Wearing the right Clothing on Climbing – Hiking Safaris in Uganda – Rwanda
Practical Tips and Advice – What to wear and bring on Hiking – Climbing Safaris
Our Advice as to what to wear and bring on a Hiking – Climbing Safari. Our Practical Advice is for those who do one day Volcano Climbs, Sipi Falls – Mount Elgon one day hikes, Rwenzori Mountains Foothill, and the Rwenzori Mini-Hike.
It also applies for those on Hikes through and in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Kibale Forest Hikes, Crater Lake Hikes, Congo Nile Trail, and any other Hiking Safari in Uganda or Rwanda.
Wearing the wrong clothing, wrong Footwear, not being warm enough, or protected from too much sun, insects, snakes on hiking climbing Safari can make the experience of Hiking in the Heart of Africa miserable.
It is not only the right clothing, footwear, hat but if you are burning up calories, a hearty 
lunch, dried fruit like pineapple, peanuts, enough bottled water, insect repellent, sun blocker, lip balm.
What to wear and bring on a climbing Hiking Safari is different from what to wear Gorilla or Chimpanzee Trekking though they are similar at times. Taking a day-hike in the savanna of Lake Mburo differs a bit from a Gorilla Trek in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Volcanoes National Park.
Our observation of hikers in Uganda and Rwanda has been that often tourists dress for a stroll in the park in light, wrongly colored clothes, wrong footwear, then on a Hike or Nature Walk in the African Wild.
That ankle support, protection of feet is not thought of by most embarking on a hike, not being mindful of an army of soldier ants, or protection against snake bites (never occurred with our clients).
On a Safari, it is best to dress right for the occasion such as Volcano Climb, Rwenzori Foothill, or Mount Elgon Foothills, a climb up into the Morungole Mountains to the remote Villages of the Ik people in Northeastern Uganda (bring some proper gifts along for the Ik People).
Dress – right for the occasion on your Hiking – Climbing Safari, and you will enjoy your time in the African Wilderness even more.
What to wear and bring on Hiking – Climbing Safaris – Uganda – Rwanda
Waterproof Daypack:
You are climbing one of the volcanoes in Uganda, Rwanda, the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon like the northern pass – 11-day hike. You need a sizeable daypack where you can pack what you need, including the water, which comes in 1 1/2 liter sizes, a lunch, snacks, insect repellent, sweater, rain jacket, or poncho.
IT is why we recommend a porter on hikes, climbs that can be strenuous for you and free you up.
It is different from hiking in savanna or in some of our forests where a hike is much more comfortable.
Be prepared with a proper daypack that is waterproof; in rainforests, there can be a shower anytime.
Packed Lunch for your Hike – Climb:
You are going to burn up a lot of calories climbing a volcano or on a strenuous hike depending on the level of your fitness.
Packed lunches vary in quality and quantity. You might want to go to a Supermarket before your hike and add things you would like. Dried fruit is readily available, nuts including peanuts, macadamia nuts can be found here in Uganda or Rwanda.
Supermarkets have Apples from South Africa, and Oranges from Egypt or South Africa in stock, and you might even find a Snicker bar.
Granola bars of quality are harder to find at times. However, the good news is that you can put together a good lunch for your hike or climb.
Waterproof Hiking Boots:
Why would you recommend waterproof hiking boots for a hike in a Savanna Park? The answer is protection and support. For the very same reason, we recommend hiking boots for a volcano, Rwenzori Mountains Foothill Hike. You need protection and ankle support.
A worn-in pair of boots do the right job on a hiking safari. You are not on a game drive. You are out of the vehicle on foot.
It may be a warm day on the savanna, but boots, leather, or fabric that allows your feet to breathe are just right for a hike and climb of almost any type in Uganda or Rwanda.
Yes, you are in the tropics, but hiking boots are the right footwear for tropical hikes in the heart of Africa.
Think of boots as protection for you, and you will need support for your ankles.
What to Wear Climbing – Hiking:
Climbing Volcanoes – Foothill Hikes are different from hiking on the savannah or through a level forest.
The temperature differs, the weather can fluctuate climbing, and you might even have to use improvised ladders to get to the top of the Volcano.
Volcano Climbing – do leave the gardening gloves behind that you used gorilla trekking.
It is once again about protecting yourself on any climb or hike in Uganda or Rwanda, and that begins with long-trousers, long-sleeved shirts that are not thin. Tsetse flies can prick your skin through a thin fabric on a savanna for forest hike. Take a light rain jacket or poncho, a sweater or sweatshirt for volcano climbs, a hat, wear a bandana underneath so that you can wipe the sweat away. Sturdy socks, in some cases, you want to tuck your trousers into your thick socks.
Clothing, as described above, protects you on a Savanna Hike from Tsetse flies, soldier ants, other flying bugs, ticks, and whatever else you come across in the wild of Africa. The same applies to many forest hikes.
When you are climbing or hiking forests, you will be protected from thorns, nettles, sharp brush, and reduce cuts and infections.
Be sure to wear a lot of insect repellent, sunblock, and have a lip balm with you.
Wear Sunglasses:
The sun is bright in Africa, on hikes you want some protection, and a good pair of sunglasses will do just that.
We suggest that you bring a pair of polarized sunglasses, you are in Equatorial Africa.
During forest hikes, volcano hikes, Rwenzori Foothills, you will often pass through areas where the trees give a lot of shade, whereas, on a Savanna Wildlife Hike, you will want to keep them on.
Having the right things on and with you makes the hike or climb easier to do and complete.
We bring years of experience and by now know what will best for you climbing or hiking in Uganda.
Binoculars – open another Horizon:
Binoculars are not necessary on a Gorilla Trek unless you are a birder, but they come in handy on most other Hikes and Climbs since they open up a whole different world to your eyes.
You can spot birds, wildlife, primates with them that you would not see with the naked eye.
On a Volcano climb, you may want to keep them in the Daypack for protection as you climb up, including on ladders.
In most other cases, you can keep the binoculars on your neck and be ready to use them. Other times such as climbing a volcano in Mgahinga Gorilla Park, you might want to put them into your daypack.
Using a Porter:
Many use a porter during gorilla trekking but not on other hikes or climbs.
We can arrange porters for you to carry a daypack, camera equipment, and it is a solution where everyone benefits. They make some money, and you are freed up to enjoy the climb or hike.
Prior arrangements for porters will have to be made in some of the parks where they are not commonly used.
The choice is yours; we recommend using a porter – and along with that, we recommend a walking stick on hikes. On some climbs, they would get into the way of what you are doing, like climbing on a ladder.
Use a porter and help an African Family.
We offer hiking, climbing safaris throughout Uganda and Rwanda. We create what you want and suggest a few others.
Our Hiking Tips – Information and Advice are to help and assist you in planning a hiking safari with us in Uganda or Rwanda.
Please read up on Hiking and Climbing Safaris when you are planning your safari with us in Uganda or Rwanda.
Most Hiking Safaris are off the beaten tourist path. What to wear, what to bring, how to act, what not to do are all important things you need to know before your hike or climb in Uganda or Rwanda commences.
Know before you go is the best advice that we can give you before you go on a hike in Uganda or Rwanda, it is different from what you are used to.
What to wear and bring on Hiking – Climbing Safaris. All Hiking – Climbing safaris are led by Rangers who know the paths, who know the way. They are professionals and will keep you safe and secure. What to wear on a hike or climb? look at the rangers, they are usually dressed right for the occasion, will be wearing rubber boots, have a hat on, and often a jacket. Enjoy your Hike and Climb in comfort.
What to wear and bring on Hiking – Climbing Safaris – if you have any questions, please ask us.
