Mount Rwenzori National Park

The park covers a total area of 996 km2 and protects the upper slopes of the Rwenzori Mountains which run for almost 120 km along the Congolese border west of Kasese and Fort Portal. Rwenzori is the highest mountain range in Africa with its loftiest peaks, Margherita (5,109m) and Alexandra (5,083m) on Mount Stanley, are exceeded in altitude elsewhere in Africa only by Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya, both of which are extinct volcanoes standing in isolation above the surrounding plains. The Rwenzori mountains are unique among the east Africa’s major peaks in that they are not volcanic in origin, but they do rise directly from the rift valley floor and their formation, like that of Kilimanjaro and Kenya, was linked to the geological upheaval that created the Rift. In addition to Mount Stanley, there are four other glacial peaks i the Rwenzori: Mount Speke (4,890m),Mount Emin(4791m), Mount Gessi(4,715 m) and Mount Luigi da Savoia (4,627 m).

Besides hiking and climbing, the Rwenzori ranges also support a variety of animals, including 70 mammals and 177 bird species, several of the birds being Albertine Rift Endemics. The forest zone is home to a diversity of birds, including Rwenzori Turaco, barred long-tailed cuckoo, long eared owl, handsome francolin, cinnamon-chested bee-eater, Archer’s ground robin, Lagden’s bush shrike, golden-winged sunbird, apalis, illadopsis and many more.

HIKING /TREKKING THE RWENZORIS

The Rwenzori Mountains in western Uganda, provide an exhilarating and rewarding experience. Renowned as the Mountains of the Moon, the Rwenzori is one of the highest mountains in Africa. The central circuit hike of this mountain takes six nights/seven days and reaches an altitude of 14,000ft(4,267m) above sea level. The conditions on the mountain are a challenge to even an experienced hiker because this mountain is known for its un-engeneered, steep and slippery trails, frequent rainfall, cold temperatures, bogs, mud, steep terrain and high altitude.

however you can try it, it's an exciting experience and since the periods of july-august, december-february are relatively dry for inexperienced hikers. during any season, raingear, good sleeping bag, warm hat, gloves, heavy socks, gum boots, gaiters and a walking stick for balance are recommended plus a basic first aid kit.
On your trekking trip, porters will be carrying your heavy equipment and food, leaving you with a small pack, rain gear, warm clothes, camera water and any other light luggage.

Interested in trekking the Rwenzoris to the Magherita Peak? Below is a summarised itinerary for the trek

The central circuit trail

Day 1:
Arrive at rwenzori mountains national park and the Rwenzori mountaineering services (rms) offices at Nyakalengija. Meet your guides and porters and start on the hike to Nyabitaba hut 8,700ft(2652m). (total time for an average hiker from nyakalengija to nyabitaba is about 5-7 hours and total elevation gained is 4,000ft(1,200m).

Day two:
Hike from Nyabitaba hut to john matte hut (11,200ft/3,414m) (typical time to reach john matte is 7 hours). Some hikers consider this to be the most tiring and longest day of the circuit so an early start is important.

Day three:
Leave john matte, cross the Bujuku River and hike further to Bujuku Hut. (a hike to bujuku from john matte is typically 3-5hours and the elevation gained is 1,800ft(560m) but the long stretches of bog and the mud along the lake make this another challenging day.

Day four:
Hike from Bujuku Hut to Elena, the base camp for climbing 16,763ft(5,109m) to margherita peak in the Mount Stanley complex which requires an additional day or two and can only be attempted with an ice axe, mountain boots, crampons, ropes and prior arrangements with rwenzori mountaineering service guides. The circuit trails continues to the left over scot elliot passes and enters an alpine zone of sparse low vegetation and stark rough boulders more familiar to high altitude climbers from northern altitudes. if the weather is bad here, the conditions for "hypothermia" are ideal.

Day five:
An early start from the lake kitandara which is 14,050ft(4,282m) to the Guy Yeoman hut 10,700ft(3,261m). Some hikers make the kitandara-guy yeoman trip in 5 hours but any stops to enjoy the pass, bad weather on descent, and the slow conditions in the last two hours of deep mud can make this a much longer day which some visitors consider as difficult as day two.

Day six:
Hikers should begin their journey back early so as to get to Nyabitaba hut before dark. in any case the path from the guy yeoman is quite difficult in some spots. Typical hikers make guy yeoman to nyabitaba in 5 hours. should you decide to continue to nyakalengija it is another two or three hours depending on the condition of your knees and your desire to reach a comfortable bed and bath.

Day seven:
Descend to the park headquarters and it can take 2-3 hours.
Click here for a detailed trip itinerary.