Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Home to Africa’s third-highest peak and rare equatorial glaciers, Rwenzori Mountains National Park offers dramatic alpine landscapes, endemic wildlife, and world-class high-altitude trekking.
▶ WATCH VIDEO- • L'Hoest's Monkey
- • Black-and-White Colobus
- • Three-Horned Chameleon
- • Rwenzori Turaco
GENERAL OVERVIEW
Gazetted as a national park in 1991 and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, Rwenzori Mountains National Park protects the legendary "Mountains of the Moon" along Uganda’s western border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Spanning 996 km², the non-volcanic mountain range reaches heights up to 5,109 meters at Mount Stanley’s Margherita Peak. The park encompasses distinct vegetation zones, ranging from dense montane rainforests and bamboo belts to tree heathers and Afro-alpine moorlands adorned with giant lobelias. Historically revered in ancient geography and isolated by rugged terrain, the park is a sanctuary for over 70 mammal species—including endemic primates—and nearly 217 bird species, making it a globally significant hotspot for ecological biodiversity.
SIZE
Rwenzori Mountains National Park is 996 square kilometers (km²) in size.
Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity), Uganda Tourist Visa or East Africa Tourist Visa, Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate, valid Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) park entry permit or trekking reservation.
- Do not camp or light campfires except at designated camp huts and sites.
- Maintain a speed limit of 40 km/h on all park access roads.
- Off-track driving and off-trail hiking are strictly prohibited.
- Pets are strictly forbidden inside the national park.
- Do not pick flowers, cut wood, or destroy any vegetation.
- Littering is strictly prohibited; carry all trash out of the park.
- Do not bring firearms or ammunition into the park.
- Do not disturb or feed wildlife or sound motor horns.
- Retain all official payment receipts and permits for verification.
- All high-altitude treks must be accompanied by official licensed guides and ranger escorts.
HOW TO GET THERE
- By Air: Domestic scheduled or charter flights from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to Kasese Airstrip (approx. 1 to 1.5 hours flight time), followed by a short road transfer to the trailheads.
- By Road: A scenic 6-to-8-hour drive from Kampala/Entebbe via Fort Portal or Mbarara to Kasese and the Nyakalengija or Kilembe trailheads.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Best time to visit Rwenzori Mountains National Park: June to August and December to February (Dry Seasons)
WILDLIFE & LANDSCAPE
RWENZORI MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK GALLERY
POINTS OF INTEREST
FAQS
TRIPADVISOR REVIEWS
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