Rwenzori Mountains National Park (RMNP)
The Rwenzoris lie along the border of Uganda and DR Congo, rising to a height of about 5,100m above sea level. Rwenzori is the highest mountain range in Africa. The range is about 100 km in length and about 50 km wide. These beautiful, often mist-shrouded mountains are non-volcanic and offer mountaineers and walkers superb country and wonderful views. The Rwenzoris are also referred to as the ‘Mountain of the Moon’. All its high snow-capped peaks have been named after their early explorers. These include Mt. Stanley (5,110m), Mt. Speke (4,889m), Mt. Baker (4,843m), Mt. Gessi (4,797m), Mt. Emin (4,791m), and Mt. Luigi di Savoia (4,626m). On Mt. Stanley are the twin summits of Alexandra (5,044) and Margherita (5,110m). The lower slopes are blanketed in moorland and rich montane forest. As one ascends, the bamboo forest continues up to about 3000m. The vegetation here also includes tree heather and, in moister patches, giant lobelias. Then follows the heather forest. The highest vegetative zone, extending from about 3,800m to the snow-line, is Alpine. Most of the park is accessible to hikers.
Wildlife in the Rwenzoris:
Besides hiking and climbing possibilities that make the Rwenzoris a dream for many tourists in the world, the park boasts of a diversity of animals, including 70 mammal and 177 bird species, several of the latter being Albertine Rift Endemics.
The forest zone at 1,800m has the most varied fauna. Some of the mammals include, among others, the Angola colobus (found only here in Uganda), blue monkey, elephants, servalline genet, chimpanzee, Giant forest hog, yellow-backed Duiker, Golden cat, and southern tree hyrax.
Birding:
19 Albertine Rift Endemics, amongst them Rwenzori Turaco and Shelley’s Crimsonwing, would be rewarding for the intrepid, backpacking birder.
Key species:
Albertine Rift Endemics include, Montane Nightjar, Archer’s Robin -Chat, Dwarf Honeyguide, Red-faced Woodland warbler, Stripe-breasted Tit, Red-throated Alethe, Kivu Ground Thrush and strange weaver.
Others include Lammergeier, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, Western Green Tinkerbird, Grey-chested Illadopsis, Lagden’s Bush-Shrike, scarlet-tufted Malachite, red-thighed Sparrow hawk, and Oriole-Finch among others.
Main activities in Rwenzori National Park:
- Mountain hiking with the ‘central circuit’ trial to visit the major snow-capped peaks
- Game viewing including chimpanzee tracking
- Birding
