Mount Rwenzori Climbing is an epic experience of Uganda safari. It is a magical challenge one can ever experience and it takes place in the Rwenzori national park, a conservation area found in the western part of Uganda. The park’s main physical feature is the Rwenzori Mountain stretching 120 Kilometers in length and 65 kilometers in width, the hills are combined together with beautiful gorges and valleys, the unique mountain is differed from other mountain features, as a result of the formation of the western rift valley, a block mountain was formed, it is surprisingly covered in snow in a tropical kind of climate and recorded as Africa’s second highest mountain after Kilimanjaro placed at 5109m above sea level.
Mountain Rwenzori is protected by the UNESCO world heritage site as the Rwenzori national park, it was declared one in the 1994 and gazette in the 1991, along the sloping side hills of the park is a growing differed vegetation cover, all combined together is magical to experience, it has been nicknamed as the land of many flowers, the first discoverers of the forest in the 1888 Henry Stanley put the mountain Rwenzori on the map of the world, he also named it the “Mountains of the Moon”. It straddles along borders with the democratic republic of Congo, the angelic topography of the Rwenzori is like no other, and it is undeniably the most eye catching biodiverse environment you can visit.
Mountain Rwenzori climbing is done to explore the highest peak of Mountain Stanley known as Margherita(5109m) above sea level, the mountain boats numerous wildlife species these are heard although they are rare to see for example the forest elephants, forest buffaloes, giant forest hogs, black and white colobus monkeys, mountain duikers among others, and over 200 species of birds some of which are restricted to the Rwenzori region, example species seen here include the Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori batis, handsome francolin, sunbirds, pelicans, barbets to mention a few, the Mountain is a less crowd zone all year round, a few people go climbing to the park however for those that reach out is a rewarding experience.
Mountain Rwenzori climbing is done through the trails developed by the Uganda wildlife authority, the Kilembe trail takes 7-12 days to reach the summit, and the central circuit which usually takes 7 days, the hiking speed depends on that of the last person, they are guided by the Uganda wildlife authority game rangers, enroute are small huts were you spend a night, take some food to eat. At the beginning of the walk, you will be briefed by the local team, they will also check if you have all requirements necessary for the hike for example hiking boots, water, food supplies, back pack, rain gears, warm clothes, long sleeved shirts and trousers, water proof covers for phones and cameras, insect repellants, among others. The hike begins at Nyakalenjia through river mubuku to the Nyabitita huts where you will take a rest. Guests along the way will get a chance to meet some of the park creatures like black and white colobus monkeys, Angola monkeys, giant forest hogs as you proceed through the angelic vegetation cover.
Mountain Rwenzori climbing is a hike for experienced hikers, tourists require to be physically and mentally prepared for the hike, for those that are less experienced it is important to consider, hiking the other peaks that aren’t so high, the shorter trails take 5-7 days to reach the summit. The 992 square kilometer national park can be accessed by road , it takes approximately 7 hours drive to the destination.