Lake Mahoma is one of the 20 beautiful Lakes in the Rwenzori Mountains, Kasese District, Western Uganda. Lake Mahoma is notably the nearest water Lake in the Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon. It is found at altitude of 3000m and it features as the deepest of the 20 Lakes in Rwenzori Mountain Chain.
Lake Mahoma in Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon is easier to reach while on a short walk trail to the Rwenzori Mountains. 3 days Mahoma loop nature walk offers amazing experience about the scenic Lake Mahoma and surrounding area. Lake Mahoma is amazingly one of the very few most picturesque Lakes found at the shadows of the Rwenzori Mountains and while on a hike along the Mahoma loop, you have more than magical views of the Lake as you also stand to keep an eye on diverse bird species.
Lake Mahoma in Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon is accessible via two routes; the Mahoma Loop Central Circuit Trail or along the main Central Circuit Trail off from Mihunga gate. There is a camping ground around Lake Mahoma for visitors to camp and birders have plenty of birds to sight including the Rwenzori turaco. The Lake is located in a bird-rich area with.
Mahoma Trail is a newly created nature walk trail in the legendary Rwenzori Mountains. As Greek Geographer Ptolemy described it in the 150ADF, Mahoma Trail is incredibly a wonder of its own and indeed it is. A nature walk through Mahoma Trail offers nature loving visitors on Uganda safari a mesmerizing on-foot-walk experience.
Mahoma Trail is an addition to the popular Central Circuit and Kilembe Trails of the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon. These lead visitors to the Margherita Peak 5109m and Mahoma Trail takes about 2 nights, 3 days. It is a perfect nature walking trail for nature lovers on Uganda safari with limited time and they have interest to explore Rwenzori but limited by time.
Hikes through Mahoma can start from Ibanda/Nyakalengija, taking you via the popular Kyambogho ridge as you explore the lush forest, enjoy the picturesque views of the Mubuku Valley and also keep an eye on primates. A significant number of primate species thrive along the forested ridge and they are worth sighting including l’hoest monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys and others. Visitors on a nature walk can book Omu’ka Kizza Rest Camp at 2977m where they enjoy absolutely breathtaking views of the Rwenzori foothills, Kasese Town.
While at the Rest Camp, expect amazing views of the surrounding and your experience can be incorporated with visit to Lake Mahoma. The narrow ridge features moss as you hike to 3515m altitude via the beautiful forest full of giant heather, green moss layers. Along the way, expect to see the mountain elephant foot prints especially around the bamboo and heather forest. For lucky visitors on Uganda safari, you may have a sight of them while taking water at the hot spring.
The ridge extends to Rukenga Valley and boasts of colorful flowers, giant lobelia flora. For visitors who camp at Mahoma Lake Camp, expect uninterrupted views of the Mount Baker, Mount Stanley, and the Portal peaks.
The other beautiful Lake worth visiting in Rwenzori Mountains National Park is Lake Bujuku in Bujuku Valley. This scenic Lake is set at the base of Bujuku Valley and it formed as a result of glacier blockage from the Rwenzori Mountain Massifs-Mt. Baker, Mt. Stanley and Mt. Speke.
Accommodations
- Mahoma Lake Camp
- Omu’ka Kizza Rest Camp
Best time to visit Lake Mahoma
The dry season is without doubt the best time of the year to visit Lake Mahoma in the Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon. The 2 drier seasons to consider when planning your Uganda safari in Lake Mahoma start from June to August, and December to February.
Getting to Lake Mahoma
Lake Mahoma is accessible by road or by air. By road, holidaymakers on Uganda safari to Rwenzori Mountains National Park travel from either Kampala via Fort Portal route or Kampala to Kasese to Rwenzori Mountains. By air, fly from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi airfield in Kampala, land at Kasese airstrip where your Uganda safari guide then picks you up. From Kasese airstrip, you board a comfortable 4×4 rental car and drive to your place of stay as you wait to start your hike along Mahoma trail to visit the picturesque Lake Mahoma.