By Sabiiti Mwine Mbiire-The Planned Tourist

If you had told me years ago that I’d trade my predictable routine for hiking trails, I would have laughed. Back then, my world was confined to a predictable rhythm of work and social commitments. I admired nature from a distance—a car window, or a far-off mountain view—but I never truly immersed myself in it. All of that shifted when I stumbled upon the Fort Portal City Walkers. That chance encounter sparked a profound change, and hiking became a part of who I am, leading me to unexpected adventures, improved wellness, and personal development.

The Awakening

It started from meeting a hikers group while I was going for work on a Saturday morning, curiously I asked what they were up to, one of them told me they were members of Fort Portal City Walkers and they did hikes every Saturday. I asked if I could join them on another Saturday, the gentleman said yes. I didn’t know where to find them, but the love I developed led me to searching in google until I found their Facebook page with a phone contact. I made a contact and an appointment was made for the next Saturday. The Saturday came, reluctant but curious, I made it to the meeting point. My hike journey began. The first hike was tough; I was out of breath, my muscles ached, but as I reached the trail end, something within me shifted. The panoramic view of the crater lakes of Rwetera, the sense of achievement, the sheer beauty of unspoiled nature — it was exhilarating. That hike was just the beginning.

Physical and Mental Transformation

The more I hiked, the more changes I noticed. My body grew stronger, my stamina improved, and those once-tough trails became easier. But the physical benefits were just part of the story. Hiking became my mental sanctuary. The stress of work life melted away with each step on the trail. The endorphin rush, the ‘hiker’s high’, became my new addiction.

Social Bonds

I also discovered a community of hiking clubs, the Fort Portal City Walkers, Ibanda Trekkers Club, Kasese Hikers Club, Sipi Hikers Club, Uyo City Hikers, Uganda Hiking club and others are in formation. Each hike was an opportunity to meet new people, share stories, share opportunities and carrier experience and form friendships. These weren’t just people to hike with; they were fellow adventurers sharing the journey of life.

A Deeper Connection

As my connection with nature deepened, so did my appreciation for travel and tourism. I found myself participating in travel and tourism but also in conservation campaigns, understanding that protecting these beautiful trails was a responsibility. Hiking taught me the value of simplicity and the joy of disconnecting from the digital world. It brought a sense of balance and perspective to my life.

Today

Now, whenever I lace up my boots for another hike, I realize how this simple activity has transformed me. It’s more than exercise; it’s a journey of self-discovery, connection, and joy. Hiking has taught me that sometimes, the best way to move forward in life is to take a walk in nature. Sometimes I participate in organizing group hiking trips, a new life experience I never expected.

Isn’t planning for a hike trip difficult?

Taking many people and especially those who are new to you on the road trip for entire weekend has its challenges and logistics and finances are frightening. Once the commitment is made, tasks are ticked off one by one, money mobilized, and before you know it the car is on road and you’re heading to a place across districts.

What has always been your biggest worries on group hike trips? 

You must accept that some people eg. ladies and children on any trip will be exposed to dangers otherwise not encountered in their normal life. So it is essential to be able to evaluate and prepare for risks and convince ourselves that with the right preparations and research such risks can be minimized to a point where it is possible to head off relatively confident of their safety. There are so many unknowns that you just have to bumble your way through. Ladies especially on any trip are great icebreakers when meeting people and they help open doors that you may not otherwise have noticed.

Prepare as best as you can. Respect characters and cultures different from your own, learn at least basic courtesies of communities you are going to visit. Go with an open mind, flexibility, and spontaneity. When traveling as a group, keep an eye on the vulnerable but give them enough freedom to explore and extend their boundaries naturally.

What are the hardest challenges of being together on the road?

Communication; It has been important for us all to find snippets of time for ourselves. Living in such confined places of work and homes for so long can be exhausting and claustrophobic. Communication takes patience, and this is important for all of us but a bonus to team leaders. When we’re breaking off from our routines, it can be profoundly rewarding, but incredibly challenging. If the group members see and experience difficult situations and conditions, you have to remember to come in to answer the nonstop questions patiently. And when surrounded by all group members, all vying for attention, you have to remember your team members from time to time, some time you remember your own interests on the trip later.

What advice do you have for members on Group hiking trips?

Be ready for it to be different than home. Volunteer your time to help your colleagues whenever there is need. It’s hard and scary and you see things you don’t want to and can’t even believe, but you’ll make friends and learn a lot. Don’t be shy to share your story and fun with others. Be ready to be surrounded by people asking different questions and seeking different attention. Have fun. Roads are rough and drives are long. Always be ready for unusual. Expect to hold in your anger sometimes, annoying moments will be.

Share some new discoveries on such group hiking trips:

It’s always great to travel in groups. You get to know a whole new family and learn how people behave. You meet people doing different activities, you learn lessons for your life time. You make friends and connections you will never have imagined.

What does it mean to travel with passion and purpose?

To travel with passion and purpose is to move through as a student, learn all you can, and contribute where possible. We are all keen to lend our skills in some meaningful way and get deeper insights into the places we travel through and to the people we travel with.

What have you discovered on most trips?

My goal in the beginning was to spend time in a group and to see different things on the trip, reassess the direction of my life, work, and where am living. The most important thing was always to remind myself of how privileged I am belonging to some hikers groups, to be experiencing all the wonders of nature and humanity in such an extraordinary way. I have discovered that travel is not always a holiday but that each day brings experiences that challenge or delight in unexpected ways is one of my best discoveries. Along the way, our connections grow closer and stronger.

You normally do a lot of photography on trips, what has been your most challenge?

As a photographer, while others are minding their business, you also mind their business at the expense of your business sometimes. Many on the group want your attention, they have hope in you for capturing their best moments, so you must give them the best. For example on some hikes such as in the lakes or waterfalls you are aiming at capturing every moment without dropping your camera into the water. So, you don’t participate in a number of activities as you have to capture those activities. In the end you are not seen in most activities of the trip because you are always behind the camera and the camera captures only those who are in front of it.

How have hike trips inspired you?

Most of the places we hike to have in nature what we studied in school. It’s always a privilege and a great opportunity to see with your naked eyes what you studied in school many years ago. And now you have time to see, touch and feel those lessons. Most of the time when you are going on a new trip you expect to find there something you either studied about in school, read in books or watched on TV.

How does it feel travelling with strangers whenever you are travelling with a group for the first time?

We all travel for a reason whether it is Experience or Mood Swing, it inspiring being with new people. You get to think about new people and natural beauty of the places you are going to visit. If you are a traveler and want to feel a new touch of both people and nature up close, then I would suggest that you should go with even new people in your life. So I always plan my trip because I know the journey can spin any mood especially when you meet new people from different cultural background. I can’t say in the words, but a trip with totally new people is always unbelievable. “It’s difficult to put into words the true value of travel with any team, because I’m sure it will continue to influence you well beyond the here and now.”

You can share your experience too

Have you experienced the transformative power of hiking? What trails have you explored, and how have they changed you? I’d love to hear your stories and insights. Share them in the comments section— let’s celebrate the trails that lead us to discover not just the world, but ourselves.

Follow this link to become a member of Uganda Hiking Club and enjoy affordable and exciting travels and adventures. Whether you are a Ugandan or from any other country on the globe; https://ugandahikingclub.com/apply-for-membership/