Rwenzori mountains

Rwenzori mountains

Rwenzori mountains spelt Ruwenzori cover an area of 996km2 on the Uganda-DR Congo border. This mountain range stretches 120 kilometres (75 mi) in length and 65 kilometres (40 mi) in width making it one of Africa’s biggest mountain range.

Unlike most of East Africa’s mountains, the Rwenzori mountains are a block mountain formed by faulting.

It consists of six major mountains separated by deep gorges: Mount Stanley (5,109 metres (16,762 ft)), Mount Speke (4,890 metres (16,040 ft)), Mount Baker (4,843 metres (15,889 ft)), Mount Emin (4,798 metres (15,741 ft)), Mount Gessi (4,715 metres (15,469 ft)) and Mount Luigi di Savoia (4,627 metres (15,180 ft)). Mount Stanley has several subsidiary summits, with Margherita Peak being the highest point which is bisected by the border with DR Congo.

The Rwenzori mountains were named the “Mountains of the Moon” by the Alexandrine geographer Ptolemy in AD 150.

The explorer Henry Stanley placed the Rwenzori mountains on the map on 24th May 1888. He labelled it ‘Ruwenzori’, a local name which he recorded as translated from O’ Rwenzuru or Rwenjura.

The Rwenzori mountains present a rare occurrence of snow at the Equator Latitude 0 degees. 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.

Rwenzori mountains
Rwenzori mountains

Huge tree-heathers and colourful 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 Rwenzori mountains also have over 20 lakes in their beautiful valleys with the nearest and first lake being Lake Mahoma (3,000m asl) then Lake Bujuku (3,962m asl) which lies in the beautiful ice curved Bujuku valley along the Central circuit trail.

The Rwenzori mountains are a world-class technical hiking and mountaineering destination.

Several treks are available summit Margherita peak from the 7 days trek, 8 days trek, 9 days trek with 3 peaks and 12 day treks to summit 4 to 10 peaks.

Fit and experienced climbers always attempt the 5 days Rwenzori mountains trek to summit Margherita peak, this is usually for climbers who have less time but wish to summit Margherita peak.

Shorter, non-technical treks are also possible to hike the surrounding peaks all fully organised by Bujuku Eco Tours.

There are several climbing routes on Rwenzori mountains with 3 major routes to summit the peaks and several other routes for nature walks and short treks.

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

Most treks to the Rwenzori mountains begin and end in Kasese town the largest town in the Rwenzori region.

Book your Rwenzori climbing trip here;

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