Mountain Rwenzori National Park Uganda is a UNESCO World Heritage containing the tallest mountain range in Africa, including several peaks that are permanently covered by ice (snow). Safari Uganda on your Africa safari and for mountain hiking safari tour Uganda and hike this mystical challenge.

The three highest peaks in the range are Margherita (5109m), Alexandria (5083m) and Albert (5087m), all found on Mt Stanley. Mountain Rwenzori is the third highest mountain in Africa after Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya with 5,895m and 5,199m respectively. This Rwenzori mountain is non-volcanic and it stretches about 110km by 50km wide. It is a beautiful home and is to an extraordinary number of rare plants, animals, and bird species as well. New examples of both are still being discovered. Two mammals are endemic to the range and these include; the Rwenzori climbing mouse and the Rwenzori red duiker. Despite its prestige, Mountain Rwenzori National Park is one of Uganda’s less-visited national parks, and so nature lovers wanting to escape the safari crowds should definitely put it on their list on their short Uganda safaris for a mountaineering safari Uganda.

The fabled “Mountains of the Moon” lies in Western Uganda on the Congo border with its lower slopes blanketed in moorland and rich montane forest. A trip into the Rwenzoris is an exhilarating and rewarding experience but one, which must be well planned. The conditions on the mountain are a challenge to even an experienced hiker. This mountain is renowned for its un-engineered, steep and slippery trail and frequent rain. Rain and cold temperatures, bogs, mud, steep terrain and high altitude make a challenging trip hence christening it the “Mystical challenge”. Never the less it is exciting, you need to try it.

Birding in Rwenzori Mountains National Park

Rwenzori Mountains National Park has over 217 confirmed bird species that have been recorded in the park. Among the 217-bird species, it is home to about 18 restricted range species (Albertine endemics) making it the second highest in Uganda to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which has 24 restricted range species. It is one off the Uganda birding safari destinations that shouldn’t miss on a birders list.

In addition to the bird species, the park has over 60 out of 86 afro tropical highland biome species, the second highest of these after Bwindi Impenetrable. They include some rare and spectacular birds like the Rwenzori Turaco, Bamboo Warbler, Golden-winged Sunbird, Scarlet-tufted Malachite Sunbird and Stuhlmann’s Double-collared Olive-back.

What are some of the bird species to look out for in Rwenzori Mountains?

There are many bird species to lookout for among which include: – Albertine Rift endemics like; Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Turaco, Montane (Rwenzori) Nightjar, Dwarf Honeyguide, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Red-throated Alethe, Kivu Ground Thrush, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Rwenzori Batis, (Grauer’s Cuckoo-shrike), Blue-headed, Regal and Purple-breasted Sunbirds, Montane Masked and Collared Apalises, Stripe-breast Tit, Strange Weaver, Dusky and Shelley’s Crimsonwings.

Others bird species to lookout for are; Lammergeiger, Red-thighed Sparrowhawk, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, African Long-eared Owl, Western Green Tinkerbird, Olive Woodpecker, Grey-chested Illadopsis, Montane Sooty Boubou, Golden-winged and Scarlet-tufted Malachite Sunbirds, White-collared Olive-back, Red-faced Crimsonwing, Oriole-Finch, Grey-winged Robin, Evergreen Forest and Bamboo Warblers, Lagden’s Bush-Shrike.