Animals in Rwenzori Mountains National Park

Animals in Rwenzori Mountains National Park: Rwenzori Mountains National Park is a 998 sq. km piece of land in western Uganda. The national park is located in Kasese, Kabarole, and Bundibugyo districts where it extends to the borders of Uganda with DR Congo. Rwenzori Mountains National Park was gazetted in 1991 as a national park to protect the different attractions that were in the park at the time.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park is home to different attractions among which include animals, birds, vegetation, mountains, rivers, and lakes. Uganda Wildlife Authority has played a very important role in protecting different attractions that are in the park. Among the attractions include the animals which are over 70 mammals and 5 primates.

Which animals are found in Rwenzori Mountains National Park?

Over 70 mammals and 5 primates have been so far recorded in Rwenzori Mountains National Park. The animals live in different park areas in different vegetation zones. Tourists can see these animals if they participate in different activities organized in the park. Some of the activities include nature walks, hiking, and small game drives around the park.

Animals that tourists are likely to see in Rwenzori Mountains National Park include Elephant, leopard, bushbuck, giant forest hog, rocky hyrax, Rwenzori otter, black-fronted duiker, African civet, red duiker, chimpanzee, L’hoest’s monkey, Rwenzori climbing mouse, giant forest hog, Angola colobus monkey, black and white colobus monkey, blue monkey, olive baboon and red colobus to mention but a few among others.

What is the best way to see the animals of Rwenzori Mountains National Park?

There are different activities that are done in Rwenzori Mountains National Park to help tourists see different attractions found in the park. During those activities it’s when tourists can get a chance to see park animals and these activities include hiking, nature walks, and bird watching.

Nature walks would be the best way to see animals of Rwenzori Mountains National Park. Nature walks are guided by armed ranger guides who take you around the park using different trails and going through different vegetation to search for these animals. Nature walks last for 2 to 3 hours and by the time tourists are done with the activity they would have seen some of the animals recorded in the park.

For tourists to see the animals of Rwenzori Mountains National Park, they must first access the park. To enter Rwenzori Mountains National Park, there is a park entrance fee you are supposed to pay. Park entrance fees for Rwenzori Mountains National Park are $35 for foreign non-residents, $25 for foreign residents, and UGX15000 for citizens of East African member states.

Best time to visit Mountain Rwenzori National Park

Mountain Rwenzori National Park is open for all park activities all throughout the year. The year has got different seasons and tourists should know that in Uganda the best time to visit the Rwenzori park is the dry season which happens from June to September and December to February. During this time there is plenty of sunshine received in the park that makes the trails passable and the vegetation is short with good views of wildlife.

Tourists can still take a visit to Mountain Rwenzori National Park in the rainy season of March to May and October to November. This period favors budget travelers because they get discounted accommodation and tour packages and it also favors birders because that is the best period for bird watching. Tourists should however know that there is a lot of rainfall within the park that makes trails muddy and slippery and the vegetation is tall with unclear views of park attractions.