Rwenzori: The Mystical Challenge

Africa’s highest mountain range, the 5,109m Rwenzori or Mountains of the Moon is the snowy source of the Nile referred to by early geographers 17 centuries before European explorers marked it on their maps.

The high Rwenzori is a mountain wonderland. The trails to the snow peaks following glacier-carved valleys filled with fantastically coloured mosses. Expeditions use a chain of basic huts and campsites to ascend the mountain from Kilembe and Nyakalengija.

Mountain climbing

The combination of spectacular snow-capped peaks, glaciers, v-shaped valleys, fast flowing rivers with magnificent waterfalls, clear blue lakes provide a worthy challenge to any mountain climber.

Africa’s botanical big game

The park also offers a unique and pure landscape of alpine vegetation dotted with fascinating giant lobelias, groundsels and heathers, which have been called “Africa’s botanical big game”. The natural vegetation has been classified as belonging to five distinct zones, determined largely by altitude and features. The higher altitude zones, covered by heath and Afro-alpine moorland, extend from around 3,500m to the snow line and represent the rarest.

Birding and species

The Rwenzori’s have been recognized as an important bird area with 217 bird species recorded to date. A number expected to increase as the park becomes better surveyed.

The mountain forest is also a home to threatened species such as the African Forest Elephants and Buffaloes, which are shy and are in the densest part of the forest. The forest is also the home for chimpanzees and the L’Hoest’s monkey. The endangered Rwenzori Black-fronted or red duiker appears to be restricted to the park.

Sighting of the 2-Horned Chameleon

A sighting of the 2-horned chameleon is guaranteed to awaken you as each colour change makes you think of a totally different creature.