Lakes and Rivers in the Rwenzori Mountains

The lakes and Rivers in the Rwenzori mountains, the Rwenzoris has got several lakes and rivers since the formation of the mountain three million years ago, there are a large number of lakes that were formed as a result of flowing rivers and glaciation

Some rivers are permanent and seasonal that flows on the slopes of the mountains to the valleys .

Rwenzori mountains have got over 20 lakes and rivers flowing and formed in different valleys.

Lakes in the Rwenzori mountains are famous for having crystal clear water that is pure and ready to be drunk and always very fresh and cold. The lakes are formed with in the mountain sceneries and are guarded by the portal peaks and ranges of the mountain.

The lakes are all glacial lakes formed as glacier melts and water fills up the depression to form a lake. Most of the Rwenzori mountains lakes can not accommodate aquatic animals like fish, crabs and frogs due to the extreme coldness of the waters since they are ice cold and can not survive in these temperatures.

Lake Bujuku

Lake bujuku located at the bujuku valley is a crater lake  beneath the three highest historical mountains that was formed due to glaciers from the surrounding mountains of Mount stanley, Mount speke and Mount Baker forming one of the most beautiful valleys in the Rwenzori ranges , Travellers that plan to hike to lake bujuku , book  a 4 days bujuku trekking with us.

Lake bujuku is at a height of 3962 meters above sea level just before the bujuku hut where you prepare to hike to mount speke and the vegetation in this area is afro alpine zone that is very cold and freezing. At lake bujuku you are welcomed by a board walk through the open valley that takes you direct to the bujuku hut.

Lake kitandara

Lake kitandara are twin lakes that are separated by a narrow path of flowing water from the upper kitandara lake to the lower kitandara lake near the kitandara hut that is at an altitude of 4023m asl where clients from  mount stanley have a rest to acclimatize while traversing the central circuit trail. The lake borders Uganda and congo. These lakes can be well viewed after the descend from the huge rocks at scott Elliot pass.

Kitandara lakes are surrounded by lush vegetation and towering peaks reflecting the landscapes of the rwenzoris. Camping at kitandara lakes during your Rwenzori trek is rewarding because this area is another spot for birds like sunbirds, flycatchers, streaky seedeater, Abyssinian thrush and the African black duck on the lower kitandara lake.

Lake Mahoma.

This is the deepest lake in the Rwenzori mountain that is 13feet deep. The lake is at an elevation of 3000m above sea level and it takes 7km from the mihunga park gate taking about 6-7 hours to reach the lake.

The trek to mahoma lake is for testing your fitness levels and getting assured that you can hike higher in the Rwenzoris. The mahoma trail takes you through the thick montane forest zone comprised of tall trees where the king of the birds the Rwenzori turaco can be spotted as well as other several birds like the white browed robin chat, sunbirds, red chested cuckoo, flycatchers because of the conducive environment.

Along the walk to mahoma expect to spot the three horned chameleon and the black and white colobus monkeys.

Bujuku eco tours and travel ltd offers day trips to lake mahoma as well as the 3 days trek through the mahoma loop trail.

Lake Irene

Lake irene is located south of the margherita  glacier in the rocky zone below the irene snow line. Th lake is just right at the irene hut where by when you stay in the irene hut before the summit of margherita peak, it becomes less hectic since you have reduced on the distance to the summit and back.

Lake Bukurungu

This lake can be accessed through the bukurungu wilderness camping trail. Its located in the valley between portal peaks and lolanda peak near the democratic republic of congo. This lake is well viewed while coming from lamya camp one of the camps that are located in the heather zone neighbouring the congo border.

Lake Mughule.

Mughule lake is also located on the bukurungu wilderness camping trail that is beneath the mughule peak at 3890m. The name mughule means a trap and mughule is a lukonzo word from the native tribe the bakonzo that have lived around the Rwenzori mountains for a million years ago.

Mughule peak is shaped like a trap that hunters use to trap wild animals hence calling it mughule. The lake is ice cold like all other lakes in the Rwenzoris.

Lac De LaLuna DRC

This is another unique lake on the both sides of the Uganda and Democratic republic of congo border.  Lac de laluna lake is also known as the moon lake that is found in the Rwenzori mountains ranges. Its located at an elevation of 4051 meters above sea level and can be seen after a hike through the giant lobelia and the lobelia groundsel.

Lac de laluna can be accessed via the bukurungu camping trail or the central circuit trail  through the skull cave , mount Gessi and mount Emin path that requires along day of trekking.

Rivers in the Rwenzori mountains.

Rivers are natural flowing fresh water streams from the mountains.

River bujuku is a river in the Rwenzori mountains originating from Lake bujuku that flows down the mountain slopes to join the mubuku river forming a confluence. There are several rivers  like river bujuku, river mahoma and river kyoho that flows from the mountains to join  the mubuku river.

River Mubuku

Mubuku river located in mubuku town in Kasese district is one of the amazing rivers coming from the mountains. The river is important due to the fact that it hosts three hydropower electricity generating power plants at mubuku power station. Mubuku river is also the source of water that is used in the mubuku irrigation scheme.

River Nyamwamba.

This river comes from the mountains that flows through the Kasese district areas up to lake George. River nyamwamba is highly valued by the people living on the foothills of Rwenzori mountains especially the agriculturalists.  When the gods of the mountains are not happy with the deeds of the locals,  it is believed that the gods release a lot of disastrous waters that destroys properties and lives as a sign of punishment.

lakes and Rivers in the Rwenzori mountains forms fresh waterfalls flowing with unique captivating sounds.