Packing List for Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla Permits and Passport: You will be required to show your gorilla permit and passport at the hotel and park offices just before beginning your trek. Valid travel documents and a Visa are very important for any safari. Don’ t travel with a passport that is about to expire. Without the required travel documents, you will not be allowed in the country and to track the gorillas. Also ensure that you take the yellow fever shots and have the card.

Hiking Boots: It is very important to include comfortable hiking boots among the things to pack for gorilla trekking in Bwindi or other national parks, High quality hiking boots will ensure a better grip of the hilly and sometimes muddy terrain. Poor quality boots or plain sneakers could hurt your ankles. Always remember that gorilla trekking involves climbing steep hills in areas with high altitude. The trails can get muddy or slippery during the rainy season.

Clothing: When deciding on the clothes to pack for gorilla trekking, ensure you include water proof trousers, jackets, long sleeved shirts, sweaters, long socks and long trousers. The right clothing will help protect you from getting wet, sharp tree branches, the sun and insects/ants. Always tack in your trousers to your boots to prevent safari ants and other insects from entering your body. Other clothing to take into consideration while planning your gorilla tour are a pair of shorts for relaxation while back at the lodge and Pajamas for the cold nights. Also include long socks to cover your feet.

A Rain Jacket and sweater: This is an essential item for packing especially during the wet season. Gorillas live in tropical rain forests and rain should be expected at any time regardless of the period of the year. A rain jacket should therefore be on top of your packing list even if you are planning to come in the so-called dry season. The sweater will keep you warm during the cold evenings and mornings. The Volcanoes National Park and Mgahinga are located in areas of high altitudes with several volcanoes on the horizon which release cold winds and mist.

Garden gloves; The gloves will help you hold trees, branches and other vegetation also protect your hands from scratches and insect bites. Furthermore, the forest can be muddy and slippery most especially during the wet season. The gloves will help you hold tree branches when climbing or the ground in case you slide. Gloves are a must in any packing list for gorilla trekking.

Toiletries: These are not only important during gorilla trekking but also for general safaris in other national parks. The toiletries include like toilet paper in case you want to ease yourself during a long gorilla trek. Most hotels do not provide toothbrushes and pastes. You need to also come with your own sanitary pads (ladies), favourite shampoos, deodorants, hand sanitizers, shavers, hair conditioners, lip balm, wipes and lotions.
Headband and Hair Ties: Your hair could get caught in the branches if not properly tied.

A hat, Sun glasses and sun screen: These will protect you from the suns heat especially during the dry season. These items are also important if you are planning to combine gorilla trekking with a visit to the other national parks with hotter weather.

Other essentials that you will need include; Snacks, Packed lunch and drinking water: Gorilla trekking is very unpredictable. It all depends on the location of the gorilla family on the day of the trek. The activity can take between 30 minutes to 6 hours. Trekking for long distances could get you tired and dehydrated thus you will require enough drinking water to keep you dehydrated. Your lodge should prepare for you packed lunch or you can choose to park your own energy snacks. Energy giving snacks can also be acquired from supermarkets and specific shops in Rwanda and Uganda.
Walking stick: To help you manoeuvre through the thick vegetation and steep areas. The sticks are given out for free after the briefing. You can get a higher quality one at a cost from your hotel or preferably through the park rangers.
Camera with strong battery and memory: A camera is essential not only for Gorilla trekking, but also for all other safaris in different national parks. You will need a camera and batteries to capture your best moments with the Gorillas among other others in the park.
Binoculars: Besides the Gorillas, during you trek in the forest, you will encounter several species of birds, among other animals including; forest elephants, buffaloes, chimpanzees and colobus monkeys among many others. You are assured of clear views of the birds and primates if you have a good binocular.
Hiring a Porters: Porters are mainly come from the Batwa community living around the surrounding areas of the park. Porter help tourist carry any extra luggage or heavy cameras during gorilla trekking. They can also give you a helping hand when navigating through steep hills and valleys. Porter can help carry the elderly using special pouches when required. Porters are hired for a small fee. advise all our clients to hire a porter if they are not sure of their fitness level or if it has been determined that the gorilla family moves a lot.
Tip; (optional) For your guides, porters, Rangers and hotel staff, reward them for protecting the gorillas and making your journey so comfortable. Remember that most these porters come from poor backgrounds and have families waiting for them at home. If you choose to give tips, only do it after the service is offered and only in recognition of exceptional and professional service.
Other items: Other general items to consider are travel insurance, emergency telephone numbers, travel maps, directories and the final itinerary from your tour operator. Having money in local currency is also important when you want to tip your Guides or buy souvenir in areas with no credit card machines or ATM’s. To keep your money safe, acquire a money belt.
Note that most of our tour vehicles have first aid equipment but we recommend that visitors bring tablets for water purification, painkillers, any personal medications for medical conditions and allergies. You might also need to bring medicine that reduces pain from insect bites, medicine for flue, diarrhoea, other colds and those that re-hydrate the body. Bandages, Scissors, Tweezers and Eye Drops may also be important during the trip. Never forget swimming wear especially during the dry season. Most of the hotels have large swimming pools overlooking beautiful African wilderness.