rwenzori Archives — Mantis Africa Safaris

Discover Uganda’s remarkable destinations, from the verdant misty forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to the vast plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park.

Often called the “Pearl of Africa”, Uganda offers experiences that few destinations in the world can match. From tracking mountain gorillas in the misty forests of Bwindi and Mgahinga to cruising along the Nile River.

With over ten national parks, each offering unique wildlife encounters, we have put together the best places to visit in Uganda.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Home to the largest population of mountain gorillas in the world, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, situated in southwestern corner of Uganda, the lush mountainous forest protects over 400 mountain gorillas.

Most travelers visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to track these magnificent apes, which involves an adventurous hike on hilly tracks through the misty tropical rainforest. Along the trek, there are over 120 mammals to spot, including forest duikers, rare I’Hoest monkeys, olive baboons, bushbucks, black and white colobus monkeys, forest elephants (seldom seen) and over 220 species of butterfly and 350 bird species.

Travel Tip: Gorilla tracking can be physically demanding, the hike to reach your allocated gorilla group can take anything from just an hour to an entire day (the average hiking time is between three and seven hours).

Kyambura Gorge

Often called the “Valley of Apes” Kyambura Gorge is a lush forested canyon offering a unique opportunity to track chimpanzees and explore a distinct ecosystem with Queen Elizabeth National Park.

This sunken rainforest is home to chimpanzees and a diversity of colorful bird species, the gorge’s unique location also provides incredible viewpoints for photographers and nature lovers. Besides the chimpanzees, other primates to lookout for in Kyambura Gorge include black and white colobus monkeys and red-tailed monkeys.

Murchison Falls National Park

Named after the most powerful waterfall in the world – Murchison Falls National Park is only one of the most stunning places to visit in Uganda, but also the largest national park, where the Nile River explodes through a narrow gorge, create an awe-inspiring view.

On a Uganda safari to Murchison Falls National Park, you travel through palm – dotted hills, swamps, riverine woodlands, and forests to see an array of wildlife including four of the Big Five.

The Murchison Falls is a must visit spot in Murchison Falls National Park, on your visit you will be stunned by the intensity of this waterfall – the large volumes of water that tumble down measure about 300 cubic metres feet per second. The immense pressure of the water fall causes the surrounding area to tremble. Hike to the top of the falls (it takes only about 45 minutes) to get a better view of the falls and the surrounding national park.

Murchison Falls National Park offers the opportunity to spot lions, elephants, buffaloes and leopards while on a Uganda safari. Near the waters, schools of hippos and Nile crocodiles reign, while herds of Rothschild giraffe and a variety of antelope species capture your attention on the plains.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

The most popular safari destination in Uganda, Queen Elizabeth National Park is renowned for its diverse habitats, including savannahs, forests, and swamps, supporting a wide variety of wildlife. The park boasts such as high biodiversity setting Queen Elizabeth National Park apart from other Uganda national parks.

Covering 1,978 square kilometers, Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the largest parks in Uganda hosting over 96 mammal species including four of the Big Five. Wildlife in the park include healthy numbers of hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants, lions, leopards, chimpanzees, giant forest hogs, antelopes, and spotted hyenas.

Queen Elizabeth National Park offers several safari experience to do on a Uganda safari including classic game drives, visit the crater lakes, do a boat safari on the Kazinga Channel, chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge, go on a guide nature walk in Maramagambo Forest and guided nature walks.

Kidepo Valley National Park

Nestled in the remote corners of northeastern Uganda lies Kidepo Valley National Park protecting untouched wilderness, often dubbed as Africa’s hidden Eden. The park is a sanctuary for a diverse array of wildlife and a haven for nature enthusiasts seeking an authentic Uganda safari experience.

Kidepo Valley National Park is located in the northeastern region of Uganda, is a hidden treasure waiting for you to explore on a Uganda safari. At a size of 1,442 square kilometers, Kidepo is the third largest national park in Uganda and home to over 77 mammal species. The park offer great opportunities for game viewing with incredible sightings of 20 species of predators, including lions, leopards and spotted hyenas among others.

In addition to wildlife, Kidepo Valley National Park is a birder’s haven with over 500 species of birds including the common Ostrich, secretary bird, northern carmine bee-eater, little green bee-eater, Abyssinian scimitar bill, and many more colorful species.

Western Uganda

Dominated by green rolling hills and mesmerizing crater lakes, western Uganda has a wealth of biodiversity waiting for you to explore.

On your Uganda safari visit you will feel your excitement rising for the adventure you are about to undertake in this natural haven, the region is home to several national parks and offers incredible primate trekking opportunities, making one of the best places to visit in Uganda.

Must-Visit Areas in Western Uganda

On your visit you will awestruck by the incredible diversity of wildlife, colorful birds and stunning landscapes and natural attractions.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park – The Mountains of the Moon

Encompassing the third highest peak in Africa, the Rwenzori Mountains National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site enchanting visitors with its snow-capped peaks and stunning scenery. The Rwenzori Mountains provide thrilling landscapes for hikes and mountaineering trips.

A Uganda adventure to Rwenzori Mountain National Park takes you past glaciers, waterfalls, clear blue lakes, and a variety of vegetation.

Kibale National Park – Haven for Chimpanzee Trekking

Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park – a Primate Capital of the world is a highlight of a Uganda safari tour. During this primate experience, you will hike through the rainforest of the national park – an incredible adventure on which you will find a habituated chimpanzee family.

Spend about an hour observing these intelligent primates, gaining an insight into their complex social structures. Kibale Forest is also home to almost 400 species of birds, making it an amazing environment for birding in Uganda.

Lake Bunyonyi – The deepest lake in Uganda

Lake Bunyonyi is a beautiful lake surrounded by terraced hills, and is perfect for relaxation and water-based activities like canoeing and swimming. The lake is an ideal stop during gorilla trekking adventure in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, as it neighbors the parks.

Some of the thrilling experiences to keep you busy on your visit to Lake Bunyonyi include birding, hiking, canoeing, swimming and mountain biking.

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 3^rd 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.

Get in touch with us and let us share ideas on how best you can explore this unique tourist attraction as our team of knowledgable safari consultants are eager to hear from you

Tag: rwenzori

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The Mountain Rwenzori of Uganda

The Mountain Rwenzori of Uganda