Mount Rwenzori National Park is located in western Uganda covering area of about 1,000 square kilometers. It was established as a national park in 1991 and it harbors Uganda’s tallest mountain, Mount Rwenzori with an altitude of about 5,109 meters above seas level. Mount Rwenzori is a snow caped mountain and it is the main water source for many of the rivers and lakes in the country.
The park is located in the border of Uganda and Congo in the district of Kasese. Mount Rwenzori’s Margherita peak is the third highest point in Africa. The mountain water formed by the process of uplift rock. In 1994 a few years after the park was established, UNESCO recognized the park as an important world heritage site. Mountain Rwenzori gained popularity when a geographer Alexandrine on visiting in 150 AD the mountain named it “mountains of the moon”.
The park has mixed vegetation zones that vary from altitude to altitude. These include savannah grasslands, afro-montane forest, bamboo forest, afro-alphine moorland and rocky with glacier zones. On 24th May 1888, Henry Stanley a British explorer put Mount Rwenzori on the world map and named it ‘Ruwenzori’ the local name given to it by the locals meaning “rain maker”.
The safari attractions in Mount Rwenzori National Park.
Mount Rwenzori National Park has a lot of attractions to offer and these range from flora and fauna. The park’s sheer size is huge and harbors of the unique features there is. The following are some of the attractions in Mount Rwenzori National Park.
Mountain Rwenzori
Mount Rwenzori is the major tourist attraction in Mount Rwenzori National Park.
The mountain is located on the border of Uganda and Congo in the western region of Uganda.
It is the tallest mountain in Uganda and the third highest in Africa. It stands at an average altitude of about 5,109 meters about sea level. The mountain’s highest peak Margherita is covered by snow and this snow is the major source of water in the entire park after melting. The mountain harbors several rivers and lake and also waterfalls.
Mountain Rwenzori is home to primate species and bird species and these depend on the mountain for survival. Take on a hiking experience to the top of the mountain while on your Uganda safari tour and you will be amazed with a lot of flora and fauna on the mountain.
Bird species in Mount. Rwenzori National Park
Mount Rwenzori National Park is home to over 217 bird species. These bird species live in the different vegetation zones in the park.
Mount Rwenzori National Park harbors over 19 Albertine Rift endemics. Some of the bird species in the park include Rwenzori turacco, barred long-tailed cuckoo, long-eared owl, white-starred Robin, Rwenzori Batis, montane sooty boubou, handsome francolin, cinnamon-chested be-eater and many others.
Primate species in Mount Rwenzori National Park
Mount Rwenzori National Park has a lot of diversity and vegetation cover and this is main habitat for primates. The different vegetation zones in the park are a natural habitat to the primates.
This is because the park is rich with a variety of food to the primates and water. Some of the primate species in the park include olive baboons, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, the red tailed monkeys, L’ Hoest monkey, chimpanzees to mention but a few.
Vegetation zones in Mount Rwenzori National Park
Vegetation zones in Mount Rwenzori National Park are some of the other attractions in the park especially for visitors interested in research. The vegetation zones in the park vary from altitude to altitude. The park has a savannah grassland mixed with shrubs and some trees on the base. As you go a bit higher, the zone changes to afro-montane forest zone which is a perfect home for the small primates.
Bamboo forest zone comes next and this vegetation zone comprises of mainly of bamboo trees. The afro-alphine moorland is the second highest vegetation zone in the park and is characterized by heath. Lastly at the top of Mount Rwenzori is the rocky and glacier zone and it is the highest vegetation zone in the park with glacier or snow capes and rocky surface. These vegetation zones can be witness when hiking to the top of the mountain.
Waterfalls and Lakes in Mount Rwenzori National Park
Mount Rwenzori National Park houses over 20 lakes and 8 waterfalls that are located on the mountain Rwenzori.
The source of the water of that makes up these lakes and waterfalls is the glaciers at the top of Mountain Rwenzori.
Large volumes of water are always flowing from the top of the mountain since the glaciers melt and form again. It is a constant process. Some of the lakes in the park include Lake Mahoma, Lake Bujuku, and Kitandara lakes among others.
Safari activities in Mount Rwenzori National Park.
Mountain hiking
Mountain climbing or hiking is the main activity in Mount Rwenzori National Park.
Mountain Rwenzori is the highest in Uganda and many visitors flock the park very year to take on a climbing experience to the highest peak, the Margherita peak.
These adventure enthusiasts being their hike to the peak with a briefing from the park officials and then hiking gears are selected and also for visitors that need portals they can high them there.
Hiking to Margherita peak is very challenging because of the steep and muddy terrain and fun since you get to witness some primates and reptiles like chameleons as well as lakes, rivers and waterfalls.
Forest walks
Take on a forest walk in Mount Rwenzori National Park will introduce you to different features in the park and also some of the hidden treasures.
This is healthy and fun activity since you get to explore the park on foot and see some amazing primate species and bird species.
These forest walks take place along designated trails in the park. Some of these trails led you to beautiful features like Lake Mubuku that flows from the park and the primate forests. Embarking on a forest walk in Mount Rwenzori National Park is surely a rewarding adventure.
Cultural Encounters
Embarking on a cultural tour will introduce you to the Bakonjo people that stay close to the park premises.
The Bakonjo have lived and survived on the mountain for years and they used to poach the small primates in the park before it was gazette.
Some of them are now employed in the park as guides and porters as a way to change their behavior of poaching and they learn the importance of the animals and how their benefits.
The Bakonjo people are mainly cultivators and grow crops on the steep slopes of the Rwenzori Mountain ranges. Their culture and way of live are worth a visit and check out.
Birding
Birding is one of the activities done in Mount Rwenzori National Park. This is a thrilling activity as it gives you views of one of the best bird species in the park.
Mount Rwenzori harbors over 217 bird species of these 19 are endemics of the Albertine Rift Valley so does not take you much time to spot these birds with the help of an experienced guide. Some of the bird species include barred long-tailed cuckoo, long-eared owl, white-starred Robin, Rwenzori Batis, montane sooty boubou, handsome francolin, cinnamon-chested be-eater to mention but a few.
How to get to Mount Rwenzori National Park?
Mount Rwenzori National Park is in Kasese district about 300 kilometers from Kampala and it can take about 4-6 hours to get there. The park can be accessed by both road and air transports. Accessing the park by road is the most popular and cheapest means to the park. Flying to the park takes about 2 hours from Entebbe or Kajjansi Airfield to Kasese airfield. This is the fast and most convenient way to the park.
Where to stay in Mount Rwenzori National Park?
Equator Snow Geo Lodge, Rwenzori Turaco View Campsite, Kalitusi Nature Resort, Mt. Rwenzori Golf Resort and Spa, Elephant Plains Lodge Uganda and many others are some of the accommodation facilities at Mount Rwenzori National Park. These accommodation facilities vary from luxury, midrange to budget and also location either in the park or outside.
What is the best time to visit Mount Rwenzori National Park?
The best time to visit the park is always in the dry when there are few runs in the park and the vegetation is slightly lower. The dry season is the best time for some activities like mountain climbing because the climbing trails are dry.
The wet season tends to bring challenges especially in climbing because there is much water coming from the mountain. Crossing the rivers while hiking to the top of the mountain becomes hard because the water levels increase and thus pose a challenge to the hikers just like the muddy and slippery trails. However, for visitors on a budget tour or those increased in other activities other than hiking or climbing the wet season is the best time to visit the park.
Include Mount Rwenzori National Park on your safari list when embarking on a Uganda safari and be guaranteed with the best there is in the wild from Uganda, the best tourism destination in the world.
