A total of 2854 mountains have been identified in Uganda. These include Mount Rwenzori in the west, Mount Elgon in the east, and Margarita, the highest peak of Mount Ruwenzori.
There are 2854 mountains in Uganda. Some of them include Mount Rwenzori in the west, Mount Elgon in the east, and Margarita, which is Mount Ruwenzori’s highest peak.
As we proceed, we’ll share all the little details about each of the mountains for a better understanding.
In case you plan on touring Uganda’s mountains, you must look forward to having some of the most breathtaking views of areas such as vegetation, lakes, woodlands, and other natural features.
There are many mountains in Uganda, but here is a list of some of the most popular.
Mount Rwenzori
Mount Rwenzori is among the most visited mountains in Uganda. There is a group of mountains in eastern equatorial Africa known as the Ruwenzori mountains. It is also spelt Rwenzori and Rwenjura.
They are situated on the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Ruwenzori mountain range’s highest point rises to a height of 5,109 meters (16,762 feet), and its upper levels are glaciated and continuously covered with snow.
One of the sources of the Nile is rivers that are nourished by mountain streams. Due to this, the Ruwenzori was associated by European explorers with the fabled Mountains of the Moon, which the Greek scholar Ptolemy said were the source of the Nile.
The range includes the Virunga National Park in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Rwenzori Mountains National Park in southwest Uganda.
Mount Elgon
Among the mountains in Uganda is Mount Elgon. On the border between Kenya and Uganda is where it lies. It’s well known for having an extinct volcano. The highest peak on Mount Elgon is Wagagai, which is 4321 meters high. Its size allows tourists to hike when they visit the area.
Hiking around Mountain Elgon is quite simple because not so much is required. You don’t even have to carry “hiking equipment “ or have some sort of experience.
All you need is the will to make it to the top and you’re good to go. Because of this, Mountain Elgon attracts many tourists who come solely for hiking purposes.
But climbing is just one of the many things to do on Mount Elgon. On the slopes of the mountain are over two tribes. That is, the Sabiny and the Bagisu. The Bagisu tribe highly values Mount Elgon as the material embodiment of their founding father, Masaba.
More to expect on this mountain includes observing a unique species of bird for bird enthusiasts. The mountains are home to over 300 different bird species, including the blue flycatcher and African Goshawk.
It’s one of the other tourist activities that has made the area popular. There are also animals such as buffalo and elephants plus the amazing vegetation in the area.
Mount Baker
The sixth-highest peak in Africa is this lone stratovolcano. The summits of Mount Baker are largely covered by glaciers. First to ascend these summits was Prince Luigi Amedeo, Duke of the Abruzzi.
White Steep Mountain is another catchphrase for Mount Baker that the white people gave it. Edward’s peak rises to a height of 4,844 meters.
A triangle made up of all of these mountains, including Mount Baker, Mount Stanley, and Mount Speke, encloses the upper Bujuku Valley. Klaus Thymann’s in 2020 confirmed that Mount Baker, along with Mount Speke had both lost their glaciers.
Mount Sabyinyo
Mount Sabyinyo, also spelt Sabyinio, is an extinct volcano in eastern Africa’s Virunga Mountains. The name Mount Sabyinyo is derived from the Kinyarwanda word “Iryinyo,” which means “tooth.”
The range’s oldest volcano is Mount Sabyinyo. It is located west of Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda and northeast of Lake Kivu, one of the Great Lakes of Africa.
Also important is the crossing of the boundaries between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Rwanda, and Uganda. The mountain’s top stands at 3,669 meters (12,037 feet) and has sacred significance to the surrounding tribes.
Additionally, Mount Sabyinyo is surrounded by neighbouring national parks: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Mount Muhabura
You can also call this mountain Mount Muhavura. It is an extinct volcano mountain with a height of 4127m and a clear view of lake Mutanda.
Mount Muhabura is another dormant volcano in the Virunga highlands that lies between the borders of Rwanda and Uganda. Among the eight major mountains, Mount Muhabura is the third highest in elevation thanks to its height.
Mount Muhabura translates to “the guide” in Kinyarwanda.
Mountain climbing or hiking is the main activity performed on Mount Muhabura among other activities like trekking and mountain climbing.
As an alternative, there are other mountains including Mount Stanley and Mount Baker. It takes one day to trek all of these mountains.
Mount Gahinga
On the boundary between Rwanda and Uganda, in the Virunga Mountains, is Mount Gahinga, a dormant/extinct volcano. Gahinga is the smallest of these three, yet it is situated between Muhabura and Sabyinyo.
The peak of Mount Gahinga often referred to as “a tiny pile of stones” in the local Kinyarwanda/Rufumbira dialect, is a swampy caldera. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park also takes its name from this volcano. The caldera is thought to be about 180 m (591 ft) wide.
The Mufumbiro ranges consist of eight volcanic mountains, the highest of which is Mount Gahinga, which rises to a height of 3,473 meters (11,394 feet). The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda are all included in the volcano chain.
Mount Moroto
Mount Moroto, also known as Moroto Mountain, is located in northeastern Uganda at a height of 3,083 meters (10,115 feet).
This mountain was known to the locals as “Moru To” (meaning “the western mountain” derived from the words “Moru” meaning mountain and “To” meaning west). Because it appeared west when the local tribes, who were from Ethiopia, were migrating, it was given that name.
Mount Morungole
In the northeast of Uganda, Africa’s Kidepo Valley National Park contains Mount Morungole. It is located in the arid, mountainous Karamoja province close to the Sudanese border. Mount Zulia and other nearby summits, as well as the Labor and Dodoth Hills, all exceed 2,000 meters in height.
Mount Kadam
At a height of roughly 3,063 meters, Mount Kadam is located close to the Karamoja border between Kenya and Uganda (10,049 ft). It lies in the North of Mount Elgon. They called it Debasien during colonial times.
Mount Napak
Napak stands at a height of 2 294 meters. It is the third-highest mountain in Karamoja. Mount Napak mountain is renowned for being the most difficult to climb due to its steep terrain and dense forest.
You’re up for stunning panoramic views of the Karamoja planes and distant mountain ranges due to its unique location within the Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve.
The mountain is difficult for humans to live on because of how steep it is. Consequently, the Karamojong and Iteso populations reside at the base of the mountain. They hunt for little wild animals in the mountains and cultivate their crops in the lush foothills to get their sustenance.
Conclusion
From this list of mountains, it’s safe to say that Uganda is home to the mountains. From its western border’s Rwenzoris and Virunga Mountains to its eastern flank’s Mount Elgon, Uganda’s peaks provide sweeping views of the savannahs, lakes, and forests of East and Central Africa.
If you’re wondering which mountains to visit in Uganda, it has to be the Rwenzoris. It is the most well-known and visited mountain range in Uganda. The Kilembe Trail (Southern Circuit) and the Central Circuit are the two trekking paths that go to the Rwenzori Mountains.
Other mountains in Uganda include Neringadoket-2 281m, Rom-2 388 m, Nyabubuya-5 155 m, and Mount Etonga-4 890 m among many others.
