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I split my training for the trip into gym work and hillwalking. The walking was done with a full pack to get used to the weight of the bag prior to the trip. So I've one less thing to worry about when I was there.
Gym work would mainly consist of CV machines and weights three times a week, with rest days after each session. I'd usally do a few laps of the pool after the gym to cool down. Somedays I'd do more swimming and less gym work. A great advantage was the streamroom / sauna which were great for unwinding and acclimatising also ! It turned out that the weather for the trip wasn't the stereotypical african blazing sunshines and it occaissonally rained so hard I felt like I was down in west Cork in winter!
The week prior to the trip, I cut out the gym completely and just went swimming at a relaxed pace instead. I felt I was ready enough for the trip then, but theres not much you can tell about how walking at altitude it going to affect you, so you shouldn't feel the need to go overboard with training. Basically just build up the legs and back and swimming is great for exercising the heart and lungs.
The machines I used most for getting a good CV workout were the crosstrainer for 20-30 minutes (on an aerobic / hill setting), step machine for 20 mins (aiming for 200+ steps) at hill setting also. I found the toughest machine I had to use was the bike, which was on manual setting for 20minutes at level 12 and keep a pace of about 60RPM going...I never ached so much (until this trek!), but I really felt it was excellent training.
The weights machines used were primarily for building up the legs, though I also did some back extension stuff, in case the constant hauling the rucksack around would aggravate anything. No problems were encountered on the trip anyway, so it didn't hurt doing them anyway.
Living in Cork in the south of Ireland, I'm only an hour or so from the highest mountains in Ireland,The Magillycuddy's Reeks, and so I would frequently head down there at weekends. My usual haunts were Corran Tuathail and Maolan Bui and Purple Mountain, but I also went up Mangarton and Caher if I needed a bit of a change of scenery! On clear days you can see for miles. On the way home then I'd sometimes stop off into the Mills Inn in BallyVourvey for a pint and some food..definitely recommend it if you're looking for somewhere to break up the journey to Killarney.