Mount Rwenzori National Park.

Mountain Rwenzori National Park is an attractive and beautiful safari destination; it was officially declared in 1991 and covers 996km2. The following year 1994, Mount Rwenzori national park was listed as a world heritage site and later in the year 2008 the park was declared a Ramsar site. Mountain Rwenzori national park shelters the Rwenzori Mountains also called “Mountains of the moon” which is a fault-block origin Mountain within the western rift valley area. Margherita top of Mount Stanley is the summit of mountain Rwenzori. At 5, 109m, it ranks as the third highest peak in Africa, after Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and Mount Kenya in Kenya. It lies along the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Among other peaks are Mount Speke that is 4, 890m above sea level, Mount Baker that is 4, 843m above sea level, Mount Emin peak that is 4, 798m above sea level, Mount Gessi that is 4, 715m above sea level, and Mount Luigi that is 4, 627m above sea level. These summits make Mountain Rwenzori national park the perfect place for a mountaineering safari in Uganda.

Attractions in Mount Rwenzori National Park

Wildlife.

There are more than 70 species of mammals that have been recorded in Mount Rwenzori National Park. A few of them are restricted to the Albertine Rift. Mount Rwenzori National Park is well-known for harboring elephants, Rwenzori otters, lions, and a plethora of other fauna. Besides, the park makes a convenient dwelling area for a great number of primate species such as blue and black and white colobus monkeys, bushbucks, and even a lot of snakes.

Vegetation.

Mount Rwenzori National Park distinguishes itself from the other safari locations by having a very beautiful environment with a variety of stunning plants. Nevertheless, almost the entire flora of the park can be enjoyed particularly while going on a trekking safari along tree heathers, montane forest, Afro-alpine, and bamboo. Among the most unique plant communities on the planet, the afro-alpine is found only above 3800 metres in the East African Mountains. the park has large Senecio and Lobelia plants that are quite visible.

Bird Species.

Mount Rwenzori National Park is a globally recognized birding safari destination. There are about 217 different species of birds, out of which 17 are endemic to the Albertine Rift. Rwenzori is an excellent spot for bird watching.
Mount Rwenzori National Park has a diverse bird population including the Slender-billed starling, Rwenzori Batis, Boubou, Long-eared Owl, Rwenzori Turaco, Odd Weaver, Apalises, Flycatchers, Crimson wings, and Greenbuls among many others.

Activities to do in Mount Rwenzori National Park.

Mountain Climbing.

Climbing the third-highest peak in Africa, Margarita, which lies within the amazing Rwenzori Mountain National Park, is one of the nice and popular safari activities at the site. It takes a total of seven days to reach the summit. Mountain climbing safaris are highly visited by the people who love adventure walks that lead to mountain summits. Many are the routes that lead to beautiful sights that include glacial lakes, stunning mountain passes, lush green valleys, breathtaking views, and many more.

Hiking and Nature Walk.

One of the greatest destinations to do a safari in is Mount Rwenzori National Park. There, visitors get to experience the natural splendor of the mountain and discover the secret of the park. With a knowledgeable safari guide who takes you along the best trails and shows you some amazing sights such as the Buraro chimp forest, Lake Muhooma, and other places, the basic hiking trails from Kichamhe to Karangura Ridge are also popular among tourists. You will pass through the villages of Ruboni and Turaco, which provide organized forest walks of different times outside the park during your nature treks in the Mount Rwenzori national park. River Mubuku may also be explored while you are on one of the nature walks and you can see Mount Baker and the gateway peaks. And other attractions like squirrels, vervet monkeys, chameleons, and various kinds of birds, you may even get a chance to see the snow-capped Margherita peak.

Cultural Experience.

A culture experience is something that people who go on a safari to Mount Rwenzori National Park want to include in their tour. The most fascinating culture experience to tourists will probably be the guided tour through the Rwenzori foothills to the Bakozo village where they will meet the people. In a way, one gets to experience the traditional dance and drum performances, meet a blacksmith and a basket weaver, listen to fascinating stories, get a chance to see how to make local food, and much more.

Bird Watching.

While on safari in Mount Rwenzori National Park, bird lovers also have the lookout for the park’s 217 different bird species. Seeing rare bird species such as Robins, Sunbirds, Rwenzori Turacos, Evergreen Forest, Long-Eared Owls, Red-Throated Alethes, Stripe-breasted Tits, Illadopsis, Handsome Francolins, Bearded Vultures, Olive-back and White-starred Robins, and so forth is a delight to the tourists.

The wildlife Viewing.

Touring Mount Rwenzori National Park is the best way to see a variety of wildlife very close. A view of the beautiful environment, with a lot of trees and strange plants, is what visitors get by the park. The park experiences a lot of sunshine, rainfall, and low temperatures, all of which contribute to the growth of some plants. The side of the mountain offers you the chance to see other unique animal species like the Rwenzori colobus, L’Hoest’s, rock hydrax, leopards, Rwenzori otter, blue monkey, golden cats, forest elephant, red duiker, among many other animals, and various bird species.

How to get to Mountain Rwenzori National Park.

Both Road drive and by air are means to access Mountain Rwenzori National Park.
By road: There are two routes via which travelers can get to the park from Kampala and these include the route that starts in Kampala, then goes to Mubende, Fortpotal, and finally the park. The other route goes from Kampala to Masaka, Mbarara, and Bushenyi, from where it goes to Kasese and then the park.

By Air: The best way to reach Mountain Rwenzori National Park is by air. Travellers interested in the shortest possible distance can take charter flights from Kajjansi airstrip or Entebbe International Airport. Flights to Kasese Airport, then by road or drive to reach Mountain Rwenzori National Park.

Where to Stay While Visiting Mountain Rwenzori National Park.

The park has many options for climbers and travelers to relax after visiting the park. There are many accommodations in the park among them: luxury, mid-range and budget. Some of the most common places to stay are Rwenzori Turaco View Campsite, Ihamba Safari Lodge, Ruboni Community Campsite, Mihunga Safari Lodge, Rwenzori Mountain Safari Lodge and Abu T Mandu (and many other options).