Ultimate Guide to Rwenzori Mountain National Park
Rwenzori Mountain National Park lies in the western part of Uganda in Bundibugyo district along the Congo border it covers an area of almost 996kilometers at an altitude of approximately 5109 meters above the snow level. This park was fabled as mountains of moons by Alexandrine the geographer because of its striking stunning glaciers which shine just like little moons.
Rwenzori Mountain National Park is a place of safety to many mammal species namely giant forest hog, duiker, leopards, bushbuck, a home to different primates including black and white colobus monkey, red tailed monkeys, Angola colobus, chimpanzee, blue monkey plus the rare reptile named the three horned chameleon and many more.
Many bird species call this Park their home the commonly seen species include turacos slender billed, starling barred long tailed cuckoo, blue headed sun bird, cinnamon, chested bee-eater montane sooty boubou, white starred, ribbon, Rwenzori batis, handsome francolin, golden winged sun bird, flycatcher among others so its good place for the bird watching.
Activities Offered at Rwenzori Mountain National Park
Rwenzori Mountain National Park offers plenty of tourism activities to guests including hiking, guided nature walks, bird watching among others as analyzed below.
Rwenzori Mountain Hike
This activity involves of a long vigorous walk in the park it is more enjoyable when conducted with the aid of local guide or join a guided tour for safety navigation purpose since local guides are more knowledgeable about the path to follow and can enhance you overall experience by sharing their insight and stories about the mountain, while hiking expect to sight at the breathing land scape, spotting diverse wild life hence having a fantastic way to experience the mountains of the moon.
Note this activity requires a good level of fitness, packing appropriate gear remember to priotize safety during the hike and respect the natural environment by following the rules leaving no trace principle.
For the proper enjoying of this activity one should bring the following items sleeping bag, camping mat, warm clothing, gloves, rain gears including good water proof trousers, head mountain torch, plastic bag, carry necessary medication, hiking gum boots to mention but a few.
Guided Nature Walk
This astonishing activity enables tourists to connect with nature it involves walking on foot passing through different trail heads namely Kilembe trail, Bukunguru trail, Central Circuit, Lake Mahana Trail among others. The activity is conducted with the guidance of tour guide and armed ranger. During the walk expect spotting at numerous species including wildlife animals, bird species, as well as sighting the lush vegetation species.
Bird Watching
Engaging in to bird watching experience at this beautiful park it is really unavoidable since this place owns many bird species during this activity expect to sight at these notable creatures such as Rwenzori nightjar, olive pigeons, handsome francolins, greenbuls golden winged sunbird, Rwenzori double colored sunbird mountain black boubou Rwenzori batis liliopsids to mention but a few. Tourist going in for this experience are advised to carry their pair of binoculars, portable camera, enough drinking water, snacks, birding book among others for proper enjoyment of this activity.
Visiting Sebwe Falls
This water fall is a true hidden gem which offers an amazing adventure for a day nature walk with in this national park there are series of almost seven water falls on River Sebwe and it is commonly known as kisamba falls.
Sebwe Falls offers you an exciting hike as you move through the community while enjoying the amazing views of the lowlands you can be able to see several birds, spotting the different like primates as well as seeing the rare species of the reptile called the three horned chameleon hence an amazing experience in the wilderness.
Cultural Encounter
Tourists are granted with the chance to move through the local communities of kichwamba to the karangura ridge so Ruboni village walk is amazing the village has composition of almost 2000 people and this activity enable tourists to learn about the way how they spend their ways of living , culture traditions and norms of the Bakonzo local resident who stay around the area visitors also meet the black smith hence creating a memorable experience with locals.
Best Time to Visit Rwenzori Mountain National Park
The best time to visit Rwenzori Mountain National Park is during the dry season of the year, which typically happens between June and August or December and February.
During dry seasons the trailheads are dry firmer ground with clear views of the surrounding area, making hiking smoother and safe for the out-door activities such as guided nature walk, visiting Kisamba falls among others.
Another option to visit this park is during the rainy season that runs typically in the months of March to May and October to November during this season plenty of rain fall is received tourists are advised to use four-wheel drive vehicles because some roads are muddy and slippery
How to Get to Rwenzori Mountain National Park
The park can be reached by using the air and road transport means.
By Use of Air transport
Traveler’s fly from Kampala using the Entebbe airport or Kajjansi airstrip to land to Kasese air strip where visitors are being drove by the driver guide directly to the park.
By Use of Road transport
There are two routes from Kampala via Mubende to Fort portal which is 300kilometer then continue with the journey to the park or one can pass through Kampala via Masaka Mbarara Bushenyi to Kasese which is about 350 kilometer and can take 6 hours roughly then drive a short distance to the park.
Accommodations Facilities Situated at Rwenzori Mountain National Park
There are many facilities nestled with in this park they range from luxurious to budget rate as listed below.
Luxurious Facilities
Equator Snow Lodge
This upmarket lodge is situated close to the central circuit trailhead of Rwenzori Mountain national park comprises of almost four adorable guest’s rooms consisting of both single beds and double beds. This new rustic lodge set on the foot hills of Rwenzori beside the mubuku river is surrounded by expectational ecological system.
Equator snow Lodge is a good place for relaxation offers various amenities to clients namely security free parking yard, room services, restaurant to mention but a few admits all the service providers are so welcoming and friendly to guests.
Margherita Hotel
This hotel offers quality service to guests spending an overnight stay at this place it is really unavoidable on a Uganda safari Margherita Hotel has incredible facilities such as conference room restaurant, bar stocked with all kinds of soft and hard drinks namely wines beers, spirits, soda, mineral water to mention but a few.
The hotel owns single and double guest’s rooms that are nicely decorated positioned on the foot hills of Rwenzori Mountain to give a breathtaking view of majestic ranges perfectly located enabling the easy trip arrangements for the activities offered at the park.
Midrange Facilities
Mihungu Safari Lodge
The Rwenzori Mountaineering service is responsible for the proper management of this lodge situated just near Nyakalengija in Mihunga village providing a basement for trekking of Mountain Rwenzori to the highest peak margherita through the Rwenzori circuit trail.
The lodge features of five ensuite wooden cottages with facilities such as restaurant that prepares both local and international cuisines served at a well-established dining room.
Muhungu Safari Lodge offers some amenities to clients namely security, hot water provision, room services, free parking, among others come for the astonishing experience.
Rwenzori Base Camp
This base camp facility comprises of almost twenty-three guest rooms located in lbanda approximately 10kilometers from Nkenda along the Nyakalengija road.
Rwenzori Base Camp is set in a pretty green garden on the edges of the village it has spacious clean ensuite guest’s rooms fitted with television, hot shower, their restaurant serves delicious meals to guests in the hospitable environment.
Budget Facilities
Roboni Community Campsite.
This established is situated at Kasese almost one kilometer from Nyakalengiji trailhead and its community owned project positioned on the western slopes of mubuku river valley in the village of mubuku.
This facility rewards chance to guests to engage in to numerous activities namely guided cultural and nature walks through the Bakonjo communities it has a lovely hillside on the great mountain view restaurant, stocked bar, gardens also car rental services are available comprising of almost six nice looking guest rooms.
Rwenzori Turaco View Camp.
The camp is located below the hills of mubuku valley giving you nature experience during your stay, the tents are perfectly set on the wooden floor to give stable night stay to visitors with balcony on every tent
Guest on the safari can sit outside their tent to make the views of the Rwenzori hills and garden also allows visitors to experience true cultural immersion adventure and run by the community come for a comfort overnight stay.
During your safari in the pearl of Africa discover the untouched beauty of the Rwenzori Mountain National Park and turn your tour in to unforgettable experience.