The Rwenzori mountain is a world heritage site that lies on the Uganda-Congo border and is ranked as Africa’s third highest mountain with its highest peak(Margherita peak) on Mount Stanley reaching an elevation of 5,109m, along with Mount Speke (4,890 M) Mount Baker (4,844m) Mount Gessi (4,715m), Portal Peaks (4,391m) and the Great Tooth at (4,603m). The park is home to a wide variety of mammal, bird, reptile and amphibian species coupled with pristine and spectacular landscapes that comprise of waterfalls, hot springs and snowcapped peaks. Hiking on Mount Rwenzori can take anything between 1-10 days depending on how much the hikers would want to hike, the routes chosen for the ascent and the respective peak(s).
The following is essential for the hike:
- Quality hiking boots –It is highly recommendable for hikers to carry at least 01 pair of hiking boots and 01 pair of long gumboots for the marshy/ muddy trails.
- A quality back pack.
- A pair of quality hiking sticks
- 2-3 pairs of woolen hand gloves.
- First aid kit with cotton wool, disinfectant, bandages, deep heat ointment/spray- These are usually provided by the trekking companies but always wise for hikers to carry their own kits.
- A hand watch
- Sun-glasses
- Several pairs of long thick socks- The Rwenzori Mountains are very cold, it’s important to keep warm and avoid hypothermia.
- Long sleeved pants and shirts (to act as protection from thorn pricks from the bushes along the hiking trails) and enough warm clothing to last through the days spent hiking at the mountain.
- Sunscreen for skin protection
- A hat or cap to offer protection from the hot sun or rains.
- Plenty of drinking water -one can also fetch water along some streams on the way, the streams at Rwenzori have clean water that is safe for drinking.
- Oranges for vitamin c, chocolate bars and salty snacks are also handy to replace the nutrients lost during the hike.
- Altitude sickness tablets like Diamox and Acetazolamide come in handy for hikers who suffer from Altitude sickness. Medication is best when taken a day before the hike or at the start of the hike.
- A head torch comes in handy especially in the night.
- A camera/phone camera to capture the breath taking views encountered during the hike.
- A fully charged power bank and batteries to re-charge one’s phone/camera comes in very handy.
- Music player and headphones as this is a lengthy and strenuous hike, a bit of music to soothe the soul is always a good idea.
- Toilet paper/wet wipes/soap/hand sanitizer/face towel/Tooth paste & brush- There might be a possibility of having a bath if the guides are in position to locate a nearby water source. They will provide hikers with basins and jerry cans to bathe.
- A trash bag that will be used to collect litter. It’s important for hikers to conserve the environment and leave it clean.
Tents and cabins are in place at the mountain and owned by either the Rwenzori Trekking services or the Rwenzori Mountaineering services depending on which company has been chosen by the hikers. These companies are responsible for ensuring hikers are provided with porters to help carry their luggage, cooks to prepare their daily meals and armed guides to ensure their safety during the hike.
There is a need for more publicity and increased efforts in selling these destinations to Ugandans to curb the negative perception the public has on mountain climbing in the region. One move that can be implemented to make it more attractive is making the activity fees more affordable especially at Mount Elgon & Mount Rwenzori, to encourage more Ugandans to develop an interest in hiking.
