Gorilla Trekking Packing List – What to carry for your Gorilla Trekking Safari?

Are you planning to visit Africa for gorilla trekking adventures? Then Gorilla Trekking Packing List is a must-consider while planning your safari. For any travel lover, it’s important to understand the packing list for your safaris, because anyone who intends to travel at one point need the appropriate gear to have the best Safari experience. For mountain gorilla trekking, the Gorilla Trekking Packing List is essential for anyone who wishes to see the primates in their natural habitat. After booking your gorilla tour and leaving the issue of transport, permits, and accommodation to your tour operator, the next thing that comes to mind is how best to prepare. You might ask yourself, “What should I pack for gorilla trekking?” Even though gorilla trekking is an exciting and adventurous activity, you need to be prepared.

Based on our past experiences in conducting gorilla tours, one of the most common mistakes we observe is for tourists who have not prepared well for gorilla trekking. During the briefing, some visitors may appear in simple sandals, white sneakers, and shorts, which are not suitable for gorilla trekking. For the best Gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda and Uganda, you need to have a better packing list before embarking on your gorilla trekking safari tour.

MOUNTAIN GORILLA TREKKING AT VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK-What is the best time to see gorillas in Rwanda

Packing List for Gorilla Trekking – What to Carry for your Gorilla Trekking Safaris?

Gorilla Permits and Passport: When you are travelling to East Africa for your gorilla trekking safari, one of the most important documents are the Gorilla permit and Passport. These documents are will be required at the hotel and park offices just before beginning your trek. Valid travel documents and a Visa are very important for any safari in Africa. Don’t travel with a passport that is about to expire. The Gorilla Permits and passport are a must-

include in your packing list when planning a gorilla trekking safari. It is important to note that without necessary travel documents, you will not be allowed in the country and this will make you unable to track gorillas. We also recommend you to take the yellow fever vaccination and carry your card along when traveling.

Hiking Boots: Trekking gorillas is done in high altitude and rugged terrains thus Hiking boots should be on your must-have list. The high quality hiking boots will ensure a better grip on the hilly and sometimes muddy terrain making it easy for you to navigate through the park. If you pack poor quality boots or plain sneakers, you are likely to hurt your ankles or slide during the trek. Since trekking is done in hilly and cold areas, the trails can get muddy or slippery during the rainy season.

Clothing: The right clothing will give you a perfect and hustle-free gorilla trekking experience. Among the must-include in your Gorilla Trekking Packing List is proper clothing. The most preferred clothing includes; waterproof trousers, jackets, long-sleeved shirts, sweaters, long socks and long trousers. All these will protect you from getting wet, sharp tree branches, the sun, and insects/ants. We also advise you to tack in your trousers to your boots to prevent ants or any other insects from entering and getting access to your body. The other attire for relaxation at the lodge includes; a pair of shorts and Pajamas for the cold nights. Remember to carry long socks that can cover your feet during cold.

A Rain Jacket and Sweater: Regardless of your time of travel, a Rain Jacket and Sweater are essential items for Gorilla Trekking Packing List. It is important to note that gorillas live in tropical rain forests and rain should be expected at any time regardless of the season of

your travel. A rain jacket should therefore be on top of your gorilla trekking packing list even if you are planning to travel during the dry season. You need a sweater that will keep you warm during the cold evenings and mornings since the gorilla trekking locations are located in high altitudes.

Gloves: Garden gloves are necessary as they will help you hold trees, branches, and other vegetation to gain support during your trek. The gloves will also protect your hands from scratches and insect bites that are more likely to happen in the forest. The Gloves are a must include in your Gorilla Trekking Packing List.

Toiletries: It’s important to pack certain toiletries when going on a gorilla trek or a safari in a national park. These items include toilet paper, which can come in handy during a long trek, as well as toothbrushes, toothpaste, sanitary pads (for women), shampoos, deodorants, hand sanitizers, razors, hair conditioners, lip balm, wipes, and lotions. Most hotels do not provide these items, so it’s best to bring your own.

A hat, Sun glasses, and sun screen: These items are important during your gorilla trekking safari. They will protect you from the sun’s heat, especially if you are traveling during the dry seasons of the year when the sun is very hot. For travelers who plan to combine their gorilla safaris with other safari activities in Savanna Park, we recommend packing these items as essentials.

Snacks, Packed lunch and drinking water: the duration of a Gorilla trek is very unpredictable and can sometimes be lengthy so packing some snacks will make your experience more enjoyable as they will keep you energized. The trek typically depends on the location of the gorilla family on the day of the trek. The trek can las anywhere between 30

minutes to 6 hours. We recommend you to inform people at your lodge to prepare packed lunch early in the morning. You can also pack your own energy-giving snacks that can also be acquired from supermarkets and specific shops in Rwanda and Uganda.

Also, keep in mind that tracking mountain gorillas for long can become exhausting and you will need enough water to keep you hydrated.

Camera with strong battery and memory: There is no better way to capture your iconic memories during the gorilla trek than taking photos and recording videos. When planning a gorilla trekking safari, a good camera with strong batteries is a must have for the best experience. Imagine if you didn’t capture these moments in the wild, How will your friends know about your encounters during your safaris? How will you remember the events? It is advised not to use flash photos while with the gorillas since they may make them uncomfortable.

Binoculars: to be able to spot all the diversity beyond gorillas, you need a pair of binoculars. During your trek, you will encounter several species of birds, forest elephants, buffaloes, chimpanzees and colobus monkeys among many others. You can get good views of the birds and primates if you have a good binocular.

Phone Simcard: After arriving in you trekking country, we advise you to acquire an international sim card so that you can make calls to your family back home.

Porters: Porters are incredibly useful when trekking to see gorillas, as they can help carry any additional luggage or heavy equipment, such as cameras. They can also provide assistance when navigating through steep hills and valleys. Additionally, porters can help

carry elderly individuals using specialized pouches if necessary. These porters typically charge around $15 for their services and are usually local residents. By hiring a porter, you not only receive their assistance but also contribute to the local community and their families, deterring them from poaching. Some porters are even students who are seeking money to pay for their education. We strongly recommend that our clients hire a porter if they are unsure of their fitness level or if the gorilla family is known to move frequently.

Tips: Although this is optional, a little appreciation of your service providers will put a smile on their faces and make sure they strive to see that you get the very best travel experience. For your guides, porters, Rangers, and hotel staff (Optional). Reward them for protecting the gorillas and making your journey so comfortable. When giving tips, only do it after the service is offered and only in recognition of exceptional and professional service.

Other items: It’s important to consider a few other items before traveling, such as acquiring travel insurance, keeping emergency telephone numbers handy, getting travel maps and directories, as well as having the final itinerary from your tour operator. It’s also crucial to have local currency on hand for tipping guides or purchasing souvenirs in places where credit card machines or ATMs are not available. To keep your money safe, it’s recommended to use a money belt.