Mountains of the Moon - Uganda

Hi Sandra. I'm going on this trip in September (your posting appears to say that you are going in May, but you ask about September). Anyway I'm not a training expert but have done quite a few treks including some quite high mountains (6000m and above). I usually focus training on general fitness and a bit extra on legs (e.g. using steppers in the gym). I used to do a lot of walking before treks, but living near London I concluded that there wasn't anything that remotely resembled the kind of mountains I was heading into, so decided to spend more time on general fitness plus legs (as above). I do try to do a few hikes here in the UK beforehand, but nothing really special. I don't know if your question relates to training for altitude, but there isn't anywhere in the UK where you can get acclimatised. General fitness helps, but acclimatisation to altitude is more likley to be successfully achieved through appropriate steps taken when on the trek (e.g. ascend gradually, take it easy, drink lots (non-alcoholic that is)) than anything you can do here. But as I said I'm not a training expert. Are you going in September or May? Which places in Africa are you familiar with and if you are an Africa hand what is your advice about travelling in Uganda?  Keith

Hi Keith

yes I am going in September.  I am focusing on general fitness and have just started running. I'm meeting a trainer next week who has done a lot of endurance events but not sure what his experience of altitude is.  I'll let you know if anything useful comes of it.

I'm very familiar with east and southern africa, I've travelled overland from Nairobi to Cape Town, and have had a bit of a wander round west africa over the last few years.  As this is likely to be my last trip for several years I really wanted to go back to sub saharan africa as I've has such amazing experiences there.  I have spent a couple of weeks in Uganda, including the gorrilla trek.  Its a fabulous country, stunningly beautiful, poorer than Kenya for example , but much more relaxed in terms of how people interact with tourists.  I found people were very welcoming and curious but we didnt get anyof the hassle I've exeperienced elsewhere.  It felt very safe to me, I have had a couple of unfortunate experiences elsewhere in Africa.  Guides always give very clear advice about  general safety, going out after dark, no go areas etc and I've always followed it to the letter, so even when we experienced some problems we all got out of it unscathed, less a few dollars.  I think the usual advice about not flaunting expensive stuff is very sound.  There's no getting away from the fact that people are comparatively very poor and its helps not to put temptation on show. That said, it was one of the places I've felt least concerned about crime. People were very hospitable and friendly and are obsessed with the English premier league.  I was  in Kampala 2005 when Liverpool when the cup in Istanbul and when people found out I came from Liverpool they were very impressed !

Uganda is currently one of the most stable places in Africa, apart from the area in the far north where the LRA is still active but we arent going anywhere near there.  Most african states are very anxious to protect tourists because we bring foreign exchange in so security measures tend to be good.  You also need to be mindful that Uganda is a very conservative country - I'm sure you have picked up recent news about anti gay legislation.  However much we might disagree I personally feel its not the place for tourists to pick an argument over stuff like this. Interesting I found that many people were very anxious to reassure me that female circumcision no longer happens, which of course it does, but they didnt want to offend me.

If you havent been to Africa before it will be a culture shock , you just to go with the flow, accept that Africa is Africa, be prepared to rough it, not expect european standards  and accept that things happen in Africa time.  I think its going to be fantastic trip, I'm counting the days already

Sandra

Sandra, thanks for all the information. I have never been to Uganda nor West/Central Africa and your experiences sound very positive and helpful. I have been to Tanzania, but that was to climb Mt Kilimanjaro and really we didn't see a lot of the people or the towns/cities. I have also been to South Africa, but really that was to the obvious tourist spots, so Uganda will be a new experience for me and it's reassuring that you have real experience of it.

I hope that you get on well with the trainer. He may not know much about altitude, but there isn't much you can do here anyway. The maximum altitude on the trek is under 5000m, which is certainly enough to know about it and merits taking appropriate steps when on the trek (I mentioned the simple but essential things in my previous message), but it isn't extreme altitude so should be OK.

Keep up the training!

Keith

Hi Keith

the personal trainer is very good.  We have like you come to the conclusion all we can do is focus on general fitness and endurance stuff.   If you've managed Kilimanjaro no doubt you'll be running up this one like  a mountian goat !!.  I had thought about it instead fo this one but it seems to have got a bit crowded and expendsive.   I think you'll love Uganda and we have got a few days to have a look around.

My email is sandra.crowder11@hotmail.com.  If you have any more questions about travel in Africa generally or Uganda I'm happy to give my personal views on stuff.    I'm assuming you are going on the group flights.  Maybe it would be nice to meet at check in and share the wait rather than play spot the fellow exodus passenger which I'm a dismal at !

Sandra

Sandra, sorry to have been slow in responding. Yes I will drop you an e-mail and yes it would be good to meet at check in.

 Keith

Sandra I have tried to send you an e-mail but it has been rejected as the e-mail address you gave does not appear to be valid. Are you sure it is correct?

 Keith

Hi Keith  - sorry I managed to give you half my work address and half my private one

 the  correct one is sandracrowder11@hotmail.com 

 Sandra

Hi all

Anyone else out there going to Uganda in September? 

 Sandra

Yes - We'll be there - and I promise to be very slow!

Hi

we'll be at the back together then.  Glad its not a comptetion.  I'm travelling solo so try and meet people to while away tedious airport time if possible.  Let me know if you'd like to meet up for a coffee after check in.  Saves the game of trying to spot your fellow traveller whichI'm very bad at

 Sandra

Hi

we'll be at the back together then.  Glad its not a comptetion.  I'm travelling solo so try and meet people to while away tedious airport time if possible.  Let me know if you'd like to meet up for a coffee after check in.  Saves the game of trying to spot your fellow traveller whichI'm very bad at

 Sandra