Alpine landscapes, forest trails and an extraordinary mountain journey.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park covers about 100,000 ha in western Uganda and comprises the main part of the Rwenzori mountain chain, which includes Africa’s third highest peak (Mount Margherita: 5,109 m). The region’s glaciers, waterfalls and lakes make it one of Africa’s most beautiful alpine areas. The park has many natural habitats of endangered species and a rich and unusual flora comprising, among other species, the giant heather. First a protected forest in 1941, the 995km Rwenzori mountain National Park was created in 1991 and recognized as a world heritage site in 1994. The Rwenzori is one of the highest mountain range in Africa.
In 1991 the Rwenzori Mountains were gazetted as a national park hence the name Rwenzori mountains national park. Uganda holds the largest part of the mountain and the other side borded by Congo. The park headquarters are located at the foothills of the mountains. If offers an enjoyable and exciting adventure which must be well planned because it’s very challenging. There six glaciers with permanent covering of snow on the peaks namely Mt.stanley (5,109m),Mt.Speke (4,890m),Mt.Baker (4,843m),Mt.Emin(4,798m),Mt.Gessi(4,715m) and Mt.Luigi di savoia(4,627m).
The luxuriant unique vegetation of Rwenzori boasts of five different vegetation zones including bamboo zone, heather zone and afro alpine, montane forest, grassland and moorland zone. The giant lobelia and groundsels are some of the plants found at the higher altitude. Although known primarily for it’s challenging hiking and climbing possibilities, it supports a diverse range of animals, including 70 mammal amd 177 bird species several of the latter are Albertine Rift Endemics.
The Rwenzori Mountains, also known as the “Mountains of the Moon,” are a mountain range in eastern Africa located on the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Protected by Rwenzori mountains national park, the ranges have the highest peak in Uganda and the third highest on the African continent – Margherita (5,109m). As you plan a trip to the amazing Rwenzori mountains, there is some information you should know and below are some of the facts about the magical features.
The Rwenzori Mountains span an area of about 120 kilometres (75 miles) and are located in the western part of the East African Rift System. They are situated on the border between Uganda (in the south western region) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (in the northeast part).
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