Rwenzori Mountains

The Rwenzori Mountains are just north of the equator on the Uganda/Congo border and are sometimes referred to as the “Mountains of the Moon” because of their spectacular beauty. There are six peaks, the highest of which is Margherita on Mount Stanley, the third highest mountain in Africa, which peaks at 16,700 feet. There are many wild flowers and fascinating birds here, including the giant lobelia and groundsel.

Guests usually stay in hotels for the first and last nights of their climb. In the mountains there are some basic huts as well as some modern, well equipped tents.

Climbing and hiking through the mountains takes around six days and to reach Margherita peak, which is often covered in snow, some technical knowledge is needed. A good level of fitness is still needed to enjoy walking rather than technical climbing. The best time to climb is between June-August and December-February. A day’s trekking in the foothills can easily be added onto an overall itinerary in Uganda.