Mountain Rwenzori
The park was gazetted in 1991 and was recognized as a World Heritage site in 1994 and a Ramsar site in 2008. Highest point: 5,109m above sea level on Mt Stanley’s Margherita Peak. The border with DR Congo bisects Mt. Stanley. The Rwenzori is not volcanic like East Africa’s other major mountains but is a block of rock up-faulted through the floor of the Western Rift Valley. The Rwenzoris were christened the “Mountains of the Moon” by the Alexandrine geographer Ptolemy in AD 150. The explorer Henry Stanley placed the Rwenzori on the map on 24th May 1888. He labeled it ‘Ruwenzori’, a local name which he recorded as meaning “Rain-Maker” or “Cloud-King.” The oldest recorded person to reach Margherita Peak was Ms. Beryl Park aged 78 in 2010. The Rwenzoris – the fabled Mountains of the Moon – lie in western Uganda along the Uganda-Congo border. The equatorial snow peaks include the third highest point in Africa, while the lower slopes are blanketed in moorland, bamboo, and rich, moist montane forest.
Huge tree heathers and colorful mosses are draped across the mountainside with giant lobelias and “everlasting flowers”, creating an enchanting, fairy-tale scene. Rwenzori Mountains National Park protects the highest parts of the 120km-long and 65km-wide Rwenzori mountain range. The national park hosts 70 mammals and 217 bird species including 19 Albertine Rift endemics, as well as some of the world’s rarest vegetation. The Rwenzoris are a world-class hiking and mountaineering destination. A nine- to twelve-day trek will get skilled climbers to the summit of Margherita – the highest peak – though shorter, non-technical treks are possible to scale the surrounding peaks. For those who prefer something a little less strenuous, neighboring Bakonzo villages offer nature walks, homestead visits home cultural performances and accommodation, including home-cooked local cuisine.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to hike to the highest peak of Rwenzori Mountains?
The highest peak of Rwenzori Mountains is Margherita peak at 5,109 meters above sea level; this is located on Mountain Stanley and it takes between 7 to 10 days to hike to this peak.
Rwenzori Mountains has various peaks where you have a chance to see its four mountains that is Margherita peak, Savoia, Great Tooth, and Elena peak to see the Mountain Stanley located on the left. In the middle is Mt. Speke and Mt Baker that can be seen at Weismann’s Peak.
How much does it cost to trek Mountain Rwenzori
This will depend on your budget and number of days you plan to trek Mountain Rwenzori. We do have all-inclusive and tailor-made packages for trekking Mountain Rwenzori, the TEN DAY TREK that is the long trek to Mountain Rwenzori to four peaks, Margherita Peak, Mt Speke, Mt Baker plus Weismann’s Peak on the way back, this costs $1,640 One or 2 persons, 3 or more persons $1,520 plus UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority) gate entrance fee of $35 per day which is paid separately in cash. Price includes all porters, food (meals) and accommodation whilst in the mountain. The shorter trek to Mountain Rwenzori is a one day trek which is a forest walk along the Munyamubuli River for sightseeing, bird watching and learning about the tree species, this costs One or 2 persons $40 each, 3 or more persons $35 each plus UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority) gate entrance fee of $35 per day which is paid separately in cash. Price includes all porters and food (meals). For more packages on trekking, Mountain Rwenzori contact us and we will book for you accordingly.
How to book Rwenzori trekking safaris
Unzip Africa will help you book for you the Rwenzori trekking safari, Contact us about your planned hiking to Rwenzori Mountain and we tailor a package that suits your budget, time and interest we will need you to send us your planned dates of travel so that we check availability of accommodation and all services after we will let you know to move to the next step of booking. Once you confirm you’re booking with us, we shall send you an invoice for payment so that we secure all the services for you trip in advance. We shall pay for hiking and entrance fees at the park headquarters for you to be allowed to go on the hike to one of best peaks of Rwenzori Mountains.
When to book a hiking expedition to Rwenzori Mountains
A Hiking expedition to Rwenzori Mountains can be booked any time throughout the year. Hiking Mountain Rwenzori is tough especially those climbing the main peaks like Margherita peak the highest peak of Rwenzori Mountain, apart from the steep sections and the bogs, at the lower levels of the glaciers these are becoming harder as they are melting and changing faster than in the past probably due to climate change. But the guides are well trained and experienced in the use of ropes that will help you all through during the trek up and down the mountain.
Best time to hike or visit mountain Rwenzori
Rwenzori Mountain can be visited throughout the year, given the fact this is located along the Equator which experiences wet and dry weather the mountain still has the ice glaciers on top making it one of the unique attractions along the Equator. located in the tropics and with this they all experience tropical and montane climate and weather throughout the year, both national Parks Bwindi Forest, Virunga, Volcanoes and Volcanoes national parks are prone to receiving uncertain rains any time of the day or week, good months to visit are dry season months which occurs in the months of December, January, February, June, July, August and September during these months it always easy to walk through the trails which are drier compared to the wet months then as well the vegetations is not fully grown and this makes the sighting of gorillas easy and more clear. Other months which are slightly wet that is March, April, May, October and November most travellers avoid visiting gorillas during these months because the vegetation is fully grown and trails are much slippery making the trekking much harder.
Where are Rwenzori Mountains located?
The Rwenzori Mountains are located in Rwenzori Mountains National Park and this is tagged as “The Mystical Challenge” Africa’s highest mountain range, the 5,109m Rwenzori or mountains of the moon is the snowy source of the Nile referred to by early geographers. Rwenzori Mountains National Park is located in western Uganda; it lies along the Uganda-Congo border protecting the highest parts of Rwenzori of 120km long and 65km wide. The national park is home to 70 mammals and 217 bird species including the 19 Albertine Rift endemic species. Apart from hiking mountain Rwenzori, there is much more attractions to see and activities to do including the Bakonzo village walks, bird watching, sightseeing, nature walks where you will experience the local culture and day to day life of the Bakonzo.