The Rwenzori Mountains, dubbed the Mountains of the Moon also known as the Rwenzori range is a mountain range within the Eastern Equatorial Africa found on the Uganda-Democratic Republic of Congo border, support glaciers and are one of the sources of the Nile River. These are one of the most interesting attractions to explore during safaris in Uganda.
The highest point of the Rwenzori Mountains stands at 5109 meters (16,762 feet) above sea level and is permanently blanketed by snow. These magnificent Mountains lie within the Rwenzori Mountains National Park in Uganda as well as the Virunga National Park.
Rwenzori Mountain range was formed around 3 million years ago in the late Plioceneepoch as a result of uplifted block of crystalline, which separated the paleo-lake Obweruka thus creating three of the modern African Great Lakes that include Lake George, Lake Albert and Lake Edward.
People in the past called the mountain range-the “Mountains of the Moon” hence was first used on the map by Alexandrian geographer known as Claudius Ptolemy. These mountains were believed to be the source of River Nile because the melting snows from the Mountains feed into some of the far tributaries of this mighty River.
The Rwenzori Mountain range is around 75 miles (120 kilometers) long and around 40 miles (65 kilometers) wide. This massif is made up of 6 mountains separated by deep valleys and they include Mount Stanley, the highest point with a height of 5109 meters/16,762 feet above sea level, Mount Gessi standing at 4715 meters (15,469 feet) above sea level, Mount Baker standing at 4843 meters/15,889 feet above sea level, Mount Speke standing at a height of 4890 meters (16,040 feet) above sea level, mount Luigi di Savoia at 4627 meters (15,180 feet) above sea level and Mount Emin standing at 4798 meters/15,741 feet above sea level. Mountain Stanley also has 9 summits with Margherita being the highest followed by Alexandria.
This mountain range is made up of 5 varying vegetation types/zones depending on the altitude. Notably this mountain range was named after Henry M. Stanley, a European explorer to mean the rain maker because this mountain is said to make rain. It is therefore not a surprise that for the 365 days in a year, it rains almost every day on the snow-capped mountains as well as the thick lush vegetation.
At the base of the Mountain between 914 and 1676 meters above sea level is the lowland montane forest and African savannah grasslands where you will find a number of animals such as the African elephants and Zebras
After that is the tropical rainforest from 1676 and 2286 meters above sea level, and is where you will find the giant ferns, lianas and wild banana plants.
This is followed by the Bamboo forest from 2286 to 2895 meters above sea level. Tress in this zone can grow up to 3 feet within a day and over 100 feet in just 2 months. The zone is therefore one of the most exceptional places to walk through easily.
After the Bamboo zone is the Heath zone from 2895 meters to 3657 meters above sea level and is covered by lichens and heather tress as well as mosses and liverwort that cover the ground. Trees here also grow up to 40 feet tall or even more.
As you proceed higher, you will find the Alpine Zone from 3657 to 4419 meters above sea level with mostly Giant lobelia and groundsel. The upper slopes of this vegetation zone had a rocky terrain and is dominated by brown mosses and black lichens.
The Upper zone approaching the Margherita Peak at 5109 meters above sea level is snow-capped and has storm-swept glaciers. Climbing to this point is one of the most challenging yet unforgettable achievements for any climber on Uganda safaris.