Rwenzori Mountains National Park

Park Glaciated equatorial mountain range with alpine biodiversity

Rwenzori Mountains National Park protects high alpine peaks with glaciers and glacial valleys; mountaineers and trekkers attempt multi-day routes to summit areas and study montane flora at altitude.

Main image
Wikivoyage banner
1972-1-3 Uganda - Rwenzori gebied - Brandende helling.jpg
1972-1-3 Uganda - Rwenzori gebied - Warme bronnen.jpg
Alexandra Peak at dawn.jpg
Alexandra Peak Margherita Peak Rwenzori.jpg
Beautiful rock on mount Rwenzori.jpg
Board walk through forest.jpg
Bog in Mulyambuli valley Rwenzori.jpg
Chameleon-Rwenzori.jpg
Coffee hulling.jpg
Crater Lake at Mt. Rwenzori.jpg
Main image

Rwenzori Mountains National Park protects the Rwenzori Range on the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a high mountain chain of alpine peaks, glaciers and unique afro-alpine ecosystems. The park is known for rugged, glaciated summits and distinct vegetation zones from montane forest to alpine moorland.

The range includes several high peaks, most notably Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley at 5,109 m, which is the highest point in the park and one of the highest in Africa. The park supports glacial remnants, endemic plants and specialized wildlife adapted to high elevations, and is popular with mountaineers and high-altitude trekkers.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park was established for conservation in the late 20th century and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in recognition of its natural values and unique high-mountain ecosystems. Access is generally from the towns of Kasese (Uganda side) and the park lies along the western edge of Uganda adjacent to the Rwenzori foothills.

  • Highest peak: Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley reaches 5,109 m and is the highest point in the Rwenzori range and on the Uganda-DRC border.
  • Glaciers and trekking: The park contains fragile tropical glaciers and high-alpine ecosystems that are sensitive to climate change and require experienced guiding for high-altitude treks.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Western Region, Uganda (Rwenzori range)
0.2236, 29.9242

Tips for Visiting Rwenzori Mountains National Park #

  • Aim for the drier trekking windows (roughly January-March and June-September) and avoid the heavy rains (April-May, October-November) when trails are often impassable.
  • Book permits, experienced guides and porters well ahead through the Uganda Wildlife Authority and Rwenzori Mountaineering Services (RMS) in Kasese - RMS handles logistics and is the usual operator for organized climbs.
  • Allow at least 6-8 days for the Central Circuit route and build rest/acclimatization time into your schedule; trail conditions and elevation gain make last-minute ascents difficult.

Best Time to Visit Rwenzori Mountains National Park #

Best to go in the drier months (June-September and December-February) for clearer trekking conditions, while remembering weather on the high Rwenzori remains changeable.

Drier months (best for trekking)
June-September; December-February · 5-20°C (wide variation from foothills to high slopes)
Relatively clearer weather and firmer trails improve conditions for trekking; lower cloud and rain windows make summit attempts more feasible, though mountain weather remains unpredictable.
Wet months (more challenging)
March-May; October-November · 0-15°C (higher elevations often at or below freezing)
Frequent heavy rain, persistent cloud and very muddy trails make trekking harder and increase objective hazards at higher elevations.

Weather & Climate near Rwenzori Mountains National Park #

Climate

Rwenzori Mountains National Park's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 6°C to 16°C. Abundant rainfall (1685 mm/year), wettest in April.

Best Time to Visit
JanuaryDecemberFebruary
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
36°
Warmest Month
12°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 6°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

61 Good

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
16°
66%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

87 mm
Rainfall
1.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
12.0h daylight

February

February is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 6°C. Regular rainfall (100 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

57 Acceptable

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
17°
64%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

100 mm
Rainfall
1.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.2
UV Index
Extreme
12.0h daylight

March

March is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (164 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

53 Acceptable

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
16°
70%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

164 mm
Rainfall
1.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.2
UV Index
Extreme
12.0h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 7°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (214 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

51 Acceptable

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
15°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

214 mm
Rainfall
1.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.2
UV Index
Extreme
12.0h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (178 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

47 Poor

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
14°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

178 mm
Rainfall
0.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
12.0h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Regular rainfall (99 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

53 Acceptable

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
14°
70%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

99 mm
Rainfall
0.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.8
UV Index
Very High
12.0h daylight

July

July is the coolest month with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

53 Acceptable

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
14°
65%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

87 mm
Rainfall
0.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.7
UV Index
Very High
12.0h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (145 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

47 Poor

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
15°
68%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

145 mm
Rainfall
0.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.9
UV Index
Very High
12.0h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (170 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

55 Acceptable

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
15°
71%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

170 mm
Rainfall
0.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.2
UV Index
Extreme
12.0h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (168 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

53 Acceptable

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
16°
74%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

168 mm
Rainfall
1.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
12.0h daylight

November

November is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (163 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

53 Acceptable

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
15°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

163 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.0
UV Index
Extreme
12.0h daylight

December

December is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (110 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

59 Acceptable

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
15°
72%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

110 mm
Rainfall
1.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.0
UV Index
Very High
12.0h daylight

Nearby Attractions to Rwenzori Mountains National Park