“We are all climbing #Rwenzori2022 for deeply personal reasons. But here is one public one that is taking us. To show the world what a beauty Rwenzori is. We hope our images can get more people to come & experience this uniquely Ugandan asset. We hope u can help spread the word!” These were words of Robert Kabushenga, media personality and former Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda government-owned daily, The New Vision.
Kabushenga and several other tourism enthusiasts were headed for the long climb to reach the peak of one of the highest mountain ranges on the continent, The Rwenzori; a thrilling experience as testified by many that have dared the climb before.
It is said that because of the complexity involved in climbing the Rwenzori, climbers from around the world, seeking to climb the world’s highest mountain the Himalayas, often first train at Rwenzori.
The Rwenzori, also called called the Mountains of the Moon, cover an area of 996km2 on the Uganda-DR Congo border. The mountain range stretches 120 kilometres in length and 65 kilometres in width making it one of Africa’s biggest mountain ranges.
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 present a rare occurrence of snow. 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 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.
A range of treks are available including Margherita peak from the 7 days trek, 9 days trek with 3 peaks and 12 day treks to summit 4 peaks.
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 with 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.
I do believe all of the ideas you’ve introduced on your post.
They’re very convincing and can certainly work.
Nonetheless, the posts are very brief for newbies. May you please extend them a little from next time?
Thank you for the post.