Right here, we’re taking a look at what it takes to climb the Rwenzori Mountains, the best mountain vary in Uganda.

Mount Rwenzori is positioned within the western a part of the nation, in Bundibugyo District, on the border of Uganda with the Democratic Republic of Congo. One of many greatest causes individuals trek Mount Rwenzori is that it’s residence to the tallest level in Uganda, Margherita Peak.

Mount Rwenzori is also known as the “Mountains of the Moon” as a result of its snow-capped peaks. It has six peaks separated by deep gorges: Mount Stanley (5,109 meters), Mount Speke (4,890 meters), Mount Baker (4,843 meters), Mount Emin (4,798 meters), Mount Gessi (4,715 meters), and Mount Luigi di Savoia (4,627 meters).

Margherita Peak, at 5,109 meters, is the best level and a dream vacation spot for a lot of hikers. Hikers can attain the height by way of three constructed climbing trails on the mountain, and finishing the hike usually takes 8 to 9 days.

There are a number of circuits to climb the Rwenzori Mountains. The Central Circuit Path is the oldest, the Kilembe Path is the longest, and the Bukurungu Path is the latest.

Right here’s a fast abstract of what we cowl:

Climbing the Rwenzori Mountains

Mountaineering Mount Rwenzori is completed day-after-day, and it begins with a briefing at the start line of the climbing trails for use. There are three climbing trails on Mount Rwenzori: the Kilembe path, the Central Circuit path, and the Bukurungu path. Throughout the briefing, the hikers are taught in regards to the guidelines and rules of the climbing exercise.

At the beginning of the climbing trails, rangers lead and defend the hikers. Porters assist hikers carry their extra baggage. Earlier than the hike begins, hikers are briefed and given climbing sticks, which assist them stability all through the hike.

The Rwenzori Mountain Mountaineering Trails

The oldest path on the mountain is the central circuit path, which can be utilized by each inexperienced and skilled hikers. It’s mentioned that the path is the shortest path to Margherita Peak, passing via 5 vegetation zones. The Kilembe path was the second path to be made. It’s the longest and is alleged to have nice views of the lakes, rivers, waterfalls, glaciers, and wildlife.

The Bukurungu path is the latest path on Mount Rwenzori, created after the Central Circuit path and the Kilembe path. It has spectacular views of most lakes on the mountain, similar to Bukurungu, Bujuku, Irene, and Mughuli. Just like the Kilembe path, it takes 8 days to finish.

Mountaineering Mount Rwenzori will be carried out on any of the three trails talked about above. The hike takes 7 to 9 days to finish, and the time taken relies on the path used. Armed ranger guides lead the hikers all through the hike, ensuring everyone seems to be secure.

When the climbing has simply started, the hikers will undergo completely different vegetation covers the place they’ve possibilities of assembly completely different wildlife species and vegetation of the park. Totally different birds, mammals, and primates are seen within the vegetation cowl on the mountain.

Mountaineering includes traversing completely different vegetation zones and terrains. Every day, hikers spend about 7 to eight hours on the path, and so they relaxation at completely different lodging constructed on the slopes of the mountain. For 7 to eight days, hikers go to completely different points of interest on the slopes and in close by areas.

Reaching the summit, which is at Margherita Peak, is each hiker’s dream come true, and people who get to succeed in there are the champions. On the summit of Mount Rwenzori, hikers take footage and document movies of themselves on the tallest level in Uganda and the encompassing points of interest and areas.

Plan Your Mountaineering Journey To Mount Rwenzori

Climbing Mount Rwenzori requires some planning, listed here are our prime tricks to plan the perfect trekking journey.

What To Pack for Mount Rwenzori Mountaineering?

When coming for Mount Rwenzori climbing, it’s all the time good to pack a lot of the issues obligatory for the climbing to go on easily.

Listed here are a few of the objects to pack to your journey:

• Lengthy-sleeved shirts
• Lengthy pants
• Waterproof climbing sneakers
• Sleeping bag
• Mild backpack
• Lengthy cotton socks
• A pair of gaiters
• Sun shades
• Gardening gloves
• Torch
• Headlamp
• Insect repellent
• Toiletries
• Sunscreen
• Digital camera
• A pair of binoculars
• Ingesting water bottle
• Vitality-giving snacks

What Is the Value of Mountaineering Mount Rwenzori?

The common price of climbing Mount Rwenzori is $200 to $1400. The value varies relying on the variety of days and the service suppliers used; some are price range, others mid-range, and others luxurious. Different prices can also apply, similar to hiring porters, tipping, and way more.

Mount Rwenzori climbing charges by UWA: Uganda Wildlife Authority put up a payment for climbing Mount Rwenzori for twenty-four hours. Every day, hikers should pay $50 for international non-residents, $40 for international residents, and UGX50,000 for East African Member States residents. The climbing payment just isn’t a part of the doorway payment which is 35$ for international residents, $25 for international non-residents, and 15,000 residents of East African Member States.

Associated learn: How A lot Does a Uganda Safari Value?

When is the Finest Time to Hike Mount Rwenzori?

Mount Rwenzori is greatest hiked throughout the driest months of the 12 months, that are June to September and December to February. These months have little rainfall and loads of sunshine, which doesn’t have an effect on the exercise negatively. Within the dry season, the climbing trails are dry and simpler to stroll via, so hikers attain completely different mountain ranges in time.

Within the dry season, vacationers additionally discover the vegetation on the mountain’s slopes brief and scattered, which results in clear views of the completely different points of interest on the slopes. Hikers can nonetheless check out Mount Rwenzori throughout the wet season from March to Might and October to November; nonetheless, there might be an excessive amount of rainfall, which might have an effect on the exercise.

Vacationers who go to Uganda throughout the wet season profit from discounted packages however ought to pay attention to the climate. The rain makes the climbing trails muddy and slippery, vegetation is all the time tall and thick which provides unclear views of a few of the points of interest on the mountain’s slopes and the roads resulting in the mountain are muddy.

Associated learn: Suggestions for Planning a Safari in Uganda

How To Get to the Rwenzori Mountains

Vacationers can attain mountain Rwenzori by way of street or air transport in a single day. Highway transport is the quickest, taking lower than 2 hours. Flights land at Kasese, the closest main city to the mountain. Aerolink Uganda and Bar Aviation Uganda have flights to the Rwenzori mountains day-after-day utilizing the Kasese airstrip from Entebbe within the morning, mid-morning, and afternoon.

Rwenzori mountains are effectively accessed by street transport, which is inexpensive to all vacationers. From Entebbe, it takes 7 to eight hours to get to Rwenzori, and the time taken relies on the pace of the driving force and the variety of stopovers. Vacationers who use this mode of transport get nice views of various points of interest alongside the way in which.

From Entebbe to Rwenzori Mountain, vacationers drive via Mityana, Mubende, Kyegegwa, Kyenjojo, Fort Portal, after which to Bundibudyo, the place the park is discovered. Vacationers can drive from Entebbe by way of Kampala, Mpigi, Masaka, Lyantonde, Mbarara, Bushenyi, Kasese, after which Bundibudyo nonetheless this route takes longer hours.

Get in contact with Africa Journey Holidays to e book your Rwenzori mountain climbing expertise: