What to pack on a gorilla trekking safari; Gorilla trekking is an adventurous activity that involves visitors moving on foot into the tropical rainforest in search of the endangered mountain gorillas and once found spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. Gorilla trekking is done in different areas namely Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park in Uganda, Volcanoes national park in Rwanda, Virunga national park and Kahuzi Biega national park in Democratic republic of Congo. When going on a gorilla trekking safari in either Uganda, Rwanda or Congo, there are a number of items that you should pack including,
What to pack on a gorilla trekking safari
Facemasks and hand sanitizer,
Mountain gorillas are vulnerable to human diseases therefore tourists are required to wear their facemasks during the briefing at the park headquarters during the one hour with the mountain gorillas so as not to transmit diseases to the mountain gorillas. You can however remove the face mask while trekking in the forest and then put it on while with the gorillas.
Light waterproof jacket
Gorilla trekking is done in tropical rainforests therefore it can rain anytime of the day regardless of the season so the waterproof rain jacket will protect you from rainfall and keep you dry during trekking.
Long sleeved shirt and trouser
The long sleeved shirt and trouser will protect your skin from scratches, thorny tree branches and also keep you warm during trekking as the gorilla destinations usually become cold during early morning and in the evening.
Garden/hiking gloves
Garden gloves will protect your hands from germs, dirt and thorny plants as during trekking you will pass through thick forests with undesignated trails therefore the garden gloves will protect you from touching nettles, thorny and itching plants. You can put off the garden gloves while in the presence of the mountain gorillas so as to take beautiful photos.
Hiking shoes/boots
The hiking shoes/ boots will protect your ankles, protect you from sharp objects and also keep your feet dry during trekking as gorilla trekking is done in tropical rainforests with no designated trekking trails therefore it can rain anytime of the day which makes the trekking trails dump, muddy and slippery.
Insect repellent
The insect repellent will protect your skin from biting insects like mosquitos, tsetse flies and bugs during trekking in the tropical rainforest and also at the lodge therefore tourists should pack a bottle of insect repellent when going on a gorilla trekking safari.
Energy snacks and drinking water
Gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo takes about 30 minutes to 7 hours depending on whether the gorillas are located therefore tourists are advised to carry energy snacks as supplements and drinking water to keep you hydrated as you will not know the time when you will return back to the lodge. Energy snacks and drinking water can be got from any supermarket before going to the gorilla destination or at the lodge where you will be staying during the safari.
A hat
A hat will protect your head and neck from rain, direct sunlight and also protect your hair from getting stuck in tree branches during trekking.
Warm sweater
Gorilla destinations like Mgahinga gorilla national park, Bwindi impenetrable national park and Volcanoes national park usually get very cold during morning and at night therefore a sweater will keep you warm.
A pair of binoculars
A pair of binoculars will help you to view other wildlife species in the national parks at a distance as gorilla destinations like Bwindi impenetrable national park, Mgahinga gorilla national park, Volcanoes national park and Virunga national park harbor a variety of bird species and animals.
Camera and extra batteries
A camera is one of the major items to pack for your gorilla trekking safari as you will need to take many pictures during the one hour with the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. When going for gorilla trekking, you should charge your batteries and also switch off your flash when taking pictures of the gorillas so as not to irritate or agitate them and make them aggressive.
Walking stick
The walking stick will give you support during trekking in steep and slippery terrains.
Waterproof backpack
A waterproof backpack will help you to carry your trekking essentials and also keep them dry in case it rains during trekking. The trekking essential include energy snacks, drinking water, insect repellent, facemask and sanitizer, camera and extra batteries among others
Best time to go for gorilla trekking safari
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park, Mgahinga gorilla national park, Volcanoes national park, Virunga gorilla national park and Kahuzi Biega national park can be done anytime throughout the year though the best period is during the dry season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February. During the dry season, there is less rainfall in the national parks therefore gorilla trekking trails will be dry and passable which make trekking easy compared to the rainy season when the trails are muddy and slippery which makes trekking difficult.
For more information about what to pack on a gorilla trekking safari, you can contact us at Achieve Global Safaris.
