We present to you reliable Rwenzori Mountains National Park tour operators in this article. These recommended safari companies and travel agencies will organize safaris to the Rwenzori Mountains. We also provide information about park entry fees, glacial peaks, history, location, best time to visit, accommodation, animals, climbing routes, bird watching, and cultural tourism options.
Mount Rwenzori, also known as the “Mountains of the Moon” because of its snowcapped peaks, stands at 5,109 meters above sea level. It has six glacial peaks: Mount Speke, Mount Baker, Mount Gessi, Mount Stanley, Mount Luigi da Savoia, and Mount Emin Pasha.
List of Rwenzori Tour Operators
See the list of recommended Uganda tour and travel companies here.
About the Rwenzori Park
Rwenzori Mountains National Park covers about 1,000 sq km. It is home to 217 bird species, 15 butterfly species, 70 mammal species, and 4 primate species. Mount Rwenzori is Uganda’s highest mountain and the third highest in Africa. It also forms the longest mountain range on the continent.
The park lies in the Albertine Rift and shelters several endangered species. It is also famous for its unique plants, which change across five vegetation zones depending on altitude. Wildlife in the park also varies with elevation.
Park Entry Fees
- Foreign non-residents: USD 35
- Foreign residents: USD 25
- East African citizens: 15,000 UGX
- Children (foreign non-residents and residents): USD 5
- Children (East African citizens): 2,500 UGX
Annual passes:
- Foreign resident individual: USD 350
- Foreign resident couple: USD 500
- Family of 4 residents: USD 700
- Corporate pass for foreign residents: USD 1,500
- East African individual: 150,000 UGX
- East African couple: 200,000 UGX
- East African family of 4: 300,000 UGX
- East African corporate pass: 2,500,000 UGX
- Safari and taxi drivers: 10,000 UGX
Tourist Activities:
- Day nature walks: USD 30 (foreign non-residents), USD 15 (foreign residents), 10,000 UGX (East Africans)
- Hiking Mount Rwenzori: USD 50 per day (foreign visitors), 50,000 UGX per day (East Africans)
History of Rwenzori
Rwenzori Mountains National Park was established in 1991 and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. From 1997 to 2001, the park faced insecurity due to rebel militias, and UNESCO listed it among World Heritage Sites in danger.
Around 150 AD, Claudius Ptolemy, an Alexandrian geographer, wrote about a snowcapped mountain in central Africa after hearing from Arab traders. They believed it was the source of the Nile and called it the “Mountains of the Moon.”
In 1888, Henry Morton Stanley confirmed the existence of the Rwenzori Mountains. Earlier, explorers like Samuel Baker and Romolo Gessi had already seen them from a distance. In 1889, Stanley sent his deputy to explore the slopes. He reached an altitude of 3,254 meters and reported seeing the peaks.
Park Location
Rwenzori Mountains National Park is in western Uganda. It borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and lies within the districts of Kabarole, Bundibugyo, and Kasese. The park also lies along the eastern side of the Great Rift Valley.
Animals of Rwenzori Mountains
Rwenzori Mountains National Park is home to many wildlife species, some of which are found only in the Albertine Rift. The animals in the park live in different vegetation zones. Some of the species include elephants, buffaloes, black and white colobus monkeys, hyrax, chimpanzees, duikers, L’Hoest monkeys, and more.
Mount Rwenzori is also a top destination for hiking. Experienced hikers take about 9 to 12 days to reach Margherita Peak, the highest point. The two main routes to the peak are the Kilembe Route and the Central Circuit Route.
Hiking Rwenzori via Kilembe Route
The Kilembe Route was opened in 2009. It approaches the mountain from the south and is the longest route. It is popular because of its valleys, lakes, plant life, and wildlife along the way.
- Day 1: Start from Kasese town or Trekkers Hostel at 1,450 meters. Hike through the forest zone to Sine Hut at 2,585 meters. Along the way, you pass through forests and see Enoch’s Falls.
- Day 2: Continue through the heather and rapanea zone to Kalalama Swamp for a short rest. Hike past streams and waterfalls to Mutinda Camp at 3,688 meters. From here, you can take a 1.5-hour walk to a lookout with views of Lake George, Kasese town, and the Rwenzori Mountains.
- Day 3: Hike through alpine vegetation, across Mutinda Valley, and climb to Namusangi Valley at 3,840 meters. Continue to Bugata Camp at 4,062 meters. Prozza Rock nearby offers views of nine lakes and Weismann’s Peak of Mount Luigi da Savoia.
- Day 4: Climb to Bamwanjara Pass at 4,450 meters with views of the snowcapped peaks. Descend to Kachope Lakes, then climb again to Hunwick’s Camp.
- Day 5: This day is for acclimatization. Some climbers may choose to climb Mount Speke, while others visit Irene Lakes. Overnight at Bujuku.
- Day 6: Hike to Elena Hut through Scott Elliot Pass. Trekkers struggling with altitude can bypass this section and continue to Kitandara Hut, rejoining the group on Day 8.
- Day 7: Climb to Margherita Peak. This is a long and challenging day, starting early in the morning. Ice axes and plenty of water are required. On a clear day, you can see the rainforests of Congo and surrounding peaks. Overnight at Kitandara Hut (4,027 meters).
- Day 8: A steep climb through Freshfield Pass before descending to Guy Yeoman Hut in the giant heather zone.
- Day 9: Descend steeply through the bamboo zone to Nyabitaba Hut for rest, then continue to the road where vehicles are waiting.
Climbing Rwenzori via Central Circuit Route
- Day 1: Start with a steep climb from Nyakalengija Base Camp to Nyabitaba Hut for the night.
- Day 2: Cross the confluence of the Bujuku and Mobuku rivers, then climb and descend through bamboo forest and trees covered with moss and lichens. Overnight at John Matte Hut with views of Margherita and Alexandria peaks.
- Day 3: Continue to Bujuku Hut through boggy terrain. Along the way, you get views of the valley and Lake Bujuku.
- Day 4: Climb towards Scott Elliot Pass around Lake Bujuku and branch off to Elena Hut. This section offers good views, especially at sunrise.
- Day 5: Climb steep rocky slopes, cross the Stanley Plateau with crampons, and make the final ascent to Margherita Peak.
- Day 6–7: Descend back down the mountain slopes.
Birding in Rwenzori Mountains
Rwenzori Mountains National Park is home to about 217 bird species, many of which are found in the montane forest. Some of the birds you can see include the Rwenzori turaco and the long-eared owl, among many others. Birding in the Rwenzori Mountains is rewarding and should be considered if you love birds.
See recommended bird watching tour companies here.
Cultural Encounters in Rwenzori Mountains
You can also enjoy cultural encounters with the Bakonzo people, who live on the slopes of the Rwenzori Mountains. A local Bakonzo guide can show you their daily life, including farming, grazing animals, and hunting. You can also visit a blacksmith, learn basket weaving, or enjoy live cultural performances from the community.
Climbing Mount Rwenzori requires experienced hikers with technical skills. You can hire equipment from Rwenzori Mountain Trekking Services or bring your own. Important items include waterproof hiking boots, garden gloves, warm long-sleeved clothes, energy snacks, walking sticks, an ice axe, headgear, and other necessary gear.
Best Time to Visit Rwenzori
The park has one short dry season from June to August. Unlike other areas of Uganda that have two dry seasons, it may still rain here even during the dry months, mostly at night.
The best time to visit is during the dry season when the skies are clear and the climbing trails are easier to use.
Accommodation
There are only a few accommodation facilities around the park. Some of them include:
- Ruboni Community Camp
- Rwenzori Turaco View Campsite
- Mihunga Safari Lodge
- Equator Snow Lodge
- Tours Holiday Inn
The top choice for most visitors is Equator Snow Lodge.
It is best to contact your tour operator for a complete list of trekking equipment you will need. Porters are available to help carry luggage at a reasonable fee. The tour and travel companies listed below are experienced and can provide quotations and packages. I have personally hiked Mount Rwenzori with some of them.
See list of recommended Uganda tour and travel companies here.
Book your Uganda tours with these recommended Uganda tour companies for a well planned safari. Use the Voucher: UTBlog for up to 25% Discounts on Trips.
