The snow capped peaks of the Rwenzori mountain range lie along and shares the western border of Uganda with the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is regarded to be legendary snow-capped mountains of the moon, described by Ptolemy in AD150. The highest peak reaches an elevation of 5,102m, it is also Africa’s tallest mountain range, exceeded in altitude only by the free standing volcanoes of Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro.

The distinctive glacial peaks are visible form miles around, but the slopes above 1600m are the preserve of trekkers who rate the Rwenzori to be the most challenging of all African trekking tours.

The park covers a total area of 998 square kilometres and is 120 km long. The mountain has several peaks with the highest being Margherita peak. This peak is the goal main trekking route known as the Central Circuit Trail.

The main attraction in the Rwenzori is the luxuriant vegetation found above 3000m which includes the Giant lobelia. It is also a home birds such as the Rwenzori turaco and Olive pigeon. A variety of large mammals inhabit the lower slopes including chimpanzees.

Trekking
The best time for trekking and mountaineering is during the dry seasons from mid December to March and from June to mid August.

Almost 100 mammal species and a remarkable 606 bird species makes this superb safari territory, with elephant, a profusion of hippos, the elusive giant forest hog and handsome Uganda kob all regularly sighted around the tourist village on the Mweya Peninsula - which also boasts a marvelous waterfrontsetting in the shadow of the Rwenzori Mountains.

Elsewhere, the remote Ishasha Sector is famed for its tree-climbing lions, the Kyambura Gorge harbours habituated chimps, the Maramagambo Forest is home to an alluring selection of forest monkeys and birds, and flocks of flamingo are resident on the crater lakes.

Activities
Trekking and mountaineering
Bird watching

Access
The town of Kasese is about 7 hours drive from Kampala either via Mbarara or via Fort Portal. The trail head at Ibanda is a further 1 hour from Kasese.From open savannah to rainforest, from dense papyrus swamps and brooding crater lakes to the vastness of Lake Edward, it is little wonder that QENP boasts one of the highest biodiversity ratings of any game reserve in the world.