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 situated 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 largest causes folks trek Mount Rwenzori is that it’s dwelling to the tallest level in Uganda, Margherita Peak.
Mount Rwenzori is also known as the “Mountains of the Moon” attributable to 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 mountaineering trails on the mountain, and finishing the hike sometimes takes 8 to 9 days.
There are a couple 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 most recent.
Right here’s a fast abstract of what we cowl:
Climbing the Rwenzori Mountains
Climbing Mount Rwenzori is completed day by day, and it begins with a briefing at the place to begin of the mountaineering trails for use. There are three mountaineering trails on Mount Rwenzori: the Kilembe path, the Central Circuit path, and the Bukurungu path. In the course of the briefing, the hikers are taught concerning the guidelines and laws of the mountaineering exercise.
At the beginning of the mountaineering trails, rangers lead and defend the hikers. Porters assist hikers carry their extra baggage. Earlier than the hike begins, hikers are briefed and given mountaineering sticks, which assist them steadiness all through the hike.
The Rwenzori Mountain Climbing Trails
The oldest path on the mountain is the central circuit path, which can be utilized by each inexperienced and skilled hikers. It’s stated that the path is the shortest path to Margherita Peak, passing by means of 5 vegetation zones. The Kilembe path was the second path to be made. It’s the longest and is claimed to have nice views of the lakes, rivers, waterfalls, glaciers, and wildlife.
The Bukurungu path is the most recent path on Mount Rwenzori, created after the Central Circuit path and the Kilembe path. It has spectacular views of most lakes on the mountain, resembling Bukurungu, Bujuku, Irene, and Mughuli. Just like the Kilembe path, it takes 8 days to finish.
Climbing Mount Rwenzori will be performed on any of the three trails talked about above. The hike takes 7 to 9 days to finish, and the time taken depends upon the path used. Armed ranger guides lead the hikers all through the hike, ensuring everyone seems to be secure.
When the mountaineering has simply started, the hikers will undergo totally different vegetation covers the place they’ve possibilities of assembly totally different wildlife species and vegetation of the park. Totally different birds, mammals, and primates are seen within the vegetation cowl on the mountain.
Climbing includes traversing totally different vegetation zones and terrains. Every day, hikers spend about 7 to eight hours on the path, they usually relaxation at totally different lodging constructed on the slopes of the mountain. For 7 to eight days, hikers go to totally 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 those that get to achieve there are the champions. On the summit of Mount Rwenzori, hikers take photos and file movies of themselves on the tallest level in Uganda and the encircling points of interest and areas.
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Plan Your Climbing Journey To Mount Rwenzori
Climbing Mount Rwenzori requires some planning, listed below are our prime tricks to plan one of the best trekking journey.
What To Pack for Mount Rwenzori Climbing?
When coming for Mount Rwenzori mountaineering, it’s all the time good to pack a lot of the issues obligatory for the mountaineering to go on easily.
Listed here are a few of the objects to pack on your journey:
- Long-sleeved shirts
- Lengthy pants
- Waterproof mountaineering footwear
- Sleeping bag
- Mild backpack
- Lengthy cotton socks
- A pair of gaiters
- Sunglasses
- Gardening gloves
- Torch
- Headlamp
- Insect repellent
- Toiletries
- Sunscreen
- Digital camera
- A pair of binoculars
- Consuming water bottle
- Power-giving snacks
What Is the Price of Climbing Mount Rwenzori?
The typical value of mountaineering Mount Rwenzori is $200 to $1400. The value varies relying on the variety of days and the service suppliers used; some are finances, others mid-range, and others luxurious. Different prices can also apply, resembling hiring porters, tipping, and rather more.
Mount Rwenzori mountaineering charges by UWA: Uganda Wildlife Authority put up a price for mountaineering Mount Rwenzori for twenty-four hours. Every day, hikers should pay $50 for overseas non-residents, $40 for overseas residents, and UGX50,000 for East African Member States residents. The mountaineering price just isn’t a part of the doorway price which is 35$ for overseas residents, $25 for overseas non-residents, and 15,000 residents of East African Member States.
Associated learn: How Much Does a Uganda Safari Cost?
When is the Greatest Time to Hike Mount Rwenzori?
Mount Rwenzori is finest hiked throughout the driest months of the yr, 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 mountaineering trails are dry and simpler to stroll by means of, so hikers attain totally different mountain ranges in time.
Within the dry season, vacationers additionally discover the vegetation on the mountain’s slopes brief and scattered, which ends up in clear views of the totally 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; nevertheless, there will likely 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 mountaineering trails muddy and slippery, vegetation is all the time tall and thick which supplies 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: Tips 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. Street 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 by day utilizing the Kasese airstrip from Entebbe within the morning, mid-morning, and afternoon.
Rwenzori mountains are properly 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 depends upon 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 best way.
From Entebbe to Rwenzori Mountain, vacationers drive by means of 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 nevertheless this route takes longer hours.
Get in contact with Africa Journey Holidays to ebook your Rwenzori mountain mountaineering expertise: