Category: Places

About Mt. Rwenzori National Park

Rwenzori Mountains National Park is home to the legendary. Rwenzori Mountains –Uganda’s highest mountain and the only block mountain that is ice-capped. Mount Rwenzori is 5109m (Margherita peak) and is found on Mount Stanley. Other peaks exist on glaciated mountain ranges like Mt. Emin (4791m), Mt. Baker (4842m), Luigi da Savoia (4527m), Mt. Speke (4890m), and Mt. Gessi (4715m).

The Rwenzori Mountains National Park also provides refuge to over 70 mammal species and 217 bird species which include the Albertine Rift Valley endemic species of birds. Mt. Rwenzori National Park was gazetted in 1991 and officially, it was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park extends 996 sq. km and comprises lush vegetation, rocky outcrops, lakes, cliffs, and snow-capped peaks.

Different mammals to explore on a safari to the Rwenzori Mountains National Park. They include bushbucks, buffaloes, elephants, duikers, leopards, Rwenzori otters, bushbucks, and primates. The primates in the Rwenzori Mountains Park include chimpanzees, olive baboons, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and black and white colobus monkeys.

Birds –over 217 bird species that survive in the Rwenzori National Park include the Rwenzori nightjars, Rwenzori double-collared sunbird, Rwenzori turacos, Archer’s robin-chat, lammergeyers, red-throated leather, and black eagles. In addition, there are 6 species of amphibians and reptiles including the 3 horned chameleon.

Vegetation zone variations include afro-montane at 1765m to 2600m, bamboo zone 2600 to 3000m, heather zone 3000 to 3800, moorland 3800 m to 4500 meters, and lastly, the rocky glacier at 4500 meters and above.

Things to do during the self-drive safari in the Rwenzori National Park

Rwenzori Mountain climbing

Mountaineering is the leading adventure any enthusiastic climber/hiker shouldn’t miss to enjoy on a Uganda road trip in the Rwenzori Mountains National Park. The available hiking or trekking routes to the summits of the legendary Rwenzori Mountains include the Central Circuit and Kilembe trail.

En route to the Margherita peak, there are several camps to consider for overnight stay including Mutinda camp (3588m), Samiliara camp (3170m), Kalalama camp (3134m), Butawu camp and Hunwick’s camp (3974m), Sine hut (2596m), and Kiharo camp (3460m).

Birding

Over 217 bird species are distributed in the various habitats of Rwenzori Mountains National Park and include many Albertine rift endemic species. The birds to expect to search during the birding excursion in the Rwenzori Mountains include Lagden’s bush-shrike, slender-billed starling, Rwenzori turacos, Archer’s robin chat, ross’s turacos, laughing dove, white-napped pigeon, dimeric cuckoos, white-rumped swift, and levaillant’s cuckoos. Additional birds to sight include strange weavers, cinnamon-chested bee-eaters, and barred long-tailed cuckoos, to mention but a few.

When to visit

The dry season is the best time of the year to explore the Rwenzori Mountain ranges. This is from the longest dry season from June to September and short dry months; December, January to February. What to pack for the Rwenzori Mountaineering adventure; sleeping bags, crampons, sunglasses, trekking pants, snacks, gloves, a poncho, a pair of socks, an insulated jacket, mountaineering boots, first aid kit, and poncho.

Like many North African cities, the Moroccan city of Marrakech is steeped in history, comprising as it is of an ancient fortified city and a modern adjacent city. This comfortable combination of ancient traditionalism and modern developments means that tourists will be in their element when seeking some of the city’s most sumptuous eye candy.

Here, I draw upon my own experience of holidays in Marrakech in this two part series dedicated to some of the most visually gorgeous Marrakech attractions to see during Marrakech holidays. In no particular order, here are ten Marrakech must-see’s.

1. El Bahia Palace

Apparently, the name of this palace, built between 1894 and 1900, translates to ‘palace of the beautiful’ – and it certainly lives up to its name. Sadly, you won’t find Monica Bellucci here, at one of the premier Marrakech landmarks, but you will see plenty of water features, stucco panels, tiled floors, smooth arches, an eight-hectare garden surrounding the palace, plus a lot more. Just be sure to employ a guide, so that you don’t get lost.

2. Ali ben Youssef Medersa and Mosque

As Marrakech historical sites go, the Medersa, a former Islamic college, really does offer one of the most amazing feasts for the eyes with its plentiful art and architecture. You will, for instance, see plenty of carved cedarwood and colourful zellij tiles in the courtyard, while the interior of the prayer hall is covered in pine cone and palm motifs.

The Mosque, another of the truly significant Marrakech heritage sites, is similarly worth a look, though it is only open to Muslims.

3. Majorelle Garden

You can expect a slightly higher entrance fee here than with many Marrakech attractions, but trust me – it’s worth it! The sheer variety of plants on display, many of which you probably never would have seen before, is truly awe-inspiring.

You will probably never see so many different types of cactus plants in the same place ever again in your entire life. You should definitely arrive early, however, as the crowds appearing later can be annoying during any Marrakech holidays.

4. Museum of Islamic Art

You will see a lot to marvel here even before you get inside the thing. Not only is it based in the lovely Majorelle Garden (see above), it is based in a house quite unlike any in the city, boasting as it does a blue and yellow colour scheme and ornate windows. The exhibits themselves, many dating back hundreds of years, include carpets, jewellery, paintings and pottery, making the Museum of Islamic Art one of the most intriguing Marrakech heritage sites to visit during Marrakech tours.

5. Atlas Mountains

Though you will need to embark on an hour’s drive to see these up close, they can nonetheless be seen from several places in Marrakech, since they hover in the sky above the city’s pink defensive walls. The entire mountain range spans about 1,500 miles through Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, but only the High Atlas subrange, often coated in snow during the winter months, is visible from Marrakech.

6. Djemma el Fna (Jemaa el Fna)

A place of both beautiful sights and sounds, any respectable Marrakech tours have to include a stop here. At night, it is populated by musicians, dancers and story tellers; by day, you can expect to see snake charmers and people with monkeys.

You should also find stalls there at any time of the day, selling all kinds of stuff – so you can get a bite to eat while you are watching any of the shows, among the most exciting things to do when on holiday in Marrakech. Just remember to pay to watch them.

7. Marrakech Souks

This is a very colourful place – literally, as well as metaphorically. It is basically the main market place of Marrakech, where you can purchase almost anything – food, clothes, cutlery… you get the gist. Try your best to haggle for good prices – though, in my experience, you will probably still end up paying more for goods here than a native would. Those seeking mainly shopping-oriented Marrakech holidays should make this place their first port of call.

8. Saadian Tombs

These date from the time of sultan Ahmad al-Mansur (reigned 1578-1603), but were only discovered in 1917 after being left untouched for centuries. Befitting the name, you can find the graves of about sixty members of the Saadi royal dynasty that ruled Morocco in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. The real visual delights here are in the Italian Carrara marble monuments and the gorgeous decoration of the tombs.

9. El Badi Palace

This building, originally constructed in 1578, these days lies in ruins, and is clearly more accustomed to housing stray cats than Moroccan royalty. However, it isn’t difficult to imagine how truly majestic it must have looked prior to being torn apart by Alaouite sultan Moulay Ismail. It remains one of the most fascinating Marrakech historical sites, and exploring it remains one of the most riveting things to do in Marrakech.

10. Koutoubia Mosque

Though named after the booksellers market previously located here, it is fair to say that this, one of the most imposing Marrakech landmarks, is much more aesthetically pleasing than any pile of books. In fact, the minaret of the mosque has often been likened to the Eiffel Tower in Paris – and, like that monument, it looks even more beautiful when lit at night. Getting a photo of yourself and your fellow travellers in front of this is one of the truly essential things to do in Marrakech.