Essential Packing List and What to Wear for Gorilla Trekking.
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 might be wondering? Everything you need to know about packing for gorilla trekking, including what to dress and bring, is provided here. A necessary A gorilla trekking packing list should include everything you’ll need, from the best clothes to shoes.
Above all, the gorilla trekking equipment should be comfortable because it guarantees that you will arrive at the designated gorilla family unharmed 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.
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 dense forests 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 could irritate your skin. When trekking 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 lots of pockets. Waterproof pants are a great option because they will keep your body warm and dry, especially if it rains while you are trekking.
Decide to bring pants that can be taken off. Since you may wear these as shorts at different points during 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 might perspire when hiking, long-sleeved clothes are ideal because it gets colder at higher elevations.
The finest shirts to wear are made of cotton or have 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 bites and scratches. Your interest will determine the shirt’s size. The shirt can 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 receive a lot of rain, which can fall at any time of day, because their habitats are lush and well-vegetated.
It is cold in the morning when you travel to the bush, even if it is not the rainy season. It wouldn’t be pleasant to feel the chill when it starts to rain while hiking. Select a lightweight waterproof jacket. However, it shouldn’t be the paper thin or extremely 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 jackets can seep 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 might creep. Having a hat would be quite beneficial, particularly in the event of rain. A hair bandana might be useful, though, 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 can 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 palms. The paths may be slick while hiking, therefore you might need to hold onto any plants. Wearing hand gloves will protect your hands because you might 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 could 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 electronics, will be kept in the backpack. Additionally, being waterproof keeps all devices dry in the event of rain. Additionally, to keep valuables safe, keep cash and your passport in the backpack. To stay hydrated when trekking, pack some drinking water in your backpack.
Top hiking shoes and boots for gorilla trekking
The quality of your gorilla trekking shoes will determine how comfortable or uncomfortable your walk is. The park rangers can cross all the streams with a firm 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 no doubt that the densely forested 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 hit 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 insect and mosquito repellant. Since malaria is still a major problem in the nation, you should bring insect repellent. Some tourists also prefer 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 forest. 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 might wish to eat because the hike can be exhausting. You will hike for a longer period of time because the mountain gorillas in the Bwindi forest are reputed to travel farther.
You should include water and some snacks in your backpack in case your hike takes a long time. Bring adequate liters of water and snacks 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 out 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 photography equipment, however keep in mind that flash photography is prohibited. Each of these items 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.
