A Beginner’s to Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon & Why?

Rwenzori National Park and the third-highest mountain in Africa, Margherita Peak, are both part of the Central Circuit.

‘The Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon’ is a more legendary name for the Rwenzori Mountains in Uganda, which incorporate six of Africa’s tallest mountains. A only 1,000 people venture to the Rwenzori to explore its deep valleys, alpine forests, rocky peaks, and glaciers, in contrast to the 30,000 who climb Mount Kilimanjaro in neighboring Tanzania annually. This sanctuary, off the beaten path, offers so much in terms of trails and biodiversity.

Even if you’ve been to the Alps, Caucasus, Himalayas, and Rockies before, there’s still so much more to see in Rwenzori.

The Moon’s Mountains is an old phrase. It alludes to a fabled east African mountain range that is said to be the Nile’s source and is over two thousand years old. The Greek trader Diogenes is said to have gone to East Africa in search of the Nile’s source, which the locals there referred to as the Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon because of their snowy summits. The name of the river is derived from this location.

James Grant and John Speke, two British explorers who were also looking for the Nile’s source, did not enter the Rwenzori highlands until 1862. They confirmed Diogenes’ account when they discovered that the tops were covered in white. One of the places the Great River gets its water is from rivers that get their water from the higher streams in the highlands.

Rwenzori Mountains of the moon

James Grant and John Speke, two British explorers who were also looking for the Nile’s source, did not enter the Rwenzori highlands until 1862. They confirmed Diogenes’ account when they discovered that the tops were covered in white. One of the places the Great River gets its water is from rivers that get their water from the higher streams in the highlands.

After decades of being off-limits to tourists due to warfare, the Rwenzori Mountains are once again a world-class hiking destination. The environment is truly magnificent, with layers of grassland, montane forest, craggy peaks, and glaciers.

“You may be familiar with the Alps and the Caucasus, the Himalayas and the Rockies, but if you have not explored Rwenzori, you still have something wonderful to see,” wrote British mountaineer Douglas Freshfield in 1906. For mountaineers, the Rwenzoris are the pinnacle of East African climbing, as stated by Cam Burns in his 2006 guidebook.

Among the formidable summits and breathtaking natural beauty of this area is the massive Margherita Peak, which stands at 5,109 meters atop Mount Stanley and ranks third in Africa.

Keep in mind that these route descriptions are just brief overviews meant to spark ideas rather than provide actual navigational assistance. If you wish to walk any of the listed routes safely, you will need to do more mapping and planning (or hire a local guide!). These are not meant to guide you on the journey.

The Geography: Rwenzori Mountains of the moon

In western Uganda, near the Uganda-Congo border, in the districts of Kasese, Kabarole, Ntoroko, and Bundibugyo, you may find the Rwenzori mountains, which are also known as Ruwenzori, Rwenzururu, or Rwenjura. Overall, the range covers 995 km², with a length of 120 km and a width of 61 km.

From Uganda’s capital, Kampala, the journey to Rwenzori Mountains National Park might take anywhere from four to six hours by car. A different alternative would be to fly charter from Entebbe International Airport to Kasese Airstrip; from there, it would be less than an hour’s drive to the park. Even though it takes a 4×4 and some tough roads, the Rwenzori Mountains National Park is also accessible from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Traveling from Uganda is the most efficient route.

The Central Circuit: with Margherita Peak Detour: The Best Hike in the Rwenzori Mountains

The Rwenzori Mountains are home to several world-class trekking routes that rival the beauty of numerous East African trails that get greater attention. However, one is more noticeable than the others. Trekking the Central Circuit, which winds its way through the park’s several strata, is the traditional way to see the Rwenzoris. You could hear it called the Bujuku-Mubuku Circuit, the Rwenzori Loop Trail, or the Summit Circuit. Is that our exclusive concern? Although it is not possible to climb Margherita Peak via the conventional path, it is possible to accomplish so by utilizing an appropriate side route. Based on our research, we think this is the top multi-day hike in the Rwenzori Mountains.

Days required: 7
Distance (approx): 50km

Begin your journey from Nyakalengija and follow this path through the Rwenzori Mountains. Along the way, you will come across numerous mountain huts. Eventually, you will reach Margherita Peak, which is both the highest point in the range and the third highest peak in Africa.

Starting at an elevation of 1,615 meters, you will ascend to the Nyabitaba Hut at 2,651 meters as you stroll through agricultural areas alongside the Mubuku River. Chimpanzees and colobus monkeys, both black and white, will be heard (and, fingers crossed, seen) here. Ascending to John Matte Hut (3,505m) the following day will reward you with your first glimpse of Mount Stanley and Mount Speke. At this point in the circuit, you will go on an out-and-back return day if you wish to reach the peak of Mount Speke (4,890m).

Otherwise, continue on to the Bujuku Hut at 3,962m via the secluded Stuhlmann Pass, which is situated between two towering peaks, and the solitary Bujuku Lake.

From here on out, the terrain changes from grass to rock as you make your way to Mount Stanley’s Elena Hut (4,541m). Staying the night at Elena Hut is essential if you wish to ascend Margherita Peak—which is breathtaking—on the Bujuku-Mubuku Circuit. Early in the morning, you will need an ice axe and crampons to reach the top of Margherita Peak (5,109 m), which is located on the Stanley Plateau and offers breathtaking views of Uganda.

Returning to Nyakalengija Base Camp, this route descends via the Elena Hut, Scott-Elliot Pass, Kitandara Lakes, and the Guy Yeoman Hut.

An Alternative Route: The Kilembe Trail

The Kilembe Trail, sometimes called the Southern Circuit, is a seven- or eight-day hike that began in 2009 and offers a another way to reach Marherita Peak. Starting at 3,147 meters at Kalalama Camp, you will spend the first night on the mountain before beginning the six-day trek to the peak via Bamwanjara Pass, Hunwick’s Camp (which offers a view of Mount Baker), and the Scott Elliot Pass.

Rwenzori – Mountains of the Moon (Kilembe Trail)

Wildlife and Biodiversity of the Rwenzori Mountains National Park

The topography of the Rwenzori Mountains varies greatly. Because of plant stratification, the landscape undergoes dramatic changes as one ascends higher in elevation. You’ll go through grassland at elevations of 1,000–2000 meters, through montane woodland at 2,000–3,000 meters, through heather and rapanea at 3,000–4,000 meters, and finally into an Afro-alpine zone, complete with permanent snow fields, at 4,000–5,000 meters.

There are 54 animals here endemic to the Albertine Rift.

This, unsurprisingly, implies that the mountain’s flora and wildlife vary greatly. There are “the most striking plants found above 3000m,” according to UNESCO. In the Afro-alpine zone, you can find the giant lobelia—which looks like a bigger, spikier lotus flower—and the groundsels—small, bushy trees—that are characteristic of the Rwenzori region. The giant tree heathers are also unique to the Rwenzoris and support aerial epiphytic gardens.

Many animal species are unique to the Rwenzori Mountains; in other words, you won’t find them anywhere else. The Albertine Rift is home to 54 unique animal species, including the colorful Rwenzori duiker, a small antelope; chimpanzees; giant forest hogs; leopards; African elephants; horned chameleons; and Rwenzori range frogs, among many others.

From the shimmering regal sunbird to the thick-billed seedeater, Sharpe’s starling—which has an almost metallic coat—and the stunning great blue turaco—just a few of the 217 bird species reported in the region.

A Brief History of Humans in the Rwenzori Mountains of the moon

The Bakonzo People are dispersed over Uganda and speak a Bantu language. Their spiritual ties to the surrounding environment and the hundreds of years spent living and roaming the Rwenzori mountains—where they erected hunters’ shrines—suggest that they may have originated in the Congo.

The Rwenzori Mountains were linked to the Moon Mountains by modern European explorers in the 1800s. In 1906, the Italian Duke of Abruzzi climbed the highest peaks in the range and named a number of them after him. During his tour, the Duke made history by climbing Margherita Peak, which he had named after Italy’s Queen Margherita. Photographer Vittorio Sella followed him on his climbs; Makerere University in Kampala displays some of Sella’s work.

While crowds flock to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the more intrepid traveller now looks to Rwenzori.

In the 1960s, when Uganda finally earned its independence from Britain, guerrilla groups took up residence in the Rwenzori mountains. Visiting Rwenzori in Uganda during the 1970s and 1980s was risky business. As long as insurgents had a place to hide in the highlands, western Uganda remained unstable, even into the 1990s. However, visitors have been visiting the area without incident for more than 20 years.

Due in large part to these problems of the past, the Rwenzori mountains have seen almost no tourists for long periods of time. With its exceptional climbing and trekking paths that are largely unknown to the majority of the globe, this area presently stands as an uncommon example of genuine wildness. As more people are flocking to climb Kilimanjaro, daredevils are turning their attention to Rwenzori.

Are the Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon Safe to Visit Today?

Visiting the Rwenzori Mountains is completely risk-free. Ranger patrols armed with firearms aren’t meant to ward off insurgents; rather, they serve as a deterrent to would-be poachers.

“Uganda is a safe country to visit,” proclaims Paul Kisibo, a Kampala-based tour operator with considerable experience of the area, who works with Mbogo Africa Safaris. New paths are being created so tourists can explore even more of the mountain splendor, and the Rwenzori already attract up to a thousand people every annum. All Ugandan national park rangers, including those in the Rwenzori Mountains National Park, are required by law to carry firearms. Game rangers in Africa typically adhere to this standard, as they are also responsible for enforcing park laws.

A trip to the Rwenzori is an unforgettable experience. Pictures and movies just can’t capture all there is to see and do. The breathtaking splendor of the mountain will astound you.

Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon

Just like any other mountain range, the primary safety issues here are essentially the same. Climbing high heights, such as Margherita summit (the third-highest summit in Africa), requires special preparation and the right equipment. Altitude sickness is a real possibility, so make sure to have all the necessary supplies. Providing your body with adequate time to adjust to the higher altitude will reduce the likelihood of this happening.

Best Time to Visit the Rwenzori Mountains: Weather, Seasons, and Events

The months of June through August are ideal for climbing Margherita Peak. During these months, hikers primarily visit the Rwenzori Mountains because it is dry there and the mountains receive less (but not no) rainfall. Days are warm but evenings are cooler; the months of December through February are somewhat drier as well. March–May and September–November are the coldest months, when the mountains are covered in fog and significantly cooler than the dry season.

Consequently, when is the best time to go to the Rwenzori Mountains? The best time to visit is during the dry season, which is from December to February or June to August, though you can go at any time of year. Hurry up and leave. The sooner its secret beauty is revealed, the better.