Travel tips

• Binoculars (so you get to see the leopard way out there in the tree!),
• Sunglasses
• Medication you use at home (always in your hand luggage, just in case you lose your suitcase!)
• Passports, money, tickets
• Hand Medicine: analgesic, allergy pills, remedy for diarrhea (maybe Imodium), malaria pills, plasters and disinfectant wipes
• Camera and memory cards more than you expect to use, including battery charger and a bag to protect the camera from Africa’s fine, red dust
• Shoulder bag with sturdy strap and zip.  A money belt or good inside pockets that can be zipped up
• A few photocopies of all personal documents such as passports, visas, flights, travel insurance, vaccination card, international debit cards, (Master Card, Visa credit cards etc.) driving license
• Telephone list for immediate blocking of lost debit card and insurance
• Mail addresses of those you wish to send postcards or send messages too.
• Notebook and pens
• A good book or something to keep you entertained

Climbing Gear
The right mountain climbing gear is of utmost importance to the success and safety of your tropical mountain trek. We suggest that you bring with you the itemized list for your trek. Porters will carry up to (10Kilogrames) of your personal gear and no more!

Our suggested packing list shall allow you keep to the weight limit. However, if you wish to engage more porter support, our expedition team shall accommodate the need.

Just let us know in advance if you require this extra support

Practical & Light
Practical mountain gear determines warmth, temperatures, and safety on climb and thus the need to choose good quality equipment that is dependable and flexible under conditions of extreme variety

Clothing
Mountain clothing caters for both safety and comfort

Quality and proper fitting of your clothing are important. Wool or synthetic fabrics that keep moisture from the body and are easy to dry are recommended

A four-layer clothing plan is recommended

First Layer – This layer manages moisture and keeps body perspiration away from your skin.

Second layer -soft Shell – This should be a layer that breathes well. It should also be wind / water resistant, comfortable and also durable.

Recommended Soft shell fabrics are Polar Tec Wind Pro, Gore Windstopper N2S, Schoeller; each clothing manufacturer has their own. 200 weight fleece can be substituted for our Softshell recommendations but is not as versatile with how it may be used when layering.

Hard Shell – Windproof, waterproof and breathable. (e.g. Gore-Tex, or similar)

Insulating Layer – Should be down-fill or synthetic-fill and fit over all layers. (e.g. down, prim aloft or polar guard)

The four layers are sufficient for most climbers, a vest is an added advantage to keep warm around the camp. During packing, please bring enough clothes and accessories to ensure your safety and comfort, while keeping to the essentials

Head and Face

Fleece or wool hat/Balaclava: to also cover the ears/ cheeks. Shade hat: a visor hat with a good brim is essential for protection from the equatorial sun

Bandanas: various uses – cleaning glasses, sun protection when tied around the neck, etc.

Sunglasses or Glacier glasses: essential eye protection whether in the tropics, at high altitudes or by the water.

Upper Body

T-shirts: two t-shirts that will get dirty; Patagonia capelin is best. Avoid cotton. Long underwear top: one medium weight and one heavyweight long sleeve Patagonia capelin, pullover is best.

Fleece or soft-shell Jacket: This is what you will be wearing while hiking at higher altitudes or while around at camps at lower altitude. These jackets should be full-zip and accessible. Check more details on “Soft-shell”.

Gore-Tex Parka: a good parka made of Cortex or waterproof nylon that has been seam sealed. Afternoon showers are common on tropical mountains

Down or Synthetic Jacket: This layer is to keep you warm, especially at those higher altitudes.

Patagonia Puffball Jacket is good for the Mountain treks

Fleece Glove: a lightweight glove to use while trekking and hanging around camp

Shell Gloves: A shell system of a fleece liner and waterproof shell that handles cold.

Lower Body

Undergarments: adequate supply for the entire climb

Hiking shorts: one pair of quick-drying shorts; good for hiking at lower elevations on the mountain

Long underwear / Johns or tights: These can be worn under heavier layers on colder days or worn by themselves on warmer days, which are why tights are good.

Soft Shell Pants: soft-shell pants are water resistant, yet highly breathable and durable.

Great for colder conditions over a pair of long underwear or tights

Gore-Tex Pants: a lightweight pair of pants to keep you dry when raining or snowing hard. Full-zips are convenient.

Feet

Thin socks: two pair of polypropylene socks to wear under heavy wool socks; help prevent blisters and keep feet dry

Thick socks: two pair of heavy wool or polypropylene socks, medium to heavyweight.

Hiking boots: one pair light to medium weight hiking boots large enough to be comfortable with one thin and one heavy sock. (Use tried and tested boots to avoid blisters and take a good supply of Compeed blister plasters)

Gaiters: one pair of gaiters made of breathable material; keeps dirt and mud out of boots

Tennis shoes or sandals: to wear in camp after a day of hiking

Sleeping Gear

We recommend a 4 season sleeping bag and a liner:

Night-time temperatures on the mountain can be as low as -10 degrees c and thus a warm bag is required

Sleeping pad: Full-length Therma-Rest or equivalent.

Personal Health
Toiletries: toothbrush and paste, comb, tampons, biodegradable soap (small amt.), etc.

Sunscreen: bring plenty of sun block with SPF of 15 or more. It’s easy to underestimate the amount necessary for equatorial sun protection.

Lip balm: must have SPF rating of 15 or more

Ear plugs: to block out snoring and other noise to ensure a good night’s sleep Flashlight and/or headlamp: bring extra batteries

Personal first aid and drug kit

Towel: for wash up in camp

Towelettes: individually wrapped anti-bacterial towels are great for general hygiene

Spare contacts or glasses: contacts can be a problem in dusty conditions; glasses wearers should have a spare set

Water

Water bottles: two one-quart, wide-mouthed plastic bottles. If you use a collapsible water bottle or hydration system you are welcome to bring it along for drinking water. However, continue to bring at least one hard plastic bottle in addition. These can be used in cold weather as hot water bottles in your sleeping bag. (Example: Nalgene)

Water treatment tablets: one small bottle of Potable Agua or Polar Pure crystal iodine; purifies drinking water while on the trek.

Water flavoring: powdered additives like Tang, Gatoraid and Wyler’s lemonade make treated water taste better.

Carrying Gear
Day Pack: with padded shoulder straps and waist belt; To carry personal essentials such as water bottle, extra clothing, snacks, camera, etc. Individual loads will be between 5 and 10 kgs. A climbing pack with a volume between 25-30 litres serves most people needs well.

Large Backpack: gear will be kept in it and the entire Backpack will go into the group mountain bag that will be carried by the porters. Limit loads to items on the equipment list. Your large Backpack cannot exceed 10 kgs. Approx: 28″x16″x16″ No wheels or hard sided bags

Medium duffel bag: to store your non-mountain gear; this will be stored at the hotel, to be used after the climb and will be brought to your hotel.

Plastic bags: sleeping bag and clothes will be double-bagged while on the mountain for protection from afternoon rains. Heavy-duty garbage bags work great and can store dirty or wet clothes as well.

Game Viewing
Binoculars: essential for game-viewing

Camera: Photography

More Essentials
Adjustable ski poles

Umbrella (optional): protection from rain and sun compact and light weight

Portable chair (optional): Therma-rest and Crazy Creek both make light-weight, comfortable portable chairs.

Snacks (optional): in case there is something you like to snack on while hiking, you can bring some along

Plastic sandwich bags: keeps personal items separate and dry

There’re so many mountain trek experiences to choose from with Randu Safaris. Start planning your dream adventure by taking a look at the latest mountain trekking tours in East Africa.