Kwafrika Travel brings you through a 9 Days Congo’s Rwenzori Mountain Hiking. In this Congo‘s Rwenzori Mountain hiking, trekkers reach the Africa’s third highest peak, the Margherita Peak.
Margherita Peak is located at 5109 m of altitude, the conditions at that altitude are mostly chilly, with the peaks covered in glaciers on some occasions. As you trek up the mountains, the flora is diverse with trees and valleys of ferns. The trees are alive with many species of birds and animals (Rwenzori Turaco, Guerrezzas monkey, Cercopithecus (Red tailed monkeyguenon) and primates) in the forest. As you walk up the trail you will see chimp nests high up in the tall trees, if you are lucky you may catch a glimpse of the resident chimpanzee as they scamper away.
The adventure will bring you to the highest mountain range in Africa, with its loftiest peaks, Margherita (5,109m) and Alexandra (5083m) on Mount Stanley, both of them are exceeded in altitude elsewhere in Africa only by Kilimanjaro and Mt. Kenya. You will climb through narrow ridges. The climb will be a steep one on land of ice.
We provide some equipment necessary for the climb like crampons, ropes, harnesses, carabinas, you need to bring good hiking boots, warm clothing warm sleeping bag, and rain gear. We do hire sleeping bags for those who need.
HIGHLIGHTS
Flexibility to customize your itinerary to your own preferences
Excellent value for money
Close encounter with wildlife
Small group ensures personal service
All entrance fees included
All-inclusive tour
Note:
Climbing to Margherita peak is now technical and knowledge of ropes and use of crampons, ascenders and knowledge of how to use an ice axe is advisable with ice sections of 60% steepness and changing rapidly due to climate change and melting of the glacier. All our guides are trained in ice climbing and rescue and can guide you up with little experience however you must be prepared to learn on the way up and to be able to fit your own crampons and at least tie basic knots and use of ascenders.
An insider guide to hiking Congo’s Rwenzori Mountains
From Uganda The mountains can be accessed by air transport where you can book a chartered flight from Entebbe airport to Kasese Airfield and later connect by road to Kasindi Customs. The mountains can also be accessed by the road where you use public means or a private vehicle from Kampala via Fort Portal to the park or from Kampala via Mbarara and Queen Elizabeth National Park then go down to Kasindi Customs. From Kasindi Border Customs, a guide from Kwafrika Travel, a Congolese trusted tour operator and member of ATOAV-RDC will pick you up from there to whisk you away to Mutsora Station. Mutsora Station is located at the foothills of Congo's Rwenzoris Mountains. It takes half an hour to reach the station from the Kasindi Border Customs. From Eastern Congo If you are already visiting eastern Congo, you may decide to go for the Congo’s Rwenzori Mountains, if in Kinshasa you will have to take a flight to Goma city then another one from Goma to Mavivi Airport. From Mavivi, a Kwafrika Travel representative will pick you up and bring you to Mutsora Station. You will be escorted with armed rangers and it will take you an hour to reach the station.
- Equatorial Snow Peak: Congo’s Rwenzori Mountains comprises of snow fields and a couple of glaciers including Mt Stanley, Mt Gessi, Mt Baker, etc. - Fauna: Congo's Rwenzori mountains harbours 70 mammal species and, 217 bird species. As you climb up the mountains, you will spot Rwenzori Turaco, Guerrezzas monkey, Cercopithecus (Red tailed monkeyguenon), sunlight birds, Chimpanzee,… Wildlife are however difficult to spot due to the dense forests. 19 birds species are endemic to the Congo’s Rwenzori Mountain. They Include : Handsome francolin, Cinnamon chested bee-eater, Rwenroris Batis, Barred long tailed cuckoo, Golden winged sunbird, Slender billed starling, blue headed sunbirds among others. - Flora: Congo’s Rwenzori Mountains are occupied with beautiful water falls, unique plat life, mountainous vegetation, snow fields, the vegetation is pervasively covered with beautiful tropical rain forest, Bamboo, Afro-Alpine, Montane Forest, forest heather, podocarp forest and plant species like groundsel, lobelia among others.
Mountain Climbing: Congo's Rwenzori Mountains is one of the popular destinations for mountain climbing where visitors hike to the snow-capped mountain peaks. Mountain climbing is an adventurous activity in Virunga National Park which requires hikers to be physically fit. Bird Watching: Congo's Rwenzori Mountains harbors 217 bird species with 19 species endemic to only Rwenzori Mountains hence making it a birding area for birders. Birding in Rwenzori majority starts monring at Ruboni to the Montane forest where birders will be able to view differt unique species such as Blue headed sunbird, Long eared Owl, Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori Batis, Barred long tailed cuckoo, Crimson wings, Montane sooty bou bou, Purple breasted sunbird, stripe breast tit, western green tinker bird, Golden winged sunbird, Handsome francolin, Cinnamon chested bee-eater, Stranger weaver, Black and swift eagles among others. Cultural encounters: You will have the opportunity to interact with the local communities around the park in Mutwanga village and its surroundings, Mutwanga is home to the Nande who live in the foothills of the mountain where you will learn about their daily activities like farming, animal rearing, taste their traditional dishes, visit traditional healers, craft shops and engage in entertainment such as traditional dances, music, dramas which make your visit rewarding.
Centre d’Accueil Touristique Mutsora: The best option during your Congo’s Rwenzori Mountains hike is a guest house erected just at the foothills of the mountains. It is a good option since it is a Park Station guarded 24h/7 by park rangers. The tented camps are equipped with all the basic amenities including hot water. As you sleep, you will have the impression that it is raining since you could hear the sound of water from a neighboring river, having its water hitting the ground and giving the impression that it is raining. Guest House hosted by nuns: It is the sole accommodation built of durable materials. It is hosted by nuns who use the proceeds of what you will pay to support their orphanage located just contingent to the guest house. It lacks some amenities like hot water compared to Centre d’Accueil Touristique Mutsora.
Congo's Rwenzori mountains is an adventurous hiking destination in Congo where great hikers can climb for 7-8 days to reach the top of the mountain which offers great views of the peaks, vegetation, some animals and birds among others hence gaining lifetime experiences on your safari in DR Congo.
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