Rwenzori Mountains National Park protects 998 sq km of Africa’s tallest mountain range, a jagged block of peaks on the Uganda-DRC border capped by equatorial glaciers and snowfields despite sitting almost on the equator. Established in 1991 and inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, the park’s Margherita Peak, at 5,109 metres, is Africa’s third-highest point and the goal of one of the continent’s most demanding treks.
The park at a glance
- 998 sq km on the Uganda-DRC border in western Uganda
- Established in 1991; a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994
- Margherita Peak, at 5,109 metres, is Africa’s third-highest summit
- Five distinct vegetation zones from montane forest to Afro-alpine moorland and glacier
Africa’s “Mountains of the Moon”
Long known as the Mountains of the Moon, the Rwenzori range rises in a dramatic sequence of vegetation zones as altitude increases, from montane forest through bamboo and heather zones to Afro-alpine moorland filled with giant lobelias and groundsels, and finally to glacier and snow near the summits. The range holds some of Africa’s last remaining equatorial glaciers, though these have retreated significantly in recent decades as the climate has warmed. The park protects four primate species, including chimpanzees, L’Hoest’s monkeys and Angola colobus, alongside forest elephants, hyraxes, Rwenzori duikers and 89 recorded bird species, with a high proportion of plants and animals found only in the Albertine Rift.
A trekker’s mountain
Reaching Margherita Peak requires a multi-day expedition with technical glacier travel near the summit, making it a serious undertaking reserved for experienced trekkers, while shorter routes reach lower peaks and viewpoints without requiring technical climbing skill. Offmap Safaris covers the specific trekking routes, including the Central Circuit and Kilembe Trail, in more detail on a dedicated page.
Things to do
- Multi-day trekking toward Margherita Peak for experienced, well-equipped climbers
- Shorter treks to lower peaks and viewpoints without technical climbing
- Birdwatching and primate spotting across the park’s lower forest zones
- Guided cultural visits to Bakonzo communities living at the mountain’s base
Practical information
- Reached via Kasese, the main gateway town, roughly six hours by road from Kampala
- Full ascents typically take seven to nine days with porters, guides and technical mountaineering gear
- Best attempted in the drier months, June to August and December to February, though the range receives rain year-round
Rwenzori Mountains National Park offers Africa’s most demanding equatorial trek alongside rich, little-visited biodiversity. Offmap Safaris can help plan a full expedition or a shorter foothill visit. To start planning, visit Plan My African Safari, message us on WhatsApp at +256 701 243 304, or email [email protected]. See also our notes on health and safety and responsible travel.