Mountain Rwenzori national Park was first gazette in 1991 and later on recognized as a World Heritage Site in 1994 and later on a Ramsar site in 2008 because of its outstanding natural beauty. The mountain Rwenzori National Park is located in western Uganda along the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park was named the “Mountains of the Moon” by the Alexandrine geographer Ptolemy around AD 150. The park was later on placed on the map by 24th May 1888 by the explorer Henry Stanley and labeled “Ruwenzori”, a local name that referred to “rain maker”.
Mountain Rwenzori National Park covers an area of about 1000km² in size and is a world class hiking or mountaineering destination. Mountain Rwenzori where the park is located has the highest point at 5,109m above sea level on Mt Stanley’s, Magherita peak. The Rwenzori Mountains are not volcanic and just a block formed after the western rift was uplifted. The peak forms the third highest point in Africa. The rangers are a combination of beautiful peaks, glaciers, valleys, rivers, lakes snowfields, waterfalls and various species of flora and fauna. Making it Home to many endangered species of which many are native to the Albertine rift valley, you can find creatures such as forest elephants, chimpanzee, hyrax, black-and-white colobus, duiker, Rwenzori otter, leopard and L’Hoest’s monkeys.
The Vegetation of the Rwenzori Mountains
The Rwenzori Mountains has almost the best vegetation cover in Uganda and more popular for its flora. The mountains have different vegetation types on different altitudes with the lower slopes being blanketed in Moorland, bamboo and rich, moist montane forest. The ranges are covered with big size forms of rare lobelia varieties, heather and groundsel, colored mosses, gnarled trees with the lichens curtaining the place. The vegetation can be quite dense so spotting some of the more rare animal species which are here requires some effort but are very rewarding when found. Some of the more elusive creatures like colobus and blue monkeys, but you are often rewarded with elephant, chimpanzee, Rwenzori otter and leopard.
The Mountain Rwenzori
The Rwenzori ranges are a scenic spot and very beautiful to visit. The Mountain Rwenzori is nearly 120 km by length and 65km wide. It is made of 6 peaks divided by deep gorges such as: Mount Stanley at 5,109m above sea level, Mount Speke 4,890m above sea level, Mount Baker 4,843m above sea level, Mount Emin 4,798 m above sea level, Mount Gessi 4,715m and Mount Luigi di Savoia 4,627m above sea level. Mount Stanley has other minor peaks, with Margherita being the highest point. The peaks are snowcapped and very beautiful to just glimpse at as you marvel at the beauty in the Pearl of Africa. With changes on the climate and global warming the peaks are melting off their snow though at a slow rate.
Birds in Mountain Rwenzori
Bird watching is actually rewarding when it comes to Rwenzori Mountains National Park. Within the boundaries of the park are known to be about 217 bird species including 18 of the 24 Albertine Rift endemic bird species which includes: Rwenzori Turaco, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, Long-eared Owl, Handsome Francolin and the Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater. The park also has 60 of 86 Afro tropical highland biome species, the second highest after Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Some of the beautiful bird species that can be sighted in the park include the Golden-winged Sunbird, Stuhlmann’s Double-collared Olive-back, Bamboo Warbler, and Scarlet-tufted Malachite Sunbird, flycatchers, crimsonwings, Lagden’s bush shrike, slender-billed starling, blue-headed sunbird, golden-winged sunbird, strange weaver, Rwenzori turaco, Barred long-tailed cuckoo and many more within the 217 species of birds that call the park home. There are about 6 Albertine rift valley endemic species, 3 of which are rare species among the 70 or so species of mammal.
There are a number of activities that one can engage in while at Rwenzori national park and these include;
Mountain climbing in mountain Rwenzori national park.
Rwenzori national park offers tourists plenty of exciting and world class mountain climbing opportunities. In fact, they offer the best mountaineering treks in Africa. This is because they have 3 of the continent’s five highest mountains, mountain Speke and mountain Baker m-are only a few kilometers apart and together form a triangle. They are collectively known as the mountains of the moon due to the bizarre and other worldly nature of the terrain and creatures you can find. Climbing up on top of mountain Rwenzori is possible through three trails namely;
The Central circuit trail.
This is the oldest and the most ancient trail that’s popularly used by both experienced and unexperienced hikers to climb to the top of Magherita peak. This magnificent trail which passes through the 5 vegetation zones of the Rwenzori Mountains national Park offers spectacular encounters, following the 1000m tropical valleys, gorges, as it transcends the rocky top of Mount Stanley. The Central circuit trail is a 7 day climb and provides a circular tour of the Rwenzori Mountain. It is the easiest access route to Margherita peak unlike the boggy path after John Maate camp, and crosses over the lower and upper bigo bog. From the trail head at Mihunga, the route ascends to the Bujuku valley via Nyabitaba. Clients joining the central circuit after Bujuku traverse the escort Elliot and fresh field passes to ascend through the Mubuku valley. Climbers scale the snow peaks through many consider the exceptional scenery ample reward for their exertions.
The Kilembe Trail.
The Kilembe trail also known as the southern circuit is owned and managed by the Rwenzori trekking Services (RTS). This trail was opened for tourism, after the construction of new huts within the National park, it was first discovered by Professor Scott Elliott in 1895. Being the longest route, the trail allows enough acclimatization time, this trail ascends the southern slopes of mountain Rwenzori from a trail head at Kilembe near the town of Kasese. The route along the lovely Nyamwamba valley passes through glacial lakes and stunning view before joining the central circuit at Lake Kitandara. Offering the best climbing experience of the breathtaking peaks, spectacular lakes and the breathtaking glaciers, as well as the flora and Fauna. The Rwenzori trekking Services provide quality equipment and safety measures, and the new comfortable huts throughout the route. Its trek to Margherita peak takes on 7- 8 days which is equivalent to the Bukurungu wilderness camping trail.
The Bukurungu trail:
The Bukurungu trail was opened in 2018 under a partnership by WWF and the Uganda wildlife Authority made after the major trails of the Central circuit and Kilembe. The trail is ideal for those who love the wild nature as it offers stunning sceneries with 4 magnificent mountain lakes (Mughuli, Bukurungu, Bujuku and Irene) along the trail, as you traverse past the Mountain Rivers, waterfalls and the green nature. This trail, like Kilembe also takes an 8 days trek to finish with a must reach to Magheritah Peak.
Unlike the Kilembe and Central circuit trails, the bukurungu trail is an open trail used for camping with no huts but rather safe and secure camping areas well organized and managed by the bujuku Eco tours under Rwenzori mountains national park.
There are several short peaks along the trail which one can easily climb depending on how much time you have. The Bukurungu trail has over 8 lakes with beautiful vegetation along the Lakes to catch up your eyes. Animals you might see along the trail are the Rwenzori red-duiker, rock and tree hyrax and wild pigs. The Bukurungu trail starts at Kasanzi park gate in Omukorukumi and ends at Mihunga park gate passing between Mount Gessi and the Portal peaks before it meets the Central circuit trail in the Bigo bog. The Rwenzori Mountains are an outstanding trekking & mountaineering destination. A 7- 12 days hike will get both experienced and non-experienced hikers a complete trek to the peak and out of the Park.
Hiking / Nature Trails
For short and less strenuous treks, one can take on a 3 day journey around the mountains for; nature walks through the Bakonzo Villages & homesteads to meet the Bakonzo People, cultural performances and other traditional activities, there are also 2 to 3 days 28km trails up to Lake Mahoma and Buraro chimp forest, walks through the Kichwamba communities and hiking to Bundibugyo, the central town of the Bundibugyo District, forest walks where you can see the three-horned chameleon and the Ross Turaco.
Wildlife viewing in Rwenzori national park.
Rwenzori national park shelters over 70 species of mammals which you can see when you visit this park. Most of the species that you will not miss in Rwenzori national park include; elephants, buffaloes, leopards, Rwenzori otter, bush back and primates such as chimpanzees and white colobus monkeys among others. Wildlife viewing in Rwenzori national park is so rewarding because the park’s wildlife varies with elevation.
Bird watching in Rwenzori national park.
Rwenzori national park has got an exciting view of unlimited bird species that have chosen this inhospitable environment as their home. There are reputedly 217 species of bird that can be found in Rwenzori National Park, 17 of which are endemic to the park making it an important birding area (IBA). The diversity of birds includes white-starred robin, Rwenzori batis, barred long-tailed cuckoo, long-eared owl, slender-billed starling and blue-headed sunbird, bee-eaters, robins, sunbirds, barbets, the Rwenzori turaco, slender-billed starling and blue-headed sunbird and in higher slopes, you can view bearded vultures, swifts or black eagles that you may see circling for prey.
Local Cultural encounters in Rwenzori Mountains National Park
The people around Mountain Rwenzori are amazing and peaceful to visit. A cultural tour to the villages helps understand the lifestyle of the local people. Just at the foothills of Rwenzori Mountain, you can see cultural dances, traditional customs and hear their fascinating folklore. There are various trails in Rwenzori national park that have been developed to explore the traditions of the tribal groups in the area particularly the Bakonzo and Bamba. Some of the trails include;
Ruboni camp trail.
The farming town of Ruboni is home to the mountain keepers, the Bakonzo who have lived here for over 200 years and they have a very rich tradition and interesting lifestyle that visitors can experience and see their daily routing and Learn the daily activities of the local people like preparing food to animal tending, to enjoying traditional dance and traditional healers, story tellers, black smith and craft makers. There is also a scenic tour you can take here where you can view the locals working on their land and see some wildlife like chameleons, squirrels and vervet monkeys, Rwenzori turaco, tiny sunbirds, cinnamon-chested Bee-eaters.
Mihunga cultural trail.
The cultural trail with the Mihunga community tourism group and turaco views takes you for a village cultural tour of a tiny Mihunga village where the Bakonzo have lived for over 300 years without a source of running water or electricity. Where you encounter a traditional healer’s demonstration whose herb-based concoctions are believed to have a wide range of healing powers , a village school, craft displays and finally be entertained with a lively traditional dance performance. On clear days you can even see snowcapped Margherita Peak, a remarkable sight.
The Bulemba – Ihandiro cultural trail which is a six or seven hour trail through points of religious significance to the Bakonzo. You can meet the traditional healer, who wields the powers known as muhima and the blacksmith you can explain the significance of the Bakonzo stool.
The trail then goes to the Kamusonge River whose waters are believed to be quick to quench the thirst, before embarking on the final hour-long walk to the museum, thatched in the traditional Konzo style. On display are implements used during the Rwenzururu struggle, traditional dress and the other items of historical and cultural importance to the people of the Rwenzoris.
Best time to visit Rwenzori Mountains National Park
For hikers, the best time to go hiking Mountain Rwenzori is during the drier months of June – September and December – February. During the dry months, the roads to the park are dry and passable. Hiking is easier too because the trails are less wet compared to during the rainy season. However, being a high altitude destination temperatures remain low compared to other destinations in Uganda with peaks covered in mist and the best peak climbing time being early morning between 7:00am – 10:00am when thunder storms are less.
Getting To Rwenzori Mountains National Park
By Air:
A scheduled chartered flight can be arranged from Entebbe International Airport to Kasese Airstrip, which is then followed by a 40 minutes’ drive to the Rwenzori mountains National Park.
By road Transport;
It is easily accessed from Entebbe or Kampala through Mityana, Mubende, Fort portal, Kasese up to the Mountains. This is the shortest route
The second route is from Entebbe or Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara, Bushenyi through Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kasese and finally to the Park. This is a longer route but the road is paved. This route is great for visitors who want to combine some wildlife safari activities in either Lake Mburo or Queen Elizabeth National Park with a hiking adventure to Mountain Rwenzori
Note That: The Rwenzori Mountains National Park can also be accessed from the democratic republic of Congo. By road, Take 4×4 drive from Kigali Rwanda to Gisenyi, thereafter continues to Beni, where it takes about 13 kms drive to Mutwanga, the base at which all Rwenzori mountain treks begin.
