Mountain Rwenzori National Park lies on the floor of the Rwenzori mountain massif with its highest point being Magherita. Initially, the Rwenzori Mountain was referred to as the Ptolemy’s Mountains of the mountain. Mountain Rwenzori is situated some miles from the northern part of the Equator. Request A Qoutation
The highest peak of Mountain Rwenzori is Magherita at a height of 5109 m with glaciers all year that melt to form several rivers like River Nyamwamba that flow down the slopes all year. Mountain Stanley which is part of the entire Rwenzori ranges is the highest range of this mountain.
Several vegetation zones beautifully make up the flora on the slopes of Mountain Rwenzori some of which include montane forest, bamboo stands, Heather Rapenea zone and more. The varied vegetation zones of Mountain Rwenzori are habitats to several wild animals, birds and more.
To enjoy the best of Mountain Rwenzori one needs at least 7 days return hiking trip that meanders along the Mobuku and Bujuku valleys beneath the highest peak. Carry the right mountain climbing gears, bear some level of fitness, cross check if you are affected by altitude and more.
Brief Details About Mountain Rwenzori National Park
During the exploration era AD 150, Alexander Geographer Ptolemy wrote that a snowcapped mountain of the moon range was the source of River Nile. He referred to this mountain as the mountain of the moon.
Later John Speke discovered the source of River Nile which begins its journey from lake Victoria and the Ptolemy theory was reversed. John Speke in 1889 reported that the mountain of the moon doesn’t exist but mapped it by its local name of Rwenjura which locally means rain maker
Rwenzori Mountains are at the border of Uganda and D.R.Congo. The mountain Rwenzori rolling hills are protected by Mountain Rwenzori National park in Uganda and Virunga National park on the other side of D.R.Congo
In 1906, an Italian Duke Abruzzi tried to hike Mountain Rwenzori during June to July time to map its highest peak. Duke Abruzzi and his team succeeded in scaling, mapping and photographing the main peak of Mountain Rwenzori.
What To Do On Mountain Rwenzori National Park
Nature walks on Mountain Rwenzori
Mountain Rwenzori national park is famous for its flora rather than fauna with its amazing vegetation zones including montane forest, bamboo zone, Heather-Rapenea zone with giant heathers, colored mosses, beards of liches and more.
An escorted nature walk along the slopes of Mountain Rwenzori gets you to some of the amazing vegetation zones of this mountain.
Along the way on Mountain Rwenzori, you may spot other primates including black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, olive baboons, chimpanzees and more.
Birding on Mountain Rwenzori
Keen birders have chances of spotting a wide range of bird species that live in the habitants along mountain Rwenzori slopes. Over 241 bird species are recorded as residents of Mountain Rwenzori forest including 19 endemic species to the mountain.
Some of the resident birds of Mountain Rwenzori include Rwenzori Turaco, Malachite sunbird and more. To get the best from birding on Mountain Rwenzori, you need the company of a ranger guide and a professional birding guide.
Hiking Mountain Rwenzori
Planning the hike on Mountain Rwenzori requires at least 7 days and advance preparations.
Requirements for hiking Mountain Rwenzori
Pack the right hiking gears for a safari on Mountain Rwenzori including
Good quality sleeping bag
Rain proof gears
Spare warm clothes
Warn stockings
Hiking boots
Camera
Warmers
Garden gloves
Energy bites
Sunglasses
Extra hard cash
Backpack
Crampons these can also be hired
A pair of Binoculars
Hiking rods
Itinerary of 7 Day Hiking on Mountain Rwenzori
Day 1 Nyakalengija(1615m) to Nyabitaba hut ( 2651 m)
Take the central circuit that begin early morning from Rwenzori Mountaineering Service ( RMS) at Nyakalengija. From this office you rent some equipment and hire porters to use while on the Rwenzori hike.
The mountaineering adventure on Mountain Rwenzoris follows the farmland route, park boundary, Mubuku River, cross Mahoma tributary, follow steep climb on the massive ridge them Nyabitaba hut overnight. Along the way, you may come across inhabitants like chimpanzees, olive baboons, vervet monkeys and more.
Time to take on this section of hiking mountain Rwenzori is about 5 hours.
Day 2 Nyabitaba (2651 meters) to Mubuku River (2600 meters) to John Hut at (3505 meters)
Start a few hundred meters from Nyabitaba where the trails divides with the right fork leading to the peaks till the conference of Mobuku and Bujuku River valley conference and that on the left is used for subsequent descent.
Cross the Kurt Scharfer bridge at 2560 meters above see level continue hiking through bamboo forest, mosses, lichen festooned trees until John Matte Camp at 3380 meters above sea level.
At this point you get an amazing and sparkling view of the gold stuck Magherita and Alexandria peaks that are snowcapped.
This hike take about 5 hours time.
Day 3 John Matte (3505 meters) to Bujuku (3962 meters)
The route fords River Mobuku the cross lower Bigo bogo, climb steeply to arrive at upper Big bog to continue with the board walk which was set up to assist hikers.
On a clear day a stunning view of Mountain Stanely which is glacier carved valley. Climb over the glacier moraine, cross the river then use the trail heading to lake Bujuku.
The time to take on this segment on Mountain Rwenzori is about 3 to 5 hours.
Day 4 Bujuku (3962 meters) to Scott Elliot Pass (4372 meters) Kitandara (4023 meters)
Depart the over night hut at Bujuku following a more muddy trail, follow the steep path through the forest of giant groundsels, use the metallic ladder to ascend the Groundsel Gully.
Use the branch in the gully to climb into Elena hut (4430 meters) continue ascending to the Magherita peak on Mountain Stanley which is the highest peak of Mountain Rwenzori at 5190 meters.
The hike at this point requires support from the crampons and ropes.
When you use the main trail, continue up the steep scree, slope over Scott Elliot pass while on the main circuit and this is the highest point on the main circuit. From this point, you catch some of the most amazing views of the Bujuku valley with Mountain Stanley over looking and Mountain Baker.
Day 5 Lake Kitanda at 4023 meters to Freshfield Pass at 4283 meters to Guy Yeoman at 3505 meters
Freshfield which has colorful moss and muddy is a long flat traverse, descend towards Nyakalengija starts, move to Guy Yeoman hut which is close to River Mubuku and the view of mountain Baker to the north.
The time used to descend at this point is about 3 to 5 hours to Guy Yeoman hut which is close to River Mubuku. From this point you enjoy the view of Mountain Baker.
Day 6 Gut Yeoman ( 3505 meters) to Nyabitaba ( 2651 meters)
From Guy Yeoman hut descend to Nyabitaba a trail that take about 5 hours. It is possible to reach the Nyakalengija point the end point of the hike on Mountain Rwenzori.
The trail below the hut descends the cliff to Kichuchu then follow that a muddy tail that crosses Mubuku River twice then climb to Nyabitaba to complete the circuit.
Day 7 Nyabitaba At 2651 Meters To Nyakalengija At 1651 Meters
Get up early and descend from Nyabitaba to Nyakalengija which is the starting or end point of mountaineering adventure on Mountain Rwenzori.
Important Details Necessary For Hiking Mountain Rwenzori
- When planning to hike mountain Rwenzori, you need to take care the below details
- Book the mountaineering safari on Mountain Rwenzori early so that all necessary arrangements can be made in advance.
- Do a health checkup ( Full Body) before the Mountaineering adventure on Mountain Rwenzori to get the right advise on the state of your body. Seek advise from a professional about if your body can with stand changes in altitude.
- When you hike mountain Rwenzori and get altitude sickness the best treatment is to get back to the ground
- Pack the right hiking gears to help while on your adventure up and as you descend mountain Rwenzori like warm gloves, hiking boots, warmers, changing wear, first aid kit and more.
- Do some exercises to keep your body fit for the hike you are about to take on Mountain Rwenzori.
- The more the merrier, hiking Mountain Rwenzori is best if you have company even though solo experience is also fine.
When Is The Best Time To Hike Mountain Rwenzori In Uganda
The best time to hike mountain Rwenzori is the dry season that is normally June to September and December to early February when less rains are expected. Mountain Rwenzori soils are generally soft and the situation escalates in the wet season as more water flows down and plants along the trails is higher.
During the dry season, you get a clear view of the amazing spots on Mountain Rwenzori and when taking photos or film you get the best shots. The nights are spent in tents or huts sometimes so its more comfortable when you do not expect a heavy down pour.
The wet season of this area is normally March, April, May, October, November when more rains are expected to fall. The pressure of the water that flows from Mountain Rwenzori increases in the wet season which may be dangerous to hikers. Landslides are experienced along Mountain Rwenzori in the wet season.
What Is The Cost Of A Safari To Mountain Rwenzori National Park
The cost of a safari on Mountain Rwenzori National Park varies with activities you hope to take part in that is birding, hiking, nature walks and more. The cost safaris to Mountain Rwenzori National Park varies with category too that is luxury, mid-range or basic.
Consider the cost of other safari supporting logistics including accommodation cost, transport, ranger guide fees and more.
The cost of park entrance fees for Mountain Rwenzori National Park is from $40 per person to $45 per person.
Do not forget to carry some hard cash to use for extra payments like hiring porters, tipping, food purchase and other items necessary for the hike on Mountain Rwenzori.
How to get to Mountain Rwenzori National Park
Two routes from Kampala or Entebbe are used to get to Mountain Rwenzori National park and these can form a circuit.
Kampala to Fort Portal to Kasese at about 375 kilometers and this is the Northern circuit
Kampala to Mbarara to Kasese or Queen Elizabeth National Park at 450 kilometers.
The Nyakalengija which is the main headquarters of Mountain Rwenzori is about 17 kilometers off the Kasese to Fort Portal road.
Daily domestic flights are open to the public from Kajjansi or Entebbe Airport
How Safe Is The Hike On Mountain Rwenzori in Uganda
Hiking Mountain Rwenzori is safe because the Rwenzori National Park is under the management of Uganda Wildlife Authority who are well trained and professional.
Before hiking Mountain Rwenzori, you get to have to attend brief where the most recent information about the mountain and park are communicated for your safety and nature conservation.
Incase you feel the altitude sickness so inform the ranger guide in advance so that arrangements to get you down can be made instead of insisting, your health status comes first other than the adventure to climb Mountain Rwenzori.
Carry the right mountain hiking gears so that you are not out spotted when the hike on Mountain Rwenzori starts. Carry a first aid kit with necessary first treatment prescribed by a professional health worker.
Why Hike Mountain Rwenzori National Park
The hike on Mountain Rwenzori is amazing where you get to enjoy some of the wonderful views on along these rolling hills.
If you wish to test your level of fitness, a hike on Mountain Rwenzori is a great choice. Even when you wish to make memories a hike on this mountain may be that remarkable adventure you can choose.
Mountain Rwenzori National Park is a biosphere reserve where several wild animals and birds find a safe haven.
When you choose a visit to mountain Rwenzori part of the funds collected as park entrance fees are used to support the conservation fraternity of Uganda.
Why Book Hiking Mountain Rwenzori National Park With Arch Safaris And Tours
At Arch Safaris And Tours we are a professional and fully registered safari company with more than 10 years of operating as a tour company. Over time we have acquired experience in Planning safaris in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania.
For every safari we plan, we look forward to fulfilling out client’s dream and help them make everlasting memories of the African safaris. We are that ground handler that understands the hustles our clients go through to plan and save for a holiday so we aim to provide value for money all times.