These are the necessary items to pack and attire for gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda. Let’s take a brief look at the packing list for gorilla trekking.

 

What to Pack for Trekking with Gorillas

What should I wear when gorilla trekking in Uganda, you may be wondering? Everything you need to know about packing for gorilla trekking, including what to dress and carry, is provided here. A necessary A gorilla trekking packing list should include everything you’ll need, from the finest clothes to shoes.

Above all, the gorilla trekking equipment should be comfortable since it guarantees that you will arrive to the designated gorilla family uninjured and undamaged. To go to the park, you should get everything you’ll need for gorilla trekking in Uganda in advance. For this reason, we walk you through all the necessities so you may get them before the hike.

This advice includes a packing list for mountain gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

 

What to Bring on a Gorilla Trek Packing List

There are a few things that are helpful to have on the trip, regardless of whether you are going to Mgahinga Gorilla Park or Bwindi Forest. The list that follows will help you decide what to dress on a long or short gorilla trekking safari in Uganda.

 

The appropriate attire for gorilla trekking

Walking through deep woods is a part of gorilla trekking, thus you need to safeguard your body. Put on a rain jacket, cap or hair bandana, long safari-style pants, long safari-style shirts, hand gloves, and extra-thick stockings.

 

Long safari pants

The dense vegetation in the Gorilla Parks is made up of a variety of flora that might irritate your skin. When walking with gorillas, wear long pants to protect your body from rashes or bruising from plants like nettles.

When selecting the ideal trousers for the journey, make sure they fit easily into your stockings, aren’t too tight, and provide you the flexibility to hike up and down the mountains. Since you will have a backpack with your needs and, if necessary, hire a porter to carry your stuff, you do not need trousers with plenty of pockets. Waterproof pants are a great option since they will keep your body warm and dry, particularly if it rains while you are trekking.

Decide to bring pants that can be taken off. Since you may wear them as shorts at different points throughout your safari—especially on a long Uganda safari—they will be quite useful. In the nights, shorts are acceptable.

 

Long shirts or t-shirts with safari designs

You’ll also need to safeguard your hands perfectly. Even though you could perspire when hiking, long-sleeved clothes are ideal since it becomes colder at higher elevations.

The finest shirts to wear are made of cotton or include a layer of merino wool. If it’s warm, they shouldn’t be so heavy that they suffocate you.  Since you’ll also need to bring a lightweight jacket, a lighter one would be ideal.

While in the forest, long-sleeved shirts will shield you from nettle stings and scratches. Your interest will determine the shirt’s size. The shirt may be any color if you’re wearing a jacket.

 

A raincoat

It’s highly important to have a lightweight rain jacket or waterproof jacket with you. Gorillas in Uganda get a lot of rain, which may fall at any time of day, since their habitats are lush and well-vegetated.

It is chilly in the morning when you go to the bush, even if it is not the rainy season. It wouldn’t be pleasant to feel the chill when it begins to rain while hiking. Select a lightweight waterproof jacket. However, it shouldn’t be the paper thin or very light jacket that is punctured by any plants.

To keep yourself warm and safe, get a jacket in a size that fits you. In order to prevent the jacket from trapping heat while you are walking through the forest, it should also be breathable.

To keep your head dry in the event of rain, make sure your jacket has a hoodie. Although waterproof, weather-resistant coats may leak through water if the rains are prolonged, this one shouldn’t be.

 

Bandana or hat

You should hold your long hair and protect it from any insects that could creep.  Having a hat would be quite beneficial, particularly in the event of rain. A hair bandana might be useful, however, merely to keep your hair in place if you’re wearing a jacket and sweatshirt.

 

Extra-thick stockings

The thick Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a great place to go gorilla trekking in Uganda. There are many crawling insects that may try to get on your legs. Tiny insects that may damage your legs include red fire ants.

Thus, when you can tuck in your pants, make sure you have a pair of thick, tall stockings. Therefore, while deciding what to wear for gorilla trekking in Uganda, it is a must-have item.

 

Gloves for the hands

Consider donning hand gloves to protect your hands. The paths may be slick when hiking, therefore you may need to hold onto any plants. Wearing hand gloves will protect your hands since you may not know what you’re touching. In addition to keeping your hands warm during the rainy season, they will shield you from nettles and insect stings.

Note: To avoid drawing insects and to blend in with the natural surroundings, all of your clothing should have safari-inspired hues. Dark green, khaki, or brown hues are the most often suggested colors.  White might turn into a complete mess by the end of the walk, so stay away from wearing bright colors like blue and red.

 

Packing List for Gorilla Trekking Backpack

For walking with gorillas, a waterproof backpack is ideal. All of your possessions, including film, batteries, and other gadgets, will be kept in the bag. Additionally, being waterproof keeps all devices dry in the event of rain. Additionally, to keep valuables secure, put cash and your passport in the bag. To stay hydrated when trekking, bring some drinking water in your bag.

 

Top hiking shoes and boots for gorilla trekking

The quality of your gorilla trekking shoes will determine how pleasant or uncomfortable your walk is. The park rangers can cross all the streams with a strong grip and stay warm thanks to their gumboots. Gumboots, on the other hand, are difficult to pack. Put on Gore-Tex hiking boots that are waterproof. To keep you dry in the event of rain or stepping in water, you should wear waterproof boots that reach your ankles.

You should never go hiking in sandals or open shoes under any circumstances. There’s little doubt that the densely wooded ecosystem will pierce and bite your feet. Make sure your hiking footwear are at least ankle-length. Make sure the tip of your gorilla trekking shoes is made of strong leather so you won’t be wounded if you strike any pebbles. Make sure the size of your leather shoes will fit you comfortably even with your thick stockings.

 

Other considerations besides attire for Ugandan gorilla trekking

Once you know what to pack for gorilla trekking in Uganda, you should think about bringing a few more necessities that will make the experience easier.  These are some necessities that you should include in your bag and packing list.

 

Repellant for insects and mosquitoes

It should come as no surprise that when you see gorillas in Uganda, you will require bug and mosquito repellant. Since malaria is still a major problem in the nation, you should bring insect repellent. Some tourists also choose to take anti-malarial medications, but it’s all up to you.

For a Uganda Gorilla trekking safari, it is advised to bring and apply a potent mosquito repellent before entering the jungle. A repellent with at least 30% DEET should be potent.

 

Water and snacks

All of your meals will be provided by your accommodation, however some individuals may wish to eat since the hike can be exhausting. You will trek for a longer period of time since the mountain gorillas in the Bwindi forest are said to go further.

You should include water and some food in your bag in case your hike takes a long time. Bring adequate liters of water and food that will give you energy. However, keep in mind that leaving trash in the park is prohibited, so if you eat anything, be prepared to take away your trash. Keep the park clean.

 

Equipment for Cameras and Photography

If you had the opportunity to go gorilla trekking in Uganda, you wouldn’t pass up taking as many pictures as you could. Bring all of your photographic equipment, however keep in mind that flash photography is prohibited. Each of these goods is necessary for a Gorilla Packing List to Uganda, even if they are not in order. Spending money to prepare your attire for gorilla trekking in Uganda is not a concern.

This is due to the fact that it may make the difference between a bad trip and the most incredible safari in Uganda. Please read our article on what to dress if you’re unsure about what to wear for a safari in Uganda or any other traditional African safari, such as a trip in Rwanda, Kenya, or Tanzania.