Ascending the Snow-Capped Mountains of the Moon

Located in Western Uganda, the Ruwenzori Mountains National Park boasts of towering peaks, glaciers, lakes, waterfalls and a rich diversity of flora and fauna. The name ‘Ruwenzori’ is derived from a local word ‘Rwenjura’, which loosely means ‘rainmaker’. Hiking up to the summit was quite a challenge as I encountered different vegetation zones with varying climatic conditions such as moorland, bamboo forests, and alpine zones. The sight of the snow-capped peaks, especially the highest peak Margherita (5,109m) was awe-inspiring. The experience of trekking through the dense vegetation while listening to birds and primates co-existing was a delight. Interestingly, the park has over 70 species of mammals with chimpanzees, elephants, and leopards being among the most popular attractions. I highly recommend a visit to this natural wonder.