Rwenzori Mountains Vegetation Zones

The Rwenzori Mountains Vegetation Zones are diverse and include the Montane forest, Bamboo Zone, Heather zone, Alpine zone plus the Rock and glacier zone.

Rwenzori mountains National Park  has 6 different types of vegetation zones, along side beautiful plant species, which provide spectacular and breathtaking scenery. The vegetation zones in Rwenzori are formed by the different climate conditions in the Rwenzori Mountains . Considering the altitude you are at, as well as the route you are hiking, you might  be surrounded by dense rainforest or ice. Kilembe  Route, for example, is considered a bit more challenging, but the most scenic and varied route is the central circuit.

The inhabited or Savanna grassland Zone (680m-1800m)

This comprises of various plant species including grass, shrubs herbs and trees. The dominant grass species include cympopon Ibrism, penissetum & imberata species, while for the trees & shrubs include Acacica, Combretum, spp among others.

Afro-montane Forest Zone(1800m-2600m)

The Afro-montane forest zone, comprises of  prunes Africana & podocarpus spp are among the common species. Also within this vegegtation zone, several natural gaps covered with ferns and grasses are generally viewed.

The Bamboo Forest Zone(2600m-2900m)

At an immediate increase of 50m in Elevation, the bamboo zone begins to appear, forming a bamboo mixed forest complex occuring from 2600-2900m. Several afro-montane forest include herbsn shrubs, sedges, grasses, while climbers are viewed in a few ares within this belt.

Extensive patches of pure bamboo stands are however seen observed  within a 100m altitudnal range upto above 2900m in some areas like in Nyabitaba & Guyeoman in the park

Afro-Alpine moorland Zones(4000-4500m)

A slight change of about 100m in altitude (in the  upper bigo bog and a long river bujuku), the density of the Erica species reduces the abundance of the afro-alpine trees such as the (lobelia and dendrosenecio spp), shrubs (likealchemila spp, Helicrysum spp) and grass tussocks (e.g curex runssoroensis) increase. This is pure afro alpine region and the plant communities observed are really fascinating.

The five most conspicious plant species plant communities found in the Afro-alpine zone includes: Dendrosenecio Woodland, Helichrysum shrub, Alchemila shrub,Tussock of grassland & Curex bog

Rocky/glacier Zones(4500-5109m)

Both open and covered mosses & lichens at the very highest points