What to pack for the mountain Elgon hike

When planning to hike Mount Elgon, some of the below should be on your packing list. There is no need to over pack, but only what is relevant for your time up the mountain, as over packing may make your bags look bulky and hard to carry.

Mountain Elgon is a massive solitary volcanic mountain situated on the border of Uganda and Kenya. Mountain Elgon rises 3070 meters above sea level, but due to millennia of erosion, this mountain is now 4321 meters above sea level. Mountain Elgon is one of the oldest Ugandan physical features, which erupted at 20 million years of age.

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On both sides of Mountain Elgon, the Uganda and Kenyan sides, is the Mountain Elgon National Park, which protects a wide range of flora and fauna. The Ugandan part covers about 1110 square kilometres, and Kenya about 170 square kilometres. Mountain Elgon National Park is adjoined by forest and national reserves, which comprise a conservation area of about 2229 square kilometres.

Different levels of Mountain Elgon have different vegetation zones with montane vegetation at the bottom, bamboo and canopy forest, montane heath with giant heather, open moorland, Afroalpine vegetation found among tussock grasslands, and carex bogs.

The rich fauna in mountain Elgon National Park comprises oribi, bushbucks, leopards, Defessa's waterbucks, spotted hyenas, black and white colobus, blue monkeys, blue monkeys, duikers, and tree squirrels. Birding on Mountain Elgon allows you to spot more than 296 birds, including 40 restricted range of birds.

Pack the right mountaineering gears on the safari on Mountain Elgon.

Packing List For Mountain Elgon Hiking

• Extra fully charged batteries to exchange with in case one runs low.

While up the mountain, don't expect electricity, but do fully charge extra batteries before ascending to use while up the mountain.

• Camera to take photos while at Mountain Elgon, a task that is on the bucket list of many adventure seekers worldwide.

Pack a camera you can lift and not be afraid to spoil if you slide while hiking the mountain. While on Mountain Elgon, you are advised to pick nothing as a souvenir but carry only memories and photos to keep your memories about this adventure fresh.

• Hiking boots that are comfortable for you to hike for a long distance. They must be waterproof, too.

The walk-up mountain Elgon is rough, as you have to walk through some harsh surfaces that may not be comfortable on your bare feet or safari boots.

• Sunscreen to protect your skin from getting sunburns.

Mountain Elgon is in a tropical country with sunshine that may affect your skin and cause you to get sunburns, especially while hiking under the scorching sun. You need to pack sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun's ultraviolet rays.

• Sunglasses to protect your eyes from the direct sunlight and buzzing insects.

Your eyes need to be protected from the rays of the sun, especially when hiking mountain Elgon in the dry season when the sun rays are strong. Even protect your eyes from the insects that buzz while walking through the wilderness

• Insect repellent to protect your skin from stinging insects you may find along the way.

There are stinging insects you may encounter while hiking Mountain Elgon. You need to protect your skin from these stings by applying an insect repellent you are comfortable with. 

• Garden gloves to protect your fingers from touching rough surfaces along the way.

The way up the mountain may get quite slippery, so you need to hold a tighter grip so as not to slide back. By using the garden gloves, you protect your fingers from touching biting nettles that may cause you skin eczema 

• Some extra clothes to change into after the long day on the mountain.

You need to pack extra clothes to change into after the day's hike. Do not park so many clothes that will inconvenience you and add weight. Do not forget at least a light sheet to add to the warmth of your sleeping bag.

• Energy bites to munch on when hungry because meals are taken from designated points.

Breakfast is taken so early that it lasts the entire time while hiking Mountain Elgon. You need to keep munching on some energy bites to keep you energized.

• Hiking rods will give you extra support when hiking the mountain.

In case you need extra support while on a hike up Mountain Elgon, you may pack a rod to give you that extra support.

• Backpack to carry your belongings so they do not scatter while you hike.

As you carry your hiking gear, you need to keep them together, and in case you have to hand them to the porter, they can easily lift them while on a backpack and not scatter them. The backpack must be waterproof in case it falls while up the mountain.

• A torch to use for lighting.

Carry a torch for lighting while up the mountain, as there is no power source if you need light in the dark while up the mountain, you must use a torch.

• Some cash in case you need to do ground purchases like hiring hiking equipment, even porter hiring before starting your hike, purchasing food, cooking equipment, fuel, and others

Credit cards are not easy to use in Africa because of the lengthy process of obtaining money from them. You need cash to make on-the-ground purchases.

• Warmers because the higher you go, the cooler it becomes.

While up Mountain Elgon, the temperatures keep dropping, so you need some warmers to feel warm, whether early morning or late afternoon. You can pack a sweater or shawl.

• A pair of binoculars is needed to get better visibility of far-ranging features.

When hopping up the mountain, you lose sight of features on the ground, but sometimes you wish to get the view of the stunning views of the surrounding features. By using a pair of binoculars, you can enjoy the view of stunning features along the way

• A pair of stockings to protect your feet from getting cold.

By packing a pair of stockings, you can protect your feet from creeping insects that may walk into your clothes. Even at night, wearing stockings protects your feet from getting cold.

• Head gears to cover yourself from getting cold while hiking to get to the top of mountain Elgon.

The higher you go, the cooler it becomes, so you need to wear headgear to protect hair and head from buzzing insects and getting cold while up the mountain.

• Sleeping bag for your nights on mountain Elgon.

There are no beds for you to sleep in while up mountain Elgon, so you must pack a sleeping bag you can list even without help. You may practice by carrying some of the possible bags you need while hiking mountain Elgon before traveling for this adventure so that you can get accustomed

• First aid kit with emergency medication in case you need it.

For emergency treatment, you need to carry some medication because you may need it along the way. Ensure you get a proper prescription from a professional doctor before starting this adventure.

• Rainproof gears protect you from getting wet and cold when it rains up the mountain.

It may rain at any time while hiking Mount Elgon, so you need some gear to protect yourself from the cold.

When Is The Best Time To Hike Mountain Elgon?

The best time to hike Mountain Elgon is during the dry season with less rain. The soils on Mountain Elgon are very soft, and with the cultivation that has consumed most of the natural vegetation, landsides may occur during the wet seasons. 

 The dry season is usually June, July, August, September, October, December, January, and February, with less precipitation in the wilderness. The trails are dry, and water flows within the ordinary course since this is the water catchment area for this park and areas around this mountain, including even the Kenyan side of Mountain Elgon.

Note that the dry season attracts more people to hike Mount Elgon, so be prepared to share the same space with other people. When following the ranger guide, do use the path taken by the ranger so that you do not construct more paths up Mount Elgon. 

The wet season usually is March, April, May, and November, when more rainfall and volcanic soils get soggy and boggy from the rains that fall and decomposing matter. It may not be a great season to hike up Mountain Elgon.

How Much Is The Hike Up Mountain Elgon?

The cost of hiking Mountain Elgon starts with park entrance fees, which cover all budgets: upmarket, mid-range, and basic. Currently, the park entrance fee is about $35 for foreign non-residents, $25 for foreign residents, and 15,000 for East Africans.

Other costs included in the Mountain Elgon hiking Package vary according to the number of people traveling with you, the number of days you spend on the mountain, additional activities combined with hiking Mountain Elgon, and much more.

It is best to book a hike up Mount Elgon in advance so that all necessary arrangements can be made.

Is hiking Mountain Elgon Tiresome?

Hiking Mountain Elgon is tiresome, but you get breaks along the way. Even overnight points while climbing mountain Elgon although they are not so well furnished because hiking this mountain is not so popular.

You must carry hiking gear like safari boots, comfortable long trousers to protect your body while climbing mountain Elgon, insect repellant, sunglasses, and much more. You do not have to pack so much that will weigh you down while going up mountain Elgon, and hire a porter to help lift off your shoulder the burden of going up this mountain.

Is it safe to Hike Mountain Elgon? 

Note the best time to hike Mountain Elgon so you don't get stuck because of severe landslides. The safest season is the dry season when the trails are dry and the grass along the way is lower. Ensure you follow the paths used by the ranger guide in the lead so that you don't end up in a boggy spot while up on Mountain Elgon.

Carry the right gear for your stay up mountain Elgon as the trek goes through rough surfaces. Never climb Mountain Elgon without a ranger guide, as you may encounter inhabitants who may hurt you.

What are the guidelines to follow when hiking at Mountain Elgon?

• Follow the path taken by the leading ranger guide to avoid constructing more routes on Mountain Elgon. Vegetation cover needs to be kept intact to prevent landslides.
• Collect and pack all the indecomposable material that you find along the way. The environment along Mountain Elgon needs to be kept clean so that it is not altered.
• Have some level of fitness while hiking Mountain Elgon to get to the top. Train for the hike up Mountain Elgon so you do not get muscle pulls while up on the mountain.
• Respect others in the camp while climbing Mount Elgon and accept sharing with others when you stop for breaks.
• Pack the right hiking gear so you are not disorganized by not having these items. When you hike up the mountain, it is hard to get supplies until you complete the hike.
• When packing, do not forget a warm sleeping bag, clothes, and other supplies that will support you while hiking Mount Elgon.
• Never start the hike on Mountain Elgon without an escorting ranger guide because you may face wild animals that may hurt you.
• In case you fall sick before hiking Mountain Elgon, do stay behind because chances of getting medical assistance while up the mountain are not possible.

Hiking is a great experience on your safari. Contact us for more information.