What to Wear & What to Wear For Rwenzori Mountains national Park

What to pack on a safari to Rwenzori Mountains National Park | What to  wear for Rwenzori Mountains national Park | Rwenzori Mountains National Park.

This is our guide to what you need to pack for Rwenzori Mountains National Park: “What to wear on a Mount Rwenzori trek?” is the question every mountaineer would ask and of course we equip you with a kit for climbing. Therefore, the key and most important factor when it comes to ‘what to pack for trekking in Rwenzori Mountains National Park’,  less is more. With this, you will not even need an equipment specialist.

Day pack or small bag to carry on bag:

We urge you to carry along a day pack that’s suitable enough to carry all that you need for the number of days you will spend while trekking. The back pack, must be light and easy to carry.

Your day pack should be large enough to carry water, sunglasses, camera, binoculars, rain pants and jacket as a minimum. You can also include other items you might require during the day because you won’t be able to get your main luggage until the end of the trek each day.

Shoes.

We recommend carrying two pairs of foot wear, including Trekking and training Shoes.  Both pairs should be mid-weight with good ankle support

Gaiters:

All trekkers, are not so much needed, except for those who would love to keep their trousers clean in wet, muddy and dusty conditions

Socks

Whether you are a first time or experienced mountaineer, you are required to come handy with 3-4 pairs of outer socks and 2-3 pairs of liner socks. We also urge you to bring thick thermal socks for summit night

Sun glasses

Sunglasses are a must have and we recommend those that are a 100% UV protective, and of the sun at higher  altitude is intensified and can reflect off ice and snow.

A pair of Binoculars

Camera equipment with specified lenses to suit your level of expertise: No trek to Rwenzori Mountain National Park is complete without a camera to photograph those captivating moments. However, it is recommended you come handy with an extra smaller camera, if possible, with all the necessities such as spare batteries and lenses.

Insect repellent

Africa has so many insects that fly around, that’s why we urge you to pack insect repellants to prevent so many insect bites during the trek.

Adequate memory (this may be much more than you anticipate – better too much than to run out)

Hat for sun protection

Heat is highly lost through the head, so it is better you get a warm thermal hat as well as one that protects your neck from the harsh rays of the sun.

Toiletries

You will seldom shower in the Rwenzori Mountains national Park, so anti-bacterial wetwipes are a good way of maintaining personal hygiene. Among other toiletries, come handy with toilet papers, one for your daypack for use along the trail, and the other for use at camp.

Toiletries: Don’t forget to come with toiletries including toothbrush & toothpaste, hairbrush/comb, foot powder, hand cream, deodorant, soap, cream, moisturizers among others.

Sleeping bag

Nights within the Rwenzori mountains National Park are damn cold, especially as you get higher. You will always feel tired and cold after each day trek, which calls for the need of carrying a sleeping bag. You can either come with yours or otherwise rent one from the base. The rental sleeping bags are professionally cleaned after every climb.

The recommended sleeping bags must be 0F (or -15F) sleeping bag. Whether you rent or bring your own, consider bringing a sleeping bag liner, to keep the sleeping bag off the mountain dust and dirt, and add a bit of warmth.

 First hand Kit (if required)

A first-hand kit, soap and shampoo and certain daily items won’t be obtainable in certain areas of the Rwenzori Mountains National Park.

Gloves

Your gloves are very important: Gloves help protect your hands from the sun rays as well as keep you warm. Make sure glove comfortably fits We recommend warm gloves for cold nights and summit push. The must be heavyweight, insulated, preferably water resistant gloves.

Personal First Aid Kit including necessary prescription medicines

Sunscreen & unscented moisturizing lotion

Sunscreen is very important as the sun’s rays are much stronger at altitude.

Face Mask

Use a heat-exchanging  face mask for protection against cough and the spread of the current  Corona Virus. it may be hard to wear a mask at the beginning, but You’ll get used to it and be protected right from the start.

Crampons

You can either decide to buy yours or rent them. There are however many brands of crampons around. Make your favorite choice, and remember to differentiate between the ice climbing crampons differ from glacier crampons.

Trekking poles

We also recommend using trekking/hiking poles to help you with your balance, although it is optional. The walking poles also help mitigate fatigue. You can either hire or  buy your own, but you should practice using them at home before you travel.

Headlamp

Carry a lightweight head torch with a strong light ray so as to help around the camp during the night, to and from the toilet and inside the tent, and on summit night. Don’t forget to carry spare batteries, as the cold drains them quickly.

Insulated Jacket

Don’t forget to bring a good quality & warm jacket. You’ll need this for summiting as well as  during the cold evenings in the camp.

Trekking Trousers-light & Medium weight

Plug Adapter

Get a plug adapter for charging your devices in the hotels before and after the 7 days trek in the Rwenzori Mountains.

Personal snacks.

You can buy some personal snacks which include Boiled sweets, nuts, energy bars and dried fruit which are a good shout.

Other essential hiking equipment For Rwenzori Mountains national Park

Harness

Lip balm

Small flashlight (torch)

Travel alarm clock

Passport,

visas

Covid vaccination certificate,

Airline tickets

Credit card

Extra money

RESUMPTION OF HIKING TO MARGHERITA PEAK IN RWENZORI MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) is pleased to announce the resumption of hiking activities to Margherita Peak in Rwenzori Mountains National Park. Following a temporary suspension due to safety concerns, UWA has successfully implemented safety enhancements to ensure the well-being of all hikers.
Key among these improvements is the construction of a bridge across the crevasse in the Margherita glacier. This bridge, along with additional climbing ropes installed in collaboration with our partners in the park, will enable safe passage through the challenging sections of the trail. With these safety measures now in place, hiking to Margherita Peak can safely resume. We are confident that these enhancements will provide a safer and more enjoyable experience for all visitors seeking to summit one of Africa’s most iconic peaks.
We continue to encourage visitors to explore not only Margherita Peak but also the other stunning peaks within Rwenzori Mountains National Park, including Mount Speke, Mount Baker, and Cheptegei Peak on the Stanley Range. Each of the routes to these peaks offers a unique adventure, showcasing the breathtaking beauty and diversity of the Rwenzori Mountains.
UWA will maintain close monitoring of the hiking routes to ensure ongoing safety and will provide updates as needed.

We look forward to welcoming adventurers back to the heights of Rwenzori Mountains National Park.