Rwenzori Mountains National Park is one of the 10 beautiful National Parks of Uganda, offering unique and unmatched safari experiences.
Size and location of Rwenzori Mountains National Park
The stunning Rwenzori Mountains National Park covers almost 1000 square kilometers within the western side of Uganda, bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Virunga National Park. This Par protects the main part of the vast Rwenzori Mountains chain across Uganda and DRC, with the highest summit being Margherita on Mount Stanley (at 5109 meters above sea level). The Park is in the East of the Albertine Rift Valley and sits in three Ugandan districts-Kasese, Bundibugyo and Kabarole.
Of the 1000-square kilometer area, about 70% sits on an elevation of 2500 meters above sea level. At 5109 meters above sea level, Mount Stanley (in the Rwenzori Mountains chain) is Africa’s third highest peak, while the fourth and fifth highest peaks (Mount Speke and Mount Baker respectively) are also found within the chain.
History of Rwenzori Mountains National Park
The Rwenzori Mountains National Park was gazetted in 1991 under the statutory instrument 3 in 1992 as well as National Park’s Act of 1952. It later became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, owing to its remarkable natural beauty and given its existence close to the border of Democratic Republic of Congo, it was occupied by Rebel Militias between 1997 and June 2001. It is for this reason that the Park was included under the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites in Danger between 1999 and 2004.
Highlights
The Rwenzori Mountains National Park protects about 70 species of mammals that are mainly encountered during guided forest walks and they include black and white colobus monkeys, African forest elephants, Eastern chimpanzees, L’Hoests monkeys, giant forest hogs, Angola colobus monkeys, Rwenzori Otter, bushbucks, bush pigs, leopards, Southern tree hyraxes, blue monkeys and so much more. The beautiful and rare three-horned chameleons are found in the Rwenzori Mountains National Park.
Mountaineering
Passionate mountain climbers have a wide range of routes leading to the highest summit of Rwenzori Mountains. These routes pass through breathtaking glacial Lakes, phenomenal viewing points and magnificent mountain passes as well as verdant Valleys. These routes include the Kilembe Route that goes through the southern slopes of the Mountain, Nyamwamba Valley and glacial Lakes before connecting to Lake Kitandara. Another one is Central Circuit Route lasting 7-9 days from Mihunga Trailhead and ascends the Bujuku Valley through Nyabitaba until the summits.
Guided nature walks
Besides mountaineering, visitors to Rwenzori Mountains National Park are provided the opportunity to follow the different hiking trails to Lake Mahooma as well as Buraro Chimp Forest via local communities until Karangura ridge or via Bwamba pass to Bundibugyo area. Keep a wide eye and ear to the numerous bird species, vervet moneys, chameleons, forest elephants, butterfly species and squirrels in addition to waterfalls during these guided nature walks.
Bird Watching
Bird watching in Rwenzori Mountains National Park is commonly conducted through the Montane forest where the Rwenzori batis, handsome francolin, Cinnamon-chested bee-eater, strange weavers, long-eared owls, Archer’s robin chat, Long-eared owls, Black eagles, barred long-tailed Cuckoo, Montane Sooty Boubou, bee-eaters, sunbirds, barbets, bearded vultures and swifts can be encountered.
Cultural Tours
There are a number of Bakonzo communities on the slopes of Rwenzori Mountains, offering welcoming as well as fantabulous visitor experiences. Get a chance to walk with these aboriginal people through their local homesteads as they demonstrate their daily routines that range from tendering to gardens, cultural dances to preparing delicious means with freshly harvested ingredients. If your idea of a safari also includes a cultural tour then done forget to add the Ruboni Community Camp, Rwenzori Turaco View Campsite in Mihunga Village and Bulemba-Ihandiro Cultural Trail lasting 6-7 hours through the Holy Valley.
How do i get there ?
By Road
Rwenzori Mountains National Park is a few miles north of the Equator crossing on the Uganda-Democratic Republic of Congo Border and its main trailhead is about 375 kilometers from Kampala via Fort Portal or 450 kilometers via Mbarara and Queen Elizabeth National Park.
By Flight
Visitors can charter flights from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip in Kampala to Kasese Airstrip then arrange for road transfer to the base of Rwenzori Mountains.