Vegetation Zones at Rwenzori Mountains National Park

About Wildlife and Vegetation

The vegetation here varies with the changes in the altitude and the national park has got 5 distinctive Vegetation zones. It’s also known to have very imposing exotic plants and trees that might want to take some time to explore. Wildlife in Ruwenzori’s also vary with the difference in altitude. This national park has got a record of over 70 mammals. More so some of the animals which can be seen here also include; chimpanzees, hyrax, elephants, black and colobus , L’’Hoest’s monkeys, the Rwenzori Turaco as well as the duiker.

Vegetation Zones of Rwenzori Mountains

The vegetation zones of Rwenzori Mountains National Park includes distinct zones which are classified according to the altitude as you move from the base to the snow-capped peaks. These zones change as you ascend to the highest point at Magherita Peak.

Main vegetation zones

Savanna / Grassland zone (1000–2000 m)

Found at the lower slopes. It is dominanted by grasses, shrubs and scattered trees. It is in the region between lowlands and mountain forest.

2. Montane (Afro-montane) forest (1800–2600 m)

Montane (Afro-montane) forest includes dense tropical rainforest with tall trees with common plants i.e podocarpus, ferns, wild bananas. It inhabits wildlife species like monkeys and birds.

3. Bamboo zone (2500–3000 m)

Bamboo vegetation zone includes shrubs and herbs. The fast-growing bamboo dominates this belt.

4. Heather (Ericaceous) zone (3000–4000 m)

Heather zone includes giant heather trees, mosses and lichens. It is usually swampy with bogs in valleys.

5. Afro-alpine (moorland) zone (4000–4500 m)

Afro alpine moorland zone includes Unique high-altitude vegetation featuring giant lobelias and groundsels that have adapted to cold, wet conditions.

6. Nival / Rocky & glacier zone (above 4500 m)

The nival rocky glacier zone includes less vegetation i.e bare rock, ice, mosses and lichens near the peaks

Bird Species to see

Some of the bird species that are found in Rwenzori Mountain National Park also include. Lanner Falcon, Olive pigeon, African Lammergeyer, Johnston’s Ruwenzori Turaco, Alpine swift, Verreaux’s eagle, Ruwenzori Nightjar, Dusky Flycatcher.

Mountain Buzzard, Mountain Illadopis, Toro Olive Greenbul, Ruwenzori handsome francolin, Mountain Yellow flycatcher, Black-billed TuracoOlive woodpecker, Abyssinian Ground Thrush, Ruwenzori Puffback Flycatcher.

Red-throated Alethe, White-tailed Crested Flycatcher, Mountain Chat, Ruwenzori Olive Thrush, Rufous sparrow hawk, Olive-breasted Mountain Greenbul.

Bamboo warbler, Cinammon Scrub Warbler, Collared Apalis, East African Grey Cuckoo Shrike, Archer’s Robin ChatRuwenzori, Ruwenzori Hill Babbler, Western lemon dove, Red-faced woodland warbler, Black rough-wing swallow, White-starred Bush Robin, Lagden’s Bush Shrike.

White Necked Raven, Slender-billed Chestnut-winged Starling, Ruwenzori Double-collared Sun bird, Shelley’s Crimson Wing, Regal Sun bird, Ruwenzori streaky Seed-eater.

Mountain Sooty Boubou, Green White-eye, Strange Weaver, Scarlet-tufted Malachite (Dartmouth) Sun bird, Rwenzori brown woodland and many more.

With the fantastic trekking and hiking chances, the nature walks, cultural encounters with the Bakonzo people, the primates like chimpanzees, variety of butterfly species, the exotic plants and the trees as well as the birding opportunities and therefore the Rwenzori mountains should be on your birding safari destination with in Uganda.

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.