Itinerary
Community Visit in Rwenzori mountains
Get an opportunity to meet beautiful and hospitable people around the foothills of Rwenzori mountains national park. The national park is a home to Rwenzori mountains, the highest snowcapped mountains in Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo and the third highest on the African continent after Kilimanjaro of Tanzania and Mount Kenya. Visitors to the UNESCO destination – Rwenzori mountains national park have a lot to discover apart from the glaciated mountain peaks and unique vegetation. Among these include the local people - Bakonzo who live around the foothills of the mountain.
Bakonzo people
During the cultural encounters in Rwenzori mountains, the Bakonzo people can surely bring out the best experience to the visitors of the mountains. Also known as the keepers of the mountain, these locals live at the foothills of the mountains and during your visit to the mystical mountain, you will have a walk with them as they show you their daily activities which range from growing local crops and rearing traditional animals. The Bakonzo people live in the community known as Ruboni and a visit of place doesn’t require much time. During the movement through the community, you get a great opportunity to experience the rural life in Uganda as you visit different important cultural people like the blacksmith and traditional healer of the area as you also enjoy different performances from the locals like traditional songs, dances and drama. From the performances of the Bakonzo locals, you can opt for a walk to the different cultural sites of the Bakonzo. Among the cultural sites to visit include;
Bulemba – Ihandiro Cultural trail
Through the holy valley, Bulemba – Ihandiro Cultural trail is one of the important cultural trails of the Bakonzo tribe. The local guide will lead you through these 6 to 7 hour’s walks and a lot shall be discovered and seen. Among these include the traditional healer who will explain how the powers work and later move to the local blacksmith where you will see several traditional items like stools, and others. Later, the trail will lead you across the Kamusonge River whose waters are believed to be sweet and from here, you will have some break as you enjoy the beautiful views of the mountain. After the break, you will proceed with the walk to the museum which is well thatched in the traditional Bakonzo style.
While at the museum, you will see a number of equipment including those that were used during the Rwenzururu struggle and many others like traditional dresses and many other historical and cultural equipment.
Besides community visit, there are also other activities to do while at Rwenzori mountains national park and among these include; mountain hiking, nature walks, bird watching and many others.
