Yes, most visitors need a visa, which is best arranged in advance through Uganda’s official online e-visa portal. If you are also visiting Kenya and Rwanda, the East Africa Tourist Visa covers all three countries on a single application. We guide you through the process as part of planning your trip.
National Park
rwenzori mountains national park
Western Uganda, East Africa
Western Uganda, East Africa
The Rwenzori Mountains are one of Africa’s true natural wonders, with snow-capped peaks and glaciers sitting almost on the Equator. The fabled “Mountains of the Moon” rise above forest and dry savannah, offering world-class mountaineering, otherworldly Afro-alpine scenery and extraordinary biodiversity. There are many reasons to come, and few mountains anywhere feel so magical. A Natural WonderNowhere else do permanent snow and ice crown a mountain on the Equator. Climbing the Rwenzori has been likened to travelling from the Equator to the North Pole in nine days, passing through forest, bamboo, heather and bog before…
The Rwenzori Mountains are one of Africa’s true natural wonders, with snow-capped peaks and glaciers sitting almost on the Equator. The fabled “Mountains of the Moon” rise above forest and dry savannah, offering world-class mountaineering, otherworldly Afro-alpine scenery and extraordinary biodiversity. There are many reasons to come, and few mountains anywhere feel so magical.
A Natural WonderNowhere else do permanent snow and ice crown a mountain on the Equator. Climbing the Rwenzori has been likened to travelling from the Equator to the North Pole in nine days, passing through forest, bamboo, heather and bog before reaching the glaciers. The range was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.
Fascinating WildlifeThe park is home to over 70 mammal species, including several endemic and rare species. Among them are chimpanzees, forest elephants, leopards and otters, while the lower forests shelter a range of primates. The slopes are also famous for the three-horned chameleon.
A Paradise for PhotographersFew landscapes reward a camera like the Rwenzori: snow-capped peaks and glaciers, crater lakes and waterfalls, strange giant lobelias and groundsels, and a wealth of birds and wildlife set against dramatic mountain scenery.
World-Class Climbing and Hiking TrailsTrails suit both seasoned mountaineers and casual hikers. The Rwenzori Central Circuit and the Kilembe route both lead toward the high peaks, while the Bwamba Pass offers gentler hiking. Allow time to acclimatise to the altitude, drink plenty of water and bring sturdy, waterproof boots.
Extraordinary BirdingThe park’s distinct vegetation zones each hold their own birds, including the slender-billed starling, barred long-tailed cuckoo, Lagden’s bushshrike, the Rwenzori batis and the Rwenzori brown woodland warbler — a roll-call rich in Albertine Rift endemics.
More Information About Rwenzori Mountains National ParkSet in western Uganda on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, the park covers almost 1,000 km² and was established in 1991, becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. Its highest point, Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley, reaches 5,109 m — the third-highest in Africa. Across its vegetation zones it supports over 70 mammal species (including four primates) and more than 100 birds.
Where to StayEquator Snow Lodge, Sandton Hotel Kasese and Ihamba Lakeside Safari Lodge.
How to Get ThereBy road: About 7 hours from Kampala via the Kampala–Mbarara–Kasese–Rwenzori road.By air: Chartered flights run from Entebbe International Airport to Kasese, followed by a short drive on tarmac and murram roads.
The best time to visit Uganda
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
- Recommended
- Transitional
- Challenging conditions
Uganda is a year-round destination, lying on the equator with a warm, temperate climate and no true off-season. The two dry seasons — June to September and December to February — are the most popular, offering firmer forest trails for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking and easier wildlife viewing. The wetter months bring lush, green landscapes, lower rates and fewer visitors, and gorilla trekking continues all year. The guide below shows what to expect month by month.
- January
- Dry season; warm, clear days and excellent conditions for gorilla trekking and savannah game viewing.
- February
- One of the driest months, with firm trekking trails and superb wildlife viewing across the parks.
- March
- The long rains usually begin late in the month; early March is still dry and green, with fewer travellers.
- April
- The height of the long rains. Forest trails are muddy and trekking is more demanding, though landscapes are vivid and low-season rates apply.
- May
- The long rains continue, with the wettest conditions of the year; lush scenery, quiet parks and the best value.
- June
- The rains ease and the long dry season begins — prime time for gorilla trekking and wildlife.
- July
- Dry, reliable weather and excellent trekking and game-viewing conditions; a popular month, so plan early.
- August
- Continued dry season, with firm trails and strong wildlife sightings across the country.
- September
- Dry and rewarding, with good trekking conditions and thinner crowds than mid-year.
- October
- The short rains arrive, bringing afternoon showers, green landscapes and fewer visitors.
- November
- The wettest of the short-rains months; trails can be slippery, but birding is excellent with migratory species present.
- December
- The dry season returns from mid-month, bringing clear, festive-season conditions ideal for trekking and safaris.
Wildlife in Rwenzori Mountains National Park
- Leopard
- Elephant
- Chimpanzee
- Bushbuck
- Baboon
- Colobus Monkey
- Chameleon
- Hyrax
- Starling
Frequently asked questions
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter Uganda. Anti-malarial precautions are strongly recommended, and we advise consulting your doctor or a travel clinic well before departure for the most current personal advice.
Gorilla permits are limited and in high demand, so they should be booked months ahead — especially for the dry season. As your operator, we secure your permits for you and build your entire itinerary around your confirmed trekking dates.
Lightweight, long-sleeved layers in neutral colours, sturdy waterproof hiking boots, a rain jacket, gardening-style gloves for gripping vegetation, and a daypack for water and your camera. Mornings can be cool and trails wet, so come prepared for mud and sudden showers.
Mountain gorillas live in two southwestern parks: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to nearly half the world’s population, and the smaller Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in the Virunga volcanoes.
Yes. Uganda is the best country in the world to combine the two. Chimpanzee tracking is superb in Kibale Forest — the primate capital of East Africa — and also possible in Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth and the Budongo Forest near Murchison Falls.
Uganda’s savannah parks hold elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and hippo, along with zebra, giraffe and many antelope. Queen Elizabeth is famous for its tree-climbing lions, while Kidepo Valley in the northeast offers cheetah and vast herds in a remote, untouched setting.
Exceptionally so. With over 1,080 recorded species across 33 Important Bird Areas, Uganda is one of Africa’s finest birding destinations, home to the rare shoebill, the great blue turaco, and countless Albertine Rift endemics.
The dry seasons — June to September and December to February — offer the easiest trekking and game viewing, but Uganda is a rewarding year-round destination, and gorilla trekking continues through every month.
Most journeys are by private 4x4 with a driver-guide, with scheduled and chartered flights linking Entebbe to park airstrips for longer distances. We also arrange private helicopter and flying safaris for a faster, more scenic way to travel.
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