The journey to Mount Speke is not far. You can use road transport, either by renting a private vehicle or by using public taxis and buses found in taxi parks and bus terminals. This option is often chosen by adventurous travelers who want to experience local African life. Air transport is also available for those who wish to avoid traffic, but flights stop only at Kasese Airstrip. This option is more costly and is usually chosen by mid-range or luxury travelers.
After enjoying a meal in Kasese town, you can proceed on the road that leads to Mount Speke, which is the second highest mountain in the Rwenzori ranges. Together with Mount Stanley and Mount Baker, it forms a triangle that surrounds the upper Bujuku Valley in the Mountains of the Moon. Hiking here requires care, as the mountain has jagged peaks named in honor of the royal family. These include Vittorio Emanuele at 4,890 meters, Ensoga at 4,865 meters, Johnson at 4,834 meters, and Trident at 4,572 meters.
Over time, the mountain has had many names. The Bakonzo people called the Rwenzori “Rwenzuru,” meaning rainmaker. However, they never climbed the mountains, so the exact peaks they named were unclear. The Buganda people, who saw the mountain from a distance, called it “Gambaragara,” meaning “my eyes pain,” in reference to the shining snow. The Bakonzo also believed that their god, Kitasamba, lived high on the mountain, and so they did not climb but gave names such as Kiyanja, Duwoni, and Ingomwimbi to its peaks.
Explorers later trekked these mountains in search of the source of the Nile. John Speke, after whom the mountain is named, mapped the source of the White Nile in 1862. Because the area around Mount Speke receives heavy rainfall, it feeds many streams and supports thick vegetation. This vegetation provides a home for elephants, chimpanzees, monkeys, leopards, antelopes, birds, and many other animals. These natural features attract many tourists who come for hiking, nature walks, and bird-watching.
