Tips on how to get in shape for hiking-Uganda safari news

How to prepare for your hiking trip

Hiking isn’t just a normal walk constantly to a higher altitude within a mountain. It’s a strenuous activity that requires strength and physical fitness to get through the hike to and from the peak.  Mount Elgon National Park  is 4,321m above sea level and is regarded as a more friendly hiking destination compared to the higher peaks of Mountain Rwenzori and Mount Kilimanjaro within the East African Region. Never the less, if for that you think you will just hop off the couch after along layoff, get your hiking boots on and hit the hiking trail, you should rethink. 4,321m above sea level aren’t just a walk over the hike requires balance and strength to get through. No worries anyway, here are tips on how to get in shape for hiking mount Elgon and any other peaks;

Top Essential tips on how to get in shape for hiking

  1. Do basic training
Just to warm up your muscles and get your heart rate up for the hike especially if you haven’t been active for a while, you should start with basic training. These trainings are inclusive but not limited to running or walking in sand, standing on a tennis ball, do squats and lunges, do push-ups, do step ups with your back packs as you add in 5 pounds each week till its as heavy as your back pack and you can make 700 steps in 30 minutes. These exercises will help you build the muscles that protect your knees and ankles. Two of the most common injuries on a hiking trip are ankle rolling and ankle sprains and with these exercises you can avoid them and return from your hiking safari in Uganda safe.
  1. Take a day hike
For a first timer trying out the adventure of a hiking trip, when the weather is good, you can opt for a day’s hike. However, before you push yourself harder, if you haven’t been active a lot you scan start with taking a walk two to three times a week while carrying a light day pack. On the day’s hike, wear the same shoes that you’ll be wearing during the hike (just to make sure you will be comfortable during the hike)
  1. Choose the right hiking
Whether you are an experienced hiker, your foot wear can be a determinant to your hiking adventure. Choose a hiking boot that will protect and support your feet and ankles because if it doesn’t you will want to get it off your feet before the hike ends. While buying your shoe choose one that is good for both hiking and makes your packing easy. Do your research early, fit int the shoe and hike for a day with the shoe just to ensure you don’t have your hiking trip messed.

Extra tips for a hiking trip

On a hiking trip you will definitely have to slope back down, but this isn’t just about sloping. Downhill hiking is tough on your legs, toes, and especially knees. During the downhill hike, your body is holding its own weight back, plus whatever you have in your backpack, to avoid falling. This repeated pressure can lead to injury yet rolling over rocks and uneven surfaces can also strain joints. While preparing for your hiking Uganda tour, hike down slope to, to ensure that you can do it right with your shoes and the back pack too.

Use hiking poles: Whether a first timer or a seasoned hiker, this can be of help. They help you gain balance especially on the downhill hike or even on an uneven surface. It’s at least a guarantee for an extra two limbs for you to hold when you don’t have where to. Ensure to use them properly by not planting the tip of the pole in front of your lead foot.

Prevent altitude sickness. Geographically its said the cooler you go the cooler it becomes and with the energy invested on the hike, you can probably get sick.  When you are a flat lander, the 4,321m above sea level can really mean something different. However, the best way of beating altitude sickness is by giving yourself time to acclimate to the elevation by gradually climbing slowly. You can do this by spreading the number of days on safari. The other way is also by drinking plenty of water, eat a lot, keep your pace slow and in case it completely fails then go down to a lower altitude. It hurts to retreat from your hike but then your health is important as well. For simple headache always pack some medication after consulting a physician.

Trekking along with a friend is also a good way to go. Company can help you calm down. Wear comfortable clothes in layers that you can remove or add as needed. If you are hiking in an area where the weather is changeable, pack rain gear. Also wear a hat, hand gloves and sunscreen.

Mount Elgon has for centuries been a hiking hot spot for families and for this many visit this place. For greater memories you can also have a Jinja source of the Nile tour on a boat cruise to the source of the Nile on your way to or from the hike. In case you would love to have a wildlife tour then visiting Kidepo Valley National Park in North Easter Uganda or continuing for a tour to Murchison Falls National Park is a great option.  

Get ready for your hike and have much more than a hike but a great safari experience.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

WHERE CAN YOU FIND & SEE GORILLAS IN UGANDA AFRICA?

Image
Uganda has only two national parks where one can see gorillas i.e Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and this is where g orilla trekking in Uganda is done to search and find  the rear endangered Mountain Gorillas . With about 1063 mountain gorillas that still exist on earth today, Uganda is home to more than half of all these endangered Great Apes making it one of the only 3 countries in the world where mountain gorillas live and Uganda gorilla tours are only done in there two national parks. Uganda has 20 gorilla families that have been habituated and already set for tourism purposes , 19 of which are tracked/found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and only 1 is found in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one  of the places where you can see Gorillas in Uganda Africa. The appropriately named Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (also called “The Place of Darkness”) is the world’s premier gorilla t
Read more

Mountain Gorilla Behavior,Diet,Threats and Predators

http://www.primeugandasafaris.com/gorilla-safaris/5-days-uganda-gorilla-safari.html Behavior  Although strong and powerful, gorillas are generally gentle,shy ,retiring rather than ferocious and treacherous . They live in groups of 2-40 individuals, averaging about 11. Groups are led by a dominant male, the Silverback, named for the silvery gray hairs that grow when the male matures. The Silverback serves as the chief leader and protector of the group, to whom all group members defer. He decides when and where to go, rest and sleep, arbitrates disputes among his family members and protects them from rival Silverbacks or human predators. Gorillas usually seeks no trouble but will valiantly defend its family group if threatened. An adult male called a silverback named for the silvery gray hairs on its back normally leads each group, serving as its chief protector and defender. Gorillas
Read more

SHELLEY’S CRIMSONWING; THE BIRDS OF UGANDA – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS

Image
With over 1057 species of birds, the birding safaris and tours in Uganda go beyond the ordinary. Among these species of birds, there is the eye catching Shelley’s Crimsonwing scientifically referred as Cryptospiza Shelleyi. The Shelley’s Crimsonwing is categorized among the estrildid finch species thrives in closed canopy moist forests, close to water valley bottoms, low secondary growth at the edges of forests, glades and forest clearings marked by extensive herbs, moorland and Bamboo thickets. The birders on Uganda safaris can explore the Shelley Crimsonwing in the Mountains of the Albertine rift valley including Rwenzori Mountains. This Species stretch to other famous parts in the region including the Virunga Mountains, the Kahuzi Biega Mountain, Itombwe Mountain as explored on Congo Safaris and tours and Nyungwe Forest National Park and Gishwati Mukura National Park as explored on Safaris in Rwanda . Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to the south west of Uganda is
Read more