RWENZORI MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
Safaris, Tours and attractions

Geography

The Rwenzori Mountains lie along the boarder of Uganda and the democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), rising to a height of about 5100metres above sea level. The range of the Rwenzoris stretches about 100km in length and about 50km wide. The beautiful mountains are often shrouded in mist and were formed during the development of the riftvalley. The Rwenzoris are also known as “Mountains of the moon”. The Rwenzoris are relatively young mountains, at less than 10,000,000years old.

Wildlife and Vegetation

The diversity of plants and trees makes the Rwenzoris one of the most delightful and amazing sceneries in the world. A climber will see Elephant grass as he ascends and will count the montane or true forest. Higher still, he will come to the bamboo zone that reaches about 3000m.

There are a number of mountain peaks that are named after early explorers to Uganda. These include Mounts Stanley (5110metres), Speke (4,889metres), Baker (4,843metres), Gessi (4,797metres), Emin (4,791metres) and Luiji di Savoia (4,626metres).
Some of these peaks in the centre of the range have permanent snow cover. Mount Stanley has twin summits; Alexandra (5,044metres) and Margarita (5,110metres).
The Rwenzori Mountains are unique over East Africa’s major peaks in that they are not volcanic in origin but they do rise directly from the rift valley.

Higher up, a climber encounters the Heather forests which extend from about 3800m. Thereafter the humid climate at this altitude causes vigorous developments of Mosses and Lichens. The highest vegetative zone, extending from about 3800m to the snowline, is Alpine. The Rwenzori Mountains have several altitude zones but the forest zones which starts at 1800metres has varied fauna such as Elephants, Chimpanzee, Giant forest hog, Sitatungas, duiker and the colobus monkey. The Rwenzori Mountains were gazetted as a National Park in 1991, covering 996sq k of rugged Mountain terrain.

Activities and Attractions

Mountaineering

A complete circuit to the Rwenzori Mountains normally takes an average of seven days, six nights which brings you to the highest peak Margarita at 5109metres. Hiking begins from the park headquarters at Nyakalengija (1646m) passing through “mud and wattle”, bakonjo homes. The trail follows the Mubuku River and finally reaching the Nyabitaba hut (265m). The total time for an average hiker from Nyabalengija to Nyabitaba is 5hrs.
The best time for mountaineering is during the dry seasons; mid- December to end of March, June - August.

A hike to the Rwenzoris is described as one of the toughest hiking among the East Africa Mountains requiring above average fitness.
Hiking

One day short hikes can be arranged by the park staff.

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RWENZORI MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
Safaris, Tours and attractions

Short Safaris

Long Safaris

RWENZORI MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK Safaris, Tours and attractions

RWENZORI MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
Safaris, Tours and attractions