Rwenzori Mountains National Park is one of the 10 National Parks in Uganda and surprisingly one of the rarely-visited places in the country. This 996-square-kilometer Protected Area is known for its mind-blowing mountaineering experiences and second best in Africa after Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro. This Park protected the slopes and snow-capped Peaks of Rwenzori Mountains (christened the Mountains of the Moon) that tower to 5109 meters above sea level. Thanks to its height, this iconic block mountain is Africa’s third highest mountain. What never stops amazing travelers is the fact that Rwenzori is the only block mountain with glaciers/snow on its peaks. It is a mystery that prompts mountaineers to want to discover it.
Size and location of Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Being part of Uganda’s Western tourism circuit, Rwenzori Mountains National Park is adjacent to the Democratic Republic of Congo border. This Protected Area was gazetted in 1991 and was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. Its 996-square-kilometer boundaries extend to the districts of Kasese, Bundibugyo, and Kabarole.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park was also recognized as a Ramsar sites in 2008 and is marked by outstanding vegetation types that include Tropical rainforest, bamboo, woodland, montane, and Alpine meadows which support a wide range of giant lobelia and groundsel as well as heather that rise up to 6 meters tall on its moss-covered peaks.
Rwenzori Mountains range is comprised of 6 mountains that include Mount Stanley 5109 meters above sea level, Mount Speke at 4890 meters, Mount Baker at 4843 meters, Mount Emin Pasha at 4798 meters, Mount Gessi at 4715 meters and Mount Luigi Di Savoia at 4627 meters. The Mountain range is also an important water catchment area with over 20 Lakes that flow on it.
What to see in Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Outstanding Wildlife
Many travelers know Rwenzori Mountains National for its exceptional mountaineering experience but did you know that this Park is home to over 70 species of mammals? Surprising! Here, you will see the rock hyrax, blue monkeys, Rwenzori colobus monkeys, giant forest hogs, golden cats, Eastern chimpanzees, L’Hoests monkeys, the forest elephants, leopards, bush bucks, duikers, black and white colobus monkeys, mongoose, and the Rwenzori otters among others. If you are a primate and Amphibian lover, be prepared to see the magical three-horned chameleons and several snake species.
Bird species
As strange as it might sounds, Rwenzori Mountains National Park is one of the top Birding Areas in Uganda with over 217 bird species that include species endemic to the Rwenzori Mountains, Afro-tropical highlands biome and Albertine rift Valley. The Regal sunbirds, Archer’s robin chat, Slender-billed starlings, strange weavers, crimson wings, Cinnamon bracken warblers, Rwenzori batis, Grey-headed Nigrita, montane sooty boubou, Scarlet tufted malachite sunbirds, Brown woodland warblers, Rwenzori Turaco, cinnamon chested bee-eaters, Long-eared owls, handsome francolins, Golden-winged sunbirds, barred long-tailed cuckoos, slender billed starling, handsome Kivu ground thrush, African Green Pigeons, and many others.
What to do in Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Mountaineering
Rwenzori Mountains National Park has been and will always remain the ultimate mountaineering adventure in Uganda because there is nothing more rewarding to a mountain climbing than standing at Magherita peak. There are two popular mountaineering trails on this Mountain and they include the 9-10-day central circuit or the 7-day Kilembe trail that provide rich views of the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains, sights of birds and wildlife along the way.
Guided forest walks/Hiking
Rwenzori Mountains National Park provides a less challenging hiking option for travelers who can’t make it to the peaks of this Mountain and these last from hours to 3 days. Majority of these trails introduce visitors to the Park’s spectacular locations and they include the Chimpanzee Forest Trail, the Lake Mahoma and Buraro Trails among others. Some of these trails make it possible to meet and interact with the local communities and they include the Turaco and Ruboni community trails.
Birding Tours
While checking your list for top birding areas in Uganda, don’t miss your visit to Rwenzori Mountains National Park where you will most likely come across the Rwenzori turaco, long-eared owls, Cinnamon bracken warblers, Rwenzori batis, Grey-headed Nigrita, strange weavers, montane sooty boubou, Cinnamon chested bee-eaters, Scarlet tufted malachite sunbirds, Brown woodland warblers, handsome francolin and many others. The best birding experiences are enjoyed in wet months.
Village walks and Cultural experiences
The best way to learn about the ways of life, culture and traditions of communities living on the slopes of Rwenzori Mountains (The Bakonzo) is by booking village and cultural tours where you will learn about their cultural dances, foods, and learn about folklore from the village elders. Consider visiting Ruboni village, or take on the off-beaten-track Bulemba-Ihandiro cultural trail to Bakonzo traditional museum.
What month is best for visiting Rwenzori Mountains National Park?
While Rwenzori Mountains National Park is open all year round, the best time to enjoy its activities is from June to September and December to February when temperatures are warmer, skies are clearer, there is little or no rains thus less challenging forest trails. These months provide the perfect conditions for mountaineering, forest walks or birding tours. This however doesn’t mean that these activities can’t be enjoyed during wet months.
Accommodation options around Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Rwenzori Mountains National Park has a number of accommodation options and they include Ruboni Community Camp, Mihunga Safari Lodge, Rwenzori Backpackers, Tropical Savanna Guesthouse, Tours Holiday Inn, Equator Snow Lodge, Rwenzori Turaco View Campsite, Sandton Hotel Kasese, Trekkers Hostel and Hotel Margherita among others.
Getting to Rwenzori Mountains National Park
There are two options of getting to Rwenzori Mountains National Park. You can fly to Kasese Airstrip then drive 3-4 hours to Rwenzori Mountains National Park. For road, you can use two routes that are the Kampala-Mubende-Fort Portal route or the Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara-Kasese route.