What to Pack For Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda.
You have already paid for your gorilla tour, gorilla permits, transport, and accommodation with Cheetah Safaris, The next very important thing is to make sure that you have packed the right gorilla trekking gear for your gorilla safari.
Gorilla trekking clothes are the same for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, So, the next question to be answered is what to pack for a gorilla trek safari in Uganda. Cheetah Safaris recommended list of what to pack for a gorilla safari below is for gorilla trekking but if your gorilla tour is combined with wildlife safaris, you might need to check our African Safari Packing list.
What to Pack For Gorilla Tracking Safari
For the gorilla trekking safari either in Uganda or Rwanda, we will recommend below packing list below to help you plan early for your next safari in Uganda.
1. Proper Trekking Hiking Boots
One of the most important items that should be included in your gorilla trekking gear are hiking boots. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Volcanoes National Park involves trekking/hiking in search of the endangered mountain gorillas.
Due to the rough terrain of the park plus the altitude and forest, you need lightweight hiking boots to maneuver around the forest and thickets of the park.
Hiking boots are a must as you decide on what to pack for your gorilla trekking adventure in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.
2. Garden Gloves
During a gorilla trekking in Bwindi Uganda, it is recommended to have hand gloves to protect your hands during your trek. As you move in this forest, remember that it can get slippery and somehow you need to hold on to something just in case such happens.
If you happen to touch some itching plants, trees or even climbing trees, you may be harmed. These gloves will therefore protect you from germs and other items that may scratch your hands. Consider including Garden Gloves in your gorilla trekking packing list.
3. Rain Jacket
Consider including a rain jacket or poncho in your gorilla trekking packing list as it is very crucial as far as gorilla trekking gear is concerned. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a tropical rainforest and as such, rain is received throughout the whole year. You will never tell when it is going to rain so you need a rain jacket to be protected from rain.
Many clients prefer traveling in the drier months of June, July, August, and the beginning of September and try to avoid the rainy seasons of March, April, and May but being a tropical rain forest, it can rain any time. When deciding on what to pack for your gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Volcanoes National Park, a Rain jacket or Poncho should be included. Best time to visit Uganda for a safari.
4. Long Sleeved Shirts/Blouse
You are required to have long-sleeved trousers/shirts/blouses for your gorilla trekking safari in Uganda. Please ensure that you tack in your trousers in your hiking boots to avoid insects such as safari ants entering your trousers. Jeans and Kachi trousers can do this better.
5. Energy Giving snacks and drinks
Gorilla trekking can take from 30 minutes to eight or so hours and that’s why a certain level of fitness is required. To add to that, we advise that you carry some energy-giving snacks and drinks as supplements. Before departing from your lodge, you need to carry your packed lunch and lots of drinking water as you never know when you will return. Energy-giving foods can be bought in Uganda or Rwanda so contact or ask our safari guide assigned to you at a nearby supermarket.
6. Cameras and extra batteries
Photography is an important component of your safari and thus make sure that you have your camera ready, charge your batteries very well and if necessary, carry extra batteries as you will need to take as many photographs in the one hour you will have with the gorillas. Please make sure that you switch off your flash while taking gorilla photographs to maintain silence.
7. Safari Hat and Sun Glasses
If it is hot, please carry a hat to protect you from the strong sun rays. You may also need to carry some sunglasses too. These are extra options that will help due to heat, and sun burns. Please also remember to carry sunscreen lotions and friendly insect repellants.
8. Pair of Binoculars
Don’t forget that you are on a Uganda safari and you want to have clear views of everything. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to over 350 birds, chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys among other primates, forest elephants, and buffaloes so during your trek in search for the rare mountain gorillas, you will have a chance to spot some of the above.
9. Porters for your gorilla trek
This is an extra optional item and we advise all our clients to take a porter for their gorilla trekking. As earlier noted, gorilla trekking can be strenuous and thus you will need someone to give you a push or a pull on the way to the gorillas.
These porters go for a fee but it is worth it. Remember that these porters are college school-going students either in their vacation or internship, By paying their allowances to have a porter with you, you will have contributed to community development indirectly.
Miscellaneous things to pack for the gorilla trekking safari in Uganda
- Ziplock bags
- Your favorite long-lasting energy snack for hiking; A mix of dried fruit and nuts is a great, energizing snack. You can also request the chef at the lodge to pack your favorite in your ziplock.
- A small flashlight for late-night walks to your cottage
- A pair of binoculars for birdwatching
- A tablet or light laptop
- Camera or Cell phone for photography. You may find wifi at the lodge to connect with your social buddies.
- A waterproof daypack or backpack for daily activities is handy.
- Your electronics chargers with a socket adopter.
- Headphones for those quiet me-time
- Emergency, friends, and family contacts
Essential items you must have for the gorilla trekking experience in Uganda
- 2 facemasks & hand sanitizer
- Reusable drinking water can/bottle – you’ll need a lot of drinking water
- Long sleeve shirt or T-shirt
- Long pants
- Walking/hiking boots
- Long socks
- Raincoat or poncho
- Drinking Water
- Snacks
- Lunch pack & snack
What to carry during a gorilla trekking adventure
Now that you have the proper clothing, it is essential to know what you need to carry. Lasting anything between two hours to seven hours, enough water and food are essentials for your gorilla trekking. But don’t worry. Your guide will remind you at all times.
What your guide will probably forget to tell you is to bring some mosquito repellent, sun cream, a handkerchief to clean your sweat, and a first aid kit.
Here is a complete list of everything that you need in your backpack during a gorilla trekking:
- At least 2 liters of water
- A light lunch box (you will be only able to eat once at a designated site)
- A basic first aid kit (painkillers, diarrhea tablets, band-aids)
- One handkerchief
- Sun cream and mosquito repellent
- Power bank
In case you are bringing a professional camera to take photographs of the gorillas, this is my recommendation as a professional photographer.
- One medium-range lens (50-80 mm)
- One ultra-telephoto lens (150-600 mm) – this was my most used lens during the trek
- 2-3 additional batteries
- Power bank with an adapter to charge batteries in case they run out of energy
Pack for a Purpose
Cheetah Safaris supports Enkongu Primary School through the Pack for Purpose Initiative. Consider leaving a little room in your bag to pack some things for the children of Enkongu Primary School in Kajiado Kenya.
Most urgently, they need book bags, colored pencils, HB pencils, sharpeners, and solar lantern lights but any stationery, educational tools, or personal hygiene products are welcome. Hand over the supplies at our offices and free up a little room for safari souvenirs.
Start Planning Your First Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda. Get In Touch With Us Now To Start Planning.
Cheetah Safaris has fantastic, experienced safari experts available and prepared to assist you in creating a once-in-a-lifetime beach holiday experience. Fill in Our Contact Form with the details you want or send us a WhatsApp text to reach us at +254780337652.
