Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Facts, Flora & Fauna

Rwenzori Mountains National Park, (size-1,000 km²/ 386 sq mi) in Southwestern Uganda became a national park in 1991, UNESCO World Heritage in 1994 in Rwenzori Mountains. The park encompasses Africa’s 3^rd highest peak- Margherita ( at 5109m/16752ft) of Mount Stanley, plus Mount Speke – Africa’s 4^th highest  peak( at 4890m/16040ft), Mount Baker- Africa’s 5^th highest peak at 4844m/1592ft. All these peaks are a source of several Rwenzori Trekking Packages as listed below

Top Rwenzori Mountains National Park  Packages

3 days Mahoma Loop

The 3 days trekking Mahoma loop Rwenzori trekking expedition is a short budget camping nature walk through the lush forest vegetation cover of the Rwenzori Mountains National Park.

4 Days Mutinda Lookout Trek

4 day trek to Mutinda lookout in Rwenzori Mountains National Park, traverses through the Lush Afro montane Vegetation, with beautiful views of the Mount Stanley, & Nyamwamba valley,

5 days To Weismann Peak

Embrace yourself with the stunning views of the  Mount Speke,  Mount Stanley, & Mount Baker when the sky is very clear, on this 5 days Rwenzori trekking To Weismann Peak at 4620m Via Kilembe trail

7 Days Central Circuit Trek

7 days Rwenzori trekking of the central circuit trail   is an actual Rwenzori trek that starts from the foothills ofthe Rwenzori Mountains National Park, to Margherita peak

8 Days Kilembe Trail Trek

Go for an 8 day Rwenzori trekking  to Margheitah peak via Kilembe trail route. This 8 day Rwenzori Kilembe trek takes you through breathtaking vegetation zones of Mount Rwenzori.

7 Days Weismann & Baker.

The 7 day trek to Weismaan & Mount Baker takes you through the lush vegetation, takes you via

Kilembe trail route to Wesimann Peak(4620m) & Mount Baker at 4842m.

The 3 peaks of Mount Stanley, Mount Baker and mount Baker make up a triangle covering the upper Bujuku Valley. Yet Mount Emin, Mount Gessi & Mount Luigi Di Savoia are mountains which add up to form the Rwenzori Mountains. However, these Rwenzori mountains are higher than the Alps and are ice-capped.

The Rwenzori Mountains sits on the East side of the Western rift Valley, forming an international border with Democratic Republic of Congo’s Virunga National Park. The Park settles suitably in Kasese, Bundibugyo & Kabarole districts.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park is dubbed one among Africa’s most scenic mountain areas because of the glaciers, snowfields, waterfalls & Lakes, which incorporates majority of the central and half of the eastern section of the Rwenzori Mountains, a mountain chain rising above the dry plains located north of the equator.

The Flora & Fauna of Rwenzori Mountains National Park

Floristically, Rwenzori Mountains national Park is well known by the world, for its high diversity of decorative plant life and trees.  The varied 5 vegetation zones of Rwenzori Mountains National Park include: Bamboo zone, heather & afro-alpine zone, montane zone, grassland zone and moorland zone. The groundsel & gigantic Lobelia plants are found in the higher elevation.

Despite the fact that Rwenzori Mountains National Park is famous for its difficult trekking & climbing  nature, the park also protects  numerous  diversity of Wildlife namely;  buffaloes, Elephants, blue monkeys, Leopards, Rock hyrax, Rwenzori colobus, duikers (on the lower slopes of the mountain) the most attractive Rwenzori Turaco, as well as the rare Angola Colobus that has been spotted.

Bird species protected in the Rwenzori mountains National Park include; bazzards, white-necked raven, francolins, olive pigeons, mountain buzzards, olive pigeons, among others.

Facts About The Rwenzori Mountains Ranges

Rwenzori, also named Ruwenzori and Rwenjura or Rwenzururu are a chain of mountains sitting East of the equatorial Africa, just at the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Dubbed “the mountains of the Moon” The Rwenzori chain which measures 120 kilometres (75 mi) long and 65 kilometres (40 mi) wide comprises of 6 mountains including Mount Stanley (5,109 metres (16,762 ft)), Mount Speke (4,890 metres (16,040 ft)), Mount Baker (4,843 metres (15,889 ft)), Mount Emin (4,798 metres (15,741 ft)), Mount Gessi (4,715 metres (15,469 ft)) and Mount Luigi di Savoia (4,627 metres (15,180 ft)). Each mountain is disjoined from another by deep gorges.

Margherita peak, out of Mount Stanley’s varied summits, is the highest peak (at 5109m) of the Rwenzori Massif, as well as Africa’s 3^rd highest. The peak is usually has glaciers & permanently snow-capped.

The Rwenzori mountains was believed to be the source of River Nile, by Greek scholar Ptolemy, due to the fact that one of it’s sources receives its water from the mountain streams that feed it.

How To Get To Rwenzori Mountains National Park

Domestic flights (Air transport) and  road transport are the 2 ways to get to Rwenzori mountains National Park. The best convenient & fast way to get to Rwenzori Mountains National Park is via a domestic flight from Entebbe International Airport  or Kajjansi Airstrip (Kampala ) to Kasese Airstrip, followed by a 40 minutes’ drive to Rwenzori Mountain National Park. Yet by road, you can drive (or be driven) from Entebbe/Kampala  to Fort Portal or Kampala to Kasese  via Mbarara on self drive or By public means.

The Rwenzori Mountains National Park can be accessed by  majorly 2 routes of: The ancient local Central circuit trail route, which is owned and managed by Rwenzori Mountaineering Services from the East; and the Kilmbe trail route by Rwenzori trekking services from the south

Best Time To Visit Rwenzori Mountains National Park

Rwenzori Mountains National Park can be visited during anytime of the year(From January to December), where each month brings its own unique experience  and adventure. In the early months of the year, lush greenery and cooler temperatures prevail, providing scenic views and comfortable hiking conditions. As the year progresses, the landscape transforms, with blooming flowers, clear skies, and warm days.

The actual span between June to August, also titled the “dry season” is the best time to visit Rwenzori Mountains National Park, to Margherita Peak of Mount Stanley, and others like Edward peak of Mount Baker, Victoria Emmanuel of Mount Speke, Weismann peak etc..

While the wet season from September to November brings its own allure, with pristine vegetation and breathtaking waterfalls.

December, with its slight showers and dry trails , appears to be perfect for avid climbers, offering clear skies and breathtaking scenery. Whether you opt for the cooler months or during the warmer seasons, each month has an indelible and satisfying experience amidst the natural spectacle of the Rwenzori Mountains.

Attractions & Things To Do In Rwenzori Mountains National Park

Rwenzori Mountains National Park is conserved by the Uganda National Parks, due to numerous top attractions of; 6 mountain ranges, Albertine Rift endemic bird species in abundance of 89,  distinct mammal species( among others  forest elephant, chimpanzee, hyrax, black-and-white colobus, L’Hoest’s monkeys, Ruwenzori duiker), etc…

However, the Mountains Of the Moon in Rwenzori National Park, is mainly celebrated for its 3^rd highest peak in Africa,  yet  it still offers memorable activities (things/ what to do), for a lifetime memory.

Rwenzori Mountains National park’s activities (what/things to do) include Mountain Climbing, Birding Watching, Guided nature walks, cultural encounters, Wildlife viewing