Mountain Rwenzori national Park
Rwenzori Mountains National Park is located in south western Uganda along the border of Uganda ad Congo within the Rwenzori mountain ranges thus the name. It is one of Uganda’s hiking safari destinations since it has got the 3rd highest peak in Africa called the Margherita peak. This peak lies 5.109 meters above sea level on Mt. Stanley named after explorer Henry Stanley. Henry Stanley did the Rwenzori Mountain on the map in 1888 and then named it Ruwenzori after the local people who live in this region. Ruwenzori in the local language me rain maker and this is a name they saw befitting given the amount of rains received in this region.
The Rwenzori mountains National Park was gazetted in 1991 and four years later in 1994, it was listed among UNESCO’s world heritage sites and then in 2008, it made it to the list of ramsaar sites. Between 1999 and 2004 when the Rwenzori Mountains were occupied by the rebel militias, this park was included on the list of those world heritages in danger. Mt. Rwenzori also known as Mountains of the moon as name by an Alexandrine geographer because of its feature is a block mountain that lies within the western arm rift valley floor.
This park provides opportunities to see nature or the wilderness at its best. This is possible because it is blessed with variety of vegetation life that ranges from the dense tropical rain-forest especially at the bottom of the mountain, bamboo woodlands occupy the lower mountain slopes and then the montane cloud forests are found at a higher altitude. Rwenzori Mountain is a snow capped mountain and so points above 4,500 meters high, there is snow and a lot of glaciers to complement the beauty of the mountain. This is why this park is listed as one of the best places with amazing views of all untouched mountain range coupled with everlasting flowers and colorful mosses.
This park’s biggest attraction is Mountain Rwenzori therefore it is mostly known for mountain climbing, trekking and hiking excursions. It can be a half way hiking adventure and complete trek to the summit depending on one’s abilities. Mountain Rwenzori National Park is a world-class mountain climbing and hiking destination and skilled hikers should try out this adventure. The hike to the summit takes about nine days to twelve and once you get to Margherita which is the highest peak, you will glad you went for that adventure. if There are also some non technical and shorter treks that can be organized for those who wish to simply explore the different surrounding peaks. Mountain Rwenzori climbing is surely an interesting, fantastic and an extraordinary experience that any hiker should not miss while in Uganda.
The hike is made even more interesting by the extensive vegetation and wildlife diversity within all the different mountain zones.
The higher zone of the Rwenzori is covered with glaciers, there is the valley of nine lakes, rocky cliffs, and then the snow-capped mountain peaks. People who prefer to do something kind of less strenuous but still have fun, you can go for a nature walk through the neighboring local communities of the Bakonzo people. The homestead visits, participating in the traditional/ cultural performances is a good way to interact and this when you will meet the story tellers, blacksmiths, among others. You can find accommodation within the community and share their home-cooked traditional meals.
Other than hiking, this park is also a home to over 300 different bird species that live in the different vegetation zones and most of these are Albertine endemics. There also 15 different butterfly species, 4 species of primates which include the chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, L’hoest monkeys, among others. Wildlife species like forest elephants, hyrax, Ruwenzori duikers and other are also commonly seen.
A trip to the magnificent Mountains of the Moon can be done anytime of the year even though mountain climbing is a lot easier during the dry months of year when the trails are less slippery.
