Rwenzori Mountain National Park
Introduction
Rwenzori Mountains National Park commonly known as the Mountains of the Moon is located in southwestern Uganda in the districts of Kabarole, Kasese, and Bundibugyo. It was gazetted in 1991 and later it became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994. It borders Uganda and the democratic republic of Congo covering a total area of 130 kilometres long. It consists of six distinct mountains including Mount Stanley, Mount Speke, Mount Emin, mount Gessi, and Luigi di Savoia. Margherita is the highest peak in Africa and the third in the whole of East Africa. The Explorer Henry Stanley placed the Rwenzori on the modern map in 1888 and he labeled Rwenzori a local name that he recorded its meaning “rainmaker” or “cloud king” (Uganda Wild Life 2018).
Activities you can do in the Rwenzori mountains.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park has lots of adventurous activities one can engage in while on a safari to Rwenzori mountains national park and these include;
Mountain climbing
Rwenzori Mountains is famously known for its highest peak in Uganda. park with the highest peak is the top activity done by most tourists. The Rwenzori Mountain National Park Rwenzori Trekking operates the Kirembe trail in Uganda trail which enables nine-day expeditions to summit Mount Stanley and a shorter, six days to Mt. Luigi da Savoia. The Nyakalengija-based Rwenzori mountaineering services run the central circuit which reaches and returns from Mt. Stanley in Seven days.
Bird watching
Bird watching usually involves the use of cameras and binoculars to help tourists view birds that could be far away from them depending on their location. Rwenzori Mountain is home to over 217 beautiful bird species including Rwenzori turaco, long-eared owl, Rwenzori baits, Archers robin chat, barred long-tailed cuckoo, handsome francolin, and slender-billed starling among other birds. Such an activity can be carried out when you are on your nature walk or climbing the mountain which applies mostly to people who are bird lovers.
Nature walks
Nature walking is another activity to relax. This involves exploring the environment enjoying and experiencing the outdoor attractions within the park. The highest peak of the six mountains that form the Rwenzori can all be climbed. The most popular is the 5,109m Margherita, the highest point on Mt. Stanley, and the roof of the Rwenzori.
Hiking
Rwenzori Mountain allows hiking through superb mountain scenery with equatorial snow and outlandish vegetation. A popular destination on the Kilembe Trail is the 4627m Mt. Luigi da Savoia which offers Afroalpine vegetation, patches of equatorial snow, and weather permitting, grandstand views towards Mount Stanley, the summit of which lies three days distant.
Cultural encounter
Cultural encountering is a fascinating activity done in Rwenzori Mountains National Park where visitors move to the Bakozo community with the use of their feet. Walking in this community gives the visitor a chance to interact with the Bakozo and get to know about their culture, listen to their folk songs, dance culture, and so many other amazing facts.
When to visit Rwenzori Mountain National Park
Since the Rwenzori Mountains are well-known for their ice and snow, it would be wiser to visit them in the dry season, which runs from June to early September and from December to February. During these times, the Rwenzori trails are clear, making mountain climbing easier.
Not to be little the wet season, it is also a fascinating time of year to go birdwatching, as the park will have reclaimed its evergreen pasture for a variety of wildlife.
How to get to Rwenzori Mountains National Park.
You can access Rwenzori Mountains National Park by both road and air. Traveling by bus or any other means of road transport from Kampala to the park will take you 6 to 8 hours and a one-hour flight from Entebbe airport to Kasese town.
Accommodation
UWA’s concessionaire operators provide accommodation in basic shelters on the Kilembe and central circuit routes.
Essential equipment to come along with for accommodation, sleeping bag, camping mat, warm nothing, rain gear.
Location
Rwenzori National Park lies on the Uganda-Congo border on the edge of the Albertine Rift Valley.
Essential equipment a tourist has to have includes;
Gloves, rain gear, good waterproof trousers, a head-mounted torch, lots of plastic bags, energy snacks, and any necessary medication. Hiking boots are needed on the peaks, gumboots are useful too, and specialist gear for climbing the peak is vital too.