Gorilla safaris in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo can be disturbing if you don’t have the right items to facilitate your trekking adventures in the places where the critically endangered mountain gorillas live. After you have paid for your trekking permit, safari, transport and lodge, then next thing to take note of is what gear to carry on the trek.
Below is a packing list to guide you on gorilla trek
Water proof hiking boots
This is one of the significant items for you to carry. The hiking boots should be water proof and light weight to help you transverse smoothly on the steep, slippery and muddy terrain. Trekking gorillas involves hiking through the thick forest in Bwindi Impenetrable forest, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Volcanoes National Park and Virunga Protected Area.
Day pack
You also need a handy day pack, water proof given the nature of weather that keeps changing while you are trekking the gorillas. This will be helpful to you in carrying some of your items like documents, bottle of water, snacks among others.
The money belt/bag
Recommended for visitors as they help in safeguarding your money, make sure it is made of cotton to be in position to carry around the body and to avoid sweating. You can put it first followed by the safari cloth to offer more protection to your money as well as passport or copy of it, immunization card.
Gardening gloves
Gloves are one of the important items for gorilla trekking. They help guard your hands during the trek especially when it is slippery and muddy and you need to get support from nearby plants or trees of which they can be itching and at the end they harm you. The gloves will also protect you from germs and other items that may scratch your hands, therefore don’t forget packing your gardening gloves.
Rain jacket
You also need a rain jacket or a poncho for gorilla trekking tours. Mountain gorillas live in the thick tropical forest meaning there is likelihood of it raining at any time even if it is during the dry season. It is unpredictable when it is going to rain in gorilla habitat that is why you are advised to have a rain jacket to help guard you from rain. Although most trekkers like visiting during the drier spell especially June, July, August and beginning of September and December to February with the view to run away from rain which starts in March, April and May.
Long sleeved shirts/blouse/T-shirts
These help in protecting you form the forest biting insects like safari ants that enter peoples’ trousers, so you will be required to tack in your trousers in the hiking boots to avoid such impacts while on your trek. The long sleeved shirts can also protect you from the falling tree branches, thorns, nettles and vines.
Energy giving snacks
Gorilla trek takes 30 minutes up to 8 hours or even beyond, which is why some physical wellness is needed for this adventure. With this, you need some snacks to keep boosting energy so that you complete your trek successfully. As you leave your lodge, make sure that you have packed your snacks and drinking water since returning time isn’t certain. Some of the energy foods are available in Uganda or Rwanda so feel free to inquire from guide about the nearest super market.
Cameras and extra batteries
For any tour, photo taking is very significant which is why you need a good camera and additional batteries. You have only an hour to be with gorillas and it is the same time that you are to take as many pictures as possible of these primates. If your camera has a flashlight, please turn it off while photographing the gorillas. Extra batteries can help you replace the one that runs out of power while photographing these wild creatures.
Hat and sun glasses
When it is hot, it is advisable for you to have your hat and sun glasses ready to protect you from sun heat.
Pair of binoculars
Besides trekking gorillas, there are over 350 forest birds in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and several in Volcanoes National Park and Virunga for you to sight while trekking the great apes and that is why binoculars are very vital for this safari.
Insect repellents
You need insect repellents to keep away the biting insects while you are trekking gorillas in the forest. Gorillas live in the thick forest and it is unavoidable to meeting bit insects like tsetse flies, mosquitoes.
Malaria medicine
Based on your doctor’s prescription, you need some tablets and malarone and Doxycycline, these have been sighted to be effective on malaria treatments.
Porters on gorilla trek
This is an additional thing that you should do on your trek, all visitors advised to hire a porter to help you carry the heavy luggage. Gorilla adventures are breathtaking and so energy demanding and that is why you need someone to relieve you with heavy items.
In conclusion, appropriate packing for safaris is important as it helps you to get the best out of gorilla adventures. With the above packing list, we believe that you can plan for your gorilla safaris to Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo appropriately for a life time experiences with the world’s endangered apes in the wild.