Things to do in Rwenzori Mountains National Park

Things to do in Rwenzori Mountains National Park : Rwenzori Mountain National Park is one of the 10 national parks in Uganda and it is located in the western part of Uganda in Kasese district bordering with Congo. This Rwenzori Mountain was established as a national park in 1991 and named as the UNESCO Heritage Site in 1994 and it covers a total surface area of 996 square kilometers.

Rwenzori mountains national park derives its name from the mountain Rwenzori that is located within the park, it is famously known as the ‘Mountains of the Moon’, and the mountain stands at an elevation of 5,109 meters above the sea level.

This national park is a habitant to over 70 mammal species, unique 217 bird species like the Rwenzori Blue Turaco, Rwenzori nightjar, and the Rwenzori Batis, 6 glacial peaks such as the mount Speke, Stanley, Luigi di savoia, Emin pasha, and Baker and it also comprises beautiful plant life and stunning water falls.  More so, the major tourist attraction of Rwenzori Mountains National Park is Mount Rwenzori, which is popularly known for its mountaineering activities.

Things to do in the Mountains Rwenzori National Park. 

Tourists visiting Uganda on a Rwenzori Mountain National Park safari always get high opportunities to engage in a number of activities that are being offered by the park and these include the following;

Birding.

Rwenzori Mountains national park is the best destination for bird lovers in Uganda. This national park is a home to over 217 bird species and these birds include; Golden winged Sunbird, the western green tinker bird, Rwenzori Batis, the Rwenzori Blue Turaco, and the Rwenzori Nightjar among others. Bird watching activities in the national park always start in the morning hours and begin from the Robin trailhead and leads birders to the montane forest where the tourists will get a chance to sight see several amazing bird species.

Hiking and Guided Nature walks.

The best and popular hiking destinations in Rwenzori mountains national park are found along different trails, which include;

• Kilembe trail which is about 4627 meters to Mount Luigi da savoia, which blesses the tourists with classic views of the patches of equatorial snow, glaciers and the Afro-alpine vegetation.
• The Kazinga trail provides hikers with a daylong traverse of the north Rwenzori ridge, which lies, between Bundibugyo town and the Fort portal plateau, which is situated in the semiliki valley on the western part of the mountain.
• There is also the Nyakalengija trailhead, which offers hikers with a two days hike to the scenic lake Mahoma, which is located in the bamboo forest. Hikers should not miss out to check on the Rwenzori colobus monkeys and the Three- horned chameleon.

Tourists visiting in Rwenzori Mountains National Park can walk through the forests and hike through the superb mountain scenery which is enlivened by the equatorial snow and the outlandish vegetation but they should be able to bear in mind that the shorter to lesser peaks on a high rate they are becoming the most popular amongst the hikers in the national park. Tourists hiking Rwenzori National park are always filled with great excitement and joy when they reach at the top.

Mountain Climbing.

Rwenzori mountain national park is famous known for its Mount Rwenzori. Mount Rwenzori is marked as the one of the highest mountains on the African continent and it is among the best and popular destinations for Mountaineering activities in the whole world.  Mountain climbing activities in Rwenzori Mountains National Park are the most adventurous and the most thrilling activities that many tourists never wish to miss out. These climbing activities require one to be physically fit noting that having some good experience in mountain climbing is considered as a plus. In 2010, the only person ever recorded to have successfully climbed at that Margherita peak was named Ms. Beryl Park who was aged 78 years. More so, there are only two hiking trails in Rwenzori Mountains National Park and these include;

Hiking Rwenzori Mountains National Park

Kimbe trail.

This trail begins is located in the southern part of the national park and it commences from kilembe near kasese town. This trail leads hikers through the glacial lakes, Nyamwamba valley and then it connects to the central circuit at Lake Kitandara.  Tourists hiking through this trail will get a chance to explore through the three highest peaks, plant species, wildlife, and the vegetation cover surrounding the national park.

The Central circuit trail.

The central circuit trail begins from Mubuku River and then ascends to a steep ridge of glacial moraine later to Nyabitabu hut and ends at the Margherita peak. The snow-capped mountain peaks mark the highlight of any mountaineering activity on the Rwenzori Mountain. However, hikers using this trail will take seven good days to reach the summit of the Mountain.

Cultural encounters.

Tourists on their Uganda Hiking safari in Rwenzori Mountain National Park have a chance to walk and visit communities where they will be able to meet that Bakozo people and get to watch their traditional dance performances which is accompanied with the exciting drumming, they also get to learn how they prepare their local meals, basket wears, be able to meet with blacksmith and listen attentively to the storytellers where they get to learn about the history of the Bakozo people.

Wildlife Viewing in Rwenzori Mountains.

Rwenzori mountains national park is noticed to have a three horned chameleon  and it is characterized with savannah grass lands at the edge of the mountain which harbours  a number of animals, bird species and  a variety of mammal species such as; bush buck, giant forest frogs, blue monkeys, red duiker, Rwenzori colobus,  Rwenzori otter, gent Mongoose, L’hoests monkeys, rock hyrax, Rwenzori climbing mouse, leopards, Uganda clawed frogs, forest elephants, golden cats and many more that tourists get to see while in the National Park.

Where to stay in Rwenzori Mountains National Park.

Tourists visiting in Rwenzori Mountains National Park can be offered different accommodation facilities, which range from budget, mid-range, and luxury.

These accommodation facilities include; Equator snow lodges, Katara lodge, Ruboni community camp, Rwenzori Turaco view campsite and Hotel Margherita among others

How to get to Rwenzori Mountains National Park.

Travelers panning to visit Rwenzori Mountains National Park can use either air transport or road transport.

Travelers can take a drive of 4 hours from Kampala via Mubende leading to Fort portal then to the national park, which is about 300 kilometers, or they can also drive from Kampala via masaka- mbarara- bushenyi then to kasese, which takes u direct to the national park.

 This journey takes about 350 kilometers and it is a 6 hours’ drive. Alternatively, travelers who wish to skip a long drive can book their flights from Entebbe International airport or Kajansi airfield, which leads them straight to kasese airfield as from there; they take a short drive to Rwenzori Mountains National Park.