Top Safari Activities to do on Mountain Rwenzori; Mountain Rwenzori –Rwenzori Mountain is a major stopping destination for mountain climbing adventure and its natural beauty that attracts with gainful viewing of green vegetation, rivers, lakes, rare plants, lakes, waterfalls, hot springs, glaciers and the mountain thus adding letting tourists to add a visit of the mountain on their bucket list on Uganda Safaris. Meanwhile, Rwenzori Mountain were once called Mountain of the Moon famously known as a global biodiversity hotspot that provides key ecosystem services, carbon storage, forest resource and water supply. More so, the park lies on the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo which is comprised with the highest peak of the Ruwenzori that raises 5,109 meters and the range’s upper regions are permanently snow-capped and glaciated.
Historically, Rwenzori mountains were formed about three million years ago and they act as result of an uplifted block of crystalline rocks including amphibolite, gneiss, granite and quartzite. This mountain has the highest non-volcanic and no-orogenic mountain in the world. Furthermore, Rwenzori Mountain ranges about 120 kilometers long and 65-kilometer-wide, comprised of six massifs separated by deep gorges though the most famous and attractive to tourists are Mount Stanley that measures about 5,109 meters, Mount Speke raises 4,890 meters and Mount Baker raises 4,843 meters and above all Mount Stanley has the most rewarding subsidiary summits with Margherita peak being the highest point. More about the mountain are renowned for their vegetation ranging from tropical rainforest through alpine meadows to snow. Therefore, the ranges provide support of its own species and varieties of giant groundsel and giant lobelia as well as consisting of a 6 meters tall heather covered in moss that lives on one of its peaks. All these species within the area made it to become a World Heritage Site and managed by ‘’UWA’’ Uganda Wildlife Authority. The park is found in southwestern Uganda and the Virunga National Park in the eastern Congo.
Below are the remarkable activities to do on Uganda safari visit to Rwenzori Mountain and the best done things here are the mountain climbing and other interesting activities, on visit never get worried of where to stay the park boasts with comfortable accommodation facilities designed with good amenities that can make your visit to Rwenzori mountain national park worth and unforgettable life experience. They include; Nature walks, Cultural encounter, hiking, nature walks. Mountain-Volcano climbing, birding among others.
Mountain Climbing
Mountain Climbing is the main highlight activity to do in Rwenzori Mountain National Park since it hosts the third highest peak in the whole Africa, famously known as ‘’Margarita Peak’’ though to reach its summit its bit challenging you need to be physically fit in the body, the climbing adventure takes seven days’ climb till the top. Travelers who are lovers of climbing adventure visit the park and the experts will help you choose the best trails to in order to experience scenic routes to the top of the Rwenzori. Each trail you choose to take is rewarding with spectacular view of glacial lakes, gorgeous viewpoints, lusty valley and dramatic mountain passes.
There are several fabulous and interesting trail heads as explained below;
Central circuit trail; This trails is interesting to trek the peak though bit challenging and provides a magnificent circular tour of the high Rwenzori. The trailhead at Mihunga ascends you to Bujuku Valley while passing via Nyabitaba but before accessing the peak, you can continue to descend through the Mubuku Valley. Climbers can be able to scale the snow peak but requires one to have body fitness as considered exceptional scenery ample that rewards their adventure tour on the pearl of Africa.
Kilembe Trail;
This trail allows the travelers to be able to ascend to the southern slopes of the Rwenzori Mountains from the trailhead at Kilembe lies near to Kasese town. Though this trails leads you to the long route of Nyamwamba valley passing along glacial lakes and provides gainful viewpoints before connecting the central circuit at Lake Kitandara. Along this trail, you can be able to climb up to Mount Baker by passing through the scenery view which is worth it, Top Safari Activities to do on Mountain Rwenzori.
Bookings for Mountain climbing activity can be done through Rwenzori Mountaineering services and Rwenzori Trekking Services by the help of the trustworthy Uganda tour operator.
Hiking and Nature walk
This is also an amazing activity that stuns travelers with natural wonders through discovering the hidden treasures of the park and all these can be experienced by carrying out hiking and nature walk accompanied by the guide who leads you to the trails and be able to enjoy panoramic view of the creatures such as Lake Muhooma and Buraro chimp forest. You will hike through the communities of kichamhe to the Karangura ridge and also takes you to Bundibugyo area through bwamba
pass.
Guided Nature Walk;
This is one of the activity conducted in Rwenzori Mountain that leads you to communities of Ruboni and Turaco view as well as offering guided forest walks of various species to see outside the park. The route used can as well lead you to River Mubuku thus providing a great view of Mount Baker and portal peak as they hike up to 2,300metre above sea level. Along this trails, you will be rewarded with a clear view of the snow-capped Margherita peak ,another thing to do is to keep your eyes open and have great sightseeing of Chameleons ,Squirrels ,Vervet monkeys and various beautiful bird species many more.
Cultural Encounter Around Rwenzori Mountains
This is an exciting activity that allows you to make a visit to Bakozo villagers to encounter their homestead that lies in the foothills of the Rwenzori. This is admirable activity where one can be able to experience the traditional lifetime of Bakozo people through enjoying their amazing dance performance accompanied by exciting drumming, learn how to prepare their local meal with them, meet the blacksmith, traditional hears, basket weavers as well as listening their impressive storytellers.
Through visit the Bakozo village a guide will lead you to the stunning rocky Mubuku River where you will follow this crystal clear stream while passing through village’s farm crops and wood. Along the trails you will be able to have great view of colorful birds such as Rwenzori Turaco, Tiny sunbirds, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eaters and other species to encounter include chameleons, squirrels and vervet monkeys. You can also have chances of viewing Mount Baker and portal peaks rising above the forest.
Birding in Rwenzori Mountain
This place is also a great location for birders since it boasts with over 217 bird species which can be spotted in montane rainforest .Some of the birds to see includes Red-faced crimson wing ,Red throated Alethe ,Long eared owl ,Dwarf Honeyguide ,Rwenzori Turaco ,Long-eared Owl ,Bearded Vultures , Olive-back and White starred Robin ,Illadopsis ,Handsome Francolin ,Golden winged sunbirds ,Bamboo warblers ,Long eared owl ,Robins ,Scarlet tufted Malachite Sunbirds ,Grauer’s Cuckoo-shrike among others, Top Safari Activities to do on Mountain Rwenzori.
Wildlife Viewing in Rwenzori Mountain
Rwenzori Mountain is famous with three horn chameleon and other wildlife species you expect to see on this scenic land scape they include ;forest elephants ,red duiker ,golden cats ,bush buck, blue monkeys ,giant forest hogs ,genet Mongoose ,leopards ,L’hoest’s monkeys ,rock hydrae ,Uganda clawed frog ,Rwenzori colobus ,Otter ,Rwenzori climbing mouse among others.
Where to stay
On visit to Rwenzori Mountain national park never get worried where to stay because the park boasts with outside and inside the park accommodation unit with excellent amenities ranging from Luxury ,Mid-range and Budget with comfortable bed room .Such lodges include ;Rwenzori Backpackers ,Ihamba lakeside safari lodge ,Rwenzori turaco view campsite ,Tour Holiday Inn ,Ruboni Community Camp ,Tropical Savannah Guest House ,Equator snow lodge .A visit made to Rwenzori Mountain National Park ,you will never regret a visit you made here in life time.
