What to do in Rwenzori mountains- Rwenzori mountains national park is among the trending destinations in Uganda with several tourist attractions apart from Mountain hiking. Those can be done with hiking experiences in the park-like bird watching, community tours, and Nature walks and among others. These are tourist activities you can do on your trip to the Rwenzori Mountains as explained below.

Bird watching on the Rwenzori Mountains.

Uganda is among the best destinations not only in East Africa but also the whole world, this is evidenced by many national parks within that are homes to many bird species like Rwenzori mountains national park which is home to over 227 different species of bird. These bird species are found in different zones of the park for instance at an elevation of 1800 meters, you will spot bird species like the Ruwenzori olive thrush, White-tailed crested flycatcher, Rwenzori turacos , Mountain chat, Red-throated Alethe, Bamboo warbler, Rufous sparrow hawk, Collared Apalis, Cinammon scrub warbler, Ruwenzori hill, White-starred bush robin, Francolin, Rwenzori baits, Red-faced woodland warbler, and the Chested bee-eater and many more. Birds like so much to stay in the zone where they are comfortable and survive so that to reproduce others and increase in their number. Bird watching can be through hiking mountains, cultural experience with Bakonjo people, nature walks, tracking for chimpanzees, butterfly watching or if you are planning bird watching safari in Uganda, Rwenzori Mountains should be your answer.

The park is a dwelling to about 227 bird species and 17 among them can be spotted only in the Rwenzori mountains which are confirmed by UNESCO labeling it a key birding area. At an altitude of 1800meters, there is a lot of bird species which is good for bird lovers and these include the Blue-headed sunbirds, Crimson wings, Rwenzori batis, Cinnamon-chested bee-eater, Illadopsis, Barbets, flycatchers plus those above.

Other bird species are found in Rwenzori and mostly in montane forest, some species are found in the unreceptive word of the high Rwenzori and these include Barbets, Bee-eaters, Robin, Sunbirds and many more and they among the 227 birds found in the Rwenzori mountains national park.

Guided nature walks in the Rwenzori Mountains.

Hiking from Lake Mahooma and Buraro chimp forest is an interesting game. The walks through Kichamba, Karangura ridge, Bundibugo, and Bwamba pass. Other nature walks surrounding the central circuit zone include; Lake Mahooma and Buraro chimp forest trials. Walking from Kichamba community to Karangura ridge. Or hike from the Bundibugo community through Bwamba pass.

Turaco View and Ruboni are of the few communities which offer guided nature walks to the visitors just a few meters outside the park. Tourists hike over 2300 meters above sea level beginning from river Mubuku with beautiful views of baker and portal peaks. On a clear day, you can see the Margherita peak that is snowcapped.  Other views you cannot leave out on your trip to the Rwenzori Mountains are vervet monkeys, squirrels, chameleons as well as bird watching.

Mountain climbing in Rwenzori mountains National park.

Rwenzori Mountain has two major routes for hikers. These include the trail passes through the glacial lake, lush valley, dramatic mountain passes, and gorgeous viewpoints.  Also known as the 3^rd highest peak in Africa.

The central circuit trail takes 7 days. It is somehow tiresome circular tour to reach the highest peak of Rwenzori.  At Mihunga near Bujuku valley is where the climbing starts from and go through Nyabitaba for relaxation as your head to the peak of the mountain. Visitors who want to use the central circuit after Bujuku valley, have to go through Scott Elliot and Fresh field to slope to Mubuku valley.

Kilembe trail has been recently reopened and it is stretched to the southern slopes of mountain Rwenzori. Kilembe trail is close to Kasese town nearby the central circuit at L. Kitandara. You pass through Nyamwamba valley and glacial lakes. Mount Baker is of the standard route scales but it makes the scenery shorter but so interesting.

Cultural encounters in the Rwenzori Mountains

Bakonjo people do daily activities like growing crops,  grazing animals, and cooking, cultural dances complemented with drumming, traditional costumes and folk tells make their culture excellent. Bakonjo villagers guide will guide you while walking on foot to the hills of Mountain Rwenzori and in their homesteads. Ruboni village is found in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains and it is the home of over 2,000 Bakonjo.

In Lukonjo’s language, “Ruboni”, is a local word that means clear water. It has a clear crystal stream. You will view inhabitants with loads of wood and crops on their heads. You will also see a rocky Mubuku River in the Ruboni community. Bird species like sunbirds, tiny Cinnamon-chested Bee-eaters, and Rwenzori Turaco.  vervet monkeys, Squirrels, chameleons and are also seen.  On a clear day, you can see the Snowcapped Margherita peak. Baker and Portal Peaks are also seen rising above the forest.

Rwenzori mountains national park is blessed with a lot of tourist activities, but Uganda has other best national parks with most interesting activities like Bwindi impenetrable national park which is among the few remaining areas with mountain gorilla trekking, you will get an opportunity to explore more about these shy primates. Or you may go to Murchison falls national park and take a boat cruise and view various wildlife animals such as buffaloes, giraffes,  Uganda kob, hippos plus countless bird species.