Rwenzori Mountain Climbing Safari

Rwenzori Mountain Climbing Safari

Rwenzori Mountains National park: Rwenzori ranges are in the Kasese district in the western region of Uganda bordering Congo. The mountains are best known as “mountains of the moon”. The mountain rises at the height of 5110 meters over sea level. Mount Ruwenzori is the third most elevated mountain in Africa after Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya, with Africa’s third, long, and most elevated ranges. Mount Rwenzori is the hardest to climb of all African mountains and it’ll hence require physical wellness. Ruwenzori mountain ranges, mountain covers the border of Uganda and Congo (Kinshasa); these ranges are thought to be the “Mountains of the Moon” portrayed by the 2nd-century-AD geographer Ptolemy (Claudius Ptolemaeus). The mountains are long thought to be the source of the Nile.

Where is mountain Rwenzori located?

Lying marginally north of the Equator, the Ruwenzori mountains encompass a most extreme breadth of 30 miles (50 km) and amplify south-north for 80 miles (130 km) between Lake Edward and Lake Albert. The Ruwenzori mountains fall steeply westbound to the Western Rift Valley wing, whereas its plunge to the east is more continuous, driving to the uplands of the western part of Uganda, coming to its highest peak in Mount Stanley at Margherita Crest (16,795 feet [5,119 m]).

The Ruwenzori Range’s biggest mountains are isolated bypasses and profoundly cut stream valleys that all in the long run deplete into the Semliki river. Icy masses and small lakes happen within the upper valleys. The changeless snow line stands at almost 14,800 feet (4,511 m) on the east and 15,900 feet (4,846 m) on the west.

The mountain summits are frequently covered up in cloud cover, made occasionally by wet airstreams from the Atlantic and Indian seas. The Ruwenzori is financially vital for copper and cobalt stores, mined at Kilembe, Uganda. Hydropower for mining is given by the Mubuku, the range’s biggest waterway. The Amba and Konjo individuals bunches of the lower eastern slants are fundamentally cultivators of beans, sweet potatoes, and bananas.

Mount Stanley, besides called Mount Ngaliéma, is the portion of the Ruwenzori Mountains on the border between DR Congo and Uganda, in east-central Africa. Stanley contains 9 of the 10 peaks that rise over 16,000 feet (4,900 meters), counting the most noteworthy within the mountain, Margherita top (16,762 feet [5,109 meters]). There are ice sheets and ice lakes.

In the late 1880s, Henry Morton Stanley has to be the primary European to reach this mountain. Margherita Best, French Pic Marguerite, most lifted summit of the Ruwenzori mountains in East Africa and the third most vital in Africa (after Mounts Kilimanjaro and Kenya). Margherita Peak is the foremost vital best on Mount Stanley. It rises to 16,795 feet (5,119 m) between Lake Albert (Lake Mobutu Sese Seko) to the north and Lake Edward to the south on the Congo (Kinshasa)–Uganda border.

It was to start with climbed in 1906 by an endeavor driven by Luigi Amedeo Abruzzi and was named for Ruler Margherita of Italy. Mount Ruwenzori was gazetted as a national stop in 1991 and it was articulated by UNESCO as a world legacy and Ramsar location in 1994.

The Rwenzori covers a vast land of almost 996 kilometers squared. Mount Ruwenzori is characterized by blue lakes, snow areas, elevated good country icy masses, thick montane, and bamboo forests, heath, moorland, groundsels, Lobelias, and Hagenia. Mount Ruwenzori liquefy water speak to the most noteworthy source of the Nile which is the longest river, in 150 Advertisement Claudius Ptolemy claimed the snow-topped mountains to be the source of the forceful Nile. This mountain may be a must-visit after you go on Uganda safari occasions.

Things to do on mountain Rwenzori Uganda

There is quite a range of activities designed to give the incomparable summary of an African safari experience to our travelers in Rwenzori Mountain ranges as follow;

Mountain climbing Tour on Rwenzori Mountain

Mountain climbing is the most sought-after adventure in mount Ruwenzori national park, the mountain gives shocking sceneries said to be one of the foremost marvels on land. Day climbs can too be organized for those who don’t need to reach the mountain crests. Mount Ruwenzori is exceptionally challenging therefore you must be in great shape to require a 7 – 9 day travel to the top summit.

The Central Circuit Trail: This challenging but fulfilling seven-day climb offers a circular visit to the tall mountain Rwenzori. From the trailhead at Mihunga, the course rises the Bujuku Valley through Nyabitaba for acclimatization sometime recently coming to the crests. Travelers joining the Central Circuit after Bujuku will navigate the Scott Elliot and new field passes to slip through the Mubuku Valley. Climbers can scale the snow crests in spite of the fact that numerous consider the extraordinary view sufficient remunerate for their exertions.

Kilembe Trail: This newly established Kilembe trail climbs the southern slants of the Rwenzori from a starting point at Kilembe close to the town of Kasese. The course along the beautiful Nyamwamba Valley passes frigid lakes and a few staggering perspectives sometime recently joining the Central Circuit at Lake Kitandara. The standard course scales Mount Pastry specialist in spite of the fact that the view makes shorter treks fulfilling sufficient.

Wildlife safari experience in Mount Rwenzori National park

Mountain Rwenzori National park has a populace of around 70 species of mammals, with indeed the six species which are endemic to the Albertine rift valley region and indeed the four species which are endemic to the park and three are rare species. Other warm-blooded animals incorporate the elephant as well as the chimpanzee and Rwenzori otter and panther.

In spite of the reality that natural life is troublesome to see within the thick forest, guests can moreover see out for primates such as colobus (Angola and black-and-white assortments are both displayed) and blue monkeys; little eland such as bushbucks; and unordinary reptiles such as the three-horned chameleon.

The Ruwenzori mountain slants are filled with different natural life species. A few of the creatures seen at the Ruwenzori mountains incorporate elephants, panthers, bushbucks, giant forest pigs, bushbucks, and numerous more. There are moreover different primate species within the Ruwenzori mountains like blue monkeys, olive monkeys, dark and white Columbus monkeys, ruddy followed monkeys, chimpanzees, and numerous more.

Bird watching Safari in Rwenzori Mountain National Park

The park is habitat to over 217 bird species and these include many endemic Albertine rift valley species. From the whole number of 217 species of bird, 17 species are endemic to the mountain Rwenzori park making Rwenzori a vital and important birding area (IBA). The bamboo forest zone at 1800m contains various bird species counting the Rwenzori Turaco, Apalises, IIladopsis, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, Handsome Francolin, Blue-headed Sunbird.

As well as Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Long-eared Owl, White-starred Robin with even the rare Montane Sooty Boubou, Rwenzori Batis, Archers’ Robin-chat, Greenbuls, Strange Weaver, as well as the Golden-winged Sunbird, Lagden’s Bush-Shrike, Slender-billed Starling, and several varieties of Barbets, Flycatchers, and Crimson wings.

Cultural experience in Rwenzori Mountain National park

Ruboni Community Camp .Guests who choose to go for a safari to Rwenzori Mountains national park can find the calm, courteous cultivating village recognized as Ruboni which is home to a gauge 2,000 Bakonzo community living at the foothills of the mountains of Rwenzori. Whereas at this region guests can walk with the villagers as they appear to guests they’re everyday exercises which run from raring their traditional animals and crops to planning decent delightful Ugandan meal with the freshest fixings.

The guide can moreover lead visits to meet the metalworkers and traditional healers of the area, visitors can moreover meet wicker basket weavers and storytellers, and appreciate a dynamic move execution organized by the local people to engage the guests who have paid a visit to them. Alternatively, your guide will lead you along the river full of rocks called the Mubuku river.

Ruboni agreeing to the nearby dialect of the people living in this zone implies clear water in and here guests will be required to take after this crystal-clear river and guests can appreciate observing villagers who will be passing whereas carrying crops and wood. When the trail is nearly finishing guests are remunerated with the clear see of the numerous colorful birds such as the Rwenzori Turaco as well as the modest sunbirds and Cinnamon-chested Bee-eaters.

The zone is indeed a home to various chameleon species as well as squirrels and vervet monkeys among others. Look out for Pastry specialist and Entry Crests rising over the forest. On a clear day, the snowcapped Margherita peak is additionally unmistakable – a genuinely fabulous locate. Rwenzori Turaco view Camp site .The minor town of Mihunga is close to the snow-capped peak of the Rwenzori Mountains.

The Bakonzo tribe who are the occupants of this mountain overseen to live in this area for over 300 years without running water and power and this specific community has got acclimated to its conventional way of life which is muching to the climate and drench green inclines of the Rwenzori foothills.

Mihunga‘s community tourism assembles in conniving with Turaco see, more often than not organize visits for guests to require cultural trail visit to this town. The exercises here incorporate guests observing exhibited by a traditional healer, whose traditional herb-based medicines are accepted to remedy numerous sicknesses.

Guests are too taken to visit town school and the experience creates a show and in some cases indeed move exhibitions are organized here also. Visitors can select to walk with a local guide through the encompassing forests. They may be fortunate sufficient to spot brightly colored turacos within the forest canopy.

The guides will be able to point out other species such as bee-eaters, sunbirds, and lively black-and-white colobus monkeys. Bulemba-Ihandiro cultural trail. This way is anticipated to require visitors six to seven hours walk through the holy valley and other spots of magnificent social centrality to the Bakonzo tribe.

A community guide will present guests to the traditional healer additionally clarifying how the powers of the healer work and at long last guests are guided to the nearby art forgers, who will uncover the otherworldly significance of each and each traditional stool of the Bakonzo community. Wicker basket weaving and fire-making aptitudes are illustrated along the route.

The trail at that point takes you over the Kamusonge river whose waters are accepted to be sweet and respond exceptionally rapidly to lull the thirst. After a few great times of moving, guests will be given time to rest whereas getting a charge out of radiant mountain views as well as protect from the tropical sun.

At that point after the break guests are asked to proceed with the travel for one last hour and this will take them through the gallery which is covered within the traditional Konzo fashion. On a show of the gallery are the equipment that was used amid the Rwenzururu battle, in this historical center traditional dresses and the other things of chronicled and social significance to the individuals of the Rwenzoris are displayed.

For a feel of African bona fide culture, visitors can investigate the neighboring Bakonjo villages at the mountain slants and learn approximately people’s daily ways of life and how they have adjusted remaining at this mountain slopes for a long time. A nature-guided walk can too be organized and the local traditional artists can perform their traditional dance.

Mountain hiking and Nature walks in Rwenzori mountain National park

The park gives the most noteworthy changes for guests inquisitive about nature walks,s particularly inside the central circuit zone. These nature walks incorporate taking trails up to Lake Mahoma as well as Buraro chimp forest; the movement to includes walks through the communities of Kichamba to reach the Karangura edge and climbing to the Bundibugo zone through Bwamba pass.

The communities of Ruboni and Turaco See moreover offer guided forest walks of different lengths and these are done on the edges of the park. Guests can take after the River Mubuku and see Pastry specialists and Entry Crests as they climb up to 2,300m above sea level. On a clear day, it is indeed conceivable to see the snowcapped Margherita summit – a really fabulous locate.

Along the way, keep an eye out for chameleons, squirrels, vervet monkeys, and numerous birds. Bwamba Pass: this trail was built in 1938 to connect through the fort portal with the inaccessible town of Bundibugyo, local individuals took after the foremost coordinate course between these areas – an extreme, 1,500m high hike over the soak north Rwenzori edge, known as the Bwamba Pass.

The Abanya Rwenzori community group leads guests over the mountain through various mountain villages to visit the bamboo forest and appreciate eminent fracture valley sees.

Getting There (Rwenzori Mountain National Park)

To go to Rwenzori Mountain National Park, guests can either use road transport or air transport. By Road Transport they’re 2 routes: From Kampala by means of Mubende to fort portal which is 300km can take guest almost 4hrs. From Kampala by means of Masaka- Mbarara- Bushenyi to Kasese, which is approximately 350km can take travelers generally 6 hours. This route is conceivably more energizing because it goes through the Lake Mburo National park to exceptional Queen Elizabeth National park, in any case, it’s long and thus guests are prescribed delay in their trip. By Air Transport: Chartered plane can be organized and it takes as it were 30minutes to arrive to Kasese airstrip, from where the guest is able to move a brief trip to the Park Entrance.

Mountain Climbing Garget Requirements

Besides a high level of physical wellness, climbing the Rwenzori Mountains, guests ought to guarantee that at slightest the taking after the hardware is on their guardianship earlier to climbing the Rwenzori; Hiking Boots, Gumboots: A set of climbing boots is fundamental, mainly within the early stages of the climb and within the journey across the snow sheets.

Gumboots are required gargets to maneuver within the mud-covered segments of the mountain trail. Rucksack: An effective waterproof bag is essential. Most times, Rwenzori can be damp. This will offer assistance keep up your fundamental things dry as you like. Cooking utensils: On the off chance that you expected to do your claim cooking, a light stove, a few plates, and mugs ought to be in your ownership.

It is conceivable to enlist a cook for the trip but still arrange to have at slightest the uncovered essentials just like the plates, mugs, forks, knives, and others. rucksack Warm stuff: After the primary camp, the mountain gets much colder underneath 10°C and certainly underneath solidifying at a few camps. Great warm shirts and pants, a not too bad resting bag are all essential.

A great match of warm waterproof gloves is vital for whoever is climbing up to the peaks. warm-jacket Emergency Kit: healthy kit is basic; you’ll be at the slightest a day away from indeed the leading crisis services. Food: Most climbers carry their food. Some nourishment can moreover be bought at the park visitors center. You wish energy-giving nourishment, glucose packs, sweetened juice blenders, chocolate, and dry porridge blend are prescribed.

No ought to carry water as the mountain gives parcels of normal, shimmering, safe drinking water. Gear: All camps have cabins but you’ll wish to carry a tent because it can progress trip adaptability and ensure to bring the common camping gears just like the lighter, burn, toiletries, GPS to mention.

Be that as it may be beyond any doubt that while you’ll have watchmen to assist you out carry your gear, there’s a difficult constrain (22kg) as to how much each doorman will carry: You hence got to enlist more doormen in case you have got lots of kits. The park headquarters has a restricted number of tents, rucksacks, and boots for hire, be beyond any doubt to talk to them beforehand to set up accessibility.

Stop workplaces moreover give crampons, ice tomahawks, and ropes for enlisting, for those arranging to undertake any of the crests but you will bring your possess. Warm objects can as a rule be bought in Kampala. Nourishment and medications can be procured from any local grocery store in Kampala or Kasese.

Accommodation in Rwenzori Mountain National Park

Hotel Margherita (luxury accommodation) is found fair few kilometers west of Kasese Town, western Uganda, within the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains something else known as the Mountains of the Moon. At hotel Margherita, visitors are welcomed with kindness, making them feel they are truly part of the whole Rwenzori experience.

The hotel has 36 rooms accessible, extending from Official Suites to Standard Twofold and Single Rooms. There’s too a flat accessible that can oblige a family of five. A strong accentuation is put on making the rooms as comfortable as conceivable, with TVs, air-conditioning, and fridges. There could be an eatery and bar on the premises, where visitors can spend the evening socializing, observing TV, or playing chess, pool, or drafts.

There are conference rooms that can suit up to 300 individuals and sufficient on-site stopping. Rwenzori Worldwide Hotel (Midrange Accommodation) It is found within the wonderful city of Kasese and is as it were a 3 minutes drive from the Kasese airstrip. There are 35 comfortable rooms accessible to guests with breakfast included within the rate.

The rooms are all comfortably outfitted and prepared with a TV and phone. Bedding and mosquito nets are given on the beds. Other budget hotels include; Tour Holiday Inn, Ruboni Community Camp, Rwenzori Based Camp Guest House, Ruwenzori View Guest House, Rwenzori Travellers Inn.