MOUNTAIN RWENZORI NATIONAL PARK

Rwenzori Mountain is one of Africa's tallest mountain range, exceeded in altitude only by the free-standing Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro. The Rwenzori range has 6 major peaks, Mt Stanley (5,109m), Mt Speke (4,890m) Mt Baker (4,843m), Mt Emin (4,798m), Mt Gessi (4,715m) and Mt Luigi di Savoia (4,627m). The highest peak in the Mt Stanley which is called Margherita peak (5,109) and it is this peak which makes the Rwenzori Mountains the 3rd highest range in Africa.
Location; The Rwenzori Mountains lie along the western border of Uganda and rise to a height of 5,109 metres. It is also called the legendary "mountains of the Moon", a World Heritage Site.
Size of the park; The park covers an area of 998 sq km. it protect the upper slopes of the Rwenzori mountains , running from almost 120km a long the Congolese border west of Fort Portal and Kasese.
Tourism activities and attractions
Birdlife and bird watching
The forest zone is a home to a diversity of birds, including Rwenzori turaco, hand francolin, cinnamon-chested bee eater, long eared owl, barred long-tailed cuckoo, Archer`s ground robin, white-starred forest robbin, flycatcher, greenbul, strange weaver, crimsonwing, golden-winged sunbird, Legden`s busg shrike, Rwenzori batis, montane sooty boubou and many more.
Wildlife on Mountain Rwenzori
The Park has a lot of animal species such as the Elephant, buffalo, giant forest hog, bushbuck, chimpanzee and leopard but are rarely seen.
However primates such as black and white colobus and the blue monkey may be seen, as well as the hyrax, the elephant's diminutive cousin.
Hiking in Rwenzori National Park
Hiking is the major holiday activity to undertake in the park. The hike takes you though all the vegetation zones and finally ends on the glacial peaks. Shorter hikes can also be arranged though the hike usually takes seven days. Nature walks on which different animals can be seen as well as birds. Just like any other large east African mountain, the Rwenzori range can be divided into several altitude zones, which starts at around 1,800m,has the most varied fauna. The only mammals you are likely to see in the forest are the a aforementioned colobus and blue monkeys, though several other large mammals are present, including elephant, golden cat, servalline genet, Chimpanzee, yellow-backed duiker and giant forest hog. At night, listen out for the distinctive and eerie call of the southern tree hyrax.
Hiking on the central circuit takes 7 days and through different trails and huts these include;
Nyakalengija (1615m) - Nyabitaba Hut
Nyabitaba (2651 m) - Mubuku River (2l Matte Hut (3505m)
John Matte (3505m) to Bujuku (3962m)
Bujuku (3962m) - Scott Elliott Pass (4372m) Kitandara (4023m)
Kitandara (4023m) - Freshfield Pass (4282m) - Guy Yeoman (3505m)
Guy Yeoman (3505m) - Nyabitaba (2651 m) descending
Nyabitaba (2651m) - Nyakalengija (1615m) descending
When to visit Mountain Rwenzori national park
The park should be avoided during 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.
Accommodation facilities in and around the park
· Hotel Margherita: This hotel is in Kasese town with 45 rooms and well located for visits to the Rwenzori Mountains.
· Mountains of the Moon Hotel
· Rwenzori Mountaineering Services Bunkhouse
· Ruboni Camp
· Rwenzori Basecamp Guesthouse
Accommodation on the Mountain for Mt climbers
There are many huts on the 'Circuit' route. These include, huts of Nyabitaba, John Matte, Guy Yeoman, Elena, Kitandara and Bujuku

Trekking Mountain Rwenzori