Blogs from Rwenzori Mountains, Western Region, Uganda, Africa

Things are starting to get busier for your friendly neighbourhood, U of S student healthcare team! We spent the last week in Rugazi village with the U of S medical students (2), as well as a family physician from Ile-a-la-Crosse. We lived at and spent our mornings working in the level IV health center there (one step down from a hospital). We would either round on the inpatients on male/female medical, pediatric, and maternity wards, or spend the morning in an outpatient clinic (ART or general outpatient). I learned so much about malaria and sickle cell anemia, both of which are infinitely more common here than back in Canada. I also found it useful to spend time working on the maternity ward reviewing my obstetric knowledge. The women here are so stoic compared to North American ... read more

Hello Bloggers and Family, We are now in Rugazi, we arrived June 4th in the afternoon and have settled in as best we can. We are staying in a dorm style facility that is part of the Rugazi health centre. It is very basic accommodation but we have clean beds to sleep in and flushing toilets, so no complaints here. Two upper year Ugandan students have accompanied us Canadian students, they have already completed their community placement. So they already know the drill and are helping get us settled for this week, which has been such a blessing. The first day we hit the ground running, I chose to go to the maternity ward. From 8am until 8pm this small clinic delivered 8 babies, 3 of which were C-sections. I was able to do a few ... read more

We left the lake and drove through Queen Elizabeth National Park, stopping as we crossed the equator to pose for the obligatory photo next to the sign. We were heading for a three day trek in the Rwenzori mountains. In contrast to the rest of the roadtrip, this had actually been planned quite carefully in advance. The Rwenzoris have a reputation for being extremely beautiful, and much less touristy than most trekkable mountains in East Africa. They also have a reputation for rain… in fact, they’re known as “the rainmakers”. When we asked the course director what the place was like, he pulled a face and gave a one word answer. Wet. The sky clouded over as we got closer, and things started looking stormy. Just as someone said “I’m sure the weather won’t be THAT ... read more

A short history of the Rwenzori Mountains The Rwenzoris is the highest mountain range in Africa with Mt. Margherita at 5109 as the highest summit point and third highest mountain in Africa. It's situated west in Uganda on the border to DRC. You can actually walk across to DRC on the summit day if you do the Margherita peak. Unlike the two higher peaks, the Rwenzori Mountains are not of volcanic origin but rise directly from the Rift Valley floor. The formation is linked to the geological upheaval that created the Rift. Rwenzoris several altitude zones has their own distinct micro climate and flora and fauna, including 70 mammals and 177 bird species. The Rwenzori Mountains are thought to have been the source of the legend of the Mountains of the Moon, the snow-capped range cited ... read more

Ruboni Community Camp nestles in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains in Western Uganda. The patio outside my banda gave beautiful views towards the mountain range. Ruboni is the starting point for trekking in the Rwenzoris - an activity I never had any intention of doing. All profits from the camp go to help support the community. It was, therefore, bad for the community, but good for me, that for the 3 nights I stayed there, I was the only guest. It was a peaceful haven, with stunning views, friendly staff, perhaps the best vegetarian food I have had in Uganda and a variety of guided walks. Whatever possessed me to do a walk labelled as a 'strenuous hill climb'? When I know that I do not enjoy hills! They didn't lie ... half way up ... read more