Rwenzori Mountains National Park

The 996 km² Rwenzori Mountains National Park protects the central area of the mountain range of the same name on the border with Democratic Republic of the Congo. The mountains were formed by the subsidence of the East African Rift. The highest peak, the Margherita Peak of Mt Stanley, at 5,109 metres is the third-highest point in Africa , and offers the rare sight of snow and ice on the tropical equator. Because of the altitude, this mountain range has very differing vegetation zones: mountain and bamboo forests, herbaceous tree plants up to alpine high-altitude vegetation.

Besides the unique plant world, the misty Rwenzori Mountains offer interesting routes for hill walkers and mountaineers. Anyone wishing to climb to Margherita Peak should now allow seven to nine days (Central Circuit or Kilembe Trail).

Here too, the founding of the park is primarily due to its protective function for the groundwater. The best times for mountain walking are mid-August or mid-December, because outside these times it is very, very rainy.

From Kampala the route via Mbarara is around 380 km over tarmac roads. The park entrances can also be easily reached from Kasese, Ibanda and Fort Portal. In Kasese there is also a small airstrip for charter aircraft.

Anyone wishing to undertake the five-day hike has walking huts with self-catering available. Some hotels in Kasese invite a longer stay.

Further links

• Background information on the East African Rift