Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Uganda

Rwenzori Mountains National park is located in western Uganda along the Uganda D.R.Congo border. The main physical feature of the park is Mount Rwenzori which is the third highest peak in Africa - after Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya.

Named the mountains of the moon by Ptolemy in 150 AD, Rwenzori rises through many climatic zones with various plants and animals. The outstanding natural beauty is why Mount Rwenzori was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.

From elephants and monkeys in the lower areas to the waterfalls, glaciers, and snowfields at the top, Rwenzori is truly stunning.

Activities

While in Rwenzori Mountains National park, you can take part in any of the following activities

  • Mountain Climbing
  • Hiking
  • Photography
  • Camping
  • Wildlife watching
  • Bird watching

When To Visit

Rwenzori can be visited at any time of the year. It is better to visit in the dry months between June and August when the rain won't slow down your movement.

If you intend to climb to the peak, it will be cold no matter which time of the year, and you should be prepared to endure Africa's toughest climb.

Related article: Best time to visit Uganda

Getting There.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park is located about 380 kilometers west of Kampala. The drive from Kampala to Kasese takes about 6 hours.

You can also take a domestic flight from Entebbe and land in Kasese, a few kilometers from the national park within 1.5 hours.

Where To Stay.

Accommodation in Rwenzori is heavily dependent on what you are doing and which part of the mountain you are on. At the base of the mountain, the options are wide, and it is close enough to even utilize the supreme lodge infrastructructure in the nearby Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Climbing higher limits accommodation to the various mountain huts, and the mode of accommodation is basic shelter from the elements.

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