Rwenzori Mountains National Park is located in the Rwenzori Mountains which lies in western Uganda along the Uganda-Congo border. It neighbours Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and is under the custody of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
Rwenzori Mountains
The Rwenzori Mountains is a snow-capped mountain range located on the Uganda-Congo border. It is the source of the Nile River and supports glacier.
It is not volcanic and is the third highest mountain after Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya. It is a block of rock uplifted through the floor of the western Rift Valley.
This uplifting phenomenon led to the formation of Lake Albert, Lake Edward, and Lake George.
The Rwenzori Mountains National Park was, therefore, created to protect the highest parts of the Rwenzori Mountain range. The national park hosts a variety of animals and many species of birds.
The top-most part is rocky and snow-capped while the lower slopes are covered by moorland, bamboo and montane forest. The high Rwenzori consists of 6 distinct mountains and the three of the highest include Mount Stanley, Speke, and Baker and have permanent snow.
There over 20 lakes in Rwenzori Mountains National Park and include Lake Mahoma in the bird-rich forest of the Central Circuit and Lake Bujuku in the glacier-carved Bujuku Valley. Dams created by glacial moraine have created a string of eight beautiful lakes in Nyamwamba Valley.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park Attractions
Why is this park popular? Here are the Rwenzori Mountains National Park facts.
- It has a variety of wildlife-see below
- Abundant birdlife
- The Rwenzori Mountains-the snow-capped mountain with 6 distinct mountains which can be reached by hiking
- It has over 20 Lakes among them Lake Bujuku and Lake Mahoma
- It is a hiking and a mountain climbing destination through the Ruboni – a trailhead for the seven-day Central Circuit to the highest Rwenzori Mountains peaks
- Bulemba-which houses the remains of Rwenzururu’s first king believed to have rescued the Bakonzo tribe from the Batooro oppression.
The Rwenzori Mountains National Park Animals/Wildlife
A variety of wildlife is found here which include; the Chimpanzee, Forest Elephant, Rwenzori Otter, Leopard, Colobus, Blue Monkey, Antelope, Bushbuck, Hyrax, Duiker and Rwenzori Turaco.
There over 217 species of birds which include Rwenzori Turaco, Cuckoo, Owl, Handsome Francolin, Bee-eater, Archers’ Robin-chat, White-starred Robin, Rwenzori Batis, Starling, Montane Sooty Boubou, Lagden’s Bush-Shrike, Sunbird, Strange Weaver, Barbet, Crimsonwings, Apalises, Greenbuls, and Flycatchers.
Things to do in Rwenzori Mountains National Park
- Bird watching
- Hiking and Nature walks-through Mahoma and Buraro chimp forest
- Mountain climbing-mountaineering
- Camping
- Cultural visit-in the neighbouring community, Bakonzo village
Rwenzori Climate & Weather
Rainfall: the annual average rainfall varies with altitude ranging from 2000-3000 mm and is heaviest on the eastern side of the slope.
Rainy periods are between March-May and between September and December.
The dry periods are between June to August and January-February.
Temperature: temperatures vary between -5°C-20°C depending on the altitude
Best time to Visit
The best time to visit is during the dry months (June-August, January and February) when hiking is made quite possible.
What to Carry & Wear on this Safari
- Insect repellent especially the Mosquito & Tsetse fly
- If you are camping please carry camping equipment
- Also picnic items, drinking water, camera, and guide book
- Wear sunscreen, a hat, a bandana to wipe the sweat away, and sunglasses to avoid the scorching sun
- Flashlight and extra batteries for your devices
- A light rain jacket, sweater,
- Waterproof Daypack
- Packed lunch
- Waterproof hiking boots
How to get to the Mountain
By Road-You can get to Ruboni from Kampala via Fort Portal-a distance of 375 km
Or through Mbarara and Queen Elizabeth National Park-a distance of 450 km
By Air-you can use charted flights to Kasese from Kampala or Entebbe.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park Entrance Fees/Charges
Entry Fees is as follows:
East African Citizens (UGX): Adult 15,000 Child 2,500
Foreign East African Residents (USD): Adult 25 Child 5
Non-residents (USD): Adult 35 Child 5
Rwenzori Mountains National Park contacts
You can reach the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) through
Telephone: +256312355000 / +256414355000
Rwenzori Mountains National Park Accommodation
Rwenzori Mountains Hotels and Lodges include:-
- Wild Tracks Overland Camp
- The Elephant Home
- Sandton Hotel Kasese
- Ruboni Community Camp
- Tropical Savannah Guesthouse
- Collin Hotel
- Uhuru 50 Hotel Kasese
- Snow View Hotel
- Blue Agama Guest House
- Rwenzori Home Stay
- Rwenzori Turaco Camp
- Elephant Plains Lodge
- Mbunga Campsite
- Marafiki Safari Lodge
- Ihamba Lakeside Safari Lodge
