Within the western part of Uganda is a unique marvelous natural geographical feature that towers high above the sounding terrain in Uganda and this is the majestic Mountain Rwenzori. Commonly referred to as the “Mountain of the Moons”, this great mountain lies on Uganda’s boarder with the Democratic Republic of Congo lying west of Uganda and this has been one of the main attributes for which Uganda was named the “pearl of Africa.” It was declared among the UNESCO world Heritage Sites and is a very great wonder within Uganda. The Rwenzori Mountain actually needed not to be announced publicly to the a well known as it majestically stands as the third highest roof-top on the African continent.

The mountain rises to a height of 5109 meters with its highest peak being permanently covered with snow. The Rwenzori has 6 peaks with the highest of all being the Margherita at 5109 meters. This is followed by the Alexandria peak at 5083 meters, Mount Satnely, mount Speke peak at 4890 metetrs, Mount Emin peak at 4791 meters, mount Gessi and Mount Luigi at 4715 meters and 4625 meters respectively.

First a protected forest in 1941, the 995km Rwenzori mountain National Park was created in 1991 and recognized as a world heritage site in 1994. The Rwenzori is the highest mountain range in Africa. Although known primarily for it’s challenging hiking and climbing possibilities, it supports a diverse range of animals, including 70 mammal amd 177 bird species several of the latter are Albertine Rift Endemics.

These mountains of the moon are known to be magical wonders since they are filled with seeming magical wonders as you hike to the top of this mountain. Its filled with various vegetation zones including; the Afro montane zone that is seen in a magical appearance. The other vegetation cover ranges from tropical rain forest through the Alpine meadows to snow. It supports its own species as well as varieties of both giant lobelia as well as groundsel. There is also heather that is covered in moss. This vegetation overlaps as follows; Evergreen forest zone, the bamboo zone, the heather zone, the alpine zone, the nival zone.

The Rwenzori Mountains

The Rwenzori Mountains also refered to as the Mountains of the moon, is located in the Southwestern Uganda on the East side of the Western African rift valley. It lies along Uganda’s border with the Democratic Republic of Congo and borders the DRC’s Virunga national park. It is located in the Bundibugyo, kabarole and kasese districts. The park was established in 1991 and was recognized as a World Heritage site in 1994 because of its outstanding beauty. The park has Africa’s third highest Mountain peak and many waterfalls, lakes and glaciers. The mountain is the highest mountain range in the whole of Africa with Africa’s third highest mountain peak, 6 glacial peaks; Mount speke, Mount stanely, Mount Gessi, Mount Emin Pasha, Mount Luigi da Sovoia as well as Mount Baker.

The equatorial snow peaks include the third highest point in Africa, while the lowest slopes are blanketed in moorland, bamboo and rich, moist Montane forest. Huge tree heathers and colorful mosses are draped across the mountain side with giant lobelias and ‘everlasting flowers’ creating an enchanting, good scene.

Unlike other volcanic mountains in East Africa, The Rwenzori Mountain is a block mountain. They are a world- class hiking and mountaineering destination. A 9 to 12 Day Rwenzori trek will get skilled climbers to the summit of Margherita, the highest peak. More so, the park is a habitat to 70 mammals and 17 bird species including 19 Albertine Rift endemics.

Things to See in Rwenzori National Park

Rwenzori Mountains offer variety of things to see and do; there are many activities in or near the park for those who like to be off the beaten tourist path. This mountain range is the tallest in Africa and its taller than the Atlas of Europe. This is a long journey of about 8 days depending on the route and the activities that one will engages in. this rugged beauty of this mountain is what the visitors come for in Uganda. There are many things to do and see when you visit Rwenzori Mountains and spend time in the foot hills of the mountains as you enjoy the wonders of this park and the nearby communities like the village of Ruboni.

The Rwenzori Mountains have got very stunning scenery; this can’t be missed by the visitors to Uganda, the closest the visitors can get is to see the mountains from a distance, not having the idea that they can enjoy these mountains without climbing then in the foothills of the ancient mountains that are formed by a platonic shift of the earth with in the ancient times.

The mountain contains a variety of wildlife such as elephant, buffalo and the rare Rwenzori leopard, Rwenzori colobus, Hyrax, Blue monkey and Rwenzori Turaco. It is the only national park in Uganda where the Angola Colobus has been recorded. The localized Angola Colobus can easily be confused with the more wide spread Black- and –white Colobus, and therefore needs to be examined more closely.

Things to Do in the Rwenzori Mountains

There are lots of things to in the Rwenzori Mountains. From scaling Africa’s third highest peak to simple day treks within the mountains, there are lots of adventures that await you on your next visit to the Mountains of the Moon. Here are the top adventures not to miss;

Mountain Climbing

Mountain climbing is one of the activities carried out in the park. With the third highest peak in the African continent – Margherita, climbing to the top of the mountains must be one of the most interesting experiences for the travellers. The hikers use different trails to reach to the snow-capped Margherita including the Central circuit trail and Kilembe trail. During the climbing, these trails offer spectacular viewpoints of different features in the park like the glacial lakes, mountains, valleys and rivers.

The scenery on the mountain has been known for some of the most beautiful features on the earth. Mountain Rwenzori is covered in different types of vegetation and climate which will leave you in bound as you scale its heights. On foothills of the mountain is farmland with crops such as coffee. From there you will behold beautiful land terrain and plant life of sub Montane vegetation in the Afro- Montane zone covered by rich tropical ever green forest with a high richness in color and species. On reaching the top you will see the snowcapped peaks.

Bird Watching

With over 217 bird species, Rwenzori mountains National park is remarkably known as one of the destination paradises for birders. The park protects numerous colorful and beautiful bird species that can be seen during different experiences/encounters like nature walking, hiking, forest walking and others.  Among the most noted birds include; the Bearded vultures, montane masked, sunbirds, stripe-breast tit, handsome francolin, flycatchers, greenbul, handsome francolin, crimson wings, slender billed starling and many others.

Bird watching cannot be left out in this Mountain reason being that the Rwenzori Park is a habitat to 217 bird species and 17 of them can only be found in Rwenzori. These birds include; the Rwenzori Turaco, Baned long tailed cuckoo, Blue headed sunbird, Golden winged sun bird, Strange weaver, Barbets, long eared owl, Handsome Fracolin, Rwenzori Batis, Montane sooty, Boubou, Lagden’s bush shrike, Cinnamon chested Bee – eater, Archers’ Robin chat, White-starred, Fly caters and Crimsonwings.

Nature walks

In case one is not highly experienced in the hiking but would like to feel the virgin and breathtaking vegetation of Rwenzori mountains, he/she can take part in the guided nature walks done through the forests around the park. Enjoy the guided nature walks through the vegetation of Rwenzori mountains national park. The walk involves moving through the different trails of the park exposing one to the beautiful creature in the park like Lake Muhoma, Buraro chimp forest and others. Also, spot different bird species like black eagles, montane masked, robins, and others.

Wildlife viewing

With over 70 mammal species, Rwenzori mountains National park offers an excellent view of the wild animals. The park hosts both the endemic species from the Albertine rift and the residential species. Among the animals in the park include elephants, leopards, Rwenzori otters, and others. The park also hosts primate species like the black and white colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, blue monkeys and others.

Day Hikes

You can also enjoy a day hike through the forests at the foothills. With is activity, you can also carryout fishing with your hands in the streams.

Cultural Tours

More so, cultural tours are also carried out whereby you will have many opportunities to see the locals at the foothills of the Mountains of the Moon, carrying out their cultural lifestyles and activities like dances.

Getting There

The journey from Kampala to Kasese will take 5 hour.

Accommodation

Accommodation facilities in and around Rwenzori Mountain National Park are; Hotel Margherita is found at the foothills of the Mountain, Rwenzori International hotel and Equator snow lodge for luxury, Katara lodge for mid-range and Tropical savannah guest house for budget range.