Rwenzori Mountain National Park
Discover all you need to know about climbing Mount Rwenzori, including climbing routes, tour operator-specific prices, what to pack, when to go, and much more.

Mount Rwenzori, often known as the “Mountains of the Moon,” is the location of Mountain Rwenzori National Park. In addition to straddling the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its conservation area, Virunga National Park, Mountain Rwenzori is located in Western Uganda in the East African Rift Valley. Rising more than 16,700 feet above sea level, the mountain is the third tallest in Africa.

Its highest summits are continuously covered with snow and climb above the clouds. The glaciers of the Rwenzori Mountain ranges, which are higher than the Alps, are one of the origins of the River Nile, the world’s longest river. Together with its twin peak, Mount Stanley, which is located within the park, Margherita Peak is the highest point on the ranges and the third-highest mountain in Africa.

The park also contains Mount Speke and Mount Baker, the fourth and fifth tallest summits, respectively. Pletomy, a geographical researcher and photographer from Alexandria, first made the world aware of the mountain ranges in 150 CE when he described a magnificent peak that he named the “mountain of the moon.” When the English explorer Henry Morton Stanley saw the mountains later in 1899 and named them the “Cloud Mountains,” he was just as enthralled as Pletomy.The Rwenzori Mountains

The mountain’s protection area, Rwenzori National Park, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that spans almost 1000 square kilometers and crosses the districts of Kabarole, Kasese, and Bundibudyo. In addition to waterfalls, glaciers, and a variety of other unusual highland plants, it encompasses the majority of the mountain’s center and eastern half. With its glaciers, snowfields, and waterfalls, the park has been described as one of the world’s most picturesque Alpine regions.

How to reach the National Park of Mountain Rwenzori.

If you take the bus, the trip from Kampala to Kasese will take around five and a half hours. The majority of bus parks, such as Link Buses, are located in and around Kampala. If you are traveling independently in your own vehicle, it could take you around the same amount of time; however, because western Uganda is mountainous, a four-wheel drive vehicle is advised.

However, if you took a plane, you could only take around an hour and a half. To reserve a flight to Kasese, get in touch with your travel agency. Fort Portal will be your first destination, from which you will go south to Kasese. It takes fifteen minutes to go to Kasese from Mubuku; as you cross the Bugoye power plant, you may arrange transportation. You can quickly find porters, guides, and other helpful persons.

Accommodations at the Margherita Hotel in Rwenzori

A few kilometers from the village of Kasese, amid the mountain’s slopes, sits the Hotel Margherita. They take pleasure in providing a complete “Rwenzori experience” and provide excellent customer service. From conventional single and double rooms to executive and family suites that can accommodate up to five people, you will enjoy first-rate lodging.

They provide a really tranquil atmosphere, complete with lush green gardens and a stunning view of the Rwenzori peaks and all of its exquisite alpine flora. Even the children’s play area in the gardens has seesaws and swigs for kids. If you still have energy to burn, you can spend the night at Club Rocky, their on-site nightclub. They also offer a fully equipped bar and restaurant that will serve you all your meals and drinks.

Hotel Rwenzori International
The Rwenzori International Hotel is situated at the base of the mountain ranges, 3km from the Kasese airport. It has a variety of lodging alternatives, including executive self-contained rooms, single non-self-contained rooms, and tent camping for those who would rather be outside.

All of the rooms include comfortable furnishings, including TVs and phones, mosquito nets, and linens for every bed. Additionally, their restaurant serves a variety of reasonably priced regional cuisines. Additionally, the bar is well-stocked with a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

Additionally, the Rwenzori International Hotel provides its visitors with a health and fitness facility that includes a sauna, steam room, body massage, and gym. Additionally, they provide tours to visitors, including treks in Queen Elizabeth National Park and the Rwenzori Ranges.

In addition, there is a concrete tennis court, a grass badminton court, a laundry room, and on-site parking.

Katara Lodge
Lodge Katara, Rwenzori.The Katara Lodge is located 16 kilometers from Queen Elizabeth National Park’s Katunguru entrance. Because the lodge is so concerned about protecting the environment, all of its structures are made of renewable materials like wood and grass thatch. The majority of their electrical energy is solar generated, and the pool is salt water to lessen their need on chemicals.

With a captivating view of Queen Elizabeth, the Rwenzori mountains, farmlands, and stunning bird species, they provide lodging in grass thatched houses that were handcrafted and weaved into the hillside by the local population. Solar thermal energy heats the water. Both standard and family cottages are available.

Snow Lodge on the Equator
The resort, which is upscale and ideal for those who appreciate better things, is situated in the mountain’s foothills. The thundering Mubuku River underneath the resort will serve as the background music for your peaceful thoughts. Artifacts from all throughout the nation are incorporated into its exquisite décor.

The homes are unusual and distinctive worldwide because they are constructed from spherical river boulders. Each of the self-contained cabins features a fireplace to keep you toasty on chilly evenings. The captivating horizon with the hills in front of you may be seen from the balcony of each house. The restaurant has a fully supplied bar and serves breakfast and lunch as well.

Guest House in Tropical Savannah
Located in Kasese village along the Mbarara-Kasese route, the Tropical Savannah Guest House is a fantastic choice for those on a tight budget. In addition to the standard facilities like showers, baths, flush toilets, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a wardrobe, a mosquito net, full-length windows, and appropriate ventilation, they also provide free Wi-Fi.

In addition, they have a restaurant that offers free breakfast every day and regional fare for lunch, as well as a well equipped bar that will satisfy your thirst with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. In addition, they provide vehicle rental, tour, laundry, and parking services.

Activities in Uganda’s Rwenzori Mountains National Park.
Climbing mountains

Many people are unaware of the underappreciated jewel that is Rwenzori Mountain. The mountain’s landscape has been dubbed among of the world’s most breathtaking! You will be mesmerized as you ascend the heights of Mount Rwenzori because of its diverse climate and vegetation. It won’t resemble ascending to paradise. Coffee, one of the nation’s most significant cash crops, is grown on cropland in the mountain’s foothills.

From there, you will see stunning submontane flora and land landscape in the Afro-montane zone, which is covered in opulent tropical evergreen forests with a high species and color diversity. You will be left speechless and in tears by the sight of the magnificent snow-capped peaks when you eventually reach the summit.

Bird watching Uganda is home to a diverse array of birds, and the ranges are no exception. UNESCO designated Rwenzori Park a significant birding area because it is home to 217 different kinds of birds, 17 of which are unique to Rwenzori. The Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Turaco, Long-eared Owl, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Strange Weaver, Archers’ Robin-chat, Rwenzori Batis, White-starred Robin, Montane Sooty Boubou, Slender-billed Starling, Lagden’s Bush Shrike, Blue-headed Sunbird, Barbets, Golden-winged Sunbird, Greenbuls, IIladopsis, Apalises, Crimson wings, and Flycatchers are just a few of the variety that will enthrall you at around 1800 meters.

Hiking In addition to taking part in unusual hobbies like hand-fishing in streams like Hugh Glass in the Revenant, you may also enjoy day walks in the foothill forests.Mount Rwenzori hike.

Experience with Culture
In the foothills of the mountain of the moon, you will have several chances to see the locals performing their cultural dances and other activities. If you are fortunate, you may even be given drumming and dancing lessons. Additionally, you will travel to the settlement of Ruboni, where you will discover the ways of life of the ancient inhabitants of the Moon’s highlands.

In the foothills, relaxing
You may cool off in any of the picturesque accommodations around the moon’s mountains, have a relaxing shower, and take in the breathtaking surroundings after a long day of wonder and awe. At night, you may spend time around a bonfire under the stars while hearing stories about the moon’s mountains.