The Ruwenzori Mountains In Uganda

The Ruwenzori Mountains which is also known as the Mountains of the Moon is located on the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo

. Its Africa tallest mountain range with a length of 120km, 48km width and an area of 998 square kilometers. The Ruwenzori Mountains were formed as a result of an uplifted block of crystalline rocks with great force from deep within the earth crust millions of years ago. Mountains of the Moon contain has six peaks namely Mount Stanley (5,109m), Mount Speke (4,890m), Mount Baker (4,843m), Mount Emin (4,798m), Mount Gessi (4,715m) and Mount Luigi di Savoia (4,627m).

Ruwenzori Mountains is the highest mountain in Uganda and Margherita peak (5,109) is the third largest peak in Africa after MT. Kenya and MT. Kilimanjaro. The melting water from the glaciers and snow from the Mountains of the Moon is the main source of the great river Nile. Sir Henry Morton Stanley was the first explorer to visit the Ruwenzori Mountains in 1889 while the Italian Duke of Abruzzi together with his friends completed climbing all the major peaks between June and July in 1906. This mountain is the most challenging to climb due to the tough combination of weather, altitude and terrain.

The Ruwenzori Mountains is a World Heritage Site of outstanding natural beauty ranging from glacier and snow which is found at the top of the peaks which are right at the center of the range. This is followed by rainforest which start at 3000 meters and include various tall plant and tree species. The Ruwenzori National Park was closed in July 1997 and re-opened in 2001. It's now Uganda's most attractive site for mountain climbing and trekking which offers spectacular views and scenery. the Ruwenzori Mountains receives rain throughout the year making the path muddy and difficult for trekkers and also porters. Due to this situation, trekkers and climbers are forced to use crampons, ropes and ice axes to support them from falling.

The lower slopes of the Mountains of the Moon is the home of various large wild animals such as elephant, leopard, chimpanzee, bush back, buffalo, giant forest hog, black/white colobus and the monkey. this national park is also a home to about 241 bird species. The vegetation is characterized by rise in altitude as you ascend the mountains. This starts with montane forest followed by bamboo, giant tree- heathers, giant lobelia and and groundsels plants thickets of Helichrysum flowers.

The Ruwenzori Mountains In Uganda

By: Jackline Mwathe

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