Rwenzori Mountains National park lies in Africa’s third highest mountain peak the Rwenzori Mountains. Known for its beautiful plant life, the national park occupies an area of 1000Square kilometers in size of which 70% exceeds an altitude of 2500meters above sea level. The park is located in south west Uganda in districts of Kasese, Bundibugyo and Kabarole along the Uganda – DRC border and borders the Virunga National park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It was established in 1991 and UNESCO designated it as a world heritage site in 1994 due to its spectacular natural beauty of many waterfalls, lakes and glaciers.
Rwenzori Mountains National park is at a distance of approximately 437km west of Kampala the capital city of Uganda with an area of 48km in width and 120km in length. The park maintains 5 distinct vegetation zones which change according to change in altitude. The high diversity of trees and plants together with glaciers, snowfields, waterfalls and lakes makes it one of Africa’s most beautiful mountain areas.
The park boasts over 89 bird species, about 15 species of butterflies and over 4 primate species. The Wildlife in the park varies with elevation and many species are endemic to the Albertine rift valley system. Some animals in the park include chimpanzees, black and white colobus, hyrax, L’Hoest’s Monkeys, duikers, Rwenzori turaco and many others