Rwenzori Mountains National Park covers about 100,000 hectares in western Uganda and includes most of the Rwenzori mountain range.
The park is home to Mount Margherita (5,109 m), Africa’s third-highest peak. The area is one of Africa’s most beautiful alpine regions, with glaciers, lakes, and waterfalls.
It also provides a habitat for many endangered species and has a wide variety of unique plants, including giant heather.
The Rwenzori Mountains National Park was first designated as a protected forest in 1941 and later established as a national park in 1991. In 1994, it was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Rwenzori Mountains are among Africa’s highest mountain ranges.
The Rwenzori Mountains
At 5,109 meters above sea level, the Rwenzori Mountains are often referred to as the “Mountains of the Moon”. The highest peak, Mount Stanley, is not volcanic.
The park was named after the Rwenzori Mountains, which were gazetted as a national park in 1991. Most of the mountains are in Uganda, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the other side.
The park headquarters are located in the foothills of the mountains.
Climbing the Rwenzori Mountains is a challenging but exciting adventure that requires careful preparation. The park features six permanently snow-covered glacier peaks:
- Mount Stanley (5,109 m)
- Mount Speke (4,890 m)
- Mount Baker (4,843 m)
- Mount Emin (4,798 m)
- Mount Gessi (4,715 m)
- Mount Luigi di Savoia (4,627 m)
Vegetation & Wildlife
The Rwenzori Mountains have five distinct vegetation zones: Montane forest, Bamboo, Heather, Afro-alpine, Moorland and grassland.
At higher elevations, visitors can see giant lobelia and giant groundsels. Although the Rwenzori Mountains are best known for trekking and climbing, they also have a rich variety of wildlife.
The park is home to 177 bird species and 70 mammal species, many of which are Albertine Rift endemics.
Notable animals in the park include: Elephants, Buffaloes, The endangered Rwenzori leopard, Rwenzori colobus monkeys, Hyrax, Blue monkeys and the Rwenzori turaco.
The Angola colobus monkey has only been recorded in this one national park in Uganda. It is often mistaken for the more common black-and-white colobus monkey.
Some animals, like duikers, live on the lower slopes of the mountains. The park is also home to several bird species, including: white-necked raven, olive pigeon, francolins, mountain buzzards and the Rwenzori turaco.
Trekking & Mountaineering
The Rwenzori Mountains offer fantastic hiking and mountaineering opportunities, making for a truly unforgettable experience.
The seven-day Central Circuit trek gives visitors a chance to experience: climbing, unique plant life and bird-watching.
It is recommended that climbers be physically fit and in good health before attempting the trek.
We provide all necessary climbing equipment for those who want to explore the mountains.
