The Ultimate Guide to What to Pack For Gorilla Trekking Safari : “The complete packing list for gorilla trekking includes everything from boots to clothing and gloves to make sure you are as comfortable as possible during your expedition. Gorilla trekking is an once-in-a-lifetime experience! But you must be ready in order to fully appreciate the event. Uganda has a warm, tropical environment, but because the mountain gorillas dwell at an elevation, the nighttime low temperatures last far into the morning. The majority of the year, mist and rain are frequent, and daytime temperatures are typically cool and muggy”
What should my packing list contain if I’m going on a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda or Rwanda? You are eager to start packing clothes and any other items you might need for your gorilla trekking safari now that you have paid for it, which includes your gorilla permit, lodging, and transportation. Check the list of necessary products that you may need to include on your list rather than packing a lot, which could become a strain on your vacation, to ensure that you pack the appropriate items for a gorilla trek and other Africa safaris.
Most gorilla tracking locations, including Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, are found at higher altitudes where it is colder, drier, and more humid. While trekking gorillas, you should dress appropriately to avoid getting bitten by insects, the cold, thorns, and slippery terrain. Some of our suggestions for a gorilla trekking packing list are included below. If you want to have a positive trip, you might require the same things as you would for any other safari in Africa.
GORILLA TREKKING IS NO WALK IN THE PARK.
You journey through a dense tropical rainforest while viewing gorillas. Thus, this is not a leisurely stroll over clearly marked paths. Instead, to provide a path for everyone, the guides and porters frequently slice through the woods with machetes.
The trails are very treacherous and steep. You occasionally have to scramble over rocks and logs, hold onto thorny vines and creepers, and wade across streams. Additionally, there are stinging nettles and insects like soldier and fire ants. So as you can see, if you want your gorilla trekking journey to be memorable for the right reasons, you need to be appropriately dressed for it. Here is our comprehensive list of gorilla trekking attire to facilitate packing and trip planning.
LONG TROUSERS
We advise you to put on long pants. Better yet, if you can find a pair that is water-resistant. To help stop bugs like fire ants from creeping up your legs and biting you, these should ideally be tucked inside your socks or boots.
A LONG-SLEEVED SHIRT
If you want to stay warm during the first few hours of your walk, long sleeves are an excellent choice. Additionally, they provide defense against insects, nettles, and branches and vines that could graze you. Select a neutral-colored shirt, like one in khaki, green, or light brown. It’s not a good idea to wear bright colors. Believe it or not, colors like blue and black can attract insects like tsetse flies, so they should be avoided.
STURDY, WATERPROOF HIKING BOOTS
A sturdy pair of hiking boots is one of the most essential items of gorilla trekking clothing. You shouldn’t attempt this walk while wearing sandals or sneakers. While hiking, you need to have adequate traction because the trails are muddy and slippery. Your ankles will be properly supported by hiking boots, which also give stability and balance as well as protection from thorns and insects. To avoid the possibility of hurting or blistering your feet while on the walk, you should purchase your boots in advance and use them.
THICK SOCKS
Warmth at the chilly early-morning start of the walk is provided by a decent pair of thick socks. The ends of your pants should be tucked into your socks as well. This offers additional defense against stinging nettles and helps stop insects from climbing up your legs while you’re hiking.
HARDY GLOVES
You should bring gardening gloves, as advised. In actuality, this is one of your most crucial gorilla trekking outfits. On a gorilla trek, you’ll need the kind of protection that gardening gloves typically provide: protection from thorns. You frequently need to help yourself up or down the mountainside by holding onto branches and vines.
A LIGHTWEIGHT RAIN JACKET OR PONCHO
Southwest Uganda has rain all year round, with morning showers being the most common time for it to happen. While walking, a poncho or lightweight rain jacket can keep you dry and comfortable.
A WIDE-BRIM HAT
On a gorilla trek, you won’t always be strolling beneath trees, so you’ll need a hat when the morning mist lifts. Keep in mind that the sun is stronger where you are because you are at a higher altitude. Additionally, a hat offers some degree of protection from rain and errant or flicking branches in addition to providing sun protection. And you return to the starting point with fewer branches and leaves in your hair.
SUNSCREEN
You should shield your skin from the sun in connection with the aforementioned statement. Midday can bring some very harsh sun rays (remember the altitude?). If you followed our recommendations, the majority of your body will already be protected, but your face will require some sunscreen. Additionally, we advise carrying a sunscreen stick in your backpack so you may reapply it as needed (gorilla treks are sweaty affairs, given the high humidity of the rainforest).
INSECT REPELLENT
You might have noticed how frequently we discuss insects. Wearing an effective insect repellent like RID or one with citronella is a good idea to guarantee your journey is comfortable because there are a lot of insects in the jungle. Bring some in your backpack so you can reapply it.
WATER BOTTLE
Please remember to bring a sturdy, filled water bottle. Additionally, there may be a little bottle of water that has been flavored with a rehydration mix. As already indicated, you should expect to sweat a lot during the hike, and your electrolytes may become depleted. It is best to drink extra water. If you’re concerned about the weight, keep in mind that you can hire porters to carry your bag and assist you on the trail, The Ultimate Guide to What to Pack For Gorilla Trekking Safari.
CAMERA
Nowadays, phones frequently have adequate cameras, but if you have a really nice camera, we recommend bringing it along to record these once-in-a-lifetime events. Make sure you charge the battery on your phone or camera the night before. We advise you to bring a spare battery if your camera runs on batteries. And before you leave for Uganda, make sure to include all necessary charging cords (as well as an international adapter, if applicable). You don’t want to be in the middle of your trip standing and yelling in your hotel room over a dead camera.
MALARIA PREVENTION MEDICATION
Malaria is a serious threat in Uganda. Consult a travel clinic or your neighborhood doctor to choose the best prophylaxis for you. Doxycycline and Malarone are the most often used.
Other packing list for Mountain gorilla trekking safari: The final schedule provided by your tour operator, travel insurance, emergency contact information, travel maps, and directories are other general considerations. When you wish to tip your tour guides or buy souvenirs in locations without credit card machines or ATMs, having cash in local currency is extremely crucial. Get a money belt to protect your cash.
NOTE: Although the majority of our tour cars are equipped with first aid supplies, we advise tourists to bring painkillers, water purification tablets, and any other personal drugs for medical ailments and allergies. It’s possible that you’ll also need to pack medications to treat insect bites, the flu, diarrhea, other colds, and to rehydrate the body. During the journey, bandages, scissors, tweezers, and eye drops may also be necessary. Never leave home without your swimsuit, especially during the dry season. The majority of the hotels have sizable pools that look out over the stunning African environment.
GENERAL PREPARATION FOR THE AFRICA SAFARI AND MOUNTAIN GORILLA TREKKING,
Bring these items with you on your trip: emergency contact information and, if you booked your trip through a travel agency, an updated version of your itinerary. Travel protection, medical records, and any documentation relating to your medical history. Travel documents, such as a passport that is still valid for at least six months and any required visas, Keep all of your documents, especially the originals, in your hand luggage and place the photocopies in a separate bag. Reference materials for travelers, such as maps and phone numbers for the tour company you are booking with. If you are traveling independently without a tour operator, maps are a necessity.
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