The marvel of the high glaciers, the beauty of the valley of nine lakes, and the bearded lichen hanging from enormous heathers against a backdrop of steep cliffs, crags, and snow-capped peaks make trekking in the mysterious Rwenzori Mountains National Park in Uganda a truly amazing and singular experience. The best hiking experiences are created as you ascend through several plant zones and encounter a vast diversity of flora and fauna from various biospheres. This one-of-a-kind, breathtaking journey has never before been made public; it is unquestionably among the most stunning hikes in the world. Click here to view mountain gorilla trekking safaris.

A World Heritage Site, the Rwenzori Mountains provide a chance to experience nature at its finest. The landscape is absolutely breathtaking, and the plant life ranges from dense tropical rainforests to bamboo forests, montane cloud forests, and alpine vegetation. Above 4,500 meters, snow and glaciers provide the breathtaking views throughout this pristine mountain range with a unique depth. Click here to see our recommended mountain gorilla trekking tour.

To fit your schedule and sense of adventure, Devine African Safaris offers a range of trekking and climbing alternatives, from one day to twelve days. The Rwenzori range is a true mountain range with numerous rises and descents, making it a difficult climb, but with breathtaking landscape and lush vegetation. The "Rwenzori Mountains" are a truly unique experience due to the high rainfall of more than three meters per year, the moss-covered rocks, the dense vegetation, the tall peaks and cliffs towering above the moss-covered valleys and meandering streams, and the "Alice in Wonderland atmosphere," which changes through several biospheres as you climb.

The main peaks can be seen above from Bamwanjara Pass, which is located on the Kilembe Route between Camps 3 and 4. Margherita Peak can just be made out peeking over the top of Mt. Stanley, which lies on the left, along with Savoia, Great Tooth, and Elena Peaks. Mt. Speke is in the center, and Mt. Baker may be seen on the left as you gaze over the ridge that ascends to Weismann’s Peak. McConnell’s Prong is the little, finger-shaped rock on the ridge. The valley between Mount Stanley and Mount Baker may be seen from behind the prong. From the location where the picture was taken, our trail descends the valley or passes Camp 4 and Kacholpe Lakes in the foreground before crossing the valley to Kitandra Lakes.

Rwenzori Mountains offers endless tourist activities such as bird watching that takes you to spot the famous Rwenzori Turaco, viewing wildlife, primate species like blue monkeys, black & white colobus monkeys, & chimpanzees; be ready to see 6 vegetation layers; lakes such as Irene and Kitandara; and the Snow Peaks like Baker, Stanley, and Speke.

Animal viewing 

Rwenzori Mountains National Park protects a large number of about 70 mammal species; 6 mammal species are endemic to the Albertine Rift Valley; 4 species are endemic to the park; and 3 species are rare. The Rwezori Mountains are home to mammals such as chimpanzees, elephants, the Rwenzori otter, and leopards. However, the mammals in the Rwenzori Mountains National Park are rare to be seen; there is a higher chance for hikers to encounter the black & white Colobus monkeys, bushbucks, blue monkeys, and tiny antelopes.

Vegetation

Rwenzori Mountains National Park has a diverse vegetation layer that is extensively beautiful and classified into 6, ranging from the savannah zone (680 m-1800 m), the afromontane forest zone (1800 m-2600 m), the bamboo forest zone standing at 2600-2900 m, the heather/rapenea zone (2900-4000 m), the heather/Rapenea afro-alpine moorland zones (4000-4500 m), and the rocky/glacier zone (4500-5109).

Birds watching 

Rwenzori Mountains National Park protects over 217 bird species, of which 17 species are endemic to the Rwenzori Mountains National Park, which makes this park an important birding area. The forest standing at a lower zone at 1800 m comprises bird species such as Rwenzori Turaco, Handsome Francolin, blue-headed sunbird, Cinnamon-chested bee-eater, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, Long-eared Owl, Rwenzori Batis, Archers’ Robin-chat, Lagden’s Bush Shrike, slender-billed starling, White-starred Robin, Montane sooty Boubou, Greenbuls, slender-billed starling, Strange Weaver, Golden-winged Sunbird, barbets, Apalises, Illadopsis, Flycatchers & crimson wings.

The Rwenzori Snow Peaks

Rwenzori Mountains National Park offers six ranges, situated a few miles north of the Equator. Its highest peak is Mount Stanley (Margherita, 5109m), followed by Speke (4890m) and Mount Baker (4890m). Each peak has snow and glaciers. The peaks can be reached via the central circuit and the Kilembe trail.

The Rwenzori Lakes

The Rwenzori Mountains National Park offers approximately 20 lakes, including Lake Mahoma (at 2651 m). Bujuku Lake is situated at the apex of the deep glacier-curved Bujuku Valley, along the shadow of Mount Stanley, Speke, and Baker within the Nyamwamba Valley. The trail ascends through the Kilembe, where the glacial moraine deposits in the man-made dam, which has long led to a string of 8 enjoyable lakes. 

The best time to hike the Rwenzori Mountains starts from June to September and again from December to February, However, tourists can visit throughout the year. For mountaineers, the hiking window is best done from June to September if you attempt an ascent to Margherita Peak of Mountain Rwenzori.