Rwenzori Mountains National Park- Maps, Facts, Review & Heights

Rwenzori Mountains are Located in the Southwestern Uganda within the Rwenzori Mountain National Park & Virunga National Park which are all UNESCO world Heritage site. Rwenzori Mountains National park covers approximately 1000 square kilometers and has Africa’s third highest peak(margherita at 5109m), after Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya.

The highest peak of the Ruwenzori reaches 5,109 metres (16,762 ft), and the range’s upper regions are permanently snow-capped and glaciated. Rivers fed by mountain streams form one of the sources of the Nile.

History of Rwenzori Mountains

In 1906, the Duke of Abruzzi mounted an expedition to the Ruwenzori, the account of which was subsequently published by Filippo De Filippi. The expedition scaled the highest peaks of the range, several of which were named by the duke, while Mount Luigi di Savoia was named in his honour.  Accompanying the duke was photographer Vittorio Sella, who had previously visited the mountains. His photographs of the glaciers and moraines of the Ruwenzori demonstrated that the glaciers were already in retreat.

Sella’s photographic work is conserved at the Museo Nazionale della Montagna in Turin and at the Istituto di Fotografia Alpina Vittorio Sella in Biella, both in Italy.

How long does it take to Climb Rwenzori Mountains .

Planning a Rwenzori Mountaineering tour to Climb the Snow capped mountain in Uganda with Rwenzori Expeditions? Find the relevant facts to guide on when to travel and the how long does it take to summit to the peak . According to the reservation experts at Rwenzori Expeditions ( Halima & Edward ) the recommended days to be spent on the mountains are 5 days to 9 days depending on the trail used during the adventure.

Duration in the Rwenzoris via various routes

• Kilembe trail, the shortest time is 7 days  hike
• Rwenzori Central Circuit takes 5 days
• Bukurungu trails takes also 7 days in the wilderness camping.

Why is Bukurungu trail expensive yet it uses wild camping

Bukurungu trail is the new trail that has been developed by Uganda wildlife authority to be used by trekkers to summit the peak, its expensive due to the park entrance fees being 50$$ per day and you will be using wild camping. We do operate rwenzori trips via Bukurungu Trail. Dont miss the chance to explore the Rwenzori Mountains.  Read More

Whats the cost of Rwenzori Mountains

If your traveling as solo traveler, the prices are higher than group adventures to Rwenzori Mountains. The Rwenzori trekking tours ranges from 1650$ to 2000 US$ depending on the trail used , duration in the mountains and the operator used by the traveler , we operator trips via all the 3 routes that are available in the Rwenzori Mountains. Dont miss the chance to explore the Magical Rwenzoris. Read More

Rwenzori Trekking Tours – Mountaineering Trips to Rwenzori Mountains National Park.

Rwenzori Expeditions takes the lead in offering Ultimate Rwenzori Trekking tours to explore Rwenzori Mountains National Park.Check on the the recommended Rwenzori treks.

Rwenzori Mountains national Park was established in 1991 by Uganda wildlife Authority and most climbers used the Rwenzori Central trail that is the oldest  trail that was used by Abruzzi on his 1906 expedition into Rwenzori Mountains.

Rwenzori Mountains National park spans up to 996km in size, whereby  70% exceeds an altitude of 2,500 meters (8,200 ft), thus ,the park is 120 kilometers (75 mi) long and 48 kilometers (30 mi) wide. Besides Mount Stanley’s twin, Margarita Peak, Rwenzori Mountains National park also contains the Africa’s 4^th and 5^th peaks of Mount Speke and Mount Baker, all of which are higher than the Alps and are ice capped.

Climbing Rwenzori Mountains can be done via Uganda or Congo and Rwenzori Expeditions offers trips from both sides for unique Safari experienced rangers and porters.

Getting around Rwenzori Mountains

Rwenzori Expeditions answers this frequently Asked Question regarding how to get to Rwenzori Mountains National Park and the quickest way to reach Rwenzori Mountains is to fly(using an arranged charter flight) from either Entebbe international airport or Kampala/Kajjansi to Kasese airstrip.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park can be accessed from either the Northern route from Kampala via Fort Portal (375km) to Kasese or from the south passing through Mbarara to Queen Elizabeth National Park (450km) to Kasese.
From here, it’s just a 90 minutes’  drive to Nyakalengija.
Nyakalengija is just 17km off the Kasese- Fort Portal road and 25km north of Kasese town
You’ll need need at least to spend a night before you set for your trek the next day. Check out for More information

Its always better to select the best time to include the Amazing Rwenzori & Gorillas for the great adventure in Rwenzori Mountains in Uganda.  Check out For more information

Flora and Fauna in Rwenzori Mountains

Rwenzori Mountain National park is known for its Botany, which has made it one amongst the most beautiful regions in the world. This is because of the high diversity of plants and tree species. However, there are five different vegetation zones in the park.

The park is a home to a vast number of species, that are endemic to the Albertine Rift  system, and there are various endangered species within the park, including 89 species of birds, 15 species of Butterflies, 4 primate species, while the wildlife species vary with the difference in elevation such as forest elephant, chimpanzee, hyrax, black-and-white colobus, L’Hoest’s monkeys, duiker, and Rwenzori turaco. Check out for More information

Best time to visit Uganda

Tourists come to visit Uganda year round, but peak season is from December to January and from June to September.

Best Time to visit Rwenzori Mountains

So, you’ve decided to take on the challenge of trekking 3rd’s Africa’s highest peak? Next, you need to think about the best time to climb Rwenzori, in terms of weather, trekking conditions and popularity.

Although it’s technically possible to trek Uganda’s Mount Rwenzori year round, there are certain months which are characterized by colder weather, more rain and potentially lots of snow on the summit. We generally advise that the best time to climb Rwenzori is during the warmest and driest times of year, from December to mid-March and mid-June to the end of October.

Rwenzori Expeditions recommends you to choose your travel in the following months of June, July, August, September, October, December, January, February and March. If your planning to add-on  Amazing Rwenzori & Gorillas for the great adventure in Rwenzori Mountains in Uganda, its advisable to book in advance the gorilla permit .  Check out For more information

Why RWenzori Mountains are worthy the visit

1. Fast-flowing rivers, magnificent waterfalls. Read more
2. Unique flora, the Rwenzori Mountains have unique alpine flora
3. Sources of the River Nile and constitute a vital water catchment.
4. classified Unique fauna ( 217 bird species and few Primates like L’Hoest’s monkey, and the eastern chimpanzee).