Rwenzori National Park is in Western Uganda.
Rwenzori National Park is a mountain range in south-west Uganda bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is 120 km (75 mi) long and 48 km (30 mi) wide, covering almost 100 000 ha. The highest peak is Mt. Margherita (5109 m), though Mt. Speke (4980) is the more popular and less daunting climb. The region's glaciers, waterfalls and lakes make it one of Africa's most beautiful alpine areas, according to UNESCO . By the end of 2006, its ice cap has retreated from 6.4 km² (2.5 sq mi) a century ago, to less than a 1.28 km² (0.5 sq mi).
The area has for political reasons been off limits for long periods. The last couple of years it has been stable, and tourism is picking up, though 500 visitors a year at the great circuit is not exactly mass tourism.
The war in Lord's Resistance Army is of course a concern, but it is less than likely to run into the LRA in the alpine areas of Rwenzori, nor in the Ugandan hillsides in the east.
Up to 2100m is generally inhabited and cultivated, with mixed harvests as bananas, potatoes, yumyums and coffee. (The coffee-enthusiasts can find local coffee beans at the sunday/wednesday morning market in Kilembe.) 2100 - 3000m is forested with heavy underbush, trees rarely exceeding 30meters, and bamboo forests. You may meet monkeys and chimpanzees, elephants and big cats are very rare.
3000-3800m is still forested, but with increasingly distinguished flora, trees with hanging moss. Alpine zone starts from 3800m.
Rwenzoris are definitely alpine, however equatorial they may be, this is rough. Expect rain in all seasons, and avoid the rainy season (March-June, September-October). It is muddy, wet and windy, and weather changes in minutes.
Although the RMS (see #Fees and permits) rent equipment, this is not high quality stuff. Bring your own warm sleeping bag, mat, and waterproof, high quality mountaineering clothes. You will need it.
If you go for the less exhilerating community walks from Kilembe, some warm underwear, jacket, and ordinary shoes will do.
The park permit fee is USD30 per person per day. However you will need guide, guards, porters and cook. This comes at an additional USD100 per person per day. The 6 day circle tour is fixed at USD780 for foreigners, including equipment and other costs, you should calculate USD950. You may object to this being too much, though this doesn't matter, because the Rwenzori Mountaineering Services (RMS) have a monopoly on arranging travels in this area. There is talk of this changing, and it is possible that competing Rwenzori Community Walks will get permission within a few years. Check for updates at their website.
The less exhilarating and less expensive alternative, is to travel with Rwenzori Community Walks . They offer one and two day walks in the hills at USh 15,000 and USh 50,000 respectively. As you walk only at the borders of the park, there is no additional fee