About Mt. Rwenzori National Park
Rwenzori Mountains National Park is home to the legendary. Rwenzori Mountains –Uganda’s highest mountain and the only block mountain that is ice-capped. Mount Rwenzori is 5109m (Margherita peak) and is found on Mount Stanley. Other peaks exist on glaciated mountain ranges like Mt. Emin (4791m), Mt. Baker (4842m), Luigi da Savoia (4527m), Mt. Speke (4890m), and Mt. Gessi (4715m).
The Rwenzori Mountains National Park also provides refuge to over 70 mammal species and 217 bird species which include the Albertine Rift Valley endemic species of birds. Mt. Rwenzori National Park was gazetted in 1991 and officially, it was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park extends 996 sq. km and comprises lush vegetation, rocky outcrops, lakes, cliffs, and snow-capped peaks.
Different mammals to explore on a safari to the Rwenzori Mountains National Park. They include bushbucks, buffaloes, elephants, duikers, leopards, Rwenzori otters, bushbucks, and primates. The primates in the Rwenzori Mountains Park include chimpanzees, olive baboons, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and black and white colobus monkeys.
Birds –over 217 bird species that survive in the Rwenzori National Park include the Rwenzori nightjars, Rwenzori double-collared sunbird, Rwenzori turacos, Archer’s robin-chat, lammergeyers, red-throated leather, and black eagles. In addition, there are 6 species of amphibians and reptiles including the 3 horned chameleon.
Vegetation zone variations include afro-montane at 1765m to 2600m, bamboo zone 2600 to 3000m, heather zone 3000 to 3800, moorland 3800 m to 4500 meters, and lastly, the rocky glacier at 4500 meters and above.
Things to do during the self-drive safari in the Rwenzori National Park
Rwenzori Mountain climbing
Mountaineering is the leading adventure any enthusiastic climber/hiker shouldn’t miss to enjoy on a Uganda road trip in the Rwenzori Mountains National Park. The available hiking or trekking routes to the summits of the legendary Rwenzori Mountains include the Central Circuit and Kilembe trail.
En route to the Margherita peak, there are several camps to consider for overnight stay including Mutinda camp (3588m), Samiliara camp (3170m), Kalalama camp (3134m), Butawu camp and Hunwick’s camp (3974m), Sine hut (2596m), and Kiharo camp (3460m).
Birding
Over 217 bird species are distributed in the various habitats of Rwenzori Mountains National Park and include many Albertine rift endemic species. The birds to expect to search during the birding excursion in the Rwenzori Mountains include Lagden’s bush-shrike, slender-billed starling, Rwenzori turacos, Archer’s robin chat, ross’s turacos, laughing dove, white-napped pigeon, dimeric cuckoos, white-rumped swift, and levaillant’s cuckoos. Additional birds to sight include strange weavers, cinnamon-chested bee-eaters, and barred long-tailed cuckoos, to mention but a few.
When to visit
The dry season is the best time of the year to explore the Rwenzori Mountain ranges. This is from the longest dry season from June to September and short dry months; December, January to February. What to pack for the Rwenzori Mountaineering adventure; sleeping bags, crampons, sunglasses, trekking pants, snacks, gloves, a poncho, a pair of socks, an insulated jacket, mountaineering boots, first aid kit, and poncho.
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