The Mount Rwenzori marathon in Uganda has been classified among the 30 world’s best half marathons on the globe.
According to US outdoors wire, the Mount Rwenzori marathon is the only one rated in East Africa region and the African continent.
Last year’s edition left a lasting impression on the Kasese community as it came with opportunities like employment and tourism that boosted the local economy, fulfilling the UBL virtue of transforming the lives of the people in the spaces they operate. In a nutshell, the marathon helps local businesses thrive. The event returns on August 24th 2024 with a star studded line up that will have Rob Walker a renown International Athletics Commentator and Holly Budge the first woman to skydive mount Everest. The Pairs presence and about 200 runners from Kenya and Burundi makes the run a star attraction giving it the clout it deserves on top of presenting a unique experience.
Athletes will test their limits, runners will immerse themselves in the breathtaking scenery, tourists will be captivated by the splendor of the region. Last years edition left a lasting impression on the Kasese community as it came with opportunities like employment and tourism that boosted the local economy. In a nutshell, the marathon helps the local economy thrive. The Marathon takes place in Kasese, home of Mountain Rwenzori which is one of Uganda’s most treasured tourism sites. Rwenzori Mountains. The park was gazetted in 1991 and was recognized as a World Heritage site in 1994 and a Ramsar site in 2008. Highest point: 5,109m above sea level on Mt Stanley's Margherita Peak. Rwenzori, commonly refered to as the ‘Mountains of the Moon’ Rwenzori is permanently snow-capped despite lying on the equator. It’s the highest Mountain in Uganda and third in Africa.
Besides, participating in the Rwenzori Tusker Lite Marathon, on your bucket list you can add Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park, Visiting the over 50 scattered beautiful crater lakes, Amabere Ga Nyinamwiru, multiple rivers flowing from Mountain Rwenzori e.g. River Mubuku, Nyamwamba, Nyamugasani etc, The Equator Crossing Monument, The Tree Climbing Lions of Ishasha, the beautiful & optical scenic Rwenzori tea estates, over 300 bird species, seeing the BIG 5 in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Cruising on a Fresh Water Kazinga Channel 32Km on the water to and from Lake Edward and George, viewing Bufallos, Antelopes, Elephants, Uganda Kob, Waterbucks, Warthog topi, quenching their thirsty and mud wallowing, while have a wildest chance to see crocodiles and hippos basking in the son (This can only be found in Uganda 3hrs cruising on water viewing wild animals). On the same trip, on the Uganda-DR Congo border in Bundigyo District, you will find Semuliki National Park, established in October 1993. It encompasses 219 km² of East Africa's only lowland tropical rainforest. The park has over 410 species of birds. About 67 percent of the species are forest birds like the Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher, Capuchin Babbler, , Dwarf Honey guide, Forest Ground Thrush, , orange weaver, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Sassi’s Olive Greenbul and White-tailed Hornbill. Because the forest joins with that from DR Congo, some species unique to central Africa like the Black-wattled Hornbill, Congo Serpent Eagle, Long-tailed Hawk, Lyre-tailed Honey guide and Nkulengu Rail can be found in the park.
There are 60 species of mammal in the park among which include the bay duiker, Beecroft’s Anomalure, flying squirrels, bush babies, bush pigs, civets, Dwarf Antelope, elephants, fruit bats, Fire-footed Rope squirrel, forest buffalos, pygmy hippos, leopards, Little collard fruit Bat, mona monkeys, pygmy flying squirrel, Red-legged Sun Squirrel, Sitatunga, target rats, water chevrotains, water bucks, warthogs, Uganda Kob, White-bellied Duiker and the Zenker’s Flying Mouse. About 300 species of butterflies (like the charaxes and forest swallowstails) and 8 of primates can be found in the park forests like blue monkeys, chimpanzees, De Brazza’s Monkeys, Guereza Colobus, vervet monkeys and olive baboons. There are also night primates like the pattos and galagos, and the Sempaya twin Hot Srings Male and Female as they are known. Above all, on your BUCKET LIST, you cannot afford to miss the highly prized Golden Jewelry of The Pearl of Africa, The Mountain Gorillas and the Golden Monkeys of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, The Bwindi National Park. For Mountaineers, you can Choose to scale Mountain Rwenzori to the Margherita Peak (5,119m), the highest point of the Rwenzori Mountain ranges, this usually takes 7 days. To get a quotation for Rwenzori Mountain 7 Days Itinerary and costs, kindly drop us an email at rwenzori@visiteuganda.com or whatsapp +256-755-200004.
