Rwenzori Mountains National Park is situated in the western part of Uganda in the Kasese district. It covers an area space of approximately 992 square kilometres. The park was named by the traveller Henry Stanley who first marked it on the map of the world, standing as Africa’s highest mountain it gives a mystical challenge. The name Mount Rwenzori locally means “the rainmaker”. It is a major water catchment area to the surrounding regions, in the shadow of the snowcapped mountain is the Queen Elizabeth National Park, the park was gazette in 1991 as a national park and by 1994 it was declared a UNESCO world heritage site.
Tourist attractions of Rwenzori Mountains national park include the wildlife and vegetation of the conservation area, he diverse vegetation zone is in series ranging from the savannah, passing through the Afromontane forest, Bamboo forest, heather, afro pine moorland, and then the glacier mountains covered in snow, the forest acts as home to several wildlife species and birds,there are over 70 species of mammals present in the biodiverse ecosystem, these are shy and rare to see but can be encountered, expect to see mountain duikers, forest elephants, giant forest hogs, black and white colobus monkeys, Angola monkeys, reptiles, insects and amphibians.
Birds of Rwenzori National Park, the conservation area is an important Ramsar site which was recognized in 2008, there are over 200 species of birds that have been recorded to date, 17 of which are endemics to the region and the Albertine Rift Valley region, example species include Rwenzori turaco, greenbulls, cinnamon chested bee-eater, slender-billed starling, great blue turaco, Rwenzori batis, barbets, sunbirds to mention a few, to enjoy a birding safari in the park, it is important to bring along binoculars, waterproof hiking boots, birds guide books, raingears and any other important items of personal nature.
The Rwenzori Mountain, is a key feature of the national park, unlike other volcanic mountains, the Rwenzori is a Block mountain, it comprises 6 peaks of mountains joined together by gorges, the highest of them is the mountain Stanley(5109m). Its highest point is the Margherita, Mountain Speke(4890m),mountain Emin,Mountain Gessi, Mountain Luigi di Savoia, the peaks can be climbed any time of the year but best during the dry seasons between December-January and June-September, the trails are much easier to access during this time.
Lakes and rivers in the national park, several rivers and lakes flow from the mountains, and these supply water to communities as well, the lakes are formed due to the melting of snow, and these lakes are found in the valleys,including Lake Irene, and Lake Kitandara, rivers like Nyamwamba, which supply water to the communities,
The many attractions of the national park give a chance to do tourism activities including climbing mountain Rwenzori, guided nature walks, and birding in mountain Rwenzori to experience endemics of the region for example the Rwenzori Batis and the Rwenzori Turaco. Visiting Rwenzori Mountains National Park can be done any time of the year but is best during the dry season between June-September, this is also a high tourism season expect a few more travellers to join up in the national park. Visits can be combined with those going to western Uganda in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the Kibale Forest National Park.