Rwenzori Mountains National Park Uganda

If you are looking for the most exceptional safari destination that can enhance your travel experiences while on vacation in Africa then look no further than the Rwenzori Mountains National Park. This park is located approximately 398 kilometers away from Kampala capital city center, Western Uganda. Mount Rwenzori National Park is bordered by the districts of Bundibugyo, Kabarole and Kasese and its length stretches up to 120 kilometers with a width of about 48 kilometers. This park refuges the Rwenzori Mountain ranges also famously called the Mountains of the Moon. This remarkable mountain features as the third highest snow peaks in Africa and for adventure enthusiasts, consider it a must to include in your bucket list. In case you head off for your adventures to this incredible mountain, never forget to check out at its baseline for its distinct vegetation zones especially the moorland, bamboo and moist montane forest.

Rwenzori Mountain National Park offers refuge to more than 70 species of mammals including wildlife species the elephants, leopards, chimpanzees, 9 reptiles, and 217 avian species 19 of which are endemic Albertine rift species. For hikers and climbers, consider this protected area a must to visit for you to have the most exceptional and life changing hiking and mountain climbing experiences of lifetime. The hikes along this magnificent block mountain require about 9-12 days for you to reach to the Margherita summit and for visitors, who are not skilled enough, you will only explore around its surrounding peaks and at the end of it all, you will certainly appreciate the experiential adventures that come thereafter. The Rwenzori Mountain range is perfectly the best place for hikers who need to challenge themselves.

Climate and weather of Rwenzori Mountain National Park

The Rwenzori Mountains National Park lies astride equator and it is of no doubt that the area is ever wet as compared to the rest of the parts in East Africa. The highest amount of rainfall is received on the Eastern slopes and they begin from March-May and September-mid December. And for visitor experiences, the park can be best visited during the dry season that starts in the month of June-September and December to February. The temperatures in the area range from -5 to 20 degrees Celsius.

Accessibility of Rwenzori Mountains National Park

This park can be reached from Kampala through Fort Portal route or from Kampala-Mbarara–Queen Elizabeth National Park about 450 kilometers. The other alternative can be taking a flight from Kajjansi airfield up to the nearest airfield at the park like Kasese or Mbarara Airfield. The park is 2 hours drive from Kibale National Park, 45 minutes drive from Queen Elizabeth and about 5 hour drive from Bwindi Gorilla Park northern sector.

What to do in Rwenzori Mountains National Park?

Mountaineering is the main attractive activity in the area with concentration of waterfalls, blue cirque lakes, hot springs, uncommon vegetation and the destination is just more than tourist destination but an area for you to carry out your research.

Mountain climbing, Hiking to the Margherita peak is the most challenge experience and yet the most rewarding. The hike offers spectacular views of the rare vegetation zones and glaciers around the mountains ranges. The notable scenic routes to the top of the peaks include the Margherita 5109 meters on mountain Stanley, Vittorio Emmanuelle 4889 meters on mountain Speke and Edward 4842 meters on mountain Baker. While you are here, you will be able to glance at other peaks but note that the highest peaks are only for those experienced climbers.

Trekking, you can as well engage in 7 day trekking along the central tourism circuit and a 5 day trek on the Kilembe route to the southern areas of the park.

Nature walks, for those who love nature and they cannot take the challenging hike onto the Margherita you will also take nature walk around the community. As you are here, you will enjoy the different plant species as well as encounter the Bakonzo communities as they will be demonstrating for you their traditional practices in the community.

In conclusion, for classic mountaineering adventures, consider Rwenzori Mountains National Park a must to include in your bucket list. Besides, you can also engage in other activities like game viewing, birding, nature walks, community visit and many more.