History of the Rwenzori Mountains

These mountains were named ‘Rwenzori’ by Henry M. Stanley, a European explorer. He called this range after an African native word that means ‘rainmaker.’ And, it’s indeed rainmaker as rain feeds the dense foliage and falls on the Rwenzori Mountains for up to around 350 days each year.

The Mountains of the Moon

• The Rwenzori Mountains are popularly nicknamed ‘Mountains of the Moon.’ Claudius Ptolemy, an Alexandrian geographer, was the first person to use the name on a map. Before then, the mountains were speculated to be a source of the famous Nile River. It was later discovered that, indeed, melting snows from the Rwenzori Mountain Range feed various tributaries of the Nile River.

Formation & Structure

This range is estimated to have formed 3 million years ago. While they are not volcanic, these mountains result from uplifted blocks of crystalline rocks such as gneiss, quartzite, amphibolite, and granite. This uplift resulted in the division of Obweruka (a paleolake) and the formation of three present-day Great Lakes, namely Lake George, Lake Albert, and Lake Edward.

Deep gorges separate the six massifs that make up this range. These massifs include Mount Stanley (5.11 kilometers), Mount Speke (4.89 kilometers), Mount Baker (4.84 kilometers), and Mount Emin (4.80 kilometers). Others include the Luigi di Savoia (4.63 kilometers) and Gessi (4.71 kilometers) mountains.

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Flora and Fauna

While the range measures only 120 kilometers long, it boasts among the most diverse ecosystems worldwide. Here, the vegetation tends to vary with altitude changes, within a short distance from each other in the cold of the mountains’ glacial ice and the tropical jungles’ heat. The Rwenzori Mountains have five different zones of habitation, hence generating an amazing world of biodiversity.

Wildlife in the Rwenzori Mountains

Wildlife in the Rwenzori Mountains varies with differences in altitude, as well. The Rwenzori Mountains National Park recorded that there are over 70 mammals. Animals you’re likely to come across here include chimpanzees, elephants, L’’Hoest’s monkeys, hyrax, and the duiker, as well as the Rwenzori Turaco.

There are over 200 bird species, too, including the Olive pigeon, Alpine swift, Dusky Flycatcher, Rwenzori Olive Thrush, Rufous sparrow hawk, and Lanner Falcon. Others include the African Lammergeyer, Verreaux’s eagle, Green White-eye, Dartmouth Sunbird, Bamboo Warbler, and Western lemon dove, among many others.

Hiking the Rwenzori Mountains

If you love hiking, then you’ll undoubtedly want to consider the 5,119 meters-high, snow-capped ‘Mountains of the Moon.’ They offer just the unique trekking and hiking experiences you’ve likely been looking forward to.

The Rwenzori Central Circuit Zone offers plenty of opportunities for hikes and nature walks. Such include walks through the Kichamba communities to the Karangura Ridge, trails up to the Buraro Chimp Forest and Lake Mahoma, and hiking through Bwamba Pass to the Bundibugo area.

The Bwamba Pass is a 1,500-metre high trek atop the steep Northern Rwenzori Ridge. Here, the Abanya community will lead you over the mountains and isolated villages to reach the Bamboo Forest. From this point, you’ll be able to enjoy superb views of the Rift Valley.

The communities of Turaco and Ruboni offer opportunities for guided forest walks just outside the Rwenzori Mountains National Park. You can follow the iconic River Mubuku and enjoy Fort Baker & Portal Peaks’ scenic views as you hike up to around 2,300 meters above sea level.

It’s even possible to enjoy truly spectacular views of the highest, snow-capped Margherita Peak on clear days. Additionally, you’ll want to keep your eyes open for birds, vervet monkeys, squirrels, and chameleons.