Rwenzori National Park

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Rwenzori National Park

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  • Unlimited Fun And Adventure.
  • Spend Quality Time With Your Loved Ones.
  • Make Memories For Life Time.

The park was gazette in 1991 and was recognized as a world Heritage site in 1994 and as a Ramsar site in 2008. The highest point of this mountain is at 5,109m above sea on My Stanley’s Margherita Peak. Mt Stanley is bisected by the border with the DR Congo. The Rwenzori is not volcanic like East Africa’s other mountains but it’s a block of rock censured through the floor of the western Rift valley. The Rwenzoris were launched the Mountains of the moon by the Alexandrine geographer. The mountain lies in western Uganda along the Uganda- Congo border and the equatorial snow peaks include the third highest point in Africa, while the lower slopes are covered in moorland, bamboo, moist montane forest.  There are huge tree heathers and colorful mosses are swathed across the mountainside with giant lobelias and the everlasting flowers, creating a charming, and fairytale scene. The national park protects the highest parts of the 120km long and 65km wide Rwenzori mountain range. The national park has 70 mammals and 217 bird species including 19 Albertine Rift endemics, as well as some of the world’s rarest vegetation.

The Rwenzoris are a world class hiking and mountaineering destination. A nine to twelve-day trek will get skilled climbers to the summit of Margherita which is the highest peak though shorter, non-technical treks are possible to scale the nearby peaks. For those who like something little less strenuous, the Bakonzo villages offer nature walks, homestead visits home cultural performances and accommodation including home cooked local cuisine.

Hiking and Nature walks in Rwenzori Mountains

The park offers an opportunity for nature walks with in the central circuit zone. These include the trails up to Lake Mahooma and Buraro chimp forest, the walks through the communities of Kichamba to arrive at Karangura ridge, and the hiking to Bundibugo area through Bwamba pass.

The communities of Ruboni and Turaco view offer guided forest walks of various lengths just outside the park. The visitors can follow the River Mubuku and see the views of Baker and portal peaks as they hike up to 2,300m above sea level. On a particular clear day, it’s even possible to view the snowcapped Margherita peak, a truly spectacular sight. Along the way, keep an eye out for the chameleons, vervet monkeys, birds as well as squirrels.

The Bwamba pass: Before a road was built in 1938 to link Fort portal with the remote town of Bundibugyo, the local people followed the most direct route between these settlements, 1, 500m high trek over the steep north Rwenzori ridge, known as the Bwamba pass. The Abanya Rwenzori community group leads the visitors over the mountain through isolated mountain villages to be able to visit the Bamboo forest and enjoy the great rift valley views.

Mountain Climbing in Rwenzori Mountains

There are many different circuits in the park. The central circuit is challenging; a seven-day climb offers a circular tour of the high Rwenzori. From the trailhead at Mihunga, the route ascends the Bujuku valley via Nyabitaba for adaptation before reaching the peaks. The clients joining the central circuit after Bujuku will pass the scott Eliiot and Fresh field passes to descend through the Mubuku valley. The climbers can scale the snow peaks though many consider the exceptional scenery ample reward for their efforts.

The Kilembe Trail; This is the recently reopened Kilembe trail that ascends the southern slopes of the Rwenzori from a trailhead at Kilembe near the town of Kasese. The route along the lovely Nyamwamba valley passes the glacial lakes and some stunning viewpoints before joining the central circuit at Lake Kitandara. The standard route scales Mount Baker though the scenery makes shorter treks so rewarding.

The cultural Encounters in Rwenzori Mountains

Get to walk with the Bakonzo villagers through their homesteads in the foothills of the Rwenzoris as they show their daily activities, from tending to their animals and crops, to preparing meals with the freshest elements. Watch the cultural dances, traditional costumes and here their fascinating folklore.

Ruboni Community Camp

Get to discover the peaceful farming village of Ruboni, home to over 2,000 Bakonzo, in the foothills of the Rwenzoris, walk with the villagers as they show you daily life activities, from tending to their animals and crops to preparing meals with the great elements. Meet the black smith, basket weavers, traditional healer, and the story tellers and enjoy a vibrant dance performance that is accompanied by the lively drumming.

On the other hand, your guide will lead you along the rocky Mubuku River, Ruboni means clear water in the local language of Lukonzo and you will follow this crystal clear stream, passing villagers carrying crops and wood. As the trail winds upwards, your guide will point out many of the native birds like the Rwenzori Turaco, cinnamon chested bee eaters, tiny sunbirds, there are also chameleons, vervet monkeys as well as the squirrels.

Rwenzori Turaco View camp site

This is a tiny village of Mihunga that faces the craggy, snowcapped peaks of Rwenzori mountains. The Bakonzo tribes has lived here for over 300 years with no electricity or running water, and this community has adapted its way of life to the climate and steep green hillsides of the Rwenzori foothills. The community takes visitors on a cultural tour of the village. This includes a demonstration by a traditional healer, whose herb based concoctions are believed to cure many ailments. There is a trip to the village school, a craft demonstration and the lively dance performances.

The visitors also choose to walk with a local guide through the nearby forests. They may be lucky enough to spot the brightly colored Turacos in the forest canopy. The expert guides will be able to point out other species like the bee eaters, playful black and white Colobus monkeys and the sunbirds.

 

Bulemba – Ihandiro Cultural Trail

Follow this great six to seven-hour trail through the holy valley and other sites of great cultural significance to the Bakonzo tribe. A community guide will introduce you to the traditional healer, explaining his powers, known as Muhima and to the local black smith who will reveal the spiritual significance of the traditional Bakonzo stool. The basket weaving and firemaking skills are also showed along the route.

The trail then takes you across the Kamusonge River whose waters are also believed to be sweet and quick to reduce the thirst. There is a break in a hut to enjoy the glorious mountain views and shelter from the equatorial sun, before embarking on the final hour long walk to the museum, thatched in the traditional Konzo style. The trail also takes you to Kamusonge River whose waters are believed to be sweet and quick to reduce the thirst. There is a break in a hut to enjoy the glorious mountain views and shelter from the equatorial sun, before starting on the final hour long walk to the museum, thatched in the traditional Konzo style. Just on the display are the implements used during the Rwenzururu struggle, traditional dress and the other items of historical and cultural importance to the people of the Rwenzoris.

Bird watching in Rwenzori Mountains

Birding opportunities are the greatest in the montane forest and a few species chose to make their home in the inhospitable world of the high Rwenzori, some of these include the bee eaters, Robins, sunbirds and Barbets totaling to 217 species found in Rwenzori Mountain National Park. The other species to watch here include; Rwenzori Turaco, long eared owl, while higher up on the slopes, the Bearded Vultures, black eagles and many more.

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