Rwenzori Mountains National Park: Facts, Map, Height & Reviews

Rwenzori Mountains National Park: Facts, trekking, Map, Height & Reviews: Guide To Rwenzori Mountains – Rwenzori Mountains: Africa’s surreal ‘Mountains of the Moon’. Rwenzori Mountains National Park – The Mystical Challenge. Our complete guide on Rwenzori Mountains National Park Uganda is all you need to know about this beautiful park. Here you’ll find the most up-to-date information on the park’s attractions, activities, best times to visit, location, and lodging options.


Rwenzori Mountains Margherita Peak Summit

Rwenzori Mountain National Park in the Rwenzori Mountains is one of the national parks in Uganda and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Rwenzori Mountain National Park is the surreal home to the legendary ‘Mountains of the moon’. With the region’s glaciers, waterfalls and lakes, this is one of Africa’s most beautiful alpine areas. Rwenzori Mountain National Park covering about 1000 square km 386 sq. mi) is part of the Rwenzori Mountains chain of ranges.

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What is the highest point in the Rwenzori Mountains National Park?


Rwenzori: Mountains of the Moon, Uganda

The highest peak of the Rwenzori Mountains National Park is Mount Stanley (named after explores Sir Henry Morton Stanley) on the Margherita peak at 5,109 m (16,762 ft.). The peak rises between Lake Albert to the north and Lake Edward to the south on the Congo border. The Margherita Peak is the highest mountain of both Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo and the third highest peak of Africa after Mount Kenya at 5,199 m and Mount Kilimanjaro at 5895 m above sea level.

The Rwenzori Mountains are worth visiting and trekking because;

  • With a multitude of fast-flowing rivers, magnificent waterfalls, and stratified vegetation it’s one of the scenic places to explore.
  • When it comes to flora, the Rwenzori Mountains are one of the best places to see unique giant vegetation. There is unique alpine flora including endemic species of the Albertine Rift like the giant heathers, groundsels, and lobelias.
  • The Mountains are the most permanent sources of the River Nile and constitute a vital water catchment for the world’s longest river.
  • With fauna, the Rwenzori Mountains has a recorded 217 bird species and is recognized as an Important Bird Area.
  • These are also home to threatened wildlife species including the African forest elephant, L’Hoest’s monkey, and the eastern chimpanzee. Endemic to the park is the Rwenzori black-fronted or red duiker which is known to be a much-localized sub-species or possibly a separate species.

Why is Mountain Rwenzori Called a mountain range?


Summit of Margarita Peak in Uganda/DRC – Mount Stanley – Rwenzori

Rwenzori also spelled as Ruwenzori are a range of mountains in eastern equatorial Africa. The Rwenzori Mountains are host to Mount Stanley (5,109m), Mount Speke (4,890m), and Mount Baker (4,844m), which are Africa’s third, fourth and fifth-highest peaks. Other peaks that form the Rwenzori mountain range are Mount Emin (4,798 m), Mount Gessi (4,715m), and Mount Luigi di Savoia which is named after the Duke of Abruzzi who was the first to climb most of the 6 massifs that form the Rwenzori Mountain Range.

The Rwenzori Mountains National Park is indeed a range, unlike the free-standing Mount Kilimanjaro which is Africa’s free-standing mountain.

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We also go ahead to show you how to best plan your safari as well as offer you sample packages with a free quote to help you plan your Climbing Safaris to Rwenzori Mountains National Park Uganda.

This is the ultimate hiking destination in Uganda with the highest peak at 5,109 m above sea level. Hiking these mountain ranges is strenuous and lasts for about 8 days, however, there are also less tiring hikes that include nature walks and day hikes on the slopes of the mountain.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park is a Ugandan national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Rwenzori Mountains. Almost 1,000 km2 (386 sq. mi) in size, the park has Africa‘s third highest mountain peak and many waterfalls, lakes, and glaciers. The park is known for its beautiful plant life.

Giant Lobelia forms the beautiful vegetation of the Mountain slopes. The Mountain Rwenzori in Uganda also hosts over 70 mammal species, 217 bird species including 19 Albertine rift endemics. Hiking or mountain climbing Safaris to Uganda can be combined with bird watching tours.

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When is the best time to climb the Rwenzori Mountains?

The best time to climb the Rwenzori Mountains of Rwenzori Mountains National Park is from June through to August and from December to February which are the driest and warmest months of the year. Since these months are favorable for the trek, tourists visit much frequently and these are the busiest months of the park too.

The rainy seasons are in the months of March to May and November.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park Map

Rwenzori Mountains Trekking Trails

The best routes to trek the Rwenzori Mountains National Park are the two routes are Central circuit routes as well as the Kilembe trail route. Climbing Mountain Rwenzori to the highest peak of the range which is Margherita Peak at 5107 meters above sea level is a great achievement for many hikers.

To reach this goal, trekkers can take either the central circuit route or the Kilembe trail route to reach the peak of Mountain Rwenzori. The central circuit route takes 7 days and is known to be less strenuous than the Kilembe trail route takes 8 days and is much tougher.


Rwenzori – Mountains of the Moon (Kilembe Trail)

Trekking the Rwenzori Mountain National Park is such a perfect way of having such a wonderful climbing experience. Book well customized Rwenzori trekking expeditions and have the chance to choose the most suitable hiking route for your next trip.

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The Central Circuit Route Trail

The Central Circuit Route Trail is the only traditional route that approaches the Rwenzori mountains from the East. The route is currently managed by Rwenzori Mountaineering services with Kabira Safaris & Tours. Following this route leads you to Mount baker, Mount StanleyMount Speke.

Kilembe Trail Route

Kilembe Trail Route is managed by Rwenzori Trekking services, was opened in 2009 as an alternative route for Trekking Rwenzori mountains. Rwenzori mountains Climbers that wished to explore the snow-capped mountains ( mountain of the Moon) use the Kilembe Trail Route.

Rwenzori Mountains Trekking Packages

Rwenzori hiking

9 Days Mount Rwenzori trekking/9 Days Rwenzori Mountains Trekking/mountaineering/hiking itinerary to Uganda’s Rwenzori National Park is the ultimate hiking package to Magherita Peak.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park Uganda

10 Days Rwenzori Mountains trekking through the Kilembe trail route offers a great expedition to hike to the Margherita peak (5,109 m/16,762 ft.) of Mount Rwenzori.

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