A Information to Climbing the Rwenzori Mountains

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 folks trek Mount Rwenzori is that it’s dwelling to the tallest level in Uganda, Margherita Peak.

Mount Rwenzori is sometimes called the “Mountains of the Moon” on account 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 sometimes 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 most recent.

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

Climbing the Rwenzori Mountains

Climbing Mount Rwenzori is finished on daily basis, 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. Through the briefing, the hikers are taught concerning the guidelines and rules of the climbing exercise.

At first of the climbing trails, rangers lead and shield the hikers. Porters assist hikers carry their extra baggage. Earlier than the hike begins, hikers are briefed and given climbing 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 way of 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 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, equivalent to Bukurungu, Bujuku, Irene, and Mughuli. Just like the Kilembe path, it takes 8 days to finish.

Climbing Mount Rwenzori may be achieved 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 protected.

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

Climbing 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 sights 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 achieve there are the champions. On the summit of Mount Rwenzori, hikers take photos and document movies of themselves on the tallest level in Uganda and the encompassing sights and areas.

Plan Your Climbing Journey To Mount Rwenzori

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

What To Pack for Mount Rwenzori Climbing?

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

Listed below are among the gadgets to pack to your journey:

• Lengthy-sleeved shirts
• Lengthy pants
• Waterproof climbing footwear
• Sleeping bag
• Gentle 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
• Power-giving snacks

What Is the Price of Climbing Mount Rwenzori?

The typical price of climbing Mount Rwenzori is $200 to $1400. The worth varies relying on the variety of days and the service suppliers used; some are price range, others mid-range, and others luxurious. Different prices may additionally apply, equivalent to hiring porters, tipping, and rather more.

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

When is the Finest Time to Hike Mount Rwenzori?

Mount Rwenzori is finest hiked through 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 by way of, 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 sights on the slopes. Hikers can nonetheless check out Mount Rwenzori through the wet season from March to Might and October to November; nonetheless, there will likely be an excessive amount of rainfall, which may have an effect on the exercise.

Vacationers who go to Uganda through the wet season profit from discounted packages however ought to concentrate on the climate. The rain makes the climbing trails muddy and slippery, vegetation is all the time tall and thick which provides unclear views of among the sights 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 highway 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 on daily basis utilizing the Kasese airstrip from Entebbe within the morning, mid-morning, and afternoon.

Rwenzori mountains are effectively accessed by highway 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 velocity of the driving force and the variety of stopovers. Vacationers who use this mode of transport get nice views of various sights alongside the way in which.

From Entebbe to Rwenzori Mountain, vacationers drive by way 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 nonetheless this route takes longer hours.

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