Rwenzori Mountains Ramsar Site

Rwenzori
Bog Towards John Matte
Giant Lobelia
Irene Lakes at 4900m
Lake Bujuku River at 3500m
Lobelia
Margherita Peak
Mountain Stream
Margherita Peak (5109m)
Vegetation
Speke Glacier
Terrible Trail
Valley near Guy Yeoman
Rwenzori

Rwenzori Mountains Ramsar Site

  • Country: 
    Uganda
  • Site number: 
    1861
  • Area: 
    99,500 ha
  • Designation date: 
    23-01-2008
  • Coordinates: 
    00°25'N 30°00'E
Materials presented on this website, particularly maps and territorial information, are as-is and as-available based on available data and do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

Overview

Rwenzori Mountains Ramsar Site. 13/05/09; Kasese, Kabarole, Bundibugyo; 99,500 ha; 00°25'N 030°00'E. Within National Park, World Heritage Site, Important Bird Area. Noted by Ptolemy in AD 300 as the Lunis Montae ("Mountains of the Moon"), this site has continued to fascinate. The entire Afro-alpine ecosystem (between 1,600 and 5,100 meters asl.) is unique; with the contribution of high rainfall and the melting of snow from the peaks, various wetland types are present such as peatlands, freshwater lakes, and tundra, amongst others. The mountains are known to support 21 species of small mammals, including the endemic and vulnerable Ruwenzori Shrew. Other species of global conservation concern include L'Hoest's monkey, Horseshoe bat, and Rockefeller's Sunbird. With the distribution of fish varying with altitude, several indigenous fish species are found within the site, with the most common Cyprinid species including Varicorhinus rwenzorii. The Rwenzori Mountains continue to face challenges from increasing population pressure resulting in increased demand for agricultural land, growing tourism, and climate change, despite the stringent protection measures in place within the Park. Through its designation as a state-owned National Park, it is covered by a management plan that allows activities such as tourism, firewood collection, research, etc., to be carried out in zoned areas only. The National Park is contiguous with the Parc national des Virunga Ramsar site in DR Congo to the

Administrative region: 
Kasese, Kabarole and Bundibugyo

  • Global international designation: 
    • World Heritage site
  • National legal designation: 
    • Mountains National Park - Rwenzori Mountains National Park
  • Last publication date: 
    23-01-2008

Downloads

Ramsar Information Sheet (RIS)

Site map

Additional reports and documents