
RWENZORI MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
The Mystical Challenge
Rwenzori Mountains National Park is in southwestern Uganda, was gazetted in 1991, and became a UNESCO world heritage site in 1994 for its famous peak Margherita, which is Africa’s third highest with an altitude range of 1600m to 5109m above Sea Level, a width of 65Km and height of 120km, after 4500m snow and glaciers complement that special element to rewarding views throughout this unspoiled mountain range which qualifies it to be a mountaineer haven. The Trekking trails are Central Circuit, Kilembe, or Burungu.
Apart from the mountains, you are also rewarded with an opportunity to see its bamboo woodlands, plant life from dense tropical rainforests, and other amazing creatures of this remarkable destination.
What to wear-mountain Rwenzori National Park
Mountaineers are provided with a climbing kit but aside from that you are expected to carry some things with and it is advised you park as lightly as you can. Below are some things we recommend on your packing list for this amazing mountain climbing safari of a lifetime.
Shoes: 2 pairs of shoes with mid-weight and good ankle support including trekking and training footwear.
A small backpack: Aside from the main luggage, you need to Carry a backpack that is relatively able to store all your day needs for example rain pants, a camera, water, sunglasses, a jacket, binoculars, and sunscreen as a minimum, and any other personal items. You can also include other items you might require during the day because you won’t be able to get your main luggage until the end of each trek day.
Insect repellent: No one wants bites during their hike as it can at times get itchy and uncomfortable therefore, we advise you carry enough insect repellent that can last you the trekking
Gaiters: All trekkers, are not so much needed, except for those who would love to keep their trousers clean in wet, muddy, and dusty conditions
Socks: Whether you are a first-time or experienced mountaineer, you are required to come in handy with 3-4 pairs of outer socks and 2-3 pairs of liner socks. We also urge you to bring thick thermal socks for summit night
Sunglasses: 100% UV protective Sunglasses are a must-have as these will protect you from the scorching sun and reflect off ice and snow.
A pair of Binoculars and camera: Rwenzori Mountain National Park has a lot to offer and mountaineers should possess great binoculars, cameras, and lenses extra batteries that can store these amazing memories. All mountains are unique in their own way and you would not want to miss out on what Rwenzori has to offer.
Hat for sun protection: Get a warm thermal hat that protects your head and neck from the harsh rays of the sun.
Toiletries: Toiletries like toothbrushes, toothpaste, toilet paper, foot powder, hand cream, cream, soap and shampoo, deodorant, soap, hairbrush/comb, Lip balm, moisturizers, and anti-bacterial wipes, as constant showers may not be possible therefore these wipes will maintain good hygiene.
Sleeping bag: 0F (or -15F) sleeping bag with a liner is recommended sleeping bags you may choose to carry one or hire one from the quarters. Please be reminded that it gets really cold at and up the Rwenzori Mountains. This will keep you warm after a long day.
First-hand Kit (if required): A first-hand kit, it is important to carry some meds like painkillers, anti-biotic among other meds that are personal that you may need that are prescribed by your medical doctor.
Gloves: Comfortable gloves protect your hands from the sun rays as well as keep you warm during the cold nights and summit push.
Sunscreen: Sunscreen will protect you from the scorching sun.
Crampons: You can either decide to buy yours or rent them. There are however many brands of crampons around. Make your favorite choice, and remember to differentiate between the ice climbing crampons differ from glacier crampons.
Trekking poles: Trekking poles are important to manage your fatigue and these can be hired or bought by you.
Plug Adapter: For charging your devices in the hotels before and after the 7-day trek in the Rwenzori Mountains.
Headlamp: A light weighed headlamp is good to provide you with light during your movements, make sure you carry some extra battery.
Insulated Jacket: You’ll need a good quality & warm jacket for summiting as well as during the cold evenings in the camp with trekking trousers-light & medium weight.
Personal snacks: Snacks that will keep you going like chocolate bars, energy bars, Boiled sweets, nuts, and dried fruit which are a good shout.
Other essential hiking equipment For Rwenzori Mountains National Park include; Travel Passport, alarm clock, Small flashlight (torch), Credit card, Covid vaccination certificate, Harness, Visas, Airline tickets, Extra money.
Best time to visit/climb Rwenzori mountains national park
June to August and from December to February is dry months and the perfect time to visit and ascend Margherita Peak of Mountain Rwenzori.
March to May and from September to November are low seasons usually bombarded with heavy rains, muddy trails, and slippery rocks in the Rwenzori Mountains making it quite hard to navigate but Rwenzori can be visited throughout the year.
Rwenzori routes/trails to Magherita peak
Rwenzori Routes/Trails: Rwenzori mountains national Park has the Central circuit trail, Kilembe Trail, & Bukurungu Wilderness camping trail
The Rwenzori Mountains is reputed to be the 3rd highest peak in Africa, and reaching its Magheritah peak is a holy grail of all hikers. Each year, mountaineers visit the stunning Rwenzori Mountains
Every year, people from all over the world flock to Rwenzori mountain national park to visit the stunning Rwenzori Mountains. The Rwenzori Mountains National Park guide to Margherita Peak suggests that the best time to travel to see the Rwenzori Mountains is during the driest months from June to August and from September to November. Otherwise, March to May and September to November are cold months.
Rwenzori Mountains trekking trails/routes- which is the best route
Located at the border between Uganda and Congo, is Rwenzori mountains national Park located in southwestern Uganda.
The Central Circuit: Rwenzori routes/trails
The central circuit trail is the oldest and the most ancient trail that’s popularly used by both experienced and inexperienced hikers to climb to the top of Margherita Peak. This magnificent trail which passes through the 5 vegetation zones of the Rwenzori Mountains National Park offers spectacular encounters, following the 1000m tropical valleys, and gorges, as it transcends the rocky top of Mount Stanley
The Central Circuit trail is the shortest and easiest access route to Margherita Peak unlike the boggy path after John Maate camp, and crosses over the lower and upper Big 5
The Kilembe Trail.
The Kilembe trail is also known as the southern circuit owned and managed by the Rwenzori Trekking Services (RTS). This trail was recently opened for tourism, after the construction of new huts with the National Park, although it was first discovered by Professor Scott Elliott in 1895.
Being the longest route, that allows enough acclimatization time, the Kilembe trail offers the best climbing experience of the breathtaking peaks, spectacular lakes, and breathtaking glaciers, as well as the flora and Fauna.
This trail receives incredible reviews for its professionalism, quality equipment, safety measures, and the new comfortable huts throughout the route. Its trek to Margherita Peak takes on 7- 8 days which is equivalent to the Bukurungu wilderness camping trail.
The Bukurungu trail: Rwenzori Routes/Trails
The Bukurungu trail was made after the major trails of the Central Circuit and Kilembe. The trail is ideal for those who love wild nature, because it offers stunning sceneries with 4 magnificent lakes (Mughuli, Bukurungu, Bujuku, and Irene) along the trail, as you traverse past the Mountain Rivers, waterfalls and green nature. This trail, like Kilembe, also takes an 8 days trek to finish with a must-reach to Margherita Peak.
Unlike the Kilembe and Central Circuit trails, the Bukurungu trail is an open trail used for camping with no huts but rather safe and secure camping areas well organized and managed by the Bujuku Eco Tours under Rwenzori mountains national park.
The Rwenzori Mountains are nearly 120 km by length and 65km wide. It is made of 6 peaks divided by deep gorges such as Mount Stanley at 5,109m, Mount Speke (4,890m), Mount Baker 4,843m, Mount Emin at 4,798m, Mount Gessi at 4,715m and Mount Luigi di Savoia 4,627m. Mount Stanley has other minor peaks, with Margherita being the highest point.
The Rwenzori Mountains are an outstanding trekking & mountaineering destination. A 7-12 day hike will get both experienced and non-experienced hikers a complete trek to the peak and out of the Park.
Yet for short and less strenuous treks, one can take on nature walks through the Bakonzo Village, homestead visits, cultural performances, and other traditional activities, otherwise, there are also 2 to 3 days 28km Mahoma Nature trail
Getting to Rwenzori Mountains National Park
By road: Drive from Kampala to Kasese
The Rwenzori Mountains National Park is about a 4-6 hour drive from Kampala depending on the route. The road is fairly tarmac and in pretty good condition. Fuel is never a problem in Uganda, and easy-to-follow maps are available with all car rentals. Rwenzori Mountains National Park has two routes from Kampala to Kasese.
The shortest route starts from Kampala to Fort Portal via Mubende for a distance of 300km by a 4×4
From Kampala, via Masaka through Mbarara, Bushenyi to Kasese for 350km distance drive. Which is the longest route begins
By Air
Getting to Rwenzori mountains national park requires a scheduled or chartered flight that can be arranged to Kasese Airstrip, which is then followed by a 40 minute drive to the Rwenzori Mountains National Park. You can also access the Rwenzori national park from the democratic republic of Congo By road, it takes a 4×4 drive from Kigali Rwanda to Gisenyi to Beni, 13 kms drive to Mutwanga, the base at which all Rwenzori mountain treks begin.
Getting to the peak
The trekking routes in the Rwenzori can be roughly divided into two categories: high-altitude and low-altitude.
The low-altitude treks typically run over 3-4 days and reach a maximum altitude of around 3,100 meters. The high-altitude treks run from 5-12 days, and reach peak altitudes of 4,600 meters and above. If you are summiting Margherita Peak, you’ll be in the mountains for a minimum of 7 days, and reach 5,109 meters.
The ascent will take you via Elena Hut, heading south past the outhouse to a spilt in the road. It is possible to approach this climb from the Moraine Hut in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), however political instability in the region means this route is often closed at short notice.
From this bifurcate, several routes can be followed to the Stanley Plateau. One option is to climb straight up cracks and crevasses, heading west through a line of steep rocks to more moderate slopes above.
A second option is to continue south from the small pond in the direction of the steep cliffs of Kitasamba and the Coronation Glacier, reaching a sharp west turn, which leads up slabs in the direction of the glaciers of the Rwenzori.
Once at the glacier, climb steep snow or ice to reach more gradual slopes beyond, onto the Stanley Plateau, just northwest of this point.
From the top, views are generally limited by the weather, with the majority of what lies northwest of the Stanley Plateau covered in thick layers of fog. However, if you do catch a glimpse of the peaks in front of you, the closest on the left is Alexandra Peak. Below lies the beauty of the Afro-Montane forest, intersected by an ever-flowing waterfall crashing over the rocks far below.
Where to stay
Mountain Rwenzori has accommodations located just outside the park or near the park; therefore depending on your budget, you may consider our various classifications that is budget, Midrange, and high-end/luxury. Feel free to work with your operator on which type of accommodation works best for you but also consider making payments in advance, especially for the peak season when availability may be questionable due to high guest turns up, this makes it easy to have a smooth customized safari as all are pre-arranged.
Luxury
Equator Snow Lodge: This is a sensational destination for the experienced mountaineer, the casual trekker or the ordinary traveler. Working in close collaboration with the Raboni Community and Rwenzori Mountaineering Services, a selection of mountaineering activities can be organized from Equator Snow Lodge ranging from guided mountain walks with low endurance hikes, to climbing the mountain peaks for the technically more competent. You may choose just to rest and relax at Equator Snow Lodge with its Spacious Mountain cabins, and wooden decks, it is designed for comfort and relaxation.
Midrange
Ihamba Lakeside Safari Lodge: Wake up with a beautiful view of the shores of Lake George. The African touches blend into the natural surroundings. Accommodation options include our beautiful stand-alone double occupancy cottages that could accommodate couples, and co-travelers and could also be arranged to accommodate triple occupancy when needed.
Budget
Ruboni community camp: Just at the base of the camp surrounded by lush green vegetation, a charming lodge with self-contained Banda has one bedroom with options of double or twin beds with mosquito netting, a private toilet, and a bathroom spacious enough and furnished with sitting furniture, electricity with a socket for charging, running water and hot overhead showers where a soap, towel, and toilet paper offered. Enjoy a marvelous view of the Rwenzori mountains with continuous. A night at the camp will cost you $30pp as starting price.
