RWENZORI NATIONAL PARK
Located in the western part of Uganda, Rwenzori national park is bisected
by the Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo border which passes through
Mt. Stanley known to be the highest peak. The Rwenzori Mountain is protected
by the Rwenzori Mountains -national park, in Congo by the Virunga national
park, the park can be accessed along a 7 day trail that moves along the
park Mobuku and Bujuku valleys beneath the highest peaks. It should be noted
however that the terrain, altitude and weather combine to create a tough
trek of which its difficulty may not be underestimated though the distances
are short. The park has an area of 998 sq km and was named after the famous
Rwenzori Mountains which is also referred to as the legendary “Mountains
of the Moon." Rwenzori Mountain is one of Africa's tallest mountain
range with an elevation of 5,109m.
The Rwenzori range has got 6 major peaks: Mt Stanley has got 5,109m; Mt
Speke has the distance of 4,890m, Mt Baker with a height of 4,843m, Mt Emin
having 4,798m long, Mt Gessi with 4,715m and Mt Luigi di Savoia with 4,627.
Mt Stanley complex also known to as Margherita peak is said to be the highest
peak with 5,109m and it’s this peak that forms the Rwenzori Mountains
being the 3rd highest in Africa. Its amazing height renders the Rwenzori
the 3rd highest ranges in Africa. And it is this peak which makes the Rwenzori
Mountains the 3rd highest range in Africa.
Although the highest mountains in Africa, that is to say Mt. Kilimanjaro
and Mt. Kenya are volcanic, the Rwenzori Mountains are not volcanic but
are dominantly old quartzite and gneiss. Despite being located almost
at the Equator, the mountain has got distinctive glacial peaks that are
visible from a distance as one travels through the Western part of Uganda.
However its slopes that are above 1,600m and are preserved for hikers,
make the Rwenzori Mountains to be the most interesting of all African
mountains. The Rwenzori Mountains have got five different Vegetation Zones
these may include the grassland vegetation of 1000-2000m, montane forest
found between 2000-3000m, bamboo/ mimulopsis zone between 2500-3500m,
Heather/ Rapanea zone between 3000-4000m and also the afro-alpine moorland
zone found on the top of the mountain between 4000-4500m above sea level.
Getting there
The Park is found after a few kilometers north of the equator high on
the Albertine rift valley for over 4000m.the park trailhead at Nyakalengija
is reached from Kampala from the north via fort portal for about 375km
or from the south passing through Mbarara and queen Elizabeth national
park for about 450km.hence Nyakalengija is 17km off the Kasese-fort portal
road and 25km north or Kasese town. It should be noted however that charter
flights to Kasese can be arranged from Entebbe for those who may wish
to use air transport.
Flora and fauna
The Rwenzori Mountains are known more for their flora than fauna. Faunal
species present in the park include Elephants, buffalo, giant forest hog,
bushbuck, chimpanzee and leopards are present. The park also hosts various
primates such as black and white Columbus and the blue monkey, as well
as the hyrax, the elephant’s dimunitive cousin. The park is also
one of the most important bird areas in Uganda where by it has got 214
species among which 19 are endemic to the mountain. And others are limited
to few forests along the Albertine rift valley, observe the Rwenzori Turaco
in the alphine zone watch out for the malachite sunbird.
While ascending on top of the mountain, the trail passes you through various
dramatic vegetation zones. Hence above the Bakonzo farmlands, Montane
forests between 1500 – 2500m to the bamboo stands and messy tangles
of mimulopsis between 2500 -3000m. This is followed by the lovely hearther-rapenea
zone between 3000 – 4000m, this characterized by giant tree- heathers,
garishly colored mosses and drab beards of lichen.
Amazing forms of giant lobelia and groundsels are also first found in
this zone. It should be noted however that these plants persist into the
highest, Alpine zone between 3800 – 4500m it’s at this point
where they are joined by wiry but pretty thickets of helichrysum.
The park is also blessed with Bigo bogs in the upper Bujuku valley which
are colonized by tussocks of sedge that provide climbers with useful wobbly
(stepping stones) with which to negotiate these muddy sections.
Accommodation
The park has a central circuit that is provided with basic mountain huts
however visitors are advised to come with their own sleeping bags and
sleeping mats. There also camping rooms that are available at the circuit’s
Nyakalengija trail head at Ruboni campsite and is provided by Rwenzori
backpackers’ hostel. There also other options that exist in Kasese,
fort portal and in neighboring queen Elizabeth.
The major holiday activity to undertake in the park is hiking. This activity
takes you though all fauna zones and finally ends on the glacial peaks.
Visitors can also go for shorter hikes that are arranged. It goes without
saying though that hiking usually takes seven days.