Rwenzori National park
Rwenzori National Park is one of the most beautiful African alpine areas, It is situated in the western part of Uganda along the Rwenzori Mountains It was gazette in 1991 as a way of protecting the biodiverse ecosystem and was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1994 the mountain is referred to as ‘Mountains of the moon named by Alexander geographer ptomley in AD 150, a snow-capped mountain straddling along the equator, the mountain is Uganda’s only block mountain faulted along the sides of the western rift Valley. The national park protects some of the highest parts of the mountains stretching 65km wide and 120km in length, the national park covers an area space of approximately 996 square kilometers in Bundibugyo district.
The park hosts Africa’s third-highest peak Margherita with the finest diverse plant life, birds, and animals The vegetation cover includes tropical rainforest, bamboo forest, montane forest, colorful mosses, giant lobelia, and big heathers, going past the elevation point the rest of the park is covered in the beautiful snow-capped mountain, there are about 18 species of mammals present in the national park including blue monkeys, forest elephants, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, bushbucks to mention a few over 200 species of birds have been recorded for example Rwenzori collared batis, red-faced woodland bird, Rwenzori turaco, dwarf honey guide, purple breasted sunbirds among others.
Mountain Rwenzori National Park is a perfect blend of beauty, the combination of floral, forest, clear blue rivers, streams, and valleys make it magnificent to pay attention These mountains are best for hiking and mountaineering experiences a different number of days can be arranged to hike to the summit of Margherita which is its highest peak The Rwenzori mountaineering services together with the Uganda Wildlife Authority arrange hikes, the mountain has been climbed by many travelers including some of the worlds best hikers, there are 2 trails taken to reach the summit, the central circuit takes 7 days with stopovers, the Kilembe trail which is accessed in Kasese takes 5 days to reach the summit.
Travelers who may not be in position to hike the mountain have a chance to have a guided nature walk through the forest, birding to experience the special bird list of the Rwenzori, cultural experiences in the communities of the Bakonjo tribe who will dance and perform to their cultural songs they will showcase their way of life. The park can be accessed through Kasese The drive takes approximately +/-6 hours to arrive at the destination flights can be to the Kasese airstrip from Entebbe or Kampala Kajjansi.
The park can be visited all year round but is best during the dry season when the trails are less slippery it is important to carry warm clothes, long-sleeved trousers and shirts, hand gloves, a hiking stick, waterproof covers for phones and Cameras, and any other items of personal nature, there is available accommodation near the mountains or one can choose to stay in Semliki national park example facilities include