Mountain Rwenzori Park

Mountain Rwenzori Park and its mountain ranges are described as being perhaps the toughest hiking challenge in East Africa

Mountain Rwenzori Park lies on the mountains of the moon .This is the park that must not be missed by any one who loves mountaineering"MOUNTAINS OF THE MOON" As the name implies,is the magic of the Ruwenzori snow-capped peaks, glaciers and forestation has long inspired mankind's spirit of adventure.

Its slopes shrouded in mist lend it an eerie atmosphere that has earned it the additional name” The land of Mist' and it's a must of the serious hiker( for mountain hiking),and there is a mysteriousness about it neither Mt.Kenya nor Kilimanjaro share.

It is also thought to be the origins behind the legend of' the Mountains of the Moon' which Roman geographer Ptolemy wrongly claimed to be the source of the Nile in AD 150! Home to largest mountain range in Africa only Mt.Kilimanjaro and Mt.Kenya in neighboring Tanzania and Kenya overshadow it but only in elevation.

The Ruwenzori Mountains are unique, in the fact that they are not volcanic in origin, but were forced 'up' during the upheaval and formation of the Great Rift Valley.Primarly attracting hikers (for hiking) and climbers (mountain climbing)

The park also supports an impressive number of mammals including elephant,cats,chimpanzee,giant forest hog and many of the shyer species of antelope such as duiker, as well as a diverse and colourful variety of bird-life.

Like its neighboring mountains in East Africa the Ruwenzori range consists of several altitude zones: a forest zone at 1800m which is home to the majority of the parks resident mammals.

The Rwenzori Mountains lie along the western border of Uganda and rise to a height of 5,1OO metres. They provide a spectacular backdrop to the queen Elizabeth national park.

At the center of the range, there are six peaks carrying permanent snow, three with glaciers. The highest of these peaks, and the third highest peak in Africa, is Mt. Margherita rising 5102 meter above sea level.

Mountain Rwenzori National Park was gazetted as a National Park in 1991. The Park covers 996 km2 of rugged mountain terrain offering visitors a rare experience of an Afro-Montane rainforest.

These forest start above 3000 m and includes the giant forms of Lobelia, Heather and Groundsel.

Best time to visit Mountain Rwenzori national park

Avoid the rain seasons at all costs. The Rwenzori is one of the main watersheds of the Nile receiving rain throughout the year but exceptional amounts from March through till June and September through December.

How to get to mountain Rwenzori anational Park

Rwenzori Park is 25 km from Kasese. Leave Kasese in the direction of Fort Portal and take a left turn after 4 km. The junction is signposted with a large yellow Rwenzori Mountains National Park sign.

The route to Ibanda is 15 km along a rough track. Ibanda is the HQ for the national park and trail head. Vehicles could be left here for the period of the trek.

For those leaving vehicles in Kasese (Margarita Hotel) or if traveling by public means a special hire vehicle is the most sensible option to get up to Ibanda where transport is very infrequent.

Related Pages

mgahinga National Park

Lake Mburo National Park in Uganda

Katonga Wildlife Reserve

Kibale forest National Park

Kidepo National Park

Mount Elgon Park

Murchison Falls National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Semliki Game Reserve

Semliki National Park

Rwenzori Mountain National Park

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