Tips for Group Rwenzori climbers of Mount Rwenzori

Protected by Rwenzori mountains national park and Virunga national park, Rwenzori mountains are ranked among the highest points on the African continent with an altitude of 5,109 meters. The mountains are found along the border of Uganda & the Democratic Republic of Congo though trekkers mostly use Uganda’s side to conquer and capture the Margherita peak, the third highest peak in Africa and highest in Uganda.

To both first timers and experienced hikers, climbing Rwenzori is one of the most challenging though adventurous mountaineering experiences. Besides its rocky and glacial terrains, mountain Rwenzori can also be conquered by the first-time hikers and in this article, we share with you some of the tips that beginners need to know so that they can get started with planning the next expedition in the Rwenzori Mountains;

Choose an effective terrain/trail

There are three trails that can be used to summit the great Margherita peak and these are; Bukurungu, Central Circuit and Kilembe trail. From these three, the Central circuit trail is regarded as the most effective and easy one especially to the first-time hikers. Though central circuit trail is a bit easy, you are advised to have a guide who knows how to approach each land scape and altitude.

Book a Rwenzori local guide

If you want to successfully climb the Rwenzori on your first try, it is worth booking a local tour agency to help guide you along the way. Climbing to an altitude of nearly 5,000 meters is no picnic but can be accomplished by most hikers with the assistance of a guide that knows the terrain and local environment. As you prepare your hiking safari with the guide, he will equip you with some knowledge about the weather conditions in the mountains and safety checks as he will monitor your health-risks such as altitude sickness, fatigue, and other mountaineering protocols.

Therefore, as you are making preparations for your Rwenzori hike, make sure you do research and book with a trusted and professional tour operator with a high summit success rate like Primate Safari Experiences Limited.

Pace yourself & drink lots of water

Rwenzori mountains is known for its rocky and high elevated terrains that require some hiking and this may lead to loss of body fluids. For that case, hikers are advised to move slow at their own paces since the slower you go, the more oxygen you will get in the body. Also, endeavor to drink lots of water to stay hydrated.

Pack the right gear like headlamp and extra batteries

During your overnights at different campsites, you will not have electricity or even internet. For that case, packing the right gear in preparation for the hike is very important. Among the essential items to pack for the hike include the headlamps and extra batteries in preparation for the low light situations. Also, remember that your eating area and the bathroom will both be a short walk from where you will be sleeping. So, you will need headlamps to help you find some areas

Tipping is optional yet expected

Tipping is a good gesture, but not necessarily, a common practice. When hiking Rwenzori, tipping is a bit different. The crew that takes you up the mountain consists of a lead guide, assistant guide, chef, and a team of porters plays a huge role in the success of your summit, making sure that you take the proper precautions in what you eat, when you sleep, and how much you climb each day. Tipping guides and porters after the hike is important. You are directly helping their families and local communities with your tip.

Note: After the Rwenzori mountaineering safari, you can also have other extra days in other national parks for other experiences like Queen Elizabeth national park for wildlife viewing, Bwindi Impenetrable national park for gorilla trekking, Kibale forest national park for chimpanzee tracking and others.

In conclusion, following the above safety tips can amount to having a safe and enjoyable encounter on any hike regardless the hiking experience you have, especially when dealing with long-distance treks that reach an altitude as high as Mount Rwenzori’s.