Tips for hiking Mount Rwenzori
Tips for hiking Mount Rwenzori: Mountain Rwenzori is a popular mountain range on the borders of Uganda and DR Congo. This mountain is the third tallest in Africa after Mount Kilimanjaro of Tanzania and Mount Kenya of Kenya. Mount Rwenzori happens to be the tallest mountain in Uganda rising up to 5109 meters above sea level.
Mountain Rwenzori is about 120 kilometers long and 65 kilometers wide inside Mount Rwenzori national park. It has over 6 peaks some in Uganda and others in DR Congo; Mount Stanley (5109 meters), Mount Speke (4890 meters), Mount Baker (4843 meters), Mount Emin (4798 meters), Mount Gessi (4715 meters) and Mount Luigi di Savoia (4627 meters).
Mount Rwenzori was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994 because of its unique natural and scenic beauty. This mountain is one of the most hiked in Uganda attracting hikers from different parts of the world. Mount Rwenzori is a very tall mountain with the highest peak at 5109 meters and to get there it requires a lot of effort so this is why are giving you different tips for hiking.
Tips for hiking Mountains Rwenzori
Plan in advance
If you have always wanted to hike Mount Rwenzori and you have decided to take on the challenge you will be required to plan. Get the right tour operator, book your safari, and make sure everything needed for the safari is secured. We normally advise tourists to make bookings 3 to 4 months in advance and then start preparing for their safari.
Physical fitness
Climbing Mount Rwenzori is not about age or physical appearance but it’s about physical fitness. Hiking to the summit of this mountain takes 8 to 9 days and one needs to be physically fit to complete the hike. To improve your body fitness you need to do enough physical exercises before the safari.
Hikers are asked to do exercises from their homes and reach the day of hiking when they are fit enough. Exercises include running up and down hills, going to the gym, and training from home. Hikers who are fit enough will face a few challenges compared to those who didn’t train well when climbing Mount Rwenzori.
Pack the right gear
Packing the right gear for Rwenzori hiking is very important. What you pack helps you to make hiking and life easy on the slopes of Mount Rwenzori for all the days you will be there. First time hikers can always ask their local tour operators what to bring for hiking and the good ones will help you with the list so that you pack as many as you can.
Equipment for hiking Mountain Rwenzori includes Duffle bag, Day backpack, Waterproof drug bag, Waterproof bag covers, Walking stick, Sleeping bag, 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, Sun glasses, 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.
Hike at the right time
The right time to hike Mount Rwenzori is the dry season which happens from June to September and December to February. During the dry season, hiking is easy because the hiking trails and dry and easy to walk through, the vegetation is short and scattered with good views of different attractions on the slopes and the surrounding areas.
During the dry season, mount Rwenzori receives little rainfall and most of the skies the skies are blue hence clear views of the slopes and the surrounding areas. Roads leading to the mountain are dry and easier to drive through in the dry season little rainfall is received once in a while.
Hikers can still plan to hike the Rwenzori mountains during the rainy season which happens from March to May and October to November. These months are called the rainy season months simply because they have a lot of rainfall and little sunshine. Those who hike in the rainy season just get discounted packages but we don’t recommend such times.
In the rainy season, the hiking trails are muddy and slippery and thing challenges the hikers when walking through. The vegetation grows tall and thick in this period and hikers get unclear views of some of the attractions on the slopes of the mountain and the surrounding areas. Lastly, the roads leading to the mountain are in poor conditions during the rainy season.
Follow the guide’s instructions
Before hiking Mount Rwenzori, armed anger guides teach the rules and regulations of hiking. One of the important rules is hiking at your own pace and hikers are always reminded to hike very slowly if they want to get to the summit with fewer difficulties. Hiking is never a competition and so we advise all hikers to hike slowly slowly.
Hiking is a day activity done for 7 to 8 hours including rest breaks and lunch breaks. To complete 8 to 9 days of hiking Mount Rwenzori you will have to move slowly slowly so as to avoid altitude sickness and falling down in areas that are slippery. Other rules include keeping a group with fellow hikers and staying on the hiking trail among others.
