Mountain Rwenzori is best known as the mountains of the moon and it is located in the western side of Uganda along the Uganda-Congo boarder. This is the only snow peaked mountain in Uganda and a much loved tourist destination for those on Safari in Uganda. Its highest point is the 3rd highest in Africa following Mount Kilimanjaro’s in Tanzania and Kenya’s Mount Kenya. The area surrounding this mountain is a gazette national park and this was intended to help protect the mountain range as well as its ecosystem that covers about 120km length space and a width of 65km as well as the animal life in this region.
There are more than 70 different mammal species, 220 species of birds and 19 of these are Albertine rift endemics. More to these are rarest tree species which exist because of the cold weather that supports the growth.
Plants and vegetation cover on Mt Rwenzori
Area around mount Rwenzori was gazette as national park and it is much known for its unique flora but there is only a few animals living in this park.
You will have to go for a quick hiking if you wish to explore the entire region. During the hike up to the summits, you will go through different altitudinal vegetation covers that grow along the different zones as you go up the mountain. There are the montane forests, afro-alpine, the bamboo forest as well as the tree heathers, among others. The afro-alpine is the rarest botanical vegetation in the world and it is mainly found areas around the East African Mountains lying at or above 3000 meters.
The birds on Mt Rwenzori
The fact that this park is within the Albertine rift, it has a very conducive environment for the survival of birds thus the reason it is among the most significant birdlife corridor in the world. There are over 220 different bird species living in this area. Different birds are found in different zones for example at an altitude of 1800 meters, you will find birds like the Rwenzori turacos, there are the barred long-tailed cuckoo, the long eared Owl, archers’ robin-chats, Francolin, the chested bee eater, the Rwenzori batis and the white starred Robin, among so many others. All birds stay in the zone where they are comfortable and can easily survive so they can reproduce, multiply in number.
Climbing Mt Rwenzori
There are so many people that are interested in mountain climbing Safaris and in this case, it is important to remember that the beauty of Rwenzori is best observed during the hike up the mountain. You can expect to have a lot of fun hiking such an amazing mountain which by amazing features. The Rwenzori offers a really classy hiking and mountaineering chance which is open to every who wishes to join . For the enthusiastic mountain climbers, this challenging steep slope is the best choice for them to handle. Mountain climbing experience can be arranged but everyone intending to join this trip should know that it takes about 9-12 days. After such a number of days, you will have reached the Margherita point on mount Stanley which one of the summits.
It is important that you carry your personal mountain climbing gears and you can be able to visit the different six mountains. You can always visit Mount Stanley which is at 5109 m high, then Speke at 4890m and then Mount Baker which is at 4843m high thus the 3 highest peaks of Rwenzori. To get to the snow peak, you should use the central circuit passing through Kilembe trails.
Cultural experiences around Mt Rwenzori
Apart from the hiking, the vegetation and bird watching, you can also enjoy a cultural visit to some of the villages so that you can have an experience when it comes to the traditional life style. Cultural experience may include spending a lot of time with the local people which means, you might even have to stay with them sometimes if you don’t mind and during your stay with them, you will have the chance to test the local dishes and probably help in preparing them.
A cultural visit to people like the Bakonzo community can be easily arranged if you are interested in learning about their cultures and beliefs. AA safaris and tours is more than willing to organize a Rwenzori mountain climbing adventure as well a s culture tour.
Uganda Safari News | AA Safaris & Tours Ltd
