Mount Speke – Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Mount Speke is found in the Rwenzori Mountains National Park and is the second highest in the Rwenzori ranges.Jointly together with Mount Baker and Mount Stanley, forms a triangle encircling the upper Bujuku Valley. The nearby peak is Mount Stanley, 3.55 kilometers (2.21 mi) to the south-southwest side. These mountains are positioned in an area range popularly known as The Mountains of the Moon.
Multiple jagged peaks are characteristics of all mountains in this range. The summits of Mount Speke are Vittorio Emanuele 4,890 metres (16,040 feet), Ensonga 4,865 metres (15,961 feet), Johnston 4,834 metres (15,860 feet) and Trident 4,572 metres (15,000 feet), above sea level. The names were derived from an Italian royal family, even though; they had to be accepted by the government of the British Protectorate of Uganda which governed the region in those days.
First explorers from Europe visited the region looking for the source of the mighty River Nile and its then that this mountain was named after John Speke. Whereas he never hiked this peak, Speke sketched in 1862 the source of White Nile . All mountains in this area are baptized after related explorers that came to Africa in the early years of colonialism. As a result of high rainfall that Mount Speke obtains, it is intersected by several water streams and rivers and its vegetation looks pretty dense.
RESUMPTION OF HIKING TO MARGHERITA PEAK IN RWENZORI MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) is pleased to announce the resumption of hiking activities to Margherita Peak in Rwenzori Mountains National Park. Following a temporary suspension due to safety concerns, UWA has successfully implemented safety enhancements to ensure the well-being of all hikers.
Key among these improvements is the construction of a bridge across the crevasse in the Margherita glacier. This bridge, along with additional climbing ropes installed in collaboration with our partners in the park, will enable safe passage through the challenging sections of the trail. With these safety measures now in place, hiking to Margherita Peak can safely resume. We are confident that these enhancements will provide a safer and more enjoyable experience for all visitors seeking to summit one of Africa’s most iconic peaks.
We continue to encourage visitors to explore not only Margherita Peak but also the other stunning peaks within Rwenzori Mountains National Park, including Mount Speke, Mount Baker, and Cheptegei Peak on the Stanley Range. Each of the routes to these peaks offers a unique adventure, showcasing the breathtaking beauty and diversity of the Rwenzori Mountains.
UWA will maintain close monitoring of the hiking routes to ensure ongoing safety and will provide updates as needed.
We look forward to welcoming adventurers back to the heights of Rwenzori Mountains National Park.
