UWA Reopens Margherita Peak in Mount Rwenzori

Did you know that the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) reopened the Margherita Peak for tourism in Mount Rwenzori? Mountain Rwenzori is Uganda’s highest mountain and Africa’s third-highest. It is the snow-capped mountain only in Uganda. The mountain is found in western Uganda within the Rwenzori National Park. It is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The mountain is at the border of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Hiking to Margherita Peak was suspended on 24^th May 2024. The hiking suspension was due to the cracks of the Margherita glaciers. This worried the Uganda Wildlife Authority for the safety of the travelers. Margherita’s hiking route to the mountain has been suspended for about 3 months since it has been under repair. Upgrades to ladders have been installed to ensure the safety of hikers.

UWA Press Release

On 20^th August 2024, hiking of the mountain was commissioned by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. In a report of commissioning the hiking to the peak with the new ladders to ensure the safety of the travelers. UWA management issued a letter that described the goodness and safety of the situation at the Margherita Peak hiking route. “Uganda Wildlife Authority is pleased to announce the resumption of hiking activities to Margherita Peak in Rwenzori Mountains National Park. Following a temporary suspension due to safety concerns, UWA has successfully implemented safety enhancements to ensure the well-being of hikers. Key among these improvements is the construction of a bridge across the crevasse in the Margherita Glacier. This bridge, along with additional climbing ropes installed in collaboration with our partners in the park, will enable safe passage through the challenging sections of the trail”, read the letter.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority ensures the monitoring of these ladders to ensure the safety of travelers during their Uganda hiking safaris. New modifications made are the construction of the bridge across the crevasse within the Magritah peak. The bridge has been added on with the climbing ropes to ensure the safety of travelers. Mountain Rwenzori is open for hiking safaris for travelers who wish to conquer the Margarita Peak.

What are the activities that travelers engage in in the mountain Rwenzori?

While in the Rwenzori mountain, there are several activities that travelers on their Uganda safaris engage in and these include;

Mountaineering

This is the primary activity in the destination which involves hiking, climbing, and alpinism. This is an adventure activity with several challenges for travelers hiking the mountain. It also involves travelers being physically fit for them to conquer during the hiking. The mountaineering of this mountain takes about 8 to 9 days for physically fit hikers.

Birding tours

Mountain Rwenzori is forested and hosts several bird species that travelers on their Uganda safaris can encounter. The mountain hosts over 217 bird species where 19 of them are endemic. The bird species in the mountain include Rwenzori turaco, handsome francolin, Cinnamon chested bee-eater, barred long-tailed cuckoo, slender-billed sterling, and many others. This makes the mountain a great destination for birding.

Cultural encounters

This is the community engagement by travelers with the natives around the mountain who are the Bakonzo. This is one of the indigenous communities living within the mountain Rwenzori. Travelers in their cultural encounters will engage in different activities like coffee roasting, cultural dances, banana brewing, and many others.

What to see in the Mountain Rwenzori?

While in the mountain Rwenzori, there are several attractions that travelers can see during the safari and these include;

Wildlife

While in the mountain Rwenzori, there are several wildlife that travelers can see during the safari. The wildlife in the mountain Rwenzori includes primates, mammals, reptiles, and many others. Some of these wildlife include; forest elephants, duikers, three-horned chameleons, blue monkeys, colobus monkeys, and many others.

Mountain Rwenzori

The mountain is one of the main attractions in the area which most travelers on their Uganda safaris usually encounter for the safari. The mountain is snow-capped with its highest peak Margarita. This mountain has a chain of other mountains like Stanley, baker, and many others with several camps surrounding it.

Water bodies

Travelers visiting Mountain Rwenzori will see several water bodies like lakes, rivers, streams, and many others. There are over 20 lakes surrounding the mountain like Lake Bujuku, lake Mahoma, and many others. The largest lake in the mountain is the lake Mahoma which is a source of most rivers around the mountain.

Accommodation as you hike to Margherita Peak of Mount Rwenzori

Travelers to the mountain Rwenzori have several accommodation facilities they can stay in during a safari. Most of travelers usually stay in Kasese town though there are few lodges near the mountain. Other travelers usually choose camping near the mountain. The accommodation facilities include Sandton Hotel, Rwenzori Base Camp guest house, Equator Snow Lodge, Rweetera Safari Lodge, Rwenzori International Hotel, and many others.

How to access Mountain Rwenzori?

The mountain Rwenzori can be accessed by both road and air transport. By road, travelers take about 7 to 8 hours a day to reach the mountain while using the Kasese-Mbarara highway. While using air transport, travelers will use chartered flights from either Entebbe International Airport or the Kajjansi airstrip to the Kasese airstrip. While in Kasese, travelers will take about a 45-minute drive to reach the mountain.

Ideal safaris for travelers to mountain Rwenzori

There are several ideal safaris for travelers can engage in during the safaris and some of these include;

9 days Rwenzori hiking safaris
12 days of gorilla safaris and Rwenzori hiking
24 days of wildlife and hiking safaris.
8 days Rwenzori hiking safaris.

What is the best time to visit the mountain Rwenzori?

Mountain Rwenzori is open for travelers throughout the year. During the dry season June to September and December to February is the best time for the activities in this area. During this, the area is dry and clear for any activity and also the trekking routes are drier which makes hiking.

Now that the Margherita Peak has been reopened for hikers by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, you can book your Rwenzori adventure and create everlasting memories. Our team of safari experts is more than ready to help you plan an amazing adventure including touching the peak of Mount Rwenzori – Margherita Peak.