Gorilla trekking is one in a life time experiences that every tourists planning to travel to Africa must include in their bucket list. The endangered mountain gorillas can only be found in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic republic of Congo.
Packing list for gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking does not only require physical fitness but involves hiking and forest walks through the jungle so you must be well prepared and below are some of the items you might need for your gorilla trekking safari.
Cameras and extra batteries
Gorilla trekking is one in a life time experiences that you will experience in Africa, after finding the gorilla family tourists are given an hour of observation and to take photos. You must carry a good camera to take clear pics as souvenirs and to show your loved one’s back home.
Garden gloves
Garden gloves is one of the items you must carry for gorilla trekking, as you move through the thick impenetrable forest that can sometimes become slippery causing you to trip so you might just need to hold on to the ground or some poisonous plants but garden gloves will help from germs and other harmful items.
Back pack
A back pack will help you to keep your items and it’s also comfortable and convenient, potters are always available to help you carry your luggage at a low cost.
Raincoats and jackets
Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is a tropical rainforest that sometimes experiences rainfall even during the dry season of the year making weather unpredictable and it should be noted that most mornings are extremely cold throughout the year.
Warm and long sleeved clothing
Warm clothes are advisable to protect you from cold but furthermore, you should long sleeved clothes and tuck your trousers in the socks to avoid insects like safari ants from biting.
Water proof hiking boots
Mountain gorillas live on the mountain tops of Bwindi and Mgahinga forests which will require physical activity like hiking and forest walks, the altitude and terrain makes it even hard to trek during the wet season as the trails get muddy and slippery so light weight water proof hiking boots must be in your list of gorilla trekking gear.
Insect repellents
Gorillas live in tropical rainforests harbouring various wildlife including insects, the repellent will protect insect bites.
Sun screen
A sun screen will also be recommendable to protect you from sun burn.
Plenty of drinking water
One of the first requirements you will need while trekking mountain gorillas is drinking water, hiking can sometimes get hard and the sun gets hotter in the day so you will need water to cool off the heat and quench your thirst.
Energy snacks
Gorilla trekking takes about 30 minutes to several hours that’s why physical fitness is required, energy giving snacks will keep you moving forward as you trek gorillas. On top of energy snacks you must also carry packed lunch from your lodge.
Hat and sun glasses
Uganda is located at the equator meaning it experiences a lot of direct sun rays a hat and sun glasses will help to protect you from sunlight when it gets hot.
Binoculars
Gorilla national parks like Bwindi is a birders paradise boasting with about 350 species of birds, bird enthusiasts should not forget to carry binoculars in order to spot some various species of birds on the way.
