Mountain Climbing in Uganda

Uganda is one of the countries in the world blessed with mountain climbing experience compared to the Kilimanjaro of Tanzania and Mount Kenya. Here Uganda has a variety of mountain ranges running from the East with Mount Elgon famously known for having the world’s largest caldera, Mt Rwenzori in the west, and Mt Mgahinga in the southwest.

The most unforgettable hiking experiences in Uganda can be achieved from Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Mount Elgon National Park, and Rwenzori Mountains National Park.

Mount Rwenzori

It’s the third highest in Africa after Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya with an Elevation: of 5,109 m (16,762 ft) bordering Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Rwenzori Mountains serve as an essential water catchment because they are the Nile’s tallest and most stable source. The land is gorgeous and lovely because of its many swiftly flowing rivers, stunning waterfalls, and layered vegetation. Mountain ranges are renowned for their distinctive alpine vegetation, which comprises a wide variety of wildlife species including the three-horned chameleon, birds, and many others.

Mount Rwenzori offers the most challenging climbing adventure but t rewarding of all the climbs/hikes in Uganda. Hikers can choose from the two incredible trails to the Margherita peak of the Rwenzori Mountains (also referred as the Mountains of the Moon) these trails include;

The Central Circuit trail, is a 7 day hike and the most challenging climb, and offers a circular hike of the Towering Rwenzori. From the Mihunga trailhead, the route slopes the Bujuku valley through Nyabitaba for acquaintance before arriving the Peaks of the Mountain. Hikers who join this trail after the Bujuku Valley have to pass through the Scott Elliot and Fresh field transverses to descend via the Mubuku Valley.

Kilembe trail is the recently re-opened route that climbs the Southern slopes of the Rwenzori from the Kilembe trailhead next to Kasese Town. The trail through the wonderful Nyamwamba Valley transverses the mind bogging Glacial Lakes and some eye-popping viewpoints before connecting with the Central Circuit at Lake Kitandara.

However, apart from Mt Rwenzori there are many other other mountains in Uganda where hiking can take place. Enthusiasts can either visit Mount Elgon in the East and Mt Mgahinga in the southwestern parts Uganda.