Rwenzori Mountains National Park, often called the “Mountains of the Moon,” lies on Uganda’s western border with the DRC. Covering nearly 1,000 km², it protects Africa’s third-highest peak—Margherita on Mount Stanley at 5,109 m—as well as glaciers, waterfalls, alpine lakes, and dense montane forest.

The park’s dramatic altitudinal range supports five distinct vegetation zones—from tropical rainforest and bamboo to giant heathers, lobelias, and Afro-alpine moorlands—creating a surreal, fairy-tale landscape.

It’s a haven for wildlife and biodiversity, with over 70 mammal species (including forest elephants, chimpanzees, and Rwenzori colobus) and 217 bird species, 19 of which are unique to the Albertine Rift.

Adventure seekers can take on the iconic Central Circuit trek (7–12 days) to summit Margherita Peak, or enjoy shorter hikes, nature walks, birdwatching, and cultural encounters with the Bakonzo people.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site (since 1994) and Ramsar wetland, Rwenzori is more than a mountain—it’s a living masterpiece of nature, offering unmatched beauty, biodiversity, and cultural richness in Uganda’s highlands.