Rwenzori Mountains National Park
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Rwenzori Mountains Safaris
Some of Custom made family safaris related to Rwenzori Mountain NP to see the Africa safari “big five” wildlife and beyond
Uganda Wildlife Safari & Gorilla Tour
Visiting Bwindi & Mgahinga NPs
Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari
Volcanoes NP, Luxury Safari
Rwenzori Mountain N.P
Family Destination / Hiking & Nature Walks Safaris
On the foothills of the mountain, you will witness farmlands and on top of the mountain distinctive flora which has attracted a great deal of fauna and delivering an amazing picturesque to the travel enthusiasts. Arrive at the top of the mountain and behold the majestic snow-capped peaks that will leave you breathless.
The series of distinct altitudinal vegetation zones; montane forest, bamboo, tree heathers, and afro-alpine.present a beautiful land terrain and plant life of sub-montane vegetation in the Afro-montane zone covered by luxurious tropical evergreen forest with a high richness in color and species.
Mountain Rwenzori is situated in Western Uganda in the East African Rift Valley and straddles also to the Democratic Republic of Congo and its conservation area known as Virunga National Park. The mountain is the third highest in Africa rising up more than 16,700 feet above sea level and its highest peaks rise above the clouds and are permanently snow-capped. Margherita Peak is the highest peak in the ranges and is the 3rd highest peak in Africa.
Wildlife and Vegetation in Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Rwenzori Mountains National Park is known for its distinctive flora which has attracted a great deal of fauna. On the route to the peaks, hikers climb through a series of distinct altitudinal vegetation zones; montane forest, bamboo, tree heathers and afro-alpine. The latter, with its emblematic giant forms of Senecio (groundsel) and lobelia, is one of the world’s rarest botanical communities, being limited to East African Mountains above 3800m.
The park is home to 70 species of mammals, including six Albertine Rift endemics; four are endemic to the park and three are rare species. Other mammals include the elephant, chimpanzee, Rwenzori otter and leopard. Though wildlife is difficult to spot in the dense forest, do look out for primates such as colobus (Angola and black-and-white varieties are both present) and blue monkeys; small antelope such as bushbucks.
The park is home to 217 species of birds and fifteen of butterflies have been recorded in the park and the most sought out reptile is the three-horned chameleon.
Accessing the Rwenzori Mountain National Park.
Rwenzori Mountain National Park is mostly frequented by mountaineering enthusiasts in search of a fun filled adventure.The park can be accessed by either road or air, according to the preference and budget of the traveler.
- If you are traveling by road, the journey from Kampala to Kasese will take you about 5 hours in a 4WD vehicle which is mostly advisable due to the terrain in southwestern Uganda.
- You can also opt to travel by air, they are scheduled flights at Entebbe International Airport that will put you in Kasese in about 11/2 hours from where you will proceed to the park
The Conditions on the mountain are really challenging even to the experienced hikers since mountain Rwenzori is renowned for its steep, slippery trails with regular rainfall plus cold temperatures, high altitude, fog, steep terrain as well as muddy.
The dry period season starts from July to August and from December to February thus presenting climbing opportunities for the inexperienced climbers
Accommodation in the Rwenzori Mountain National Park.
Rwenzori Mountain National Park is one of the most frequented parks in Uganda. Incase you are planning on a safari to rwenzori, please be advised to book accommodation in advance. Some of the lodges that are available for accommodation include;
Katara Lodge
Katara lodge is situated 16km from the Katunguru gate of Queen Elizabeth National Park with a spellbinding view of Queen Elizabeth National Park and the Rwenzori ranges alongside songs from the beautiful birds.
Hotel Margherita
Located at the foothills of the mountain, the establishment brings you the full Rwenzori experience with breathtaking views of the Rwenzori ranges with all it beautiful alpine botany.
Rwenzori International Hotel:
Equator Snow Lodge
Just below Equator Snow Lodge roars the Mubuku River just outside your room with beautiful décor embedded in the walls with artefacts from around the country. Each cottage also has a balcony from which you can view the spellbinding horizon with the ranges before you.
Rwenzori International Hotel
Located at the foot of the mountain ranges, Rwenzori International Hotel is 3km away from the Kasese Airstrip.The hotel offers all types of accommodation from luxurious to camping options.
Tropical Savannah Guest House
Tropical savannah guest house is based along the Mbarara-Kasese road in Kasese town and is a good option for budget travelers.
There is a wide range of accommodation a sone can opt for accommodation in Queen Elizabeth National Park or Fort Portal.When you are going to trek Mt.Rwenzori you will have to be ready with camping gear, food supplies and energy bites for expedition.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park is one of Uganda’s least explored and undiscovered destinations.The park has a spectacular and unique scenery that will tickle your imagination as you gaze at the wonderful vegetation and amazing terrain.
Activities in Rwenzori Mountains National Park
The Rwenzori Mountains, also known as the “Mountains Of the Moon” are one of the best destinations for mountain climbing adventures. The park has more to offer rather than just mountaineering including;
Nature Walks
Indulge in an expedition, enjoy day hikes through the forests at the foothills as you enjoy unique activities like fishing with your hands in streams, catching glimpses of different plant species, butterfly species. Nature walks are so relaxing and refreshing as you stroll through the trees and swamps.
Cultural encounters
Engage in encounters with the locals at the foothills of the mountain as you watch their cultural lifestyles and day to day activities like cultural dances. You will also visit the Ruboni village where you will learn about the lifestyles of old of the forefathers of the mountains of the moon.
Staying at the foothills of Mt. Rwenzori
You can retire from a long activity-filled day by resting in one of the lodges at foothills of the mountains of the moon. Take a soothing hot bath as you enjoy the beautiful scenery and at night enjoy a bonfire as you listen to tales of the mountains of the moon.
Birding Safaris
Rwenzori Mountain is a birders’ paradise teeming with a richness in birdlife of over 217 species of birds with 17 of the bird species only found in Rwenzori National Park including the Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Turaco, Long-eared Owl, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Strange Weaver, Archers’ Robin-chat, Rwenzori Batis, White-starred Robin, Montane Sooty Boubou, Slender-billed Starling, Lagden’s Bush-Shrike, Blue-headed Sunbird, Barbets, Golden-winged Sunbird, Greenbuls, IIladopsis, Apalises, Crimson wings and Flycatchers.
Mountain climbing
Rwenzori Mountain is a hidden mountaineering gem that is obviously still undiscovered. Mountain Rwenzori is covered in different types of vegetation and climate which you will encounter as you climb the mountain to the highest summit.
- The central circuit Trail
This challenging seven-day climb will give you a rounded tour of the high Rwenzori. Just from the trailhead at the Mihunga, the route rises the Bujuku Valley via Nyabitaba before arriving at the peaks. The clients will join the central circuit after the Bujuku that passes the Scott Elliot as well as Freshfields that goes through the Mubuku Valley.
- The Kilembe Trail
This is the recent opened Kilembe trail that rises in the southern slopes of the Rwenzori from a trailhead at the Kilembe just near the town of Kasese. This route is along the Nyamwamba Valley that goes through the glacier lakes and the spectacular view points before joining the central circuit at Lake Kitandara.