Rwenzori Mountain National Park
Rwenzori Mountain National Park also called the mountain of the moon, it’s the Africa’s 3rd highest peak and unique for its snow capped peak. The mountain is a chain of ranges that arrange from 1670m to 5109m with the highest range being a snow caped Margarita peak.
The Rwenzori Mountains are located in western Uganda in the arrays of the greatest African western Albertine rift valley. It lies along Uganda’s border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and borders the DRC’s Virunga Conservation Areas. Due to its unique snowcapped peaks it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Rwenzori covers districts of Bundibugyo, Kabarole, and Kasese districts, 25 km (16 mi) from the small town of Kasese. you can hire your self a car and drive to rwenzori national park or you can choose a to hire a with a chauffeur
The Rwenzori Mountains are vital water catchment area, sheltering the highest and most permanent sources of the River Nile. Due to high and regular rainfall, the area is home to luxuriant, beautiful and unusual flora some of which are endemic to the Albertine rift-valley zone.
The Rwenzori also crossed by the Equator, very complex than the Alps and are ice-capped. Popular ranges of the Rwenzori include Mount Stanley Margarita Peak, Speke and Baker the highest peak is Margarita with a height of 5,109m (16,762 ft) which is the third peak in Africa. Also has the Africa’s fourth and fifth highest peaks (Mount Speke and Mount Baker).
The park has glaciers, snowfields, waterfalls, and lakes and Rwenzori is among the Africa’s most stunning mountains.
Biodiversity
Flora and Fauna
Rwenzori is endowed with sundry wildlife species endemic to the Albertine rift-valley system, and as well quite a lot of endangered species in the park. the park has some of the most beautiful in the world. Rwenzori has five diverse foliage regions that arrange from tropical, savannah, bamboos, montane and glacier which alternate according to variations in altitude. The park shelters almost 80 species of birds, 15 species of butterfly, and four primate species. The park’s wildlife varies with elevation, and among the species include the forest elephant, chimpanzee, hyrax, black-and-white colobus, L’Hoest’s monkeys, duiker, and Rwenzori turaco.
Trekking and hiking activities
The park protected by the Ugandan government through Uganda wildlife authority. The mountain described to be among the most beautiful mountains in Africa, enclosed with varieties of attractions. There several tourist activities done while in the park. The park has trekking and climbing routes, several with unusual scenery. The most popular trek is a seven-day circuit of the park.
Mountain Rwenzori hiking undertakings set to suggest to you one of the world class hiking experiences. Hiking here has various selections which arranges from the shortest of two days to the longest of 8 days. For hiking enthusiast, then you’ll certainly want to consider the 5,109m-high, snow-capped ‘Mountains of the Moon’. They suggest just a unique trekking and hiking experiences you almost been looking forward to.
The Rwenzori Central Circuit Zone offers plenty of opportunities for hikes and nature walks. Such include walks through the Kichamba communities to the Karangura Ridge, trails up to the Buraro Chimp Forest and Lake Mahooma, as well as hiking through Bwamba Pass to the Bundibugo area.
The Bwamba Pass is a 1,500-metre high trek atop the steep Northern Rwenzori Ridge. Here, the Abanya community will lead you over the mountains and through isolated villages to reach the Bamboo Forest. From this point, you’ll be able to enjoy superb views of the Rift Valley.
The communities of Turaco and Ruboni offer opportunities of guided forest walks, just outside the Rwenzori Mountains’ National Park. You can follow the iconic River Mubuku and enjoy scenic views of Fort Baker & Portal Peaks as you hike up to around 2,300 metres above sea level.
On clear days, it’s even possible to enjoy truly spectacular views of the highest, snow-capped Margherita Peak. Additionally, you’ll want to keep your eyes open for birds, vervet monkeys, squirrels, and chameleons.