The Mountain Rwenzori of Uganda
The Mountain Rwenzori of Uganda : Often referred to as the “Mountains of the Moon”, Mountain Rwenzori Ranges comprises of the third highest mountain peak in Africa – Mount Margherita (5,109 meters). The Rwenzori Mountains are known for offering fabulous views of the glacier and snow-capped peak a few kilometers away from the equator.
The Rwenzori Mountains are the main and most perpetual sources of the Nile River and accounts for being a vibrant water catchment, with wild flowing rivers, splendid waterfalls and stratified plant make Rwenzori Mountains an outstanding and striking attraction in Uganda.
Rwenzori Mountains are renowned for their distinctive alpine vegetation which consists of lots of species prevalent to the Albertine Rift in the upper elevation precincts including groundsels, lobelias and giant heathers.
The Rwenzoris are a replication of the mist-cloaked mountains of this rough chain that tower nearly 4,000 m directly above the Albertine Rift Valley, the mountains give out a distinctive and untouched scenery of alpine undergrowth dotted with fascinating massive groundsels, lobelias and heathers which are crowned “Africa’s botanical big game”.
The combination of remarkable snow-capped mountaintops, glaciers, V-shaped valleys, loose flowing rivers with glorious waterfalls, pure blue lakes and inimitable flora add a lot to the area’s incomparable natural magnificence.
Where are the Mountain Rwenzori of Uganda?
The Mountain Rwenzori is a range of mountains in the Albertine Rift Valley of East Africa, the mountains run for 130 km north to south along the border between western Uganda and eastern DRC. The Uganda portion of this mountain range is found in the southwest region of the country, a little north of the popular Queen Elizabeth National Park – a world – class African safari destination.
Mountain Rwenzori is protected by Rwenzori Mountains National Park which is one of the great Uganda safari destinations found in the southwestern Uganda, other destinations in this region include Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park which are famous for the endangered mountain gorillas.
About Rwenzori Mountains National Park
The Rwenzori Mountain Ranges are protected by Rwenzori Mountains National Park which stretches along the slopes of the range, this scenic park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site measuring around 1,000 km² (386 square miles).
Rwenzori Mountains National Park is home to the third highest peak in Africa, several lakes, waterfalls, glaciers and beautiful plant life. The park encompasses of the core portion of the Rwenzori Mountains including the Africa’s third uppermost peak – Mount Margherita, Alexandra Peak at 5,083 meters on Mount Stanley which are only exceeded in altitude in Africa only by Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania (the tallest mountain in Africa) and Mount Kenya in Kenya (the second tallest).
In addition to Mount Stanley, there are four other glacial peaks in the Rwenzori, Mount Speke (4,890m), Mount Emin (4,791m), Mount Gessi (4,715m), and Mount Luigi da Savoia (4,627m). The collection of these peaks make the Rwenzori Mountains the highest mountain range worldwide.
Plant and animal life in Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Rwenzori Mountains National Park hosts the wealthiest montane flora in Africa with many of the species appearing bizarre such as giant heathers, groundsels, lobelias and other endemics to the Albertine Rift.
The higher altitude zones, covered by heath and Afro-alpine moorland extend from around 35,000 meters to the snow line and represent the continent’s rarest vegetation types.
The park is recognized as an Important Bird Area containing 217 bird species and several species believed to be unique to the Albertine Rift Valley, some of the birds found in Rwenzori Mountains National Park include Rwenzori Turaco, Long eared owl, Archers’ Robin-chat, Lagden’s Bush Shrike, Blue-headed and Golden-winged sunbird, white-starred Robin, Slender-billed Starling and Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater among others.
The Rwenzori Mountains National Park’s montane forests are also home to several threatened wildlife species like the African forest elephant, eastern chimpanzees and I’Hoest’s monkey. Other endangered animals found in the park include like the Rwenzori black-fronted or red duiker seem.
Mountain Rwenzori Peaks
Mountain Rwenzori is among the top highest mountain range in Africa with its loftiest peaks – Margerita (5,109m) and Alexandra (5,083m) on Mount Stanley which is the 3rd highest after Kenya’s Mount Kenya and Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro.
Both peaks are extinct volcanoes standing in isolation above the surrounding plains, the Rwenzori Mountains are different amount East Africa’s major peaks mainly because they are not volcanic by origin.
Besides Mount Stanely, the range has other four peaks : Mount Speke (4,890m), Mount Emin (4,791m), Mount Gessi (4,715m), Mount Baker and Mount Luigi da Savoia (4,627m).
The Rwenzori Mountain Ranges rise directly from the Rift Valley floor and their formation is similar to that of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya, the formation was linked to the geological upheaval that created the Rift.
Rwenzori Routes / Trails
There are three routes to climb Rwenzori Mountains via Uganda side and one route via DR.Congo that passes through the Virunga National Park, the famous Uganda Routes are the Rwenzori Central Circuit trail that is managed by locals from the surroundings of the Rwenzori and the Kilembe Trail that is managed by Rwenzori Trekking Services.
The Central Circuit – This is the oldest and most ancient trail that is popularly used by both experienced and unexperienced hikers to climb to the top of Magherita Peak. This trail passes through the 5 vegetation zones of the Rwenzori Mountains National Park offering spectacular encounters following the 1000m tropical valleys, gorges as it transcend the rocky top of Mount Stanley.
The Central Circuit trail is the shortest and easiest access route to Margherita Peak.
The Kilembe Trail – also known as the Southern circuit, this trail was recently opened for tourism after the construction of new huts within the National Park. This route is the longest route allowing enough acclimatization time, it also offers the best climbing experience of the breathtaking peaks, spectacular lakes and the breathtaking glaciers as well as flora and fauna.
The Bukurungu Trail – this trail was made after the major trails of the Central Circuit and Kilembe, this trail is ideal for climbers who love the wild nature as it offers stunning sceneries with 4 magnificent lakes (Mughuli, Bukurungu, Bujuku and Irene) along the trail, as you traverse past the mountain rivers, waterfalls and green nature.
When to Visit/Climb Mountain Rwenzori
Though Mountain Rwenzori can be hiked all year round, the best time is during the dry season seasons that is June – August and December – February. This is the best time mountaineers to attempt an ascent to Margehrita Peak of Mountain Rwenzori.
From mid-June to August, the dry months offers the best glimpse of Mountain Rwenzori yet it is the season during which the mountain receives less amounts of rainfall.
The Rwenzori Mountain is more visited during the dry season than the colder months from March to May and from September to November, in these seasons the range is shrouded in mist. However, it is very cool in the west season and trekkers/climbers get to enjoy fine weather in the region.
The dry months of December, January and February are also the peak time for climbers with many more climbers seeking to reach the Margherita.
How To Get There
The best way to get to Rwenzori Mountains National Park is either by road or by air.
By road – from Kampala – the capital of Uganda where most Uganda trips to Mountain Rwenzori start from, it is about 4-6 hour drive depending on the route. The roads are fairly tarmacked and in pretty good condition.
From Kampala the park can be reached by two routes to Kasese, the shortest routes starts from Kampala to Fort Portal via Mubende for a distance of 300 km while the longest route begins from Kampala via Masaka through Mbarara, Bushenyi to Kasese for 350 km distance drive.
By Air – this is the most convenient way to get to Mountain Rwenzori, there are scheduled chartered flights arranged from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to Kasese Airstrip, then drive for about 40 minutes to the Rwenzori Mountains National Park.
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