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Rwenzori Mountains National Park

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About the Rwenzori Mountains

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 labelled 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 colourful 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.

GETTING TO RWENZORI MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

Getting To Rwenzori Mountains National Park: The Best way to get to Rwenzori mountains National Park is by Road & Air transport From Kampala/Entebbe.

How to get to Rwenzori Mountains National Park? Rwenzori Mountains National Park can be reached by road transport , 0r by air. However the most fast & convenient  option typically involves a direct charter flight from Kampala/ Entebbe to Kasase airstrip in 90 to 120 minutes, that means, you wont have to spend  many hours driving to the Park, like it is for road transport.

BY ROAD: DRIVE FROM KAMPALA TO KASESE

The Rwenzori Mountains National Park is about a 4-6hour drive from Kampala depending on the route. The road is fairly tarmacked and in pretty good condition. Fuel is never a problem in Uganda, and easy-to-follow maps are available with all car rentals.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park can be reached by two routes from Kampala to Kasese. The shortest route starts from  Kampala to Fortportal via Mubende  for a distance of 300km by a 4×4, while the longest route begins from Kampala, via Masaka through Mbarara, Busheny to Kasese for 350km distance drive.

The second route to Kasese offers amazing stop over at the Equator to experience the difference in both the Northern and  southern  hemisphere

By Air: Getting To Rwenzori Mountains National Park

A scheduled chartered flight can be arranged from Entebbe International Airport to Kasese Airstrip, which is then followed by a 40 minutes drive to the Rwenzori mountains National Park.

Chartered flights to Kasese airstrip are organized in two schedules with the first one departing at 7:00 am, while the second one departs at 12:00 noon.

Note That: The Rwenzori Mountains National Park can also be accessed  from the democratic republic of Congo. By road, it take 4×4 drive from Kigali Rwanda to Gisenyi , thereafter continues to Beni, where it takes a bout 13 kms drive to Mutwanga, the base at which all Rwenzori mountain treks begin.

Best time to Climb Mountain Rwenzori National Park

When is the best time to Visit, Climb, Hike and trek Rwenzori Mountains national Park? A guide to the best time to Visit, Climb, Hike and Trek Rwenzori Mountains National Park.

June & August and December & February

From June to August and from December to February is the perfect time to visit/climb/hike/trek Rwenzori Mountains National Park, otherwise, it can be visited throughout the year. For mountaineers the climbing window from June to August is the best times to attempt an ascent to Margherita Peak of Mountain Rwenzori.

From mid-June to August, the dry months may sound like the ideal time to visit the Rwenzori Mountains. The small window of opportunity opens up for mountaineers, eager to glimpse Mountain Rwenzori at it’s best, yet it is a season during which the mountains can receive less amounts of rainfall.

During the dry months, the Rwenzori Mountains national Park is, more visited than the colder months from March to May and from September to November, shrouded in mist. However, it is very cool in this season in Rwenzori mountains national Park, where climbers/trekkers can enjoy fine weather in the region.

From December to February, after the cold months from September to November, the weather tends to be relatively stable with mild to warm days and cold nights. The small window of hiking/climbing Rwenzori Mountains National Park opens up opportunities to mountaineers eager to glimpse the Rwenzori Mountains at its best.

These dry months of December, January and February are also the peak time for climbers, with many more climbers seeking to reach the Margherita.

March-May & September-November- When to Visit Rwenzori

On the other hand, the cold months from March to May and from September to November are usually low seasons because of the heavy rains, muddy trails and slippery rocks in the Rwenzori Mountains. During these months, Rwenzori Mountains National Park is very empty, and serene, which makes it suitable for solo mountaineers, who would want to climb the Rwenzori mountains by individually, at their own time schedule and convenience.

In a nut shell, a visit to the Rwenzori Mountains national Park doesn’t require a permit but prior booking through trusted and reliable tour operators in Uganda. At this time we can customize your safari, according to the number of days, additional activities, as part of a package tour that includes hiring a vehicle, a driver and a guide.

Lastly, the rains are unpredictable and may fall early or extend beyond their typical months. It is possible to experience dry weather conditions during the rainy season, just as it is possible to experience rain during the dry season.

Rwenzori Routes/Trails: Rwenzori Mountain Routes  to  Magheritah Peak

Rwenzori Routes/Trails: Rwenzori mountains national Park has the Central circuit trail, Kilembe trail, & Bukurungu wilderness camping trail.

Rwenzori Mountains is reputed to be the 3rd highest peak in Africa, and reaching its Magheritah peak is a holy grail of all hikers. Each year, mountaineers visit the stunning Rwenzori Mountains

Every year, people from all over the world flock to Rwenzori Mountains national Park to visit the stunning Rwenzori Mountains. Rwenzori Mountains National Park guide to Margherita Peak suggests that the best time to travel to see the Rwenzori Mountains is during the driest months from June to August and from September to November. Otherwise from March to May and September to November are cold months.

Rwenzori Mountains Trekking Trails/Routes- Which is the best Route..?

Located at the border between Uganda and Congo, Rwenzori Mountains national Park is located in southwestern Uganda.

The Central Circuit: Rwenzori routes/trails

The central circuit trail is the oldest and the most ancient trail that’s popularly used by both experienced and unexperienced hikers to climb to the top of Magherita peak. This magnificent trail which passes through the 5 vegetation zones of the Rwenzori Mountains national Park offers spectacular encounters, following the 1000m tropical valleys, gorges, as it transcends the rocky top of Mount Stanley

The Central circuit trail is the shortest and easiest access route to Margherita peak unlike the boggy path after John Maate camp, and crosses over the lower and upper bigo bog

The Kilembe Trail.

The Kilembe trail-, which also known as the southern circuit is owned and managed by the Rwenzori trekking Services(RTS).  This trail was recently opened for tourism, after the construction of new huts withing the National park, although it was first discovered by Professor Scott Elliott in 1895.

Being the longest route, that allows enough acclimatization time, the Kilembe trail offers the best climbing experience of the breathtaking peaks, spectacular lakes and the breathtaking glaciers, as well as the flora and Fauna.

This trail receives incredible reviews for its professionalism, quality equipment and safety measures, and the new comfortable huts throughout the route. It’s trek to Margherita peak takes on 7- 8 days which is equivalent to the Bukurungu wilderness camping trail.

The Bukurungu trail:  Rwenzori Routes/Trails

The Bukurungu trail was made after the major trails of the Central circuit and Kilembe.  The  trail is ideal for those who love  the wild nature,  because it offers stunning sceneries with 4 magnificent lakes (Mughuli, Bukurungu, Bujuku and Irene) along the trail, as you traverse past the mountain rivers, waterfalls and the green nature. This trail, like Kilembe also takes an 8 days trek to finish with a must reach to Magheritah Peak.

Unlike the Kilembe and Central circuit trails, The bukurungu trail is an open trail used for camping with no huts but rather safe and secure camping areas well organized and managed by the bujuku Eco tours under Rwenzori mountains national park.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park premiers Rwenzori  Mountain Trekking Safaris with combined experience on climbing Mount Rwenzori.  climbing the rangesb is an amazing lifetime adventure especially when a tourist wants to reach the marvelous Margherita peak in his trekking excursion. To have an enjoyable and successful climbing of the Ruwenzori, the park offers several opportunities for nature trails within the Park.

The Rwenzori Mountains is nearly 120 km by length and 65km wide. It is made of 6 peaks  divided by deep gorges such as: Mount Stanley at 5,109m , Mount Speke (4,890m), Mount Baker 4,843m, Mount Emin 4,798 m, Mount Gessi 4,715m and Mount Luigi di Savoia 4,627m. Mount Stanley has other minor peaks, with Margherita being the highest point.

The Rwenzori Mountains are an outstanding trekking & mountaineering destination. A 7- 12 days hike will get both experienced and non-experienced hikers a complete trek to the peak  and out of the Park.

Yet for short and less strenuous treks, one can take on the nature walks through the Bakonzo Village, homestead visits, cultural performances and other traditional activities, otherwise, there are also 2 to 3 days 28km Mahoma Nature trail

Hiking Cost : Entry Permits/Paperwork for climbing Mountain Rwenzori

Hiking Cost: How much should I Pay For climbing Rwenzori? Does Climbing Rwenzori Mountains National Park Require a permit? What are the requirements for hiking Rwenzori Mountains

Rwenzori hiking does not require a hiking permit, nor paper work, but allows for early payments prior to the day when your hiking Begins. For one to be allowed to trek/hike the Rwenzori mountains, payments are supposed to be made at the head offices of either Rwenzori mountaineering services for the central circuit trail or Rwenzori trekking services for Kilembe trail and Bujuku Eco tours for the Bukurungu trail/route.

However, payments can also be made through a reputable tour Operator like Rwenzori Mountaineering Service through info@rwenzorimountaineeringservice.com

The cost of hiking the Rwenzori Mountains varies, depending on the trail, number of days, and the peaks you would want to summit.  Hiking/trekking the Rwenzori mountains through all routes/trails does not attract refund once paid.

THE CENTRAL CIRCUIT TRAIL – RWENZORI MOUNTAINEERING SERVICES HIKING COST

The Rwenzori Mountains national park’s cost for hiking the Rwenzori Mountains along the Central circuit trail includes park guides, porters, food & wages, Park entrance fees, clients’ food, fuel, franchise, fees government taxes/VAT, all accommodations in all the camps inside the park, chefs and all climbing equipment like crampons, ice axe, rubber boots, and the harness. The cost also excludes warm gear such as sleeping bags, jackets, head sock, gloves, hiking shoes, walking poles, shoes, socks, among others that you will need once you start summiting.

Each additional peak to the existing one to be summited, will require an extra cost of $100, while any additional day in the mountain costs $150.

As below:

No Of Days Details Foreign Non Residents East African Residents Ugandans
7-8 Days Central circuit with Margherita $1250 $1100 $550
6-7 days Central circuit without the peak 1100 $900 $400
5-6 days Bujuku camp(3900m) $750 $650 $300
3-4 days John Matte(3505m) $550 $450 $200
2 days Nyabitaba camp (2650m) $250 $170 $100
1 day Nature walks $120 $80 $20

 

KILEMBE TRAIL/ROUTE HIKING COST- RWENZORI TREKKING SERVICES

All Costs includes all porters, food, guides, one porter per client (maximum 15kg luggage) and accommodation whilst in the mountain, whereas hiking equipment are hired at the base.

The cost for climbing the Rwenzori mountains along the Kilembe trail, just like the central circuit trail depends on the number of days, and the peaks as listed below.

  • 8 day trek including Margherita Peak for 1 or 2 persons at $1,360 each, yet 3 or more pay at $1,280 each exclusive of UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority) gate entrance fee of $35 per day which is separately paid in cash.
  • 7 days with Margherita Peak for 1 to 2 persons at $1,360 each, 3 and above at $1,280 excluding gate entrance (Uganda Wildlife Authority) fee of $35 per day which is separately paid in cash.
  • 9 DAY with Margherita Peak plus any other two peaks plus Weismann’s on the way back – at $1,520 for 1 to 2 each, above which pay $1,450  excluding UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority) gate entrance fee of $35 per day
  • 10 DAY TREK with Margherita peaks, plus 3 others:  Mt Speke, Mt Baker & Weismanns Peak on the way back 1 to 2 persons at $1,660, above which pay $1,580 excluding UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority) gate entrance fee of $35 per day.
  • 7 day trek to Mount Baker 4,842m for 1 or 2 persons at $1,230 each, yet 3 and more at $1,120 excluding UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority) gate entrance fee of $35 per day.
  • 5 DAY TREK to Weismanns Peak 4,620m, for 1 or 2 persons at $860 each, while 3 and more $820 each excluding UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority) gate entrance fee of $35 per day
  • 4 DAY MUTINDA TREK to Mutinda Lookout at 3,975m & a loop ascending higher up and back down through Hunwick’s Pass to Kiharo Camp, after then slope down the Nyamwamba River past various beautiful waterfalls for 1 or 2 persons at $650 each, 3 or more at $620 each excluding UWA Park Entrance.
  • 4 Day Waterfall Trek to Kalalama Camp at 3,147m for 1 or 2 persons  at $550 each, more of which pay $510 each exclusive of UWA Park entrance fee at $35 each day.
  • 3 Day trek to Kalalama at 3,147m and Samalira Camp at 3,140m at $410 each for 1 or 2, while for 3 or more at $380 without UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority) gate entrance fee of $35 per day.
  • 2 Day TreK to view the spectacular forests Rwenzori has to offer, at $240 each for 1 or 2 persons each , yet for 3 or more persons at $210 each, without UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority) gate entrance fee of $35 per day each.
  • 1 Day Trek (Forest Walk) at $40 each for at most 2, out of 3 $35 each without UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority) gate entrance fee of $35 per day.

 

However, the Rwenzori Mountains in Rwenzori Mountains National Park is however safe to be hiked and explored, given that it has three hiking routes/trails, although majority love the Central Circuit Route

MARGHERITA PEAK – THE HIGHEST SUMMIT OF THE RWENZORI MOUNTAINS.

Margherita Peak which stands at 5109m on Mount Stanley in the Rwenzori mountains, ranks 3rd highest in Africa, and runs from the middle of Lake Albert towards the North, and Lake Edward to the south on the Congo-Uganda border.  This summit, climbable between 6 to 8 days is the third highest in Africa following Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya.

This peak was first climbed by an excursion headed by Luigi Amedeo Abruzzi in 1906 the Duke of Abruzzi, J. Petigax, C. Ollier, as well as J. Brocherel. and was named after Queen Margherita of Italy.

The margherita peak is the forerunner of the high-altitude Rwenzori loop that starts from  the rich forests at the edge, before rising high beyond the clouds towards Margherita’s glacial summit.

Set beyond Africa’s immense ice layer, the hike continues up exceeding the Margherita Glacier, towards the rock scramble to Mount Stanley peak – Africa’s 3rd highest summit – in the Rwenzori ranges and hence the highest peak in Uganda.

The frequently used trail, that traverses via Elena Hut, is the same as the one that was used by pioneers long ago. Due to gradual ice melting over the past decades as a result of global warming, the glaciers in the Rwenzori mountains are rapidly recoiling, hence worth visiting.

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