In December 2020, a team of climbers embarked on an ascent of Margherita Peak, the highest point in the Rwenzori Mountains at 5,109 metres (16,762 ft).
Reaching the peak Margherita gives you a feel of being on top of the world, everything feels below you, it's euphoric. Lilly Ajarova, CEO of the Uganda Tourism Board
The group took a nine-day fact-finding hike to Margherita Peak with Rwenzori Trekking Services in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Uganda. You can read more about the Take on the Pearl domestic tourism campaign in Uganda in new drive to market Mt Rwenzori by Titus Kakembo. Oh how I wish I had been with them!
Let's not cage our wandering spirits but instead let's go out there and do things we thought we would never do. Lilly Ajarova
Below, Lilly shares her personal account of climbing the Rwenzoris.
When 2020 started, we all had plans, but then the unexpected happened and for most, those plans were no more.
But in all this I had one plan that I didn't give up on: I hoped and believed I would achieve it.
My plan was to hike Mount Rwenzori in 2020. It's not easy to explain why this was important for me but most importantly it was about pushing myself to the limits, challenging myself to do something that I would look back and say "this was worth it."
We kept planning for the hike and postponing it until we finally settled on a date. In December, I and a group of passionate hikers started the journey.
It wasn't easy but there was a determination by everyone that kept us going. Each time I looked at the faces of other hikers, beyond the sweat I could see a story, a story so personal that I believe each will tell theirs. We were all out there - each with a story on why they were doing this, but we all had one goal: to reach the highest peak of the Rwenzoris - Margherita!
I have challenged myself to many things over the years but this one meant a lot more. We were in the Rwenzori mountains at a time when the tourism industry has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. In a way we were doing this hike to bring back hope to the tourism sector, to inspire others to also take upon such challenges.
There is this unexplainable feeling you get when you reach the highest peak: it's a moment of triumph, just that this is a different kind of triumph.
You look back at the number of days it has taken you to get here, you remember the emotional and physical strain. You're tired but not tired. For a moment you stay silent and let it all sink in because you still can't believe that you managed to do this. Even with all the fatigue you still gather the strength to smile for a photo moment because some memories can't just be described by words. And then silently you just say "I did it, we did it."
I say "We did it" because no-one can claim this achievement alone; it's a team effort. A lot of people sacrificed and put their time in to make sure this was a success, and I am so grateful to all that made this possible.
As we come close to what has been a year full of challenges and uncertainties, my hope is that as long as we wake up each day - alive - let's challenge ourselves to do something great. It doesn't have to be hiking Rwenzori but let it be something that puts your spirit and determination to the test.
Let it be something that when you look back, the feeling is satisfying for you.
That's the experience hiking Rwenzori has given me. I now - more than ever - understand what one can achieve with courage and determination.
I wish that as we start 2021, we all have something we shall challenge ourselves to. I hope that we don't stop dreaming and having big goals. Let's not cage our wandering spirits but instead let's go out there and do things we thought we would never do.
The day I came back from the hike, one of my sons asked me "So, what next now that you have reached the highest peak of Rwenzori?"
I really didn't have an answer, but I believe that as long as we are still alive there are other highest peaks in life that we should always challenge ourselves to reach.
Wishing you all a Happy New Year and may 2021 be the year which you climb to as many highest peaks in life as possible.
About the Rwenzori Mountains
The 996 km 2 Rwenzori Mountains National Park is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site, a Ramsar site (for its "wetlands of international importance") and an Important Bird Area. And you haven't visited yet?
Uganda's RMNP is located in the 120km-long and 65km-wide Rwenzori mountain range that forms the border boundary of western Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is the highest mountain range in Africa. Margherita is the third highest peak in Africa, after the volcanic peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 m) and Mount Kenya (5,199 m).
More than 70 mammal and 217 bird species have been recorded in the Rwenzoris. The best place to see these is in the montane forests at lower altitudes. Famous stand-out species you might see are the vibrant Rwenzori Turaco and an assortment of colourful chameleons.
Rwenzori mammals include the eastern chimpanzee, l'Hoest's monkey, blue monkey, golden cat, African forest elephant, (the disturbingly loud nocturnal) southern tree hyrax, yellow-backed duiker and the endangered black-fronted duiker. Did you know that 19 of the Rwenzori's bird species are Albertine Rift endemics (meaning they are only found in this corner the world)?
Have you seen Africa's botanical big game?
Beyond the boggy moorlands, hikers cross valleys and waterfalls, rivers and lakes as they pass through evergreen forest, bamboo forest, colourful heather, and Afro-alpine zones. It is this unusual diversity of vegetation - much of it unique to the Rwenzoris - that makes the environment so memorable. The giant lobelia and groundsels at higher elevations have earned it the name "Africa's botanical big game." For most hikers, the fabulous scenery of the foothills is more than enough to stretch the limbs and inspire the soul. Hiking to one of the peaks is only for the fit and the well-prepared but determination is rewarded with spectacular views from seasonally snow-capped peaks and glaciers.
Lilly adds "Mt. Rwenzori is the third highest mountain in Africa, it is a mountain like no other. It presents a combination of a stimulating terrain, the rarest of vegetations, sights and sounds of magnificent waterfalls and the bluest of lakes, all climaxing in breath-taking glaciers and snow-capped peaks. Rwenzori Mountains National Park presents tourists with a more fulfilling and yet, crowd-free hiking experience that you will not find on many mountains across the world."