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, a 13 km drive to Mutwanga, the base where all Rwenzori mountain treks begin.

Margherita Peak

At 5,109 meters, Margherita Peak is the highest point on Mount Stanley in the Rwenzori Mountains and the third-highest peak in Africa. It is the crown jewel of the high-altitude Rwenzori circuit that begins in the lush forests at the foothills, before ascending high above the clouds toward Margherita’s icy summit

Lying above Africa’s largest ice sheet, the ascent leads past the Margherita Glacier, up a final rock scramble to the summit of Mount Stanley – the third-highest mountain in Africa – in the Rwenzori Mountains. Margherita Peak is the highest peak in Uganda.

The route many guides use – via Elena Hut is similar to the one those pioneers took years ago. Due to dramatic ice melting over the last decade from global warming, the glaciers in the Rwenzori are rapidly retreating.

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 accommodation 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 turn up, this makes it easy to have a smooth customised 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.