Size996km²
The park was Gazetted in 1991 and was recognized as a World Heritage site in 1994 and Ramseur site in 2008. Highest point: 5,109m above sea level on Mt Stanley's Margherita Peak. Mt. Stanley is bisected by the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Rwenzori is not volcanic like East Africa's other major mountains but is a block of rock up faulted through the floor of the Western Rift Valley. The Rwenzoris were christened the “Mountains of the Moon” by the Alexandrine geographer Ptolemy in AD 150.
The explorer Henry Stanley placed the Rwenzori on the map on 24th May 1888. He labeled it 'Ruwenzori', a local name which he recorded as meaning “Rain-Maker” or “Cloud-King.” The oldest recorded person to reach Margherita Peak was Ms Beryl Park aged 78 in 2010.
The Rwenzoris - the fabled Mountains of the Moon - lie in western Uganda along the Uganda - Congo border. The equatorial snow peaks include the third highest point in Africa, while the lower slopes are blanketed in moorland, bamboo and rich, moist montane forest.
Huge tree-heathers and colorful mosses are draped across the mountainside with giant lobelias and “everlasting flowers”, creating an enchanting, fairytale scene.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park protects the highest parts of the 120km long and 65km wide Rwenzori mountain range. The national park hosts 70 mammals and 217 bird species including 19 Albertine Rift endemics, as well as some of the world's rarest vegetation.
The Rwenzoris are a world class hiking and mountaineering destination. A nine to twelve-day trek will get skilled climbers to the summit of Margherita - the highest peak - though shorter, non-technical treks are possible to scale the surrounding peaks.
For those who prefer something a little less strenuous, neighboring Bakonzo villages offer nature walks, homestead visits home cultural performances and accommodation, including home-cooked local cuisine.
Wildlife viewing safaris in Uganda
6 Day Sipi, Pian Upe and Kidepo Valley National Park
Explore Eastern and North Eastern Uganda on 6 Days Uganda Safari to sipi falls, Pian Upe Game Reserve and Kidepo Valley National Park.
Per person sharing
7 Day Africa Family Safari
This 7 days Africa Family safari will expose you and your Family to Uganda's wildlife, Nature and culture, you will encounter most of Uganda's crater lakes in Fort Portal.
Per person sharing
4 Day Murchison Falls National Park and Ziwa Rhino Sancturay
This tour is ideal for people who want to look for the big five in a few days thus combining Ziwa rhino sanctuary which gives one a chance to track the southern white rhinos on foot and Murchison falls national park for the rest of the wildlife with expectations of seeing lions, leopards, buffaloes and elephants to complete the big 5.
Per person sharing
Other toursit destinations in Uganda
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
More famously, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park protects over 500 mountain gorillas - roughly half of the world's population, with 23 habituated groups, which can be tracked and a number of solitary individuals.
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Kibale Forest National Park
While many researchers focus on the chimpanzees and other primates found in the park, others are investigating Kibale's ecosystems, wild pigs and fish species, among other topics
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Kidepo National Park
Kidepo is Uganda's most isolated national park, but the few who make the long journey north through the wild frontier region of Karamoja would agree that it is also the most magnificent, for Kidepo ranks among Africa's finest wildernesses
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Lake Mburo National Park
The parks' precarious past has seen wildlife virtually eliminated several times: firstly in various attempts to rid the region of tsetse flies, then to make way for ranches, and finally as a result of subsistence poaching
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Mount Elgon National Park
At 4,000km² Mt. Elgon has the largest volcanic base in the world. Located on the Uganda - Kenya border it is also the oldest and largest solitary, volcanic mountain in East Africa.
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Murchison Falls National Park
The park is bisected by the Victoria Nile, which plunges 45meters over the remnant rift valley wall, creating the dramatic Murchison Falls, the centerpiece of the park and the final event in an 80kilometers stretch of rapids
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Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is understandably Uganda's most popular tourist destination. The park's diverse ecosystems, which include sprawling savanna, shady, humid woodland forests, sparkling lakes and fertile wetlands,
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Semliki National Park
Semuliki National Park sprawls across the floor of the Semuliki Valley on the remote, western side of the Rwenzori.
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The source of the Nile
The source of all this tumult is marked by a modest sign that reads “The Source of River Nile - Jinja - World's Longest River” at Ripon Falls, a series of cataracts that are partially submerged due to dams constructed downriver
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Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary
The Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary is playing a crucial role in the conservation efforts for the white rhinoceros, which is one of Africa's most endangered species.
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Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a protected area located in southwestern Uganda, on the border with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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Sipi Falls
Sipi Falls is a stunning waterfall located in eastern Uganda, near the town of Kapchorwa. It is considered one of the most beautiful natural attractions in the country and draws tourists from all over the world.
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Pian Upe Game Reserve
Pian Upe is known for its diverse wildlife, stunning landscapes, and rich cultural heritage, offering visitors a unique and unforgettable experience.
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Sempaya Hot Springs
The Sempaya Hot Springs consist of two main springs: the male spring, known as "Bintente," and the female spring, known as "Nyasimbi." These springs are named after ancestral spirits that are believed to reside in the area.
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