facts About Rwenzori mountains

Top facts About Rwenzori mountains national park.

The Rwenzori Mountains, a notable mountain range on the boundary between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, are another name for these majestic peaks. Some important details regarding this incredible range are as follows:

The Rwenzori mountains are renowned for their distinctive alpine flora, which include a range of species exclusive to the Albertine Rift found in higher altitude zones. These include towering heathers, groundsels, and lobelias.

The park provides surrounding people with a diverse range of natural resources and is bordered by cultural heritage.

The Rwenzori mountains are known for their diverse features, which have long been believed to be the origin of the mighty Nile River. Nevertheless, the river begins its journey in the adjacent Victoria Lake, the second largest lake in Africa.

The highest and largest range of the Rwenzori mountains was named after Sir Henry Morton Stanley, a British explorer and journalist. Sir Stanley was the inaugural European adventurer to lay eyes on Mount Rwenzori on May 24th, 1888.

The Rwenzori mountain is perpetually snow-capped due to its tallest summit, which reaches an elevation of 5,109 meters, making it the highest point. Consequently, snow remains present all year round.

The Rwenzori Mountains house two of the most elevated summits in Africa.

Recommended Rwenzori packages

Top facts About Rwenzori mountains national park.

7 Days Rwenzori Trekking Expeditions, Rwenzori Mountains Central Circuit

As its well know that Rwenzori mountaineering takes you through either of the two routes, book the 7 days Rwenzori mountain central circuit trail to hike through the various vegetation covers up to the top of margherita peak the highest point on Uganda’s famous rwenzori mountains national park located in south west with the nearest time being kasese.

3 days trek to Mahoma Loop central circuit.

7 Days Rwenzori Trekking Expeditions - Kilembe Trail Hike

As its well-known that Rwenzori Mountains have two hiking routes that the Kilembe Trail and the Central Circuit that all lead you to Margherita Peak which the best place for hikers in Uganda.

Either you book the 8 Days/ 7 nights Rwenzori central circuit hike or 8 days/ 7 night Rwenzori kilembe Trail you will experience the ultimate adventure goal of reaching 

8 Days Rwenzori Trekking Expeditions, Central Circuit Rwenzori Mountains

8 Days Climbing rwenzori Mountain or 7 Days climb rwenzori central circuit tour is adventure of life time, due to its good looks and remoteness. Basically, it maximizes the chances for summit success rate by many hikers. This reduced traffic jams at certain poiv  nts and also made for a more enjoyable experience by restraining crowds.

4 days Rwenzori Mountain trekking

3 days trek to Mahoma Loop central circuit.

On the first day of 3 days trek to Mahoma Loop central circuit journey, we will start in Nyakalengija, which is situated at an elevation of 1560 meters. Our destination for the day is the Omukakiza camp, located at an altitude of 2500 meters.

On 3 days trek to Mahoma Loop central circuit, start your day by quickly contacting the reservation officer of Rwenzori Mountaineering Service to arrange for guides and porters.

4 days Rwenzori Mountain trekking

12 Days Rwenzori Mountain Trek - Rwenzori Peaks Expeditions

Planning to trek all rwenzori Mountains reaching to all peaks in the great rwenzori Mountains National parks in Uganda. Rwenzori Mountaineering has designed the 12 days Rwenzori Trekking as an alternative for 12 Days gorilla trekking & Rwenzori Trekking to explore the various vegetation cover on various mountains on the mountain of the moon. Optional travelers interested in trekking Elgon mountains , book the 6 Days Mount Elgon & Sipi hike with Rwenzori mountaineering service 

4 days Rwenzori Mountain trekking

6 Days Climbing Weismans peak in Rwenzori Mountains : Trek Rwenzori

There is no glacier on Weismann and no need for ropes or technical equipment, except in very poor conditions. On a clear day, the view from the top of Weismann to the Kachope Lakes below and to Mts Stanley and Baker in the distance is marvellous.

The route to Weismann Peak from Kilembe and back takes 6 days. See our Weismann Peak climbing itinerary. Weismann Peak can be climbed en route to Margherita/Baker – allow an extra day.

The Rwenzori Mountains National Park spans an area of over 100,000 hectares in western Uganda. It encompasses the majority of the Rwenzori Mountain group and is home to Africa’s third highest peak, known as “Mount Margherita,” which reaches an elevation of over 5,109 meters. The region impresses with its exquisite flora adorned with glaciers, cascades, and lakes, establishing it as one of Africa’s most splendid alpine regions.

The Rwenzori Mountain was formerly named as the “Mountain of the Moon” by the Alexandrine geographer Ptolemy about AD 150. Subsequently, the explorer Henry Stanley officially documented the location of the Rwenzori on May 24th, 1888. The explorer chose to call it Ruwenzori, a term he documented as signifying ‘rain maker or Cloud-king’ in the native language.

The Rwenzori Mountain in Uganda was created approximately three million years ago during the late Pliocene epoch. It was produced by an elevated section of crystalline rocks, such as amphibolite, granite, quartzite, and genesis.  Furthermore, the Rwenzori Mountain boasts the highest non-volcanic and non-orogenic peaks on Earth. Key Fascinating Facts About Rwenzori Mountain

The shortest walk to reach the peak of the mountain normally takes 6-7 days to complete, including ascending to the summit and descending back.

Rwenzori Mountain National area is renowned for its mountain climbing opportunities as well as its abundant wildlife. The area is home to over 70 animal species, including notable ones such as Giant Forest hog, elephants, duikers, bushbucks, and, if fortunate, leopards. During your tour, you will get the opportunity to observe several primates, such as blue monkeys, Angola colobus monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and chimpanzees.

The first individuals to ascend Rwenzori Mountain were the British explorers Sir James Grant and John Speke. They undertook this expedition in search of the source of the Nile and discovered that the mountain’s peaks were covered in a thick layer of white snow.

Key Fascinating Facts About Rwenzori Mountain.

The Rwenzori Mountain is a factual subject. The Rwenzori mountains serve as a crucial water catchment area in Uganda and the wider African continent. More than 5 million individuals in the Rwenzori region rely on this mountainous water source for their domestic water needs.

The summit of Mountain Rwenzori reaches an elevation of approximately 5,109 meters, making it the highest point on Mount Stanley and the third-highest peak in Africa.

The mountain is surrounded by numerous tourist attractions, with the mountain itself being one of them. The avian fauna in the area includes species like the Rwenzori turaco. The wildlife population consists of many primate species, including black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, and the rare chimpanzees. There are six distinct vegetation zones. The lake resembles Irene and Kitandara.

The climate of Rwenzori Mountain is characterized by a high amount of precipitation, with mist and rain occurring consistently throughout the year. In addition, Uganda undergoes two brief periods of low rainfall, known as dry seasons, occurring from June to August and from December to February.

The Mountain is composed of six massifs that are divided by deep canyons. These massifs include Mount Stanley, which stands at an elevation of 5,109 meters, Mount Speke at 4,890 meters, and Mount Baker at 4,843 meters.

The Rwenzori Mountain National Park is situated in the western area of Uganda and is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site within the Rwenzori Mountain ranges. The park spans around 1,000 square kilometers and is under the jurisdiction of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). It gains prominence on the World Tourism map due to its possession of the third highest mountain peak in Africa, as well as a variety of lakes, waterfalls, and glaciers. Additionally, it is renowned for its abundant plant life.