How to prepare for Mount Rwenzori hike

How to prepare for Mount Rwenzori hike: Here we look at the different things you can do before starting your Mount Rwenzori hike. Do you want to hike Mount Rwenzori and you are looking for how to prepare for the activity? We are going to tell you the different things you need to make your Mount Rwenzori hike successful.

Mount Rwenzori is found in the western side of Uganda in Bundibudyo district where it even extends to DR Congo. Mpount Rwenzori being the tallest mountain in Uganda attracts thousands of hikers from different parts of the world. The Mountain is 5109 meters tall and those who get to Margherita peak are always on the highest point in the whole country.

Being one of the most hiked mountains in Uganda and Africa, we bring to you the different things you need to do or have as you prepare for the hike. We guess every hiker’s dream is to get to the summit of the mountain successfully and by being well prepared, the chances of reaching the summit will be very high.

How to prepare for Mount Rwenzori hike

Do enough training

Mount Rwenzori is not an easy mountain to climb it does require a certain level of physical fitness to reach the summit at Margherita peak. To increase your chances of reaching the summit of Mount Rwenzori, we advise hikers from different parts of the world to do different physical exercises and reach the time of hiking if they are fit enough.

Back home, tourists can do exercises like running up and down the small hills in their surroundings, going to the gym, and also doing a few exercises from home. Exercises need to be done 2 to 3 months before traveling so that the body gets trained and ready for the hiking exercise. When the body is fit enough for hiking, the chances of reaching the summit will be very high.

Choose to hike at the right time of the year

When planning to hike Mount Rwenzori, the best time to hike is the dry season which happens from June to September and December to February. During the dry season, hiking is made easy because there is little rainfall and plenty of sunshine which makes the weather so good for the activity.

The vegetation on the lower slopes of Mount Rwenzori is short and scattered giving clear views of wildlife, the hiking trails are dry which makes it easy for hikers to pass through, and the glaciers are few because of too much sunshine which melts the ice. Skies are very clear in the dry season and the hikers are able to see different attractions.

Hikers, especially budget travelers can visit Mount Rwenzori in the rainy seasons a period when the tour packages are on a discount.  Tourists should know that March to May and October to November is a period when the area receives plenty of rainfall. This means that the hiking trails will be muddy and slippery, and the vegetation will be tall with unclear views of some of the attractions.

Pack the right gear

Packing the right equipment for Mount Rwenzori hiking will make the activity easy for you. Some of the things you ought to pack for hiking include Duffle bag, Day backpack, Waterproof drug bag, Waterproof bag covers, Walking stick or trekking pole, Sleeping bag, Water bottle, Rain jacket, Long sleeved pants, Lightweight walking trousers, Long sleeved shirts, Vests, Warm gloves, Neck gaiters, Ankle gaiters, Long cotton stocks, Liner stocks.

Thermal underwear, Umbrella, A pair of gaiters, Waterproof shoes, Sneakers, Woolen hat, Sun hat, Sunglasses, Sunscreen, Insect repellents, Headlamp, Flash torch, Drinking water bottle, Water purification tablets, Painkillers, Ear plugs, Toiletries, A camera, A pair of binoculars, Headphones, Solar power bank, Waterproof cell phone case, Notebook and a pen, Energy giving snacks, Waterproof document bag to mention but a few.

Book with the right tour operator

Tourists who intend to visit Mount Rwenzori need to book their safari with the right tour operator who is licensed to carry out tourism activities in the country. A good tour operator will go on the ground and book your hiking with you’re the right Rwenzori hiking company since they are in the country and know who does the best services.

Africa Adventure Vacations is one of the local tour operators to work with if you are planning to visit Uganda and climb Mount Rwenzori. The company has the best time and good connections with the service providers on Mount Rwenzori. To book you simply need to tell the days of your travel and the number of days you would like to hike the mountain.

Pace yourself

Hiking is not a competition and will never be because there is no reward given to the person who reached the summit first. Every hiker has a goal of reaching Margherita peak which is the tallest point on Mount Rwenzori and to get there one needs to pace themselves. Hikers are asked to walk slowly slowly while ascending so as to avoid altitude sickness and other problems.

Hiking to the summit of Mount Rwenzori requires 7 to 9 days which is a very lengthy walk. By moving at a slow pace, hikers won’t get tired or stress their bodies. Hikers are allowed to walk for 7 to 8 hours a day which includes rest time, lunch time, and much more. When hikers are getting close to the summit, they are asked to move very slowly and avoid altitude sickness because the air is less.