Mountain Rwenzori National Park is located far in the western part of Uganda. It was gazzeted in 1991 and covers a total area of 996 square kilometers.
This UNESCO World heritage site is known because of its highest areas of 120km long and 65km wide Rwenzori Mountain ranges. Mountain Rwenzori also commonly known as Mountains of the moon sounds high when it comes to African geography where by its snow-capped peak “Margherita” is the third highest in Africa.
The lower slopes of the mountain boast a favoring habitat to different species. From sprawling bamboo, damp montane forest to Moorlands. Other sides of the mountain are covered by huge tree heathers, vibrant mosses, large lobelias plus ever blooming flowers exhibiting an enchanting outlook.
Mountain Rwenzori is one of the few adventure sites that offer an international first class mountaineering service in Africa. Its highest peak Margherita can be conquered in about 9-12 days for experienced and physically fit climbers.
Less experienced climbers or beginners are also catered for with easier routes that confer opportunities of delving in some places which are in close proximity to the peaks.
Additionally, hikers who opt for less challenging routes visit the nearby Bakonzo villages for village walks visiting a lot of homesteads for cultural performances, and tasting on the local mouthwatering cuisine prepared using local ingredients.
How to get there
This Park is usually accessed by both road and air means, the journey from Kampala to Kasese takes about 5-6 hours on a tarmac Kampala – Mityana – Mubende – Fort Portal road. On your way to Mountain Elgon National Park, the first stop over is Fort portal town for lunch and after continue south to Kasese. Off Kasese – Fort portal road, its 17km to Nyakalengija
Alternatively you can access the Park from south passing through Mbarara and Queen Elizabeth National Park though this route is somehow longer approximated to 450km from Kampala.
By Air – It takes about one hour and a half from Kampala to Kasese and from there transfer by road up to Ruboni trail head. Private charters are arranged daily from Kajjansi airstrip on request.
Activities to do in the Park
Cultural Encounters
This Park has several cultural trails to soak up part of Western region culture. Muhinga community group and Turaco view offers one of the best experiences.
It include a village tour where you watch a traditional healer’s demonstration live, visit village schools, and finally be entertained with traditional dance performances.
Then Bulemba Ihandiro cultural trail offers rich cultural encounters of the Bakonzo. Here a local guide is available to lead around the villages associating with the locals, see their different handcrafts and how they are made like basket weaving, fire making skills and more.
From here proceed to Kamusonge River for its locally treasured waters which are believed to quench thirst quickly.
End the trail with a visit to the traditional museum designed in thatched Konzo style, this museum exhibits a lot of cultural pieces including traditional dresses.
Mountain climbing
Though the Park boast a diverse range of Wildlife species, it’s primarily known to most of adventurers for hiking expeditions. That’s why the numbers of hiking enthusiasts beats Wild lovers to the Park. Hiking Mountain Rwenzori seems to be strenuous but usually exhilarating to most of life adventurers.
It’s beyond endless nature encounters en route to several sweeping views of sun montane vegetation with in the Afro montane zone, land trains, picturesque landscapes together with rolling hills with terraces while at the top. Hiking days range from seven days to ten or more choosing one of the two trails highlighted below.
The Central Circuit Trail.
This starts from Muhinga trailhead offering a challenging seven day climbing tour of the Rwenzori Mountains. Starting off from Muhinga, the route slopes via Nyabitaba along the Bujuku valley and then proceeds up to the peaks.
Kilembe Trail
On this trail, climbers ascend the southern slopes of Rwenzori ranges from Kilembe traversing past the glacial lakes along Nyamwamba valley and later connect to the central circuit at Lake Kitandara for further procedures up to the peak.
Nature Walks
Guide nature walks are offered to Lake Muhooma through Buraro chimp forest, visit the local communities of Kichwamba for local encounters via the Karangura ridge.
Continuing with the hikes up to 2300m above sea level, expect several sights of some peaks like Baker and snow caped Margherita peak mostly on a clear day. This amazing adventure offers countess Wildlife encounters seeing various species like squirrels, chameleons, vervet monkeys and more.
Bird watching
You may ask why high numbers of bird watchers to the Park yet its known for Mountain climbing. But the total number of 217 species of birds inhabited leaves the question well answered.
This is a true a delight for all birders of different species interests. Tourists are captivated by numerous species like Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Turaco, Barred long tailed Cuckoo, Cinnamon chested bee eater, strange weaver, Archers’ robin chat, Rwenzori batis and more to marvel.