite sunbird feeding on lobelia flowers and the endangered lammergeyer soaring overhead.
Exploring Mount Rwenzori National Park: Equator snow peaks
The Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon are comprised of six summits, or peaks, with permanent snow caps. These exist at different altitudes including Mt. Speke (4890m), Stanley (5109m), Baker (4843m), Luigi da Savoia, and Mt. Emin Pasha. The snow peaks can be reached by hiking the central circuit and Kilembe trails.
Exploring Mount Rwenzori National Park: Bulemba
Bulemba houses are historical sites housing the remains of Rwenzururu’s first king, such as Isaiah Mukiraniakibanzanga, who is believed to have saved the Bakonzotribe from Batooro oppression. This site is where the Bakonzo people convene annual Remembrance celebrations on September 2. Mukonzo attends the pilgrimage to this sacred site to make sacrifices.
Exploring Mount Rwenzori National Park: Lakes
Rwenzori National Park contains over 20 stunning scenic lakes that can be seen while on a hike on the mountain, such as Kitandara Lake, Lake Mahoma, and Lake Bujuku. Lake Bujuku lies at the apex of the deep, glacier-carved Bujuku Valley, at the three summits of Mount Baker, Mount Speke, and Mount Stanley. Lake Mahoma is the most accessible lake out of the 20, located at an altitude of 2651 meters. This lake can be reached by using the central circuit.
Exploring Mount Rwenzori National Park: Vegetation
The park is well recognized for its diverse and beautiful flora. Hikers who climb following the Rwenzori route get the opportunity to view the beautiful vegetation ranging from tropical rainforests to tree heathers, montane forests, afro-alpine forests, and bamboo.
Exploring Mount Rwenzori National Park: Local People
The Bakonzo people have lived on the slopes of the Rwenzori for generations, and the mountain is central to their culture and cosmology. The peaks are the home of their principal god, Kitasamba, whose name may not be spoken on the mountain. Eighteen sacred Konzo sites on the mountain have been identified, mapped, and protected as worship areas.
Exploring Mount Rwenzori National Park: Access
The Rwenzori Mountains lie along the Uganda-Congo border in western Uganda. The main trailheads are accessed from the tarmac of Fort Portal-Kasese Road. Kasese is about 375km from Kampala via Fort Portal and 450km from Mbarara. The Kilembe Trailhead lies at the head of the Nyamwamba Valley, 15km west of Kasese. The Central Circuit Trailhead is located in the Mubuku Valley at Mihunga, 22km from the Fort Portal-Kasese Road, and 25km north of Kasese. For the Bukurungu Trail, turn off the main road at Nyakigumba, midway between Kasese and Fort Portal, and drive for 6km to the trailhead at Katebwa. To reach the shorter Kazingo Trail, follow the surfaced Bundibugo road out for Fort Portal for 9km, then turn left at Bukuku for 5km.
Air transport can also be arranged to Kasese from Kampala’s Kajjansi Airfield or Entebbe International Airport.
