RWENZORI MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
The fabled “MOUNTAINS OF THE MOON”- the Rwenzori Mountains (996 km2) runs for almost 120km along Congo (DRC) border. The legendary, mist-covered Rwenzori Mountains have a reputation for being very wet at times. This was summed up by a comment on the wall of Bujuku hut: “Jesus came here to learn how to walk on water. After five days anyone could do it”. At its centre are several mountains that are permanently glacier-covered: Mt Speke (Vittorio Emmanuele is its highest peak at 4890); Mt Gessi (Iolanda, 4715m); Mt Baker (Edward is its highest peak, 4843m); and Mt Luigi di Savoia (4627m). The three highest peaks in the range are Margherita (5109m), Alexandria (5083m) and Albert (5087m), all on Mt Stanley.
Mountain trekking of the Rwenzori always takes 7 days as the standard, but climbers need more 2 days to access the peaks. The appropriate periods for mountain trekking are from December to the end of February, and mid-June to mid-August, when there is less rain. October is the wettest month. The routes to the peaks on Mt Baker and Stanley all cross snow and glaciers, so equipment such as ice-axe, crampons and ropes need to be used.
The Rwenzori ranges are known for their challenging climbing and hiking abilities. The ranges also support a diversity of animals, including 70 mammal and 177 bird species. The largest number of bird species comprises of Albertine Rift Endemics. The Angola colobus has been recorded only here. Black-and-white colobus monkeys are in plenty. Every zone, like other East African ranges, has its own distinct microclimate and flora and fauna. Several mammals present include elephant, chimpanzee, servalline genet, golden cat, yellow-backed duiker and giant forest hog.
Rwenzori bird watching (brief facts)
DISTRICTS Kasese, Kabarole & Bundibugyo and part of DRC congo
SIZE 996km2
ELEVATION 1700m – 5109m atop Margherita
STATUS Gazetted a national park in 1991
HABITAT Montane forest with bamboo on the lower slopes, Afro-alpine and heath moorland on higher slopes
TIMING January-February and July-August are driest periods but rain is possible year round
TIME REQUIRED 6-7 days for the normal mountain loop and 3 days for shorter foothill hike however the hike can go beyong 7-12 days depending on the number of picks one would wish to climb.
BIRDS RECORDED 197 species
KEY SPECIES ALBERTINE RIFT ENDEMICS
Rwenzori Turaco, Handsome francolin, Kivu Ground Thrush, Montane Masked and Collared Apalises, Red-faced woodland Warbler, Rwenzori Batis, Strange Weaver, Dusky and Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Regal and purpal-breasted Sunbirds and stripe-breasted Tit.
OTHERS
Sparrowhawk, Lammergeier, Western Green Tinkerbird, grey-chested illadopsis, African long-eared, Montane Sooty Boubou, Lagden’s Bushshrike, Olive woodpecker, red-faced Crimsonwing, golden-winged and scarlet-tufted Malachite, Long-tailed Cuckoo, and Orile-Finch.
