Geographically, the Rwenzori Mountains National Park is a marvel to behold. Located in southwestern Uganda, it straddles the eastern edge of the Albertine Rift Valley, bordering DR Congo’s Virunga National Park.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park, commonly referred to at “the Mountains of the Moon” covers portions of the Bundibugyo, Kabarole, and Kasese districts, with its crown jewel, the Magherita peak on Mount Stanley, standing proudly and visible on a clear day.
Mount Stanley’s Margherita Peak reaches a staggering height of 5,109 meters, making it Africa’s third-highest peak after Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya. Beyond Mount Stanley, the park boasts an array of glaciers, snowfields, and cascading waterfalls, creating a landscape of unparalleled beauty.
The park was established in 1991 and was later listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 and a Ramsar site in 2008.
The Rwenzori is not volcanic like East Africa’s other major mountains but is a block of rock that up-faulted through the floor of the Western Rift Valley.
The mountain is among the unique mountains that are located along the Equator but has permanent snow on the peaks. The Mountain has 5 major peaks with Magherita peak being the highest. Other peaks include Mount Stanley and Mount Baker.
For visitors who prefer the scenic route, a road trip from Kampala to Kasese gets you to Rwenzori Mountain National Park. It is a 7-hour drive through diverse landscapes, from rolling hills to verdant valleys, offering glimpses of rural life along the way.
By air, visitors can charter a flight direct from Entebbe airport or the Kajjansi airstrip to Kasese. With a flight time of just one hour and a half, this option provides a seamless transition from urban hustle to mountain tranquility.
