Mountain Rwenzori found in western Uganda is the
best place to do mountaineering offering the most adventurous hiking experience
for the tourists. The Rwenzori Mountain hiking complement the popular gorilla
safaris making Uganda safari a complete package. The hiking tours are both
short and long regardless of your fitness to meet you expectations. Mountain
hiking in Uganda includes Mt Rwenzori, Mt Elgon, Sipi falls, Mt Sabinyo, Mt
Gahinga and Mt Muhabura. Most of Uganda’s volcanoes are in national parks
interestingly which give travelers a chance to encounter wildlife animals
especially mountain gorillas in Mgahinga gorilla national park. These are Uganda
mountain hiking places;
The Mount Rwenzoris
Mountain Rwenzori which is also known as the “Mountains of the moon”, is the highest peak in Uganda and the third highest in the whole world. The Mount Rwenzori is situated in Kasese district on the borders of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The hiking to the summit of mount Rwenzori is a long trek which lasts roughly 8 days to reach Margerita the highest peak standing at an altitude of 5,109 meters above the sea level. There is permanent snow at the summit of the Mount Rwenzori, which often melts into various, rives flowing to the lowland areas such as river Nyamwamba and River Mubuku. The base of the mountain is Mount Rwenzori national park covered with tropical rain forests and home to various animals. The central circuit is the longest trail for the travelers which last for roughly 8 days and 7 nights to Margerita where as Mahoma loop is quite easier lasting for 3 days and one day for kilembe trail which is the shortest.
Mountain Rwenzori which is also known as the “Mountains of the moon”, is the highest peak in Uganda and the third highest in the whole world. The Mount Rwenzori is situated in Kasese district on the borders of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The hiking to the summit of mount Rwenzori is a long trek which lasts roughly 8 days to reach Margerita the highest peak standing at an altitude of 5,109 meters above the sea level. There is permanent snow at the summit of the Mount Rwenzori, which often melts into various, rives flowing to the lowland areas such as river Nyamwamba and River Mubuku. The base of the mountain is Mount Rwenzori national park covered with tropical rain forests and home to various animals. The central circuit is the longest trail for the travelers which last for roughly 8 days and 7 nights to Margerita where as Mahoma loop is quite easier lasting for 3 days and one day for kilembe trail which is the shortest.
The Mount Elgon
Mountain Elgon which is situated in eastern Uganda also acts as a border with Kenya. The Mountain is yet another interesting mountain to hike which stands at 4321m above sea level and is the 8th highest peak in Africa plus the 4th highest in East Africa. The Wagagai peak is the highest peak of Mount Elgon whose summit shelters the world’s largest caldera measuring approximately 50 by 80 kilometers. The mountain Elgon being a national park is home to a variety of animals such as Elephants, forest monkeys, Buffalos and other small antelopes among others. Hence an encounter with these animals is an added advantage for the hikers and on the slopes are caves of different sizes, waterfalls and various water polls.
Mountain Elgon which is situated in eastern Uganda also acts as a border with Kenya. The Mountain is yet another interesting mountain to hike which stands at 4321m above sea level and is the 8th highest peak in Africa plus the 4th highest in East Africa. The Wagagai peak is the highest peak of Mount Elgon whose summit shelters the world’s largest caldera measuring approximately 50 by 80 kilometers. The mountain Elgon being a national park is home to a variety of animals such as Elephants, forest monkeys, Buffalos and other small antelopes among others. Hence an encounter with these animals is an added advantage for the hikers and on the slopes are caves of different sizes, waterfalls and various water polls.
The Virunga Volcanoes
Mountain Sabinyo one of the mountains that are part
of the Virungas shares a border with Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic
of Congo and as much as the three countries share it, Mount Sabyinyo is best
hiked from Uganda, the rugged terrain and the many crater lakes on the sides of
Rwanda and Congo make it difficult to hike. The name Sabyinyo is a Kinyarwanda
word translated as “old man’s teeth” due to the shape of the peak in form of three
spaced teeth of an old man and the slopes of the mountain are covered in the
alpine forest and home to the famous endangered golden monkeys.
The Sipi Falls
The Sipi falls which are situated in kapchorwa district in eastern Uganda are found on the foothills of Mount Elgon. Sipi falls are a composition of three stunning waterfalls, which originate from the hot springs at the summit of Mount Elgon which borders Uganda and Kenya. The Sipi falls fall roughly 85 meters over the cliff continuing with their course through farmlands and local communities over small rocks forming rapids and the second waterfalls is formed after the first fall plunges 65 meters over a big cliff.
The Sipi falls which are situated in kapchorwa district in eastern Uganda are found on the foothills of Mount Elgon. Sipi falls are a composition of three stunning waterfalls, which originate from the hot springs at the summit of Mount Elgon which borders Uganda and Kenya. The Sipi falls fall roughly 85 meters over the cliff continuing with their course through farmlands and local communities over small rocks forming rapids and the second waterfalls is formed after the first fall plunges 65 meters over a big cliff.
Your Packing List
A traveler must have the right packing list for the mountaineering experience. One should ensure that they carry;
A traveler must have the right packing list for the mountaineering experience. One should ensure that they carry;
1) Hiking
boots for stepping on slippery surfaces and lose rocks.
2) Carry enough drinking water and energy giving
snacks to keep strong during the hiking process.
3) For
a long hike such as Mount Rwenzori, a traveler should carry a safe sleeping bag,
warm jackets and sweaters to deal with the night coldness.
0 Comments