Rwenzori mountains national park is known for its stunning mountain range, which is also referred to as the “Mountains of the Moon.”
The national park is located in south western Uganda along the border with the Democratic republic of Congo. The Rwenzori Mountains, which are the main attraction of the national park, are a part of the Albertine Rift Valley and hiking is a popular activity at this destination.
The highest peak in the Rwenzori range is the Margherita peak fount on Mount Stanley, which reaches an elevation of 5,109 meters (16,763 feet). Other peaks of the Rwenzori mountains include Mount Speke, Mount Baker and Weismann’s peak.
During hikes on Mount Rwenzori, there are different vegetation zones which visitors hike through including the montane forest zone at an altitude of 1800 to 2500 meters, Bamboo zone at an altitude of 2500 to 3000 meters, Heather zone at an altitude of 3000 to 4000 meters, alpine zone at an altitude of 4000 to 4500 meters and rock and glacier between 4500 to 5000 meters.
Climbing mount Rwenzori
Rwenzori Mountains National Park offers several trekking routes of varying difficulty, allowing visitors to explore different parts of the mountain range. Routes used during hikes on Mount Rwenzori include the central circuit trail, Kilembe trail and also the Bukurungu trail.
Central circuit trail
The most popular route is the Central Circuit, which takes around 7 to 8 days to complete and provides stunning views of the glaciers, valleys, and lakes of the Rwenzori Mountains.
The Central circuit trail starts and ends at the park headquarters in Nyakalengija. The first day of the hike starts from Nyakalengija to Nyabitaba hut. Day 2 of the hike starts from Nyabitaba hut to John Matte hut through bamboo forest. Day 3 starts from John Matte hut to Bujuku hut via Lake Bujuku and the Bigo bog.
Day 4 starts from Bujuku hut to Elena hut via the Scott Elliot pass and the Kitandara lake valley. Day 5 of the hike starts from Elena hut to Kitandara hut and is the summit day when visitors hike to the summit of Mount Rwenzori and return to Kitandara hut. The 6th day of the hike starts from Kitandara hut to Guy Yeoman hut through alpine meadows. On day 7 of the hike, visitors hike from Guy Yeoman hut to Nyabitaba hut and on day 8 hike starts from Nyabitaba hut to Nyakalengija.
Kilembe trail
Kilembe trail is another route used during hiking Mount Rwenzori and using this route to get to the summit and back takes about 7 to 9 days.
Day 1 of the hike using the Kilembe trail starts from Kilembe to Kalalama camp. Day 2 of the hike starts from Kalalama camp to Mutinda camp through the bamboo zone. From Mutinda camp, the hike on day 3 continues to Bugata camp through the Alpine zone, across the Mutinda valley.
Day 4 of the hike starts from Bugata camp to Hunwick’s camp overlooking Mount Baker. Day 5 of the hike starts from Hunwick’s camp to Margherita camp. The summit hike starts on day 6 from Margherita camp to the summit and back to Hunwick’s camp and Day 7 of the hike starts from Hunwick’s camp back to the ranger post.
Bukurungu trail
The third route used for hikes on Mount Rwenzori is the Bukurungu trail and it takes about 8 days to hike to the summit of Mount Rwenzori using this route.
This route also offers beautiful views of Lakes like Lake Bujuku, Lake Irene, Lake Bukurungu and also Lake Mughuli during hikes in Rwenzori mountains national park. The trail starts from Omukorukumi to Mihunga park gate and also passes through the central circuit trail.
Park fees for Rwenzori mountains national park
Park entrance fees for Rwenzori mountain national park paid by foreign nonresidents is 35 USD, 25 USD for foreign residents and 15,000 UGX for East Africans.
Hiking Mount Rwenzori is charged 50 USD for foreign nonresidents, 40 USD for foreign residents and 50,000 UGX for East Africans along the different trails.
Activities to do around Rwenzori mountains national park
The different things to do during a tour of Rwenzori mountain national park include the following;
- Mountain climbing which is a popular activity in Rwenzori mountain national park is carried out with an experienced guide and hikers are encouraged to have proper trekking gear to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
The activity is done across the 3 hiking routes on Mount Rwenzori used to get to the Margherita peak.
- Cultural tours in Rwenzori mountains national park involve interactions with the locals such as the Bakonzo people
During the cultural tours, hikers experience the way of life, culture of the locals through traditional dance performances and interactions with the locals.
- Birding can also be done around Rwenzori mountains national park and here are over 217 bird species found at the destination which also includes Albertine endemic species.
Some of the bird species found in Rwenzori mountains national park include Rwenzori Turaco, Bamboo warbler, Rwenzori Batis, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Red Throated Alethe, Olivewoodpecker among others.
- Nature walks can also be done around Rwenzori mountains national park for visitors who want to explore the beauty of the Rwenzori mountain range up close.
These walks provide an opportunity to immerse oneself in the stunning landscapes, rich biodiversity, and cultural heritage of the Rwenzori region.
Best time to visit Rwenzori mountains national park
The weather on Mount Rwenzori can be unpredictable and challenging. Rainfall is common throughout the year, so climbers should be prepared for wet conditions.
The best time to climb Mount Rwenzori is during the dry seasons, which are from December to February and June to September. During these periods, the weather is relatively stable, with clearer skies and less rainfall.
Where to stay around Rwenzori mountains national park
Accommodations around the Rwenzori mountains include campsites such as Ruboni campsite, Rwenzori Turaco view campsite, Nyabitaba hut, John Matte hut, Kitandara lake hut, Guy Yeoman hut, Bujuku hut, Elena hut.
Other accommodations where visitors can stay during their hiking adventures on Mount Rwenzori include Rwenzori trekkers hostel, Rwenzori mountain safari lodge, Ruboni community camp, Equator snow lodge, Mihunga safari lodge among others.
How to get to Rwenzori mountains national park
Rwenzori mountains national park can be accessed by road and by flight depending on a visitor’s preference.
Flights to Rwenzori mountains national park can be got from Entebbe airport to Kasese airstrip using domestic airlines like Aerolink.
The drive to Rwenzori mountains national park can be done using the Kampala-fort Portal-Kasese route which is a shorter drive as compared to the second route which is the Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara-Kasese route.