Rough. Beautiful. Inaccessible. The Rwenzori Mountains are the forgotten wilderness of Africa. Shrouded in constant cloud, these snow covered peaks are the highest source of the Nile and Ptolemy's mythical montes lunae (Mountains of the Moon).
On steep mountainside and in swampy valleys lives a unique equatorial ecosystem of primeval rain forests, impenetrable bogs and startling gigantic flora. It is little wonder that the Rwenzori Mountains are National Parks in both Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo and are declared as UNESCO World Heritage and RAMSAR sites.
The combination of harsh climate and its position at the border between Uganda and DR Congo has ensured that this area remains largely unexplored. Access to Rwenzori is gained through a difficult three day walk, staying in basic huts, and being led by experienced local guides who know the hidden paths through the bogs and forests into Africa's Mountain Wilderness.
Martin Zwick, award winning nature and wildlife photographer, brings the bizarre splendour of this mountain landscape and its great African ecosystem to life. Join him as he explores the mountains, valleys, lakes, rivers, and extreme vegetation of the Rwenzori Mountains. Find yourself in the middle of this forgotten mountain wilderness in equatorial Africa and discover the power, magic, and poetry that makes the Rwenzori Mountains a unique place on Earth.
|
 |
Endless skies. Billowing Clouds. Fog and ice covered peaks under the hot equatorial sun. These are the main ingredients of the notorious Rwenzori weather.
Matching the rugged mountain scenery, the powerful forces of the Rwenzori weather are ever-changing, moving from blistering sun to heavy rain within minutes.
|
 |
It may be equatorial Africa, but temperatures fall below freezing easily, supplying the glaciers with much needed snow and ice.
Rwenzori: four seasons in one day.
|
 |
The perception of visitors to Rwenzori is shaped by water in all its manifestations.
Water is everywhere in the form of ice & snow, rain & fog, engorged rivers & peaceful bogs. While the water supply peaks in the two rainy seasons, you will still see rain each and every day.
|
 |
Rwenzori means Rain Maker in one of the local dialects. The first European explorers in the Congo and Uganda missed the mountain range completely as it was always hidden by the ever-present clouds.
All the water from Rwenzori flows to the Nile, making these mountains the highest source for this famous river.
|
 |
Taken directly from a children's fairy tale, the forests of Rwenzori are filled with saturated bogs and immense flowering plants, creating a wonderland for naturalists.
|
 |
Dense rainforests grow in the lower areas, giving way to the darkness of the bamboo belts. Climbing higher and higher, we pass the magical tree heather forests where trunks and branches are enveloped in multi-coloured moss and lichen.
|
 |
The boggy valleys harbour gigantic lobelias, bringing a splash of colour to the open spaces.
From there, the realm of giant groundsel begins with rocks and walls, both flat and vertical, camouflaged by yellow, red, and orange moss.
|
 |
Only the very highest peaks and icy glaciers escape the vegetation and remain barren.
|
 |
Pictures and text are samples taken from the book
Hardcover 33x28 cm large format, app. 80 pages and app. 80 pictures, printed on heavy paper and using the Professional Service of Blurb
Pictures and text: Martin Zwick
Correction of the english text: Mark Baker
order information
the picture book about the Rwenzori is available through www.blurb.com. Blurb ships to most countries in the world. If your country is not available, tell me (please use the Kontaktformular)and I will ship it out to you. Following link connects you the the blurb.com bookshop!
If you want to have a look on the whole book or if somebody just wants to flip through the book online - no problem and even completely free of charge. You can download the Rwenzori book for free as a watermarked pdf
|
Download a pdf of Rwenzori-Africa's Mountain Wilderness |
9.1 M |
If you like what you see, please comment on the blurb page of the Rwenzori book, just follow the blurb badge
About the costs: I sell nearly at the original blurb prices (if you doubt, check out the original blurb price list...)
I have written some Field Reports for all these people who are interested in the Rwenzori and might go trekking there. It is the personal experience I gathered during two expeditions to the Rwenzoris. Of course with many pictures...
Information for Hikers and Climbers heading for the Rwenzoris
Field Report Ruwenzori:
Trekking Equipment - my personal tipps for the Rwenzoris I
Field Report Ruwenzori:
Trekking Equipment - my personal tipps for the Rwenzoris II