Rwenzori Mountains

Rwenzori Mountains is a group of mountains also known as the “mountains of the moon” situated within Rwenzori Mountains National Park in the western part of Uganda on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, whose highest peak stands at about 5,109 m high above sea level at Margherita Peak.

The Rwenzori Mountains offer the best hiking safaris in Uganda and Africa at large with the best mountaineering services. The Rwenzori Mountains have stunning and unique features that attract tourists to hike, including the stunning snow-capped peak, beautiful glaciers, waterfalls and lakes, among others. The Rwenzori Mountains can be hiked from 1 day to as many as 9 days depending on one’s wish.

Another fascinating thing is that the Rwenzori Mountains can be hiked alongside a visit to other parks like Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale Forest National Park and Semliki National Park. There are various trails used by hikers to get to the peaks but a hike to summit the highest peak at Mount Margharita is one of the memorable and breathtaking experiences for a lifetime that will thrill in your mind all year round.

Below are 6 mountains within Rwenzori Mountain ranges and they include

  1. Mount Stanley 

Mount Stanley is the highest mountain in the Rwenzori mountain ranges and obtained its name after the explorer Sir Stanley Morton on his mission to find Livingstone. Mount Stanley thrills with different peaks at different elevations, amongst which is Margherita Peak, which is the highest peak of Mount Stanley in the Rwenzori mountain ranges, standing at 5,109 m high above sea level. Another peak on Mount Stanley is Alexandra Peak at 4,990M and many other peaks that arise from the glacier, including Savoia Peak, standing at 4,977 m high.

Margherita Peak is the 3rd highest peak in all of Africa, just after Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa situated in Tanzania and Mount Kenya, situated in Kenya, taking the 2nd position on the African continent. A hike to the summit of Mount Margherita’s peak takes about 6-8 days depending on the speed used.

  1. Mount Speke

Mount Speke takes over as the 2nd highest mountain in the Mount Rwenzori ranges at an elevation of 4,890 m high above sea level and obtained its name after the explorer John Speke, who discovered the source of the Nile River in Jinja.

Mount Speke offers the best stunning attractions that are worth seeing while on a hike, including beautiful waterfalls, rivers, beautiful vegetation cover, Streams and many more. Mount Speke combines with its neighbor Mount Stanley and Mount Baker, to make a triangular circle around Bujuku Valley. Mount Speke is the 3rd highest peak in the Rwenzori mountain ranges.

  1. Mount Baker

Mount Baker is elevated at 4,844 m high above sea level, making it the 6th tallest mountain in the African continent that forms a triangle together with the other two mountains of Mount Stanley and Mount Speke. Mount Baker obtained its name from the explorer Sir Samuel Baker, the 1st European to explore Lake Albert and also sighted these beautiful ranges of the Rwenzori Mountains. This is the 3rd highest in the Rwenzori mountain ranges.

  1. Mount Emin
Rwenzori Mountains
Rwenzori Mountains

Mount Emin is also one of the mountains within the Rwenzori Mountain ranges, elevated at about 4,798 m high above sea level, and was named after Mohammed Emin Pasha. Mount Emin has 2 major peaks, Umberto and Kraeelin peaks. This is the 4th highest mountain in the Rwenzori mountain ranges.

  1. Mount Gessi

Mount Gessi is elevated at 4,715M high situated on the northern side of the triangular-shaped combination of Mount Baker, Mount Speke and Mount Stanley. Mount Gessi has twin peaks, including Bottego at 4,699 m and Lolanda, which is the highest peak of Mount Gessi at 4,715 m. Mount Gessi can be hiked from the Ugandan side as well as from the Congolese side. 

  1. Mount Luigi Di Savoia

Mount Luigi Di Savoia takes over the 6th position amongst the mountains in the Rwenzori ranges and it stands at an elevation of 4,627 m high above sea level. Mount Luigi di Savoia obtained its name after the Duke of Abruzzi, who climbed all 6 mountains in the Rwenzori ranges and was also the best at mountaineering loops and a military hero. Mount Luigi Di Savoia also has some peaks, including Sella Peak at 4,627 m, which is the highest peak of Mount Luigi Di Savoia; Weismann Peak at 4,620 m; and Stairs Peak at 4,545 m. Mount Luigi Di Savoia is the shortest mountain to climb within the Rwenzori mountain ranges.