The ultimate guide to the Rwenzori mountains trekking and climbing
The ultimate guide to the Rwenzori mountains trekking and climbing, Rwenzori mountain national park is one of the most beautiful and unique trekking destination in Africa, it has got 6 different vegetation zones , the savannah zone, montane forest zone, bamboo zone, heather zone, afro-alpine zone and the Rocky/glacier zone.
The Rwenzori mountains offers magical landscapes making it the most beautiful in Africa. It hosts over 217 bird species, 70 mammal species and 7 reptile species and with the world’s rarest vegetation making it a haven for diversity.
How was mountain Rwenzori formed
The Rwenzori mountains were formed three million years ago on the Uganda and congo boarder as a result of rock up faults.
The Rwenzori mountains were gazetted as a national park in 1991, recognized as a world heritage site in 1994 and a Ramsar site in 2008. The uniqueness of this mountain, testify to be of international scientific value. The word Rwenzori means “ Rain maker” explaining the importance of the mountains to East Africa.
Hiking in the Rwenzori mountains
Rwenzori mountains hiking is an unforgettable adventure through wilderness and breathtaking landscapes.
The ultimate guide to the Rwenzori mountains trekking and climbing helps you to plan your Rwenzori hiking trip with us.
The trails takes you to the raw beauty of the African unique wilderness and through various terrains. Whether you are a solo hiker or group hikers all are welcomed . the Rwenzori mountains offers you several options for hiking, for low altitude treks and the high altitude treks starts from day hikes to 12 days of classic peak summits.
Climbing the magical Rwenzori mountains is a rewarding experience with unforgettable memories.
7 days Rwenzori trekking
The 7 days Rwenzori trekking starts at the Rwenzori mountains national park mihunga gate at 1651 meters above sea level. The 7 days Rwenzori trekking are recommended to traverse the Rwenzori mountain and giving you ample time to acclimatize .
The Rwenzori mountains takes you through the magical landscapes of rivers, lakes, flora and fauna for memorable experiences.
The Rwenzoris is explored on foot and you must be of an average fitness and used to walking for longer hours. although you don’t need to be an expert climber, Rwenzori is classified as a technical climb especially when climbing mount speke, mount Baker and mount stanley.
Trekking in the Rwenzori Mountains is a fantastic and unforgettable experience. The vast range of fauna, as well as the incredible landscapes as you ascend through different vegetation zones, gives the ultimate hiking experience.
One of the benefits of trekking in the Rwenzori Mountains is that the routes are typically longer than many other high-altitude treks , meaning you have longer to acclimatise and the risk of altitude sickness is reduced. Altitude sickness, also called Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), is an illness caused by exposure to low air pressure, especially low partial pressure of oxygen, which many trekkers experience at high altitudes. It is most common at altitudes above 2,400 metres.
Why is mountain Rwenzori called mountains of the Moon
The Rwenzori mountains were named the “Mountains of the Moon” by the geographer cladius Ptolemy in AD 150 due to its snow capped peaks. The Rwenzori mountains despite being located along the Equator, have snow capped peaks and permanently glaciated peaks on mount stanley, mount Baker and Mount speke.
The Rwenzori mountains of the moon are located in the western region of Uganda that lies in the districts of Ntoroko, Kabarole, Bunyangabu, Kasese and Bundibugyo along the Uganda and Democratic Republic of congo
The Rwenzori mountains of the moon were discovered by an explorer Henry Stanely who placed Rwenzori on the map on 24th may 1888. He labeled it “Rwenzori” a local name meaning ” Rain maker” which was recorded from the native bakonzo tribe that lives around the Rwenzori mountains slopes for many years.
The Rwenzori mountains ranges stretch across the Uganda-DR congo Eastern border covering a distance of 120 kilometers and a width of 75 kilometers
Rwenzori Mountains highest Peak
The Rwenzori mountains highest peak is margherita peak on mount stanley at an elevation of 5109 meters above sea level.
Mount stanley [5,109m]
The highest of the six peaks in the Rwenzori mountain range and the third-highest peak in Africa after Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya, Mount Stanley, stands tall at 5,109 metres. There are a number of trekking routes to its highest point, Margherita Peak, and you’ll need a minimum of 7 days in the mountains to get here. The trek to mount stanley involves long days at altitude, passing through some challenging terrain. You will also be working with ropes and crampons as part of the ascent, and for this reason it is generally considered tougher than climbing Kilimanjaro.
Mount Speke (4,890m)
At 4,890m, Mount Speke is the second highest in the Rwenzori mountain range. Jointly together with Mount Stanley and Mount Baker, forms a triangle encircling the upper Bujuku Valley. When European explorers first visited the region in search of the source of the great Nile, this peak was named after John Speke. Speke sketched the source of the White Nile in 1862, despite never hiking to its summit. Mount Speke is pierced by multiple water streams and rivers as a result of the heavy rainfall it receives, and its flora appears dense.
Mount Baker (4,843m)
Located 2.9 kilometres from the Ugandan border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mount Baker stands at 4,844m making it the fifth highest mountain on the African continent. Together with Mount Stanley and Mount Speke, the three mountains form a triangle enfolding the upper Bujuku Valley. Mount Baker was named after Sir Samuel Baker, the first European to see Lake Albert, which is located northeast of the Rwenzori. Mount Baker’s summit offers views of the twin peaks, the Margherita glacier, Mount Speke, and the stunning beauty of the Rwenzori Mountains.
Mount Emin (4,791m)
Mount Emin, which stands at 4,791m in the Rwenzori Mountains, was named after central African explorer Mohammed Emin Pasha. Despite the lack of snow, the difficult mountain with narrow and rocky ridges is regarded the fourth highest peak of the Rwenzori range and the sixth highest peak in Africa. Climbing this peak in the Rwenzori Mountains National Park often begins from the south west of the ridge and is easily accessible from the Mugusu Valley, which extends into DRC.
Mount Gessi (4,715m)
Mount Gessi is located in the Rwenzori Mountains to the north of the Mount Stanley, Mount Speke, and Mount Baker triangle. These summits were formerly covered with glaciers, which melted away. The trek to the top begins in the Mugusu valley and proceeds through groundsel forests to Roccato pass, then through heavy brush and slabs to the ridge between the peaks.
Mount Luigi de Savoia (4,627m)
Mount Luigi di Savoia is one of the Rwenzori Mountains in the Rwenzori Mountains National Park. Its summit, “Sella,” at 4637 feet, is the fourth highest in Uganda and the sixth highest in Africa. Mount Luigi de Savoia consists of a long ridge with several summits. It is the shortest of the six central mountains and the only mountain the Duke of Abruzzi did not climb.
Where is mountain Rwenzori located in Uganda
The Rwenzori mountain is located in the western region of uganda that lies in the districts of Ntoroko, Kabarole, Kasese and Bundibugyo along the Democratic Republic of congo.
When is the best time to visit the Rwenzori mountains?
This is a commonly asked question!
Rwenzori mountains can be climbed all year round. But generally we have two seasons , the wet season and the dry season.
The dry season months with no rain are December to February and June to august. During these months it is dry and the skies are clear.
The rains come in April, may, october and November, these months expect rain showers.
Mountain Rwenzori photos
