Climbing Mountain Moroto – Mountain Climbing in Uganda – Hiking Mountain Moroto in Karamoja Region
Climbing mountain moroto – The mountain is adjacent to the town of Moroto in Moroto district, Karamoja in the Northern region of Uganda. It is approximately 3 kilometers by road, East of Moroto’s central business district. Mount Moroto is one of a chain of volcanoes along Uganda’s international border with Kenya that begins with Mount Elgon in the south and includes Mount Kadam and Mount Morungole. The region around Mount Moroto is a forest reserve protecting a range of habitats from arid thorn savanna to dry montane forest. The coordinates of Mount Moroto are 2°31’30.0″N, 34°46’21.0″E (Latitude:2.5250; Longitude:34.7725).
The surrounding mountain ranges were prepossessing; I have always considered Moroto as one of the most unique districts we have in Uganda ranging from the semi-arid climate in some months of the year, the pastoralist background of the locals and their unique form of dressing, culture and lifestyle which they have maintained to date. The Karamojong can easily be compared to the Masai of Kenya and Tanzania who are among the most admirable tribes in Africa.
Climbing Mountain Moroto
The nature reserve that encloses Mount Moroto measures 483 square kilometers (119,000 acres) and contains over 220 bird species, monkeys and wild cats. Climbing trails exist and mountain guides are available.
The following is essential for the hike
- Quality hiking boots
2. A Quality backpack
3. Hands watch
4. Sun-glasses
5. A long pair of thick socks
6. Long sleeved shirts and long pants for protection from thorns from the bushes along the
hiking trail
7. Sunscreen for skin protection (the heat in this region tends to be extreme especially between
December-February). - A hat or cap to offer protection from the hot sun.
9. Plenty of drinking water at least 2 liters (one can also fetch water along some streams on the
way, however they need to be purified with purification tablets).
10. Oranges for vitamin c, chocolate bars and salty snacks are also handy to replace the nutrients
lost during the hike.
11. Altitude sickness tablets like Diamox and Acetazolamide come in handy for hikers who suffer
from Altitude sickness. Medication is best when taken a day before the hike or at the start of the
hike.
12. A sleeping bag, a tent, and all the necessary beddings required. (If hiker’s choose to spend a
night at the mountain)
13. A head torch comes in handy especially in the night.
14. A camera/phone camera to capture the breath taking views encountered during the hike.
15. A fully charged power bank to re-charge one’s phone comes in very handy. - Toilet paper/wet wipes/hand sanitizer/face towel/Tooth paste & brush- Hikers should not
expect to have a bath/shower at the mountain.
17. A small cooking stove, utensils and easy to prepare meals for dinner and breakfast- This is for
the hikers who prefer to spend a night at the mountain.
18. A trash bag that will be used to collect litter. It’s important for hikers to conserve the
environment and leave it clean.
19. Hikers can carry small quantities of salt, soap and biscuits to give to the communities residing at
the bases of the mountains. This is usually a kind gesture towards the locals that is always highly
appreciated. However, this is not compulsory!
Accommodation is readily available at the Tapac Monastery. MCU has a good relationship with father Hans, Father Jimmy and Brother Paulinas who are always willing to help hikers settle in comfortably.
Farming
The natural springs on the slopes of the mountain coalesce to form springs and small rivers. The World Food Program is teaching the Karamojong people how to harvest and store that water and use it to irrigate agricultural produce for household food and for income generation.
