The Rwenzori Mountain is the highest mountain range in the whole of Africa, with 6 glacial peaks that include Mount Speke, Mount Stanley, Mount Gessi, Mount Emin Pasha, Mount Luigi da Savoia and Mount Baker. The main peaks can be conceivably compared to those of Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya. These two peaks, Margherita (5.109m) and Alexandra (5.083m) on Mount Stanley are adventurous for any adventurous mountain hiker in Africa. Rwenzori National Park located in the western part of Uganda on the border of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo cover 998 sq km and was named after the famous Rwenzori Mountains which is also referred to as the legendary 'Mountains of the Moon'. The mountain has distinctive glacial peaks visible miles away as one travels in the Western part of Uganda despite its existence almost at the Equator. The Rewnzori Mountains offer spectacular scenery to the national park. The mountain slopes are above 1,600m and are a preserve of hikers, who rate the Rwenzoris to be the most challenging of all African mountains. Rwenzori five various vegetation Zones and these are grassland include (1000-2000m), montane forest (2000-3000m), bamboo/ mimulopsis zone (2500-3500m), Heather/ Rapanea zone (3000-4000m) and the afro-alpine moorland zone (4000-4500m), which has forests of giants heather plants, giant lobelias and groundsels. The Rwenzori mountain vegetation is according to the altitude

Rwenzori Mammals
There are about 70 mammal species recorded which consist of of elephants, chimpanzee golden cat, yellow-backed duiker, buffaloes, blue monkeys, Rwenzori colobus monkeys, forest hogs, hyrax and leopards plus many more.

Rwenzori Birds
The park is naturally gifted with over 177 bird species like the Francolins, illadopsis, robin, Rwenzori turaco, apalis, owl, Archer’s ground robin, Olive Pigeon, cinnamon-chested bee-eater, White Necked Raven, barred long-tailed cuckoo, golden-winged sunbird, Lagden’s bush shrike and Mountain Buzzards plus many other threatened and endemic species which are rare elsewhere.

Rwenzori Tour Activities.
Safari activities at Rwenzori Mountains National Park include:
- Mountain hiking/Climbing tours
- Trekking safaris
- Wildlife tours
- Birding safaris

Visiting tourists are keen to take on the central circuit trail which lasts 6 nights 7 days to complete and enables one to see the main peaks. Other shorter hikes can take up to 4 days. Generally, hiking is the well-known vacation activity to undertake in the park and it takes you via all the vegetation zones and leads you to the glacial peaks. Nevertheless, with hiking, the high peaks should be attempted by experienced mountaineers only, for safety reasons. Nature walks that expose one to various animal and bird species are also regularly liked by visitors.

Accommodation.
Kasese town, a close neighbour to Rwenzori has many affordable accommodation facilities of all classes of people. Rwenzori Mountaineering Service also offers accommodation facilities like huts with bunk beds along the central circuit.

ACCESSING THE PARK
To get to Rwenzori Mountain National Park, you can either use road transport or air transport means. To reach the Park Headquarters at Nyakalegija, one can either travel to Fort Portal or Kasese, both in Western Uganda. Fort Portal, which is 300km from Kampala, can be reached via Mubende town. Total journey time is about 4hrs. Kasese, which is about 350km from Kampala, can be reached via Masaka, Mbarara and Bushenyi. The Kasese direction, although longer at 6hrs, is conceivably more exciting as it goes through the exceptional Queen Elizabeth National Park, a recommended pause in your trip. A chartered plane can properly be arranged by AAB Tours and Travel. By air, you land to Kasese airstrip from where you are able to move a short journey to the park.

Health and safety measures while mountaineering
The high attitude and the wet conditions of the Rwenzori and can badly affect visitors who are not experienced. Note that the following health problems are possible and you have to to be prepared:
1. Hypothermia,
2. Dehydration,
3. Altitude sickness,
4. AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness)
5. HAPE (High altitude sickness pulmonary edema)
6. HACE (High altitude cerebral edema).

What you need for successful mountain hiking
Besides a high level of physical fitness, you ought to ensure that at least the following equipment are in your custody prior to hiking the Rwenzoris;

1. Hiking Boots, Gum boots: A strong set of hiking boots is essential, principally in the early stages of the climb and in the trek across the glaciers. Gum boots are vital equipment in the mud-covered sections of the mountain trail.
2. Rucksack: A powerful waterproof bag is neccessary. Most times, Rwenzori can be wet. This will help maintain your essential items dry as you hike.
3. Cooking utensils: If you intend to do your own cooking, a light stove, some plates and cups should be in your possession. It is possible to hire a cook for the trip but still plan to have at least the bare essentials like the plates, cups, forks, knifes and others.
4. Warm stuff: After the first camp, the mountain gets much colder below 10°C and certainly below freezing at some camps. Good warm shirts and pants, a decent sleeping bag are all necessary. A good pair of warm waterproof gloves is necessary for whoever is hiking up to the peaks.
5. Emergency kits: Emergency medication is essential. For a large part of the expedition, you will be at least a day away from even the best emergency services.
6. Food: Most climbers carry their own food. Some food can also be bought at the Park Headquarters. You need energy giving food, glucose packs, sweetened juice mixers, chocolate and dry porridge mix are recommended. No need to carry water as the mountain provides lots of natural, sparkling, safe drinking water.
7. Equipment: AlL camps have huts but you may wish to carry a tent as it can improve trip flexibility and ensure to bring the common camping gears like the lighter, torch, toiletries, GPS to mention. However keep in mind that while you will have porters to help you out carry your equipment, there is a hard limit (22kg) as to how much each porter will carry: You therefore have to hire more porters if you have lots of kit.
The Park Headquarter has limited number of tents, rucksacks and boots for hire, be sure to speak to them before-hand to establish availability. Park offices also provides crampons, ice axes and ropes for hire, for those planning to try any of the peaks but you may bring your own. Warm objects can usually be bought in Kampala. Food and medicines can be acquired from any decent supermarket in Kampala or Kasese.