Rwenzori Mountains National Park is located north of the equator in the Albertine Rift Valley along Uganda’s border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and also borders the DRC’s Virunga National Park. The park sits on an area of about 996 sq km which contains the tallest mountain range in Africa, including several peaks that are permanently covered by ice (snow). The Rwenzori Mountain ranges are higher compared to the Alps and they have glaciers which are one of the sources of the longest river on earth, the River Nile.
Wildlife in Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Rwenzori Mountains National Park has over 70 mammal species, 217 species of birds, 19 Albertine rift endemics plus the world’s rarest vegetation species. These mountains also lie in western Uganda near the border of Uganda- Congo border. Its equatorial snow peaks includes the third point with Africa and its lower slopes are covered with bamboo, moorland, the moist montane forest.
Tourist Activities in Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Mountain Climbing
Rwenzori Mountain is an underrated gem that is largely undiscovered by many. The scenery on the mountain has been called some of the most beautiful on the planet! Mountain Rwenzori is covered in different types of vegetation and climate which will leave you spell bound as you scale its heights. Climbing mount Rwenzori offers you beautiful land terrain and plant life of sub montane vegetation in the Afro-montane zone covered by luxurious tropical evergreen forest with a high richness in color and species. When you finally reach the top, you will behold the majestic snow-capped peaks that will leave you breathless and teary eyed.
Bird Watching
Uganda as a nation is teeming with a richness in bird life and the ranges are no different. The Rwenzori Park is a dwelling to 217 species of birds and 17 of them can only be found in Rwenzori which justifies UNESCO labelling it a key Birding Area. At about 1800 meters, the variety will leave you captivated including the Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Turaco, Long-eared Owl, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Strange Weaver, Archers’ Robin-chat, Rwenzori Batis, White-starred Robin, Montane Sooty Boubou, Slender-billed Starling, Lagden’s Bush Shrike, Blue-headed Sunbird, Barbets, Golden-winged Sunbird, Greenbuls, IIladopsis, Apalises, Crimson wings and Flycatchers.
Lounging on the Foothills
After a tiring day of awe and wonder, you will be able to cool off in any of the scenic lodgings around the mountains of the moon, take a soothing shower and behold the beautiful scenery. At night you will be able to hang out in the starlit night sky around a bonfire as you listen to tales of the mountains of the moon.
Where to stay in Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Rwenzori Mountains National Park has excellent accommodation facilities including; Equator snow lodge-luxury, Ihamba safari lodge-mid lodge, Ruboni community camp-budget, Rwenzori backpackers-budget, Rwenzori Turaco view campsite-budget and Tours holiday inn-budget.