Essential Gorilla Trekking Packing List; 10 Items to Pack

Hiking Boots (Trekkers Shoes)

Considering the nature of this adventure, waterproof but light weight hiking boots are a must-have on your gorilla trekking packing list.

When choosing hiking boots to use on your gorilla tracking safari, ensure they offer support to your ankles while on a hike through steep slopes and dense vegetation as you look for a gorilla group family the park ranger guide allocated to you during briefing time in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Volcanoes National Park or the Virunga National Park headquarters.

Lightweight Clothing (Weather-appropriate Clothing)

Long sleeved shirts, trousers, blouses; You need good trousers, long sleeved shirts and blouses for women on gorilla trekking safari.

These items are essential on gorilla trekking packing list as they help protect you from scratches, insect bites and a lot more. Usually, we encourage our clients to have at least 2 or 3 pairs.

Rain Jacket

Gorilla trekking is conducted in the rain-forested areas and unlike other savanna parks, rains should be expected at any time of the day. This makes rain jacket or poncho an essential item to consider on your gorilla tracking safari packing list to protect you when it rains.

Gardening Gloves

Mountain gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Virunga National Park and Volcanoes National Park involves a lot of activities.

On a search for mountain gorilla family, depending on the nature of habitat, higher chances are you will touch a plant or ground to get support in the process, you may unfortunately touch thorny or itchy plants and they best protection is when you have gardening or hand gloves. They also help protect you from germs.

Camera and Accessories

What makes gorilla trekking an exciting and memorable safari experience is gorilla photography. This is usually what everyone waits for-that moment to capture a massive silverback in the wild is what normally blows everyone’s minds.

Not to regret in the wild seeing the rest of your colleagues capturing pictures of these massive creatures, ensure you have your good camera with additional batteries and lenses packed. When taking pictures, ensure your camera doesn’t have flashlight and if it does, make sure you have turned it off.

Insect Repellent

On a gorilla trek, trekkers are exposed to nature and not only do these tropical rain-forest protected areas host mountain gorillas, they also inhabit variety of insects. To ensure you have the right protection from biting insects for instance mosquitoes, don’t forget your insect repellent.

First Aid kit

Trekking mountain gorillas in the wild comes with a lot of things including things you don’t expect. To be on safer side, first aid kit is one important item not miss out on your gorilla trekking packing list.

It should have anti-malaria drugs, cold medication, creams, pain killers, liniments, allergy remedies, bandages and others.

Bottled drinking water plus energy giving Snacks

Gorilla trekking takes a process and this includes hiking through the steep slopes and dense vegetation to search for a habituated gorilla family group.

How long you spend in the wild can’t be predicted and entirely, it requires you to be physically fit. This requires you to have plenty of bottled drinking water and snacks to keep you fit all through your search for mountain gorillas.

Sun glasses plus wide brimmed hat

Sun glasses and hat play significant roles when it comes to gorilla safaris in Uganda, Rwanda and DRC. The sun glasses help safeguard your eyes from sun rays and hat is good in protecting your head from the sun heat.

Gorilla Permit

A valid gorilla permit is a must-have on gorilla trekking tour in Uganda, Rwanda and DRC. It should be noted that every gorilla destination has its set price for gorilla permits with Uganda issuing her permits at US Dollars 700, Rwanda at US Dollars 1500 and 450 for DRC.

It is also essential to include other items like toiletries, hiking stick (this can be got at the park headquarters on the date of briefing), pair of binoculars, socks, valid passport to be presented for verification at park reception, visas, waterproof day pack and head lamps.