A complete guide to a self-drive safari to Mt. Rwenzori National Park provides a deep insight into location, accessibility (discover the best routes), tourist attractions, what to do on a self-drive, where to stay, when to visit, and everything else.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park self-drive safaris provide a perfect opportunity for you to be part of the thrilling Rwenzori mountaineering adventure. The best routes to embark on a self-drive safari tour to Mt. Rwenzori Mountain National Park. 4×4 self-drive rental cars in Uganda are the best choice when it comes to self-drive road trips to the Rwenzori Mountains National Park.
Getting there –the best routes to Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Getting to the Rwenzori Mountains National Park from the heart of Kampala/Entebbe takes between 7 and 8 hours’ drive. Two self-driving routes commence from the heart of Entebbe or Kampala. You can drive from Kampala or Entebbe via the Masaka-Mbarara-Bushenyi route and taking this route allows you to make a stopover at the Equator crossing at Kayabwe.
Self-drive travelers with adequate time can also branch off to Lake Mburo National Park in Kiruhura to explore the wonders in this protected area in addition to the Rwenzori Mountains.
The other alternative route takes visitors from Entebbe or Kampala city via Mityana to Mubende via Matiri Forest to Fort Portal to Kasese route. En route via this self-drive tour route allows you to make a stopover at the beautiful Fort Portal Tourism City. The two routes come with breathtakingly stunning landscapes characterized by extensive tea farms and the backdrop views of the Rwenzori Mountain ranges.
Mt. Rwenzori National Park is also accessible from the surrounding protected areas like Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale National Park, and Semliki National Park or Reserve. Due to their proximity to the lush Mt. Rwenzori National Park, it is possible to have combined experiences from other protected areas and numerous adventures in the Rwenzori Mountains.
By air; guests can also take flights from Entebbe International Airport (EBB)/Kajjansi Airfield to Kasese Airfield. From Kasese Airfield, you can easily connect to Mt. Rwenzori National Park in a 4×4 vehicle.
About Mt. Rwenzori National Park
Rwenzori Mountains National Park is home to the legendary Mt. Rwenzori –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 self-drive safari in the Rwenzori Mountains National Park Uganda safaris. 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.
Where to stay on a self-drive safari in Mt. Rwenzori National Park
Available places to book for an overnight stay on a self-drive safari in Mt. Rwenzori National Park include Rwenzori Turaco View Campsite, Ruboni Community Camp, and Equator Snow Lodge. Visitors can also opt for an overnight stay in Nyakalengija Campsite, and many accommodation options in Kasese town.