Rwenzori mountain

Rwenzori Mountain National Park

Size996km²

The park was Gazetted in 1991 and was recognized as a World Heritage site in 1994 and Ramseur site in 2008. Highest point: 5,109m above sea level on Mt Stanley's Margherita Peak. Mt. Stanley is bisected by the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Rwenzori is not volcanic like East Africa's other major mountains but is a block of rock up faulted through the floor of the Western Rift Valley. The Rwenzoris were christened the “Mountains of the Moon” by the Alexandrine geographer Ptolemy in AD 150.

The explorer Henry Stanley placed the Rwenzori on the map on 24th May 1888. He labeled it 'Ruwenzori', a local name which he recorded as meaning “Rain-Maker” or “Cloud-King.” The oldest recorded person to reach Margherita Peak was Ms Beryl Park aged 78 in 2010.

The Rwenzoris - the fabled Mountains of the Moon - lie in western Uganda along the Uganda - Congo border. The equatorial snow peaks include the third highest point in Africa, while the lower slopes are blanketed in moorland, bamboo and rich, moist montane forest.

Huge tree-heathers and colorful mosses are draped across the mountainside with giant lobelias and “everlasting flowers”, creating an enchanting, fairytale scene.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park protects the highest parts of the 120km long and 65km wide Rwenzori mountain range. The national park hosts 70 mammals and 217 bird species including 19 Albertine Rift endemics, as well as some of the world's rarest vegetation.

The Rwenzoris are a world class hiking and mountaineering destination. A nine to twelve-day trek will get skilled climbers to the summit of Margherita - the highest peak - though shorter, non-technical treks are possible to scale the surrounding peaks.

For those who prefer something a little less strenuous, neighboring Bakonzo villages offer nature walks, homestead visits home cultural performances and accommodation, including home-cooked local cuisine.

Wildlife viewing safaris in Uganda

impalas on the road

3 Day Lake Mburo and Queen Elizabeth National Parks

This tour takes to the smallest Savannah National park Lake Mburo national park with beautiful animals such as zebras and giraffes before you transfer to queen Elizabeth national park for a boat cruise and game drives through Uganda's second biggest national park where you are expected to see animals such as Uganda kobs, elephants and cats such as lions and leopards.

Explore Idea $844

Per person sharing

hippo side close up

3 Day Uganda Mid Range Tour

Covered in the safari will be all the major activities that are usually carried out to this exclusively special Uganda safari park, though an additional fourth day is important if you are interested in chimpanzee tracking.

Explore Idea $973

Per person sharing

hippos in front of a boat

7 Day Africa Honey Moon Safari

Specifically designed for honeymooners, this seven days tour has been crafted in such a way that it goes very slow and tackles the most thrilling destinations in the country to meet the test of honeymooners, all lodges have been well selected and a complimentary bear or wine will be provided to each couple on the trip.

Explore Idea $2227

Per person sharing

Uganda safaris

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Blackback mountain gorilla in mgahinga 720

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Kibale Forest National Park

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Lake Mburo National Park

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Mount Elgon National Park

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Queen Elizabeth National Park

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sempaya hotspring

Semliki National Park

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boat on the source of the nile

The source of the Nile

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rhino in zziwa

Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary

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sleeping gorilla

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

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sipi falls

Sipi Falls

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water buck

Pian Upe Game Reserve

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Sempaya hot springs

Sempaya Hot Springs

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