National park · Uganda
Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Spend 6–8 days trekking Rwenzori: book a guide and porters, start at Kyanjuki, aim for Margherita peak; avoid March‑June and Sep‑Oct when rain and mud peak.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,000 km² (386 sq mi)386 sq mi (1,000 km²)
approximate
Established
1991
Best months
Dec–Feb
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 12Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Uganda ↗Get the Uganda e-visa or East Africa Tourist Visa on the official immigration portal before flying, and carry a yellow fever certificate: Uganda asks all arriving travellers for one.
- Uganda ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead for malaria prevention, and check current outbreak notices: Ebola and Marburg outbreaks have occurred in the region, most recently in 2026.
- Uganda ↗Book gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits before you fix dates; the lodge booking follows the permit, not the other way round.
- Uganda ↗Domestic light aircraft to the parks have strict baggage limits, usually soft-sided bags only and a low total weight (often around 15 kg); confirm the limit with your operator.
- Western Uganda ↗Gorilla permits are sold per person per trek and must be booked through a licensed operator; carry the printed permit and your passport to the trailhead.
- Western Uganda ↗Uganda checks a yellow fever certificate on arrival for all travellers.
- Western Uganda ↗Carry cash in Ugandan shillings for park gates, fuel and village stops; card machines fail outside the bigger towns.
At a glance
- Country
- Uganda
- Area
- 1,000 km² (386 sq mi)386 sq mi (1,000 km²)
- Approximate; park covers about 100,000 ha (check).
- Established
- 1991
- Best months
- Dec–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
Rwenzori Mountains National Park spans the high‑altitude alpine zone of western Uganda, offering rugged glacier‑capped peaks, distinctive flora and demanding multi‑day treks that require licensed guides, porters and equipment.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1999Part of the Rwenzori Mountains UNESCO site.
Size and age
1,000 km² (386 sq mi)386 sq mi (1,000 km²) · national park since 1991
Approximate; park covers about 100,000 ha (check).
Why go
- Alpine trekking with Africa's highest glaciers.
- Remote high‑altitude flora like giant lobelias and heathers.
- Challenge of reaching Margherita Peak (5,109 m).
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepCaution
- OctCaution
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanDry, clear skies.
- FebDry, good for acclimatisation.
- MarRain begins, trails get muddy.
- AprIncreasing rain, slippery.
- MayRainy, high mud risk.
- JunRainy season continues.
- JulShort dry spells possible.
- AugShort dry spells possible.
- SepRain returns.
- OctRainy, mud.
- NovTransition to drier.
- DecDry, cooler.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giant lobelia, heather, alpine plantsMar–Oct | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Monkeys, occasional chimpanzeesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Kasese (airport or bus hub)
Taxi or bus to Kyanjuki village (≈30 km (19 mi)); guide arranges pickup.Taxi or bus to Kyanjuki village (≈19 mi (30 km)); guide arranges pickup.
1–1.5 h
From Entebbe Airport
Domestic flight to Kasese or 8‑hour road trip via Mbarara; then follow above.
≈8 h total
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Kyanjuki entry village | Start point, guide office, equipment hire. | Open with guide booking. |
| Central Circuit (RMS) | Main ridge route to Margherita Peak. | Guided only. |
| Southern Circuit (RTS) | Alternative route with more camps. | Guided only. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate; central point of the park used.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per person) | UGX 50,000–70,000 | person | Official fee; exact amount check. |
| Guide + porter package (per client) | UGX 1,500,000–2,500,000 | person | Includes guide, 6 porters, meals, camp fees; varies by operator. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Guide/porter requirement permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- UGX 50,000–70,000
- UGX 1,500,000–2,500,000
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on UNESCO World Heritage – Rwenzori Mountains before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- All treks require a licensed guide from RTS or RMS.
- Camping
- Only in designated camps; no wild camping allowed.
- Equipment
- Crampons, ice axe, harness required for summit; guide provides basics.
Where to stay
In the park
RTS camps (e.g., Bugata, Mutinda)
Bunk huts with basic facilities; meals included.
Near the park
Kasese town
Hotels and guesthouses for pre‑ and post‑trek rest.
Safety
Altitude sickness high
Mud and slippery terrain medium
Rapid weather change medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Kyanjuki village reachable by road; trails are steep and require walking.
Visiting lightly
- Hire local guides and porters; support community walks.
- Carry out all waste; use refillable water bottles.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Rwenzori Mountains National Park?
Entry is about 50,000–70,000 UGX per person; a guide‑plus‑porter package runs 1.5–2.5 million UGX per client (prices 2026 estimate, check).
What are the best hikes in Rwenzori Mountains National Park?
The Central Circuit (RMS) to Margherita Peak is the classic 5–6‑day trek; the Southern Circuit (RTS) offers a similar route with more camps; community walks from Kilembe provide 1–2‑day options.
When is the best time to visit Rwenzori Mountains National Park?
Dry months December–February and July–August give the most reliable trekking conditions; avoid March‑June and September‑October when rain makes trails muddy.
Do I need a guide to hike in the Rwenzori?
Yes. All routes require a licensed guide from RTS or RMS; they also provide porters and equipment for the summit.
Can I camp outside the designated camps?
No. Camping is only allowed in the official camps; wild camping is prohibited.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go