Rwenzori mountain national park.
Located in the southwestern region of Uganda, on the east side of the western African rift valley, Rwenzori Mountain National Park has a border with Virunga National Park and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Rwenzori Mountain, which occupies 998 square kilometers, is a UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural ORGANIATION) World Heritage Site.
characterized by alpine highland glaciers, hiking trails, snow fields, waterfalls, blue lakes, and many other features. The highest peak in Uganda is called Rwenzori. At 5,109 meters above sea level, the park is home to Africa’s highest peak, Margarita Peak, which is regarded as the third most impressive mountain in the world after Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya.
Hiking to the summit is an experience of a lifetime. Because of its snow-capped summit, the locals refer to Mount Rwenzori National Park, which was created in 1991, as the Mountains of the Moon. The world’s most thrilling and difficult mountain ranges to trek are the RWENZORI Mountains.
Although they are rarely seen, Mount Rwenzori Park is home to more than 70 mammal species, including elephants, giant forest hogs, Rwenzori otters, bushbucks, and leopards. The park is home to 217 bird species, including Albertine endemics, unusual vegetation, and primates like as chimpanzees, olive baboons, Angola colobus monkeys, blue, white, and black monkeys.
Among the bird species are the Barred Long-Tailed Cuckoo, Slender-billed Starling, Long-eared Owl, Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Batis, and Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater. The park has HUTS, stages, and hiking trails. Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and maybe Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park are among the other places on the southwest circuit that can be visited in addition to Rwenzori.
How to get there: You can drive yourself or use a tour operator or firm to go to Rwenzori National Park. The park can be reached by two different paths. The Masaka-Mbarara-Kasese road takes about 5–6 hours to drive (380 km) from Kampala/Entebbe International Airport. The park is also reachable by road from Kampala.
After traveling 437 kilometers via Mubende Fort Portal to Kasese, take an Aerolink or Bar Aviation flight from Entebbe International Airport to Kasese Airstrip, which takes 1-2 hours, and then remain in Kasese. Kilembe Trail in KASESE and Nyakalengija Central Circuit are the two main entrances to the park. Please be aware that the park does not offer lodging; instead, guests must stay in Kasese or the neighboring areas.
Mount Rwenzori National Park
In Rwenzori, there are two types of hiking experiences: low altitude and high altitude. The high altitude trek can take you over 4,000 meters and lasts for a week (4–8 days), while the low altitude trek won’t take you above 4,000 meters and lasts for 2-4 days. In other words, you must stay at the mountain for at least seven days if you wish to reach the top of Margarita Peak. The cost of a Rwenzori tour can range from $558 for a three-day walk to $2,000 for a ten-day journey.
Park entrance fees You must pay an entrance fee to gain entry. The Uganda Wildlife Authority, a government agency in charge of tourism, charges visitors an entrance fee before they can enter the park. Non-foreign residents pay $35 per person, foreign residents pay $25 per person, and Ugandans pay $15 per person.
With Mount Stanley at the top at 5,109 meters, Mount Speke at 4,890 meters, Mount Baker at 4,844 meters, Mount Gess at 4,715 meters, Mount Luigi da Savoia at 4,627 meters, and Mount Emin at 4,791 meters on the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s side, Mount RWENZORI National Park is home to more than five peaks.
The park’s hiking routes are well-known. While trekking Mount Rwenzori, one should take a kit with necessities like a bandage for any twists, antidiarrheal medication like Imodium or another type, iodine wipes for any wounds, pain relievers, moleskin, water, and snacks.
Hiking or climbing the Volcano Mountains to the top, nature walks, birding or bird watching (since the park has more bird species), cultural encounter, visiting the more than 20 lakes (such as Lake Mahoma, Bujuku, etc.), village forest walk, camping, mountaineering, and many other activities are some of the things to do while in Rwenzori National Park.
