Packing Checklist for Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda & Uganda
Planning a gorilla trekking expedition in Uganda and Rwanda can be a bit tricky especially if it’s your first time safari in Africa. The challenge with gorilla trekking is that you need to come prepared with proper clothing if you want to have a successful trek.
You will be navigating through the deep tropical rainforest and for this you need to a proper packing list of what to wear for gorilla trekking to avoid issues during your trek. Cool mornings, tropical afternoons, the climate is mild, it’s no surprise that it requires a bit of special extra packing.
Adding to your mountain gorilla trekking preparations, this tour requires a fair fitness level as you will be hiking your way through thick tropical vegetation and somehow steep landscapes, at times muddy mountain tracks. Both your gorilla trekking clothes and shoes should be suitable for these conditions.
Clothing Essentials for Gorilla Trekking Tours
We’ve shared below the kind of clothes to wear for gorilla trekking trips. Psss! While packing for this life changing adventure make sure that you start with essentials first and then make sure that the following items do not miss out in your packing list:
Uganda
Clothing’s For the Gorilla Tracks
-It often rains heavily, even in the dry season, so a light raincoat will be needed
-Sturdy walking boots with good ankle support and grip are also needed
-A light shoulder bag or small rucksack is useful for carrying your packed lunch, water bottles, raincoat, camera and other essentials. Local porters are also available to assist with the luggage, ensuring you have a stress-free movement and photographing opportunities
-Strong gloves are of great help, as you will be hauling yourself uphill by crabbing the bushes, and often sliding downhill as you make your way
-During the track, wearing a pair of walking trousers or gaiters will prevent cuts and insect bites
-Carry a water-proof plastic bag to wrap your camera and film or memory cards
-(Important) Flash photography is strictly banned as this may upset the gorillas, make sure you bring ample supplies of high-speed film (400 ASA minimum or 800 ASA recommended) or memory cards to counter this. Also make sure are completely familiar with the workings of your camera before you observe the gorillas.
Clothing’s For Your Stay at The Gorilla Camp
-Evening dress is ‘casual smart’. We advise our guests to dress in a way they feel most comfortable.
-The evenings can get chilly, and so it is advisable to bring with you warm clothes. For the day time, light clothes usually suffice.
Stay Calm
The Clothes to Wear for A Full Day Gorilla Trek
Rain Jacket or Poncho
Gorilla trekking is done mainly within the thick tropical rain forest, and because of this, all visitors are encouraged to bring a rain jacket or poncho to protect themselves from unexpected rain while gorillas tracking since and it can rain at any time of day.
Long Sleeved Shirts/T-Shirt/Sweater
Both mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda & Rwanda starts early in the morning and can be cold during this period therefore, all visitors planning gorilla trekking in Africa are required to have a long-sleeved shirt or T-shirt/sweater. As well, the long-sleeved shirts can also help safeguard your hands from the falling tree branches or itching plants, thorns, stinging insects and many more.
Long Pants or Trousers and Socks
While trekking with mountain gorillas in Uganda & Rwanda, there are higher chances that you will encounter thick vines, scratchy brush and long pants are the best way to protect you from injuring your legs. Before starting off, your mountain gorilla guide will advise you to tack in your trousers or pants into socks and then proceed to look out for your habituated gorilla family.
Waterproof Hiking Boots
Exciting as it should be, African gorilla trekking is an active adventure and mainly involves hiking through the thick forest and steep slopes on the look out for a gorilla family. Gorilla trekking tours is a challenging experience and depending on the season, you can even encounter muddy areas especially when it rains. You therefore need to bring along good hiking boots which should also be light weight and waterproof to help you hike comfortably through the forest.
Gardening Gloves
Just as we’ve discussed, this is a jungle adventure and as such, anything can happen and higher chances are you will need to have support as you make your way from one area to another, and in order to avoid grabbing itching plants, harmful plants or thorns, gardening gloves are the best for you to have in your hands for such gorilla expeditions.
Go Gorilla Trekking
Photographic Equipment’s for Gorilla Trekking Trips
First, if your camera has a flashlight, you are advised to turn it off when taking gorilla photos, as this can upset them.
Keep in mind that carrying a long zoom lens will be heavy. Opt for a mid-size lens, and bring along a cloth as a fogged-up lens when capturing a gorilla’s portrait will not work.
Ensure you bring along a camera and extra batteries. You want to avoid issues of missed opportunities, imagine the long day hike through the jungles and steep slopes and then you bump into a gorilla family, this is a moment everyone wants to make the best use of their cameras photographing these Silverback gorillas.
Toiletries And Medicine for Silverback Gorilla Trekking
Insect Repellents
An African safari to see silverback mountain gorillas means you will be in a new destination and higher chances are that you will encounter biting insects in the tropical forest. The best way to protect yourself from this is for you to bring along an insect repellent.
Malaria Pills/ Tablets
Journeying to a new destination as expected comes with its own challenges especially for the first timers and for one to be on a safer side is for you to be well prepared. Malaria pills should be a must in your packing list and they should be prescribed by your home doctor.
Bottled Water and Snacks
We will be trekking/hiking for hours therefore you need to be well-prepared, and well hydrated. Just to ensure you have a comfortable trek, you must have bottled drinking water and some energy giving snacks for this expedition to keep you going.
Photo Time
Extra Packing Essentials for Gorilla Trekking In Uganda And Rwanda
The other items that shouldn’t miss out in your packing list include face mask, hat, walking stick, first aid kit, waterproof day pack, sun glasses, toilet paper, binoculars, local currency /cash – after your incredible time with the gorillas, you may want to tip your guide, visa just to mention but a few.
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