How to prepare for Mount Elgon hike

Do you have questions on how to prepare for Mount Elgon hike?: This question is a very important thing for hikers because it helps them increase the summit success rate and reduce the risk of getting altitude sickness. We like to inform hikers that this is just a guideline and not a guarantee that you will reach the summit of Mount Elgon. Hikers should know that the harder you work in the preparation, the easier the hiking to the summit.

Mountain Elgon is the second tallest mountain in Uganda with the highest point at 4321 meters above sea level. The mountain has peaks like Wagagai which is the tallest at 4321 meters, Sudek at 4301 meters, Koitobos at 4222 meters, Mubiyi at 4211 meters, and Masaba at 4161 meters. To hike to the summit of this mountain, a hiker would need to be physically fit and well-prepared for the hiking activity.

Here are different ways of how to prepare for Mount Elgon hiking

Exercise

Training for Mountain Elgon climbing is the best thing a hiker would need if they want to successfully get to the summit of the mountain. Training can be done from your home 3 to 2 months before visiting Uganda. Hikers can train from their hills or run for a few kilometers from their homes and make sure that they are fit enough for the hiking activity.

With the right training, hikers have more than 90% chance of reaching the summit of Mount Elgon. Hikers who feel they are fit enough and don’t try out exercises before coming hiking will find so many difficulties during hiking. Reaching the summit of Mount Elgon is not luck, age, or experience, it’s about physical ability.

Book the right route for your Mount Elgon hike

Most people book their Mountain Elgon hike but don’t know which route to use when they get to Mount Elgon national park. Well, there are different hiking routes within Mount Elgon and each has got its own good and bad. Some trails are easy to walk through while others are difficult therefore tourists need to be wise when choosing which trail to use.

Best tour operators will help you to choose the best hiking trails which will make your hiking easy and even take a short period. Some of the hiking trails on Mount Elgon include Sipi trail, Piswa trail, Sasa trail, and Suam trail to mention but a few. Hikers should know that one needs 4 to 5 days to hike Mount Elgon and get to the summit.

Walk slowly slowly

Hikers to Mount Elgon will be surprised by how their armed ranger guides will make them walk slowly slowly. Hikers are asked to climb Mount Elgon slowly to avoid altitude sickness. It’s better to hike slowly to get to the summit than hiking faster to get altitude sickness which will make your hiking unsuccessful. During the hiking, hikers have stops to drink water, eat food, and rest.

Plan the hiking dates

When to plan your climb for Mount Elgon is a very important decision because it affects your climb and your success rate of reaching the summit. The best time to climb Mount Elgon is the dry season from June to September and December to February. These are the driest months in the year characterized by little rainfall and plenty of sunshine.

Climbiing Mountain Elgon becomes easy in the dry season when the hiking trails are dry and easier to walk through. The vegetation is short, dry, and scattered during the dry season which gives hikers a clear view of different attractions within the park. The skies are clear in the park because of the plenty of sunshine and hikers are able to see different park areas and the mountain slopes clearly.

Hikers can still climb Mountain Elgon during the rainy seasons since the activity is carried out all throughout the year. During the rainy season which happens from March to May and October to November, hikers should know that there is plenty of rainfall within Mount Elgon national park and on the mountain and this affects the activity.

When the rainfall is too much, the hiking trails become muddy and slippery which affects the speed of hikers, the vegetation is tall in the rainy season which leads to unclear views of the attractions, and the roads leading to Mount Elgon national park are in poor conditions. The rainy season is good for budget travelers who have chances of getting discounted tour packages.

Pack the right equipment for hiking

Hiking the right gear for hiking will help you to complete the hiking with less difficulty. Hikers especially those doing it for the first time should know that one requires hiking gear to climb any mountain successfully. Those who do not know what to purchase should always ask their tour operator to guide them through when making a list of things to purchase.

Hiking equipment for Mountain Elgon includes waterproof hiking shoes, long-sleeved pants, long-sleeved shirts, rainy jacket, a sleeping bag, day backpack, long cotton stocks, a pair of gaiters, sunglasses, hats, warm gloves, toilet tissue, torch, travel towel, headlamp, insect repellent, sunscreen, a camera and extra batteries, a pair of binoculars, drinking water bottle, and energy giving snacks to mention but a few.