Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya may be two of the most known mountains in Africa, yet Uganda, frequently alluded to as the Pearl of Africa is the place the Rwenzori Mountains are found, a magnificence worth investigating. The mountains are a standout amongst the most amazing locales in Africa.
Ruwenzori Mountains Virunga National Park Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Once called the Ruwenzori Ranges, and now called the Rwenzori Mountains, the Mountains of the Moon are located between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Stretching to heights of about 5, 109 metres the Rwenzori Mountains are one of the highest mountains in Africa.
The mountains are said to have been formed three million years ago. The range is about 120 kilometres long and 60 kilometres wide. The Rwenzori is composed of a group of mountains referred to as massifs. The massifs are separated by deep gorges. They are Mount Stanley (5,109 metres), Mount Speke (4,890 metres), Mount Baker (4,843 metres), Mount Emin (4,798 metres), Mount Gessi (4,715 metres) and Mount Luigi di Savoia (4,627 metres).
Vegetation in Rwenzori Mountains. Photo: Jorn Eriksson/Flickr
Follow
Visit Uganda UK @visitugandaUK
Exploring Uganda’s #Rwenzori Mountains.
IG/wantheman http://bit.ly/rwenzori-mountains … #TravelTuesday #Uganda
11 Retweet
44 likes
The peak of the mountains is the Marhgherita Peak which is on Mount Stanley. It is the third highest peak in Africa. The name Ruwenzori was changed to Rwenzori around 1980. This was in order to keep more closely with the local name Rwenjura.
The mountains are one of the sources of the river Nile. Although glaciers are disappearing from the mountains due to global warming, the Rwenzori peaks are permanently snow-capped.
Ornithologist James P. Chapin displays Flag #4 on expedition in the Ruwenzori Mountains, 1925
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
The mountains are a host to two national parks, the Rwenzori Mountains National Park and Virunga National Park. The mountains also boast of lush vegetation which ranges from tropical rainforest through alpine meadows to snow.
The reference to Mount Rwenzori as Mountains of the Moon came from Greek explorers trying to locate the source of the Nile. A merchant called Diogenes reported that the source of the Nile came from a group of mountains which the indigenes of the land called Mountains of the Moon because of their snow-capped whiteness. Unfortunately this snow-capped whiteness has been reducing and is likely to stop existing.
Snow Capped Rwenzori Mountains
Photo: Jorn Eriksson/ Flickr
The glacial recession on the Rwenzori Mountains has been a cause for worry. It is one of the evidence of global warming. In 1906, the Rwenzori had 43 glaciers across six mountains. Almost 100 years later, in 2005, less than half of those glaciers were present on three mountains.
Read: Sossusvlei, one of Africa’s most spectacular landmarks
The Rwenzori Mountains experience high and regular rainfall throughout the year making it have one of the most diverse vegetation. The Rwenzori has five vegetation zones which changes as one goes higher. The grassland which is found at 1000 to 2000 metres, montane forest (2000 to 3000m), bamboo/mimulopsis zone (2500 to 3,500m), heather/Rapanea zone (3000 to 4000m) and finally the afro-alpine moorland zone (4000 to 4,500m).
Uganda has three UNESCO Heritage Sites and Rwenzori Mountains National Park is one of them.
Follow
This Is Uganda @ThisIsUganda_The Uganda the media never shows you. #RwenzoriMountains (photo by baasha_photography). #ThisIsUganda
3939 Retweets
4848 likes
Follow
Danilla @DCalyneYou grew up looking at snow on the Rwenzori mountains through out the year. Ask your self, where did it go? When did this start?
22 Retweets
11 like
Follow
Zawadee @ZawadeeOnline
Good morning Africa from the magical heart of Africa, Uganda’s Rwenzori Mountains http://hubs.ly/H05wvw50
Retweets
11 like
Follow
Little Elephant Camp @littleelliecampWatching lions with the famed Mountains of the Moon, the Rwenzori Mountains as a backdrop #qenp #queenelizabethnp#uganda #ug #safari
11 Retweet
22 likes
Follow
`Jeroen van Loon @jeroenvloon
On assignment for @IRCWASH in Uganda with the beautiful Rwenzori mountains in the backgrou… https://www.instagram.com/p/BQyD8-FAUgD/
11 Retweet
55 likes
Follow
UGANDA TOURISM HUB @UGtourismhub
#2017 possible #TravelResolutions; #Hike to the #peak of #RwenzoriMountains – http://www.ugandatourismhub.com/ugandatourismhub/ContentPage.aspx?Page=241&Name=Mountain%20Rwenzori …
11 Retweet
11 like
Follow
Adventure ConsultsUg @AdventureBrianM
#RwenzoriMountains, #Uganda – 5,109 Meter,ASL.The most recent successful hike on record is by @EUAmbSchmidt. Congratulations Sir! #Africa.
Retweets
likes
