The main areas of interest in Rwenzori Mountains National Park for visitors on Uganda safari are many and nature lovers are never left disappointed. While on a trek in the Rwenzori Mountains, here are some of the most interesting places worth visiting.
The Equatorial Snow Peaks
The Equatorial Snow Peaks are the main places of interest for most visitors on Rwenzori mountain climbing safari. There are 6 magical mountain massifs to explore at the glacier summits of Rwenzori Mountain ranges-Mount Stanley, Speke, Baker, Luigi di Savoia, Gessi, Emin. All the 6 massifs have multiple peaks worth exploring, including Margherita 5109m, Alexandra 5083 peaks on Mount Stanley; Ensonga Johnston, Emanuele, Trident, and Ensonga peaks all on Mount Speke. Mount Emin, the 4th highest massif has peaks including the twin peaks of Umberto and Kraepelin. Three of the 6 Rwenzori Mountain massifs have permanent glaciers and they include Mount Baker, Stanley and Speke. Their peaks are accessible while on Rwenzori mountain climbing along the Kilembe and Central Circuit trails.
Land of the Triffids
The Rwenzori Mountains features a unique boggy, misty and glacier carved valleys forming a distinct botanical zone comprising of groundsel, heather, lobelia, everlasting flowers, mosses, gnarled trees and curtains of lichens. These make up the list of about five distinct vegetation zones which make Rwenzori Mountains National Park an exceptional Uganda safari park of its own.
Ruboni area:
It is found at the southeastern foot of the Rwenzori Mountains, is the trailhead for the seven-day Central Circuit to the high peaks. It is also the starting point for hill walks, bird and nature treks and walks through the traditional homesteads of the local Bakonzo community. Accommodation catering for a range of budgets offers gorgeous mountain views up the Mubuku valley.
Visitors’ Information Centre –All information needed in the park is steadily – it can be found at the visitor Information OR at Rwankingi Park Headquarters – at the trailheads and the offices of the Rwenzori tour operators. Here you can book Guides and porters, along with trekking equipment.
The Bulemba house:
In Bulemba houses, you can find the remains of Rwenzururu’s first King, Isaiah Mukirania Kibanzanga, who is believed to have saved the Bakonzo tribe from the Batooro oppression.
During your travel, Bulemba is where visitors on Rwenzori safari find the remains of the 1st King of Rwenzururu.
Central Circuit and Kilembe Trails:
Snow Capped peaks –Mt. Rwenzori comprises of six distinct mountains. Although located just miles north of the equator, the highest of these – Mounts Stanley at 5,109m, Speke at 4,890m and Baker at 4,843m – all bear permanent snow and glaciers due to low temperatures at the summit of the mountain which sustains the presence of ice.
The Vegetation areas:
The misty, boggy, glacier-carved valleys of the high Rwenzori form a strange botanical world inhabited by triffid-sized forms of lobelia, heather and groundsel, crisp “everlasting flowers,” garishly coloured mosses and gnarled trees draped with curtains of lichen. The result is an otherworldly setting which, over the years, has been compared to the forests of the Jabberwock, the Seven Dwarves and, inevitably, Tolkein’s Middle Earth. These strange plants rank among the world’s botanical treasures, being found only on the highest mountains of East Africa.
Lakes region:
There are over 20 lakes in Rwenzori Mountains National Park. The lowest and most accessible is Lake Mahoma (2,651m) in the bird-rich forest of the Central Circuit. The beautiful Lake Bujuku lies at the head of the deep, glacier carved Bujuku valley in the shadow of Mounts Stanley, Baker and Speke. In the Nyamwamba Valley, ascended by the Kilembe Trail, dams created by glacial moraine have created a string of eight delightful lakes. Several rivers and streams orginate from the mountain, forming lifelines for the flore and flora in the flood plains and supporting local communities.