Climbing Mount Gessi in Uganda - Rwenzori Mountains

Climbing Mount Gessi takes hikers to the highest point in Uganda at Margherita Peak along Mountain Rwenzori. Climbing Mount Gessi offers you views of the green terrain, bird species as you get to the highest point at Margherita.

This peak is also named after Romulo Gessi (1831 to 1881) who was also an Italian explorer of the source of the Nile. In 1774, he made a go round of Lake Albert to the north of the Rwenzori but did not see the mountains. For the many years he was a governor of the Bhar- El- Ghazal province of the Egyptian Sudan, but after was recalled in 1881 by the Egyptian government. Many people in his party died en route to Egypt and he himself died shortly after his arrival to Egypt.

Mt Gessi is also located to the north of Bigo Hut and can also be reached by ascending the Muhusa valley. There are also two summits ie Lolanda at 4,715 m and Bottego at 4699m in the north.

The first hike to the peak was made by the Duke of Abruzzi J, Petgax, L. Petigax and C, Olilier on July 1906. The climb route that was used by the Duke has already melted out though and is now a series of horribly over grown steep slabs and is not so recommended.

The normal route is to climb up the Mugusu valley through the beautiful Groundsel forests to Roccati pass, where it is easy to turn south east and hike through the thick brush and steep slabs and finally reach the ridge between the two peaks. The glaciers have also melted from this once ice covered massif.

Attractions to See

Rwenzori Mountains National Park is exceptional to explore as you Climb the majestic Mountain Rwenzori in Uganda. The Attractions you see in the Park offer you amazing adventures and these include; Snow-capped Peaks Mount Stanley, Mount Speke, Mount Baker, Margherita Peak, savannah to afro-alpine moorland, giant heather, groundsel, lobelia, Glacier-fed Lakes & Rivers.