The 120km Rwenzori chain is regarded to be the legendary snow-capped mountains of the moon, described by Ptolemy in AD150. Reaching an elevation of 5,109m, it is also Africa’s tallest mountain range, exceeded in altitude only by the free-standing Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro.

The distinctive glacial peaks are visible miles around, but the slopes above 1,600m are the preserve of hikers, who rate the Ruwenzori to be the most challenging of all African mountains. A variety of large mammals inhabits the lower slopes, but the Rwenzori are notable more for their majestic scenery and varied vegetation.

The trails lead through rain forests rattling with monkeys and birds, and then tall bamboo forests before emerging on the high-altitude moorland towered over by black rock and white snow, looking for all the world like the set of a science fiction film.