What is the time taken to reach the top of Mount Rwenzori
What is the time taken to reach the top of Mount Rwenzori: The number of days needed to climb Mount Rwenzori are 7 to 10. Well experienced hikers can take 7 days to complete Rwenzori hiking and the beginners need 9 or 10 days to ascend and descend Mount Rwenzori. The time taken to complete Mount Rwenzori hiking depends on the nature of the hiking trails, and the speed of the hikers.
7 to 9 days are enough for hikers to climb mountain Rwenzori to the summit and back. A 7 day hike will need a 9 day tour, 8 days will need 10 day tours and 9 days will need 11 day tour. This is because the first and last days are for traveling to and from the park. Well experienced hikers can organize a safari for short days but first time hikers should go for longer days.
The Rwenzori Mountains are situated between the borders of Uganda and DR Congo. The Uganda peart is found in Mount Rwenzori national park in Bundibugyo district. This mountain is the main attraction with in the park and attracts thousands of tourists from different parts of the world.
Raising up to 5109 meters tall, Mount Rwenzori is the tallest mountain in Uganda and the third tallest in Africa. It has over 5 peaks but Margherita peak found on Mount Stanley is the highest peak. Every hiker dreams about reaching this highest peak on the mountain and it takes 7 to 9 days to make the dream come true.
Hiking Mount Rwenzori
To get to the summit of Mount Rwenzori it takes 7 to 12 days and the number of days depends on the speed of the hikers as well as the nature of the hiking trails. In the dry season, the hiking takes a few days because the hiking trails are dry and easier to walk through while in the rainy season it might take longer days because the hiking trails are muddy and slippery.
Hiking Mountain Rwenzori starts with a briefing from the headquarters of the park where hikers are taught about the rules and regulations of the hiking activity. Armed ranger guides are chosen to lead a group throughout the hike. Armed ranger guides and hikers are driven to the starting points of the hiking trails to be used (Rwenzori hiking trail, Kilembe trail)
At the start of each hiking trail are porters and their role is to help carry excess luggage for hikers at a small fee. Armed ranger guides tell the hikers the dos and don’ts of the activity and give them hiking sticks to help them balance throughout the hike. Start begins and the hikers move through different vegetation zones as they ascend the mountain.
Hiking is done for about 7 to 8 hours a day and hikers do rest at accommodations on the different levels of the mountain until the next day. Each day has its own surprises since different attractions are found at different levels of the mountain. While hiking, there are chances of meeting animals, birds, lakes, rivers, vegetation, rocks, and much more.
Those who get to the summit of Mountain Rwenzori at Margherita peak do get an opportunity to be at the tallest point in Uganda. Hikers are allowed to take photos and record videos while here. Ascending Mount Rwenzori is always challenging but descending is very easy and takes a day. While hiking down the mountain, hikers will still meet different attractions on the slopes of the mountain.
What to pack for Mount Rwenzori hiking?
To make hiking easy for you, you need to be physically fit with the right hiking gear. Each hiking gear is important during the hiking therefore those who are coming for Mount Rwenzori climbing especially for the first time need to bring all that is needed for the activity.
Hiking gear for Mountain Rwenzori includes hiking bag, day backpack, walking stick, sleeping bag, rain jacket, long-sleeved pants, long-sleeved shirts, warm gloves, neck gaiters, ankle gaiters, long cotton stocks, umbrella, a pair of gaiters, waterproof shoes, sneakers, sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellents, headlamp, toiletries, a camera, a pair of binoculars, energy giving snacks and drinking water bottle to mention but a few.
The best time to climb Mount Rwenzori
Tourists can climb Mount Rwenzori at any time of the year however there are months better than others and these are the driest months of the year. June to September and December to February are the best times to climb Mount Rwenzori because they are characterized by little rainfall and plenty of sunshine which favors the hiking activity.
During the dry season, the hiking trails are dry and easier to walk through since the rainfall is little and this allows hikers to reach the summit at the right time. Hikers will find the vegetation short and scattered which gives clear views of different attractions within the park. Lastly, those who will visit Mountain Rwenzori in the dry season will find the roads leading to the park dry and passable.
Hikers can still climb Mount Rwenzori in the rainy season for the park will be open with all activities available. The rainy season occurs from March to May and October to November a time when the park receives plenty of rainfall. The rainfall affects most of the park activities including hiking.
During the rainy season, the hiking trails are muddy and slippery which makes the hikers move slowly, The vegetation is tall which gives unclear views of different attractions on the slopes of the mountain and the roads leading to the park are in poor condition. Because it’s a rainy season, the clouds are very dark and this gives unclear views of areas on the mountain slopes.
